Broncos’ Miller has Chargers QB in his sights

DENVER — Von Miller has sacked Philip Rivers more than any other quarterback in the NFL. That’s not why he’s delighted to open the season Monday night when the Los Angeles Chargers visit the Denver Broncos.

“I like playing them all. I like sacking them all,” said Miller, the linebacker whose 73½ sacks since his rookie 2011 season rank second in the league.

“That’s my job. It’s not like I’m going against (Kansas City Chiefs QB) Alex Smith and I’m like, ‘Man, I wish I was playing Philip Rivers this week.’ ”

Who could blame him if he did?

Of the 34 quarterbacks Miller has sacked in his career, Rivers is his biggest prize.

He’s sacked him 13 times. Smith, by the way, ranks second on his list with eight, followed by Tom Brady with 7½.

Monday night marks Rivers’ 24th game against the Broncos. Before Miller entered the league as the second overall

draft pick in 2011, Rivers owned the Broncos. Since then, Miller has owned Rivers.

Rivers’ stats pre-miller: eight wins, three losses, 184-for-283 passing (65 percent) for 2,624 yards, 18 TDS, six interceptions, 20 sacks.

Rivers’ stats post-miller: three wins, nine losses, 248-for-423 passing (58 percent) for 2,680 yards, 18 TDS, 16 interceptions, 37 sacks.

Miller certainly has gotten Rivers’ attention over the years.

“He’ll be remembered as one of the best ever to play,” Rivers said. “And I still find myself rewinding the tape, not only on the pass downs but on the run downs. That’s what pushes him a notch above. He is unreal against the run. He plays on every down all he’s got and it’s impressive.”

That’s because Miller has grown accustomed to facing defenses designed specifically to keep him off the quarterback.

“In the National Football League, if a team doesn’t want you to get a sack, that’s top on their agenda, that’s their primary goal — don’t let Von get a sack, don’t let him ruin the game — 90 percent of the time, it’s not going to happen,” Miller said.

“You have to find other ways to change the game. You have to find other ways to impact the game.”

While Miller has openly talked about obliterating the NFL record with a 30sack season, what he really aims for is disruption.

“I really just try to go out there and try to be a dominant football player.

I try to affect the game any way that I can whether coverage, playing the run or rushing the passer,” Miller said. “Whatever chances I can get to wreck the game, that’s what I’m going to try to do.”