Broncos would gain 3 1/2-games lead with win over San Diego

ENGLEWOOD – Unless you hide the standings, the Denver Broncos have to understand what Monday night’s game could mean for them in the AFC West.

A win over San Diego and the Broncos would be 6-0 with a commanding three-and-a-half game lead in the division. No team in NFL history has had a bigger lead in its division and not made the playoffs. Last year the Broncos became the second team in NFL history to have a three-game lead and miss the playoffs. That collapse finished with a 52-21 loss at San Diego in last year’s season finale.

The Broncos don’t want to focus on what a win could mean down the road.

“We’re really not thinking about all the implications,” quarterback Kyle Orton said. “We just know it’s a division road game for us, and it’s going to be tough.”

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels echoed that sentiment, claiming that the Broncos aren’t worried about what the game could mean a few months from now. But he wants to make the rivalry more competitive. McDaniels pointed out San Diego has won five of the last six games in the series. Four of those Chargers wins were by at least 20 points.

“We've got to change the direction the series has been heading,” McDaniels said.

See more Broncos coverage at gazette.com/broncos