The San Diego Chargers (6-3) have been improving each week while the Denver Broncos (6-3) have been on steady decline after starting the season 6-0.  The Chargers defense has had to prepare for two quarterbacks all week since Broncos’ starting quarterback Kyle Orton is still battling a sprained ankle and has been listed as a “game time decision.”  If Orton cannot go, which is likely, then Chris Simms will start for the Broncos.  This is very good news for the Chargers as Simms looked awful last week when he came in for the injured quarterback.  He only completed 3 of 13 passes and threw an interception.  If Simms is the starter the Broncos will probably run the ball even more, and the Chargers are giving up too many yards on the ground (119 yard avg.) so they need to be ready to stop Knowshown Moreno and Correll Buckhalter.  Moreno is the better back lately, and rushed for 97 yards on 18 carries last game.

The Chargers offense has been looking very good lately, but the Broncos do have a good defense.  They do a great job defending the passing game, only giving up 186 passing yards per game.  That doesn’t mean Philip Rivers and the Chargers’ receivers can’t find success against the Broncos.  Rivers is due for a big game, so I think he may be able to find receiver Vincent Jackson for some big plays.  Also, LaDainian Tomlinson looked like his old self last week, rushing for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns on 24 carries.  If LT has another game like that, things will be a lot easier for Rivers and the passing game and they should be able to get the win.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  San Diego Chargers 24, Denver Broncos 17