Peyton Manning has the Broncos offense rolling. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
San Diego Chargers (5-2) at Denver Broncos (5-1)
Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver – TV: CBS
*TV announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
*Keys to the game: Undrafted rookie RB Branden Oliver continues to play well for the Chargers, who struggled to maintain drives last week. The result was just 15 carries for Oliver, and the offense bogged down when some makeable plays in the passing game went by the wayside due to off-target passes or miscommunication. San Diego must be committed to Oliver to sustain drives and shorten the game for its defense, but also to help the offensive line cope with OLBs Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, the only tandem in the NFL to each have 7.0-plus sacks this season.
Peyton Manning has the Broncos’ offense humming at its best clip of the season. He’s picking apart teams that attempt to blitz, so the Chargers’ defensive line must get home. The problem is, that same defensive line is getting put on ice skates too often in the ground game. If RB Ronnie Hillman is adding a complement through the ground, Manning will pick apart a secondary thinned by injuries. Chiefs QB Alex Smith completed passes to eight different players last week against the Chargers, who are also now giving up 4.5 yards per carry this season.
*Matchup to watch – Chargers DT Cory Liuget vs. Broncos interior offensive line: San Diego began last week’s game in the nickel package and will likely live in it against Manning. That puts a bigger weight on Liuget to clog up the running lanes and clear ILBs Donald Butler and Andrew Gachkar to make plays. Broncos LG Orlando Franklin wasn’t thrilled about moving inside this season, but has helped add bulk and physicality between the tackles.
*Player spotlight – Chargers CB Richard Marshall: With Brandon Flowers (concussion) likely out and Jason Verrett (shoulder) uncertain, Marshall is again in line for significant playing time, and he was attacked by Smith when in the game last week.
*Fast facts: The teams have split the past 10 regular-season meetings. … Manning has a 9-2 record on Thursday nights. … Chargers TE Antonio Gates needs 29 receiving yards to break Lance Alworth’s (9,584) career franchise record. … Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas has 26 catches and five touchdowns in his past three games.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Chargers are only a half-game back despite last week’s setback against Kansas City. Unfortunately for the Chargers, they’re shorthanded on a short week, the Chiefs exposed some issues that weren’t readily seen against lesser competition and San Diego runs into a Denver buzz saw that won’t let up this week.
*Our pick: Denver 33-23
