Chargers QB Philip Rivers continues to put up staggering numbers considering his woeful offensive line and injury-depleted receiving corps. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos (9-2) at San Diego Chargers (3-8)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego – TV: CBS
*TV announcers: Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon, Scott Kaplan
*Keys to the game: QB Brock Osweiler has stoked a simmering local and national debate in winning his first two career stats, including a comeback victory against New England that required two late-game scoring drives. He has mobility and can make all the necessary throws, but there is still an ongoing learning curve and building chemistry with his receivers.
The Broncos will attack a Chargers’ run defense allowing 4.9 yards per carry and try to keep Osweiler in manageable down and distances. He had miscommunication on several routes with receivers last week, and the quickest way to keep an overmatched team in the game is through turnovers.
Chargers QB Philip Rivers continues to put up staggering numbers considering his woeful offensive line and injury-depleted receiving corps. But throwing four touchdowns against Jacksonville is one thing. The Broncos won’t give rookie RB Melvin Gordon much room to work with – and that might be optimistic on San Diego’s end. That’s going to leave Rivers faced with consistent long passing downs working into the teeth of Denver’s pass rush.
*Matchup to watch – Broncos LT vs. Chargers ROLB Melvin Ingram: Ingram is second on the team with 4.0 sacks and has an excellent opportunity to have a major impact on the game working against tackle Ryan Harris, who was moved to the blind side following injuries to Ryan Clady and Ty Sambrailo.
*Player spotlight – Broncos RB C.J. Anderson: Anderson is coming off his second 100-yard game of the season, which NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth surmised might be due to his low center of gravity and ability to cut when winter conditions become a factor. Broncos coach Gary Kubiak chalked it up to improved confidence, and the numbers back up his stance with Anderson averaging 6.3 yards per carry since Denver’s Week 7 bye.
*Fast facts: Osweiler has completed 43 of 69 passes for 520 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in his first two career starts. … This is the second to last home game of the season for the Chargers, who are considered a likely candidate to relocate to Los Angeles for the 2016 season. The Chargers’ final home game in San Diego could be Dec. 20 vs. Miami.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Brock Osweiler is creating waves, and a quarterback debate, but it’s the Denver defense that wreaks the most havoc in abusing San Diego’s inferior offensive line and pressuring QB Philip Rivers into mistakes to pull away late.
*Our pick: Broncos 24-16.
