--QB Philip Rivers was asked why the Chargers-Broncos matchup always draws such interest. "It's exciting," he said. "First off, Chargers-Broncos (game) is exciting every year, especially the last couple. We've been battling for the division. You're always looking for matchups to throw things in the mix but I know one thing and I know Jay (Cutler) feels the same way: We're not playing one another out there. We've both got tough defenses to worry about and we're trying to help both of our teams advance into the playoffs."

--ILB Stephen Cooper said the rivalry with the Broncos is always intense -- but especially lately. "Yes, it has intensified but that's because they're an AFC West opponent," said the Chargers' leading tackler. "We've been battling the last couple years in who is going to win the AFC West and it's been a battle between us and Denver and that's why it's become a rivalry game. People build it up to be like that because they have a great quarterback (Jay Cutler) and we have a great quarterback. At the end of the day, it's 11 guys going out there trying to do a great job and win the AFC West."

--Coach Norv Turner admitted it was tough letting go of that controversial call in the teams' last meeting. "Yes, I mean, if you believed me when I said that I could, I could sell you some other things," he said. "You can't let it go, but you have to. You have to put it behind you and you can't let it affect what you're doing in the future."

--The Chargers have won three of the past four AFC West titles, with the crown they missed -- in 2005 -- going to the Broncos.

--Denver S Marlon McCree returns to Qualcomm Stadium, the site of a play that is entered in Chargers' lore. The Chargers had the Patriots beat late in a 2006 playoff game when McCree intercepted the ball. But instead of falling on it, he fumbled it on his return and the Patriots recovered and went on to win the game.

--Ex-Charger FB Andrew Pinnock is playing with the Broncos. Pinnock was in the Chargers' camp last summer, set to take the place of Lorenzo Neal. But Pinnock was slow to recover from a knee injury and cut.

--Sunday's game was recently moved into the prime-time slot because of its implications. The Chargers had been moved out of the prime-time position the previous week in Tampa Bay.

BY THE NUMBERS: 3 -- Consecutive AFC West titles the Chargers claim with a victory Sunday. It would also be their fourth in five years.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's exciting. That's why you coach, that's why you play, that's why you're involved in this, to be in a game that has great meaning. This game is as big as it gets for us at this point." -- Coach Norv Turner, on Sunday's winner-take-all game against the Broncos.