When Chargers are on D vs. Broncos
On individual talent, the banged-up Chargers’ defense seem unlikely to survive over four quarters with the high-powered Broncos offense.
Then again, in their short-week game at Denver last year, the Chargers dealt a Peyton Manning offense its lowest rushing total ever -- 18 yards -- and combined with a ball-control offense for an upset victory.
The 27-20, Week 15 triumph came in Denver’s stadium, where the NFL again has sent the Chargers for their Thursday night match.
Manning will attack a secondary that will lack cornerback Brandon Flowers (concussion) and may not have rookie corner Jason Verrett (shoulder).
“We didn’t have Flowers or Verrett last year when we played them on Thursday night,” said corner Shareece Wright. “This is how I feel.”
Familiarity with Manning and Denver’s design may have helped last year. Chargers coaches Mike McCoy, Frank Reich and John Pagano all worked with teams that employed Manning. Dwight Freeney was a teammate for 10 years. Eric Weddle has faced him about 10 times. Moreover, their own offense, which McCoy put in months after he was Manning’s playcaller in Denver, grooves Chargers defenders to look similar to Denver’s.
The Broncos set an NFL record by averaging 37.9 points last season. Against the Chargers, they scored 28, 20 and 24.
The Broncos are scoring 31.5 points per game this year, best in the NFL.
It’s a speedier group that in 2013. Newcomer and WR Emmanuel Sanders is faster than Eric Decker, who joined the Jets last offseason, and RB Ronnie Hillman (San Diego State) is quicker than Montee Ball, who will miss his third game in a row with a groin injury.
“Denver has great players all around who know how to play football,” Wright said.
“This is the No. 1 of all offenses that we face,” defensive coordinator John Pagano said. “And it’s probably not coming up at the best time where we’re playing and executing at a high level like we should. We’ve got to do a great job of making sure we communicate, play the call, and go out there and play fast.”
