The Chargers take on Peyton Manning and the Broncos Monday night in their second prime time game in as many weeks.
Prime time presents two major differences than a regular Sunday game:
It is a later game. Last week the Chargers kicked off against the Saints at 5:20 p.m. San Diego time, but 7:20 local New Orleans time. On Monday it will be a 5:30 p.m. start time.
There is a national television audience, which means more commercial breaks. For many Chargers with family on the East Coast, it means one of the few times their families can tune in.
Differences like these are what sports reporters love. They provide interesting statistics and therefore conclusions and analysis they can create.
But what do the players think? Do they buy into the hype of the time difference or national television audience?
Safety Darrell Stuckey said he considers it an honor and an opportunity.
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"It shows a lot about our team and the audience that we bring when we play," Stuckey said. "I think it's awesome. It's an amazing stage to be on and to have. It's just a great opportunity for us to go out there and showcase our ability."
Wide receiver Malcolm Floyd, on the other hand, thinks age might make the difference in how much stock you put into your time slot.
"I don't really buy into it," Floyd said. "I'm just worried about winning. When you're younger you kind of think more about the people outside but I'm really focused on people inside my room and on my team because they really depend on me. I'm not trying to buy into the nationally televised game because if you think about whose watching you could get sidetracked."
Tight end Antonio Gates puts more stock in who they are playing than what time they're playing.
"It's not just another game, Gates said. "We're playing for first place. So it does have meaning because that's what you play for. The opponent makes a difference. An AFC West game is always a game and a half in my opinion."
