Despite Poor Record, Broncos Cannot Overlook the San Diego Chargers

The Denver Broncos have won back-to-back games with Brock Osweiler as their new starting quarterback. They’re riding high after a 30-24 overtime victory over the previously undefeated New England Patriots in Week 12.

This time around, the Broncos travel to take on divisional rivals the San Diego Chargers. It’s the first of the two games the Broncos have yet to play against the Chargers in 2015. When the schedule came out earlier this year, those two games stood out and were thought by many to be matchups that could decide who wins the AFC West title.

That’s not the case, as the Chargers have struggled mightily this season.

The Bolts have a 3-8 record going into Week 13, and they’ve been one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL. The team is coming off a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 12, but this was their first victory in quite some time. Before the Jaguars win, the Chargers had been on a six-game slide.

Key players are hurt for the Chargers, the O-line is bad and banged up, the offense struggles to run the ball, the defense lacks playmakers and even the special teams is one of the worst in the league.

Despite their poor record, the Chargers are not a team the Broncos can overlook. In this article, we examine ways the Chargers could compete with the Broncos on Sunday.

It’s Philip Rivers, Man

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

First and foremost, we need to highlight the Chargers' star veteran quarterback, Philip Rivers. He's almost always a thorn in the side of the Broncos when they meet, and Sunday should be no different. Rivers is on the injury report with a minor foot injury, but he'll have to be dragged from the field kicking and screaming to miss this one.

Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips knows Rivers could be difficult to stop.

“Philip Rivers is—they’re team obviously hasn’t had a great year, but he’s having a great year," Phillips said. "He’s been a great quarterback for a long time. He’s obviously a guy we’re concerned with. They’ve got one of the top passing games in the league.”

Rivers is going to be without his best wide receiver in Keenan Allen. Earlier this year, Allen was knocked out for the season with a lacerated kidney. Even with a lack of high-quality targets at wide receiver, Rivers should still aggressively attack the Broncos defense.

Year	Week	Comp-Att	Yards	TDs	INTs
2012	6	24-41	241	2	4
2012	10	24-40	258	2	2
2013	9	19-29	218	1	0
2013	14	12-20	166	2	0
2013	playoffs	18-27	217	2	0
2014	8	30-41	252	3	2
2014	14	24-41	232	1	2

Phillips explained, “We have to stop the run first, as always, but he’s one of those quarterbacks I’ve talked about. He can beat you throwing the ball. He had one game where he had 500 yards passing and no interceptions. That’s incredible.”

The foot injury is not expected to keep Rivers from the game, but it could alter his ability to throw on the run. Rivers is not fleet-footed, but he does have enough athleticism to keep plays alive with his feet while keeping his eyes downfield.

The veteran coach continued, “I know Philip pretty well. [The Chargers] drafted him when I was there. He’s a great competitor, great person, but he’s also a great competitor. [He is a] good trash talker too. I’m sure I’ll get some of that on the sideline.”

Danny Woodhead Can Make Plays

Harry How/Getty Images

The Chargers aren’t running the ball well this year with rookie Melvin Gordon as their lead back. The offensive line isn't opening up holes for the rookie first-round pick, and the Chargers are not productive on the ground.

However, through the air, they feature one of the best change-of-pace backs in the league. Danny Woodhead is a small back, but he's quick and explosive. He can make defenders miss in the open field, and because of his size, he's tough for defenders to get a bead on.

Woodhead is best used in space. He can be effective as a runner on toss plays or draw plays in which he can be put in one-on-one situations with less athletic defenders.

As a receiver, Woodhead creates mismatches against linebackers. If he gets open on a wheel route, Woodhead can crease a defense for a big play. Against a fierce pass rush such as the Broncos', the Chargers should plan on using draw plays and screen passes to counter their opponent.

Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. knows opponents are going to try and use running backs to attack the defense through the air.

"I think every week we've had to prepare for a running back," Harris said. "Teams are trying to scheme us up with tight ends and running backs trying to avoid me and [Aqib] Talib. Every week we have to be ready for all of their tight ends and all of their running backs."

Woodhead may not be the first name you think of when considering the weapons on the Chargers offense, but he could be one of the most productive players for them in this tough matchup.

Antonio Gates Could Be a Problem

Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press

The Broncos have historically struggled against the tight end position—especially when the tight end is Antonio Gates. The linebackers are going to have a tough time keeping up with Gates as he drags across the field. He's too big for a safety to cover, and Gates can box out smaller defenders to snare the pass.

Harris has the ultimate respect for the future Hall of Fame tight end.

"He just has it," he said. "He has the fundamentals all the way down. He's been riding that same wave his whole career."

Despite his age, Gates is still one of the better tight ends in the league. Harris understands Gates can still make a big impact: "He's still making plays. He's still killing guys on the same routes since I've been here. I mean, five years and he's still running the same routes and still kills guys, so you have to be ready for him. Like I said, he has the fundamentals down."

Harris continued, "Once you get those fundamentals down all the way and being able to—I mean, he's not as fast as he was, but like I said, he's able to still have great route running. If you can have that, you can still get open."

Gates thrives in the red zone, so the Broncos had better be mindful of where he's at if the Chargers get close to pay dirt.

Summary

The Chargers are going to try and knock the Broncos off their winning path. While the Broncos are bound for the postseason—perhaps as the AFC West champion—the Chargers are looking at a lost season.

Rivers is going to run his mouth as he would love to throw a wrench into the Broncos season. Phillips knows all about Rivers’ tendency to talk trash on the field.

“I know. He’s real nice when he trash talks. His competitiveness is similar to some of the great quarterbacks I’ve been around. Jim Kelly was that one—not trash talking, but just great competitors. Obviously, John Elway was too. They want to beat you in anything they do. He’s one of those guys.”

While they are unlikely to run the ball effectively, the Chargers offense will go to the air to move it. Woodhead should see most of his production as a receiver out of the backfield. Gates is still able to get open on underneath routes, and he might sneak by the Broncos defense for a few big plays.

The Chargers aren't a good team, but it's "any given Sunday" in the NFL, and the Broncos had better not overlook a divisional opponent intent on showing some late-season spark.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos media department unless otherwise noted. Advanced stats via ESPN's employees-only database.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.