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To get you ready for Week 16, FanHouse is previewing all 16 NFL games. Here is your Broncos/Chargers preview.2007 Records:
Denver Broncos: 6-8 (2nd in AFC West)
San Diego Chargers: 9-5 (AFC West Champions)
Last Week:
Texans 31, Broncos 13
Chargers 51, Lions 14
When the Broncos have the ball: The Broncos still rank eighth in the league in rushing yards, a shocking figure given how iffy their production on the ground has been this season. Injuries to Travis Henry and Tom Nalen are the biggest reason their ground game has flagged and this doesn't appear to be the week to bet on a big comeback. Whether Henry or Selvin Young gets the bulk of the carries, the center of the Bronco line will have to find a way to deal with big Jamal Williams and that might be too tall an order. If they can't get the ground game working early, the Broncos will be leaving Jay Cutler with an awful lot to do. He throws well on the run, a good thing since the Chargers have resumed playing aggressive, blitzing defense, but he also forces too many throws. Against a team that's picked off 10 balls in the last three weeks that's suicidal.
When the Chargers have the ball: Run left, run right and run center. The Broncos haven't stopped the run all season and don't figure to find the answers this weekend. LaDainian Tomlinson has been a monster in the second half and he's ably backed up by Michael Turner and Darren Sproles. All three could gash this defense for big gains and that could lead to another game like the season's first meeting, a 41-3 Charger win. All the running should eliminate the chance that Philip Rivers could foul everything up. He's been better since leading the comeback in Tennessee but there's no reason for the Bolts to put too much on his plate this Sunday.
The Edge: As good as Tomlinson has been, the four game San Diego winning streak has been spurred by the defense. They're allowing just under 14 points a game, have clamped down on the run and reestablished the fear for quarterbacks dropping back to pass. They should stop the run, force a turnover or two and then leave it to their inimitable tailback to continue their march to the playoffs.
Keep an eye on:
Elvis Dumervil - When the Chargers do drop back to pass, they'll need Marcus McNeill to keep Dumervil off of Rivers. Considered too small coming out of Louisville, Dumervil has made his critics look stupid with a relentless pass rush that's resulted in 11 sacks. Neutralize him and you've stopped the Denver rush.
Antonio Gates - He's disappeared over the last three weeks and, while running remains their best option, the Chargers need to get him going again if they want to make a run in the postseason.
Sproles - His 100-yard game against Detroit expanded his profile but the lackluster Denver special teams will have to worry about him in the return game first and foremost.
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