Broncos motivated against San Diego nemesis

ENGLEWOOD – The Denver Broncos aren’t looking back and aren’t looking forward. There is plenty of motivation going into Monday night’s game against San Diego.

Denver is coming off an emotional, hard-fought overtime win against New England, and has its bye week after playing the Chargers. Last year the Broncos lost 41-7 at New England the week before their bye.

McDaniels said he wasn’t worried about the team looking forward to the bye, and hasn’t seen any letdown from last week.

“Had a great practice yesterday, and the fact we’ve lost five of six to this team and really not been in the game in those five losses, I don’t think you need to say a whole lot more to get our attention,” McDaniels said.

The players understand the stakes as well. They would lead the AFC West by three-and-a-half games if they beat the Chargers.

“It is going to be a 60-minute game, and it’s on Monday night,” quarterback Kyle Orton said. “I don’t think we will have any issue being emotionally ready to play this game.”

The Broncos should be very close to full strength. Running back Correll Buckhalter looks set to play after missing last week with an ankle injury, and McDaniels said running back LaMont Jordan would be available. Jordan had been away from the team Wednesday and Thursday to attend a funeral, but returned today.

McDaniels reiterated his message that the Broncos have to be more competitive against the Chargers if they want to be taken seriously in the AFC West. The Chargers have won the division three straight seasons and have dominated their games against Denver.

“They’ve kind of owned this division,” McDaniels said. “It’s hard for us to think we’re going to come out on top in the division at the end of the year until we start playing the Chargers better than how we’ve played them.”