The Chargers’ prolific offense ranks inside the NFL’s top-10 for yards per game, scoring, sacks allowed and several other categories.
But one statistic stands most impressive — 7.6 average yards gained on first-down plays.
“Thatap amazing. Itap crazy,” Broncos coach said. “Their second downs are short and they’re rarely in third down. Doing a good job (defending) on first down, obviously in the run and pass game, is going to be critical to winning series. I mean, 7.6 on first down, thatap almost a first down on every first down they play. Thatap the challenge: to win first down, to clog every gap, to press the receivers, hit the run game and knock passes down on first down.”
Respect for Broncos’ rush. Linebackers Von Miller (nine) and (eight) have found their pass-rushing groove. But the Chargers have allowed only 13 sacks, fourth-fewest in the NFL. Veteran quarterback ’ awareness allows him to avoid pressure.
Miller’s 15 sacks of Rivers is the most of any quarterback in his career. He will be facing Chubb for the first time.
Of Miller, Rivers said: “He’s not just a pass rusher. He plays the run and he see things. He’s been blocked and double-teamed so many different times (but) he’s an all-around player that can ruin the game. Itap a big challenge for us to make sure we do all we can to not allow him to do that (Sunday).”
Of Chubb, Rivers said: “Von gets a lot of the attention, as he should, but they’ve always had somebody (on the other side), whether it was (DeMarcus) Ware and really now with Chubb.”
Injury update. Several injured Broncos had the limited tag removed Thursday and transitioned to full practice participants: running back (ankle), cornerback (ankle), receiver (knee) and safety (neck). Freeman, Hamilton and Stewart have missed the last two games and Roby was out for the Houston loss.
Also Thursday, linebacker Joseph Jones (foot) was limited. Linebacker Brandon Marshall (knee) and safety Dymonte Thomas (ankle) did side-field conditioning work but did not practice. Nose tackle rested with a vet day.
Banner change. More than two weeks have passed since the Broncos traded wide receiver to Houston, and finally Thursday, a large Thomas banner hanging from the south exterior of Mile High was replaced. The space now features a pair of Broncos in wide receiver and cornerback .
Denver had placed a “Thank You D.T.” message over the original Thomas banner when he returned to play Denver on Nov. 4 in a 19-17 Texans’ victory.
Quotable. Joseph on playing against the Chargers at the StubHub Center (capacity 27,000) in Los Angeles: “Itap pretty fun for me. Itap like a high school game in Louisiana. I think for most players itap different, but no one minds it. Again, they’ve been very, very good there. It was warm last year and itap going to be beautiful this year.”
