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Skinny
10-03-2007, 08:19 AM
Scouting Report
October 3, 2007

Chargers' next opponent
DENVER BRONCOS (2-2)1:15 P.M. SUNDAY AT INVESCO FIELD AT MILE HIGH

Perhaps no team was busier in the offseason than the Broncos, who acquired more than a dozen veterans as coach Mike Shanahan tried to quickly rebuild a team that lost five of its last seven games last season and missed the playoffs. But the changes haven't produced much in the form of results; Denver is about two seconds (against Buffalo) and two inches (against Oakland) from being winless. The problems are many, but the most prominent have been a run defense that is allowing 5.0 yards per carry and 181 per game; subpar kick returns and coverage; and an offense that has produced a touchdown on just half of its 14 trips inside the red zone.

On the positive side, running back Travis Henry leads the league in rushing and his backup, Selvin Young, is averaging 9.2 yards a carry. But Denver has not been efficient. It ranks fifth in the league in yards gained and 19th in points scored, while the defense is sixth in yards allowed and 21st in points. The only other team in the top six in offense and defense is New England, which is second (offense) and fourth in points.


Three players to watch
Jay Cutler: In his first full season as a starting quarterback, Cutler has averaged nearly 8 yards per attempt but thrown one more interception than touchdown pass (5-4). Still, as we've seen the last three weeks, any quarterback is capable of looking like Otto Graham against the Chargers, who have allowed 8.4 yards per pass.

Brandon Marshall: A big receiver, just like Kansas City's Dwayne Bowe, who had 164 yards vs. San Diego last week. Marshall leads the Broncos with 20 receptions, including two for scores, and he is averaging almost 15 yards a catch. He'll be a bigger factor if Javon Walker is unable to play.

Champ Bailey: Drafted by Washington when Norv Turner was coaching the Redskins, Bailey leads all active cornerbacks in interceptions since he entered the league in 1999. He had 18 the past two seasons (including a league-high 10 last year), the most in a two-season span in almost 25 years.

Familiar faces
The Broncos have three San Diego products – defensive tackle Amon Gordon (Mira Mesa High), safety John Lynch (Torrey Pines) and cornerback Jeff Shoate (Serra, SDSU). Tight end Stephen Alexander (2002-03) and personnel assistant Jimmy Spencer (1998-99) played for the Chargers.

Injury report
Safety John Lynch (groin) and wide receiver Javon Walker (knee) missed the Colts game last week and must be considered questionable at this point for this week. Travis Henry, the league rushing leader, injured his knee and ankle against the Colts but said he'll be ready for the Chargers.

Last meeting
LaDainian Tomlinson scored three TDs to set the NFL single-season touchdown record as the Chargers clinched the AFC West with a 48-20 victory over visiting Denver on Dec. 10, 2006. The Chargers led 28-3, gave up 17 unanswered points in the third quarter, then outscored the Broncos 20-0 in the fourth. Tomlinson rushed for 103 yards and Antonio Gates caught seven passes for 104 yards.

Series history
Before sweeping Denver last year, the Chargers had lost 14 of the previous 18 meetings dating to 1997. The Broncos still lead the overall series 52-41-1. They have won 17 of the past 20 games in Denver, where they hold a 34-12-1 overall advantage. The Chargers are 1-5 at Invesco Field, rallying from a 17-point deficit last year to win 35-27.

Did you know?
The Broncos have not allowed an opponent an opening-drive touchdown in 22 consecutive games, the longest such streak in the NFL.

Did you hear?
“If you don't rush the football and if you don't stop the run you're not going to be very good at offense or defense, so we've got to get better and work on it.”

– Broncos coach Mike Shanahan

Key stat
The last time the Broncos lost consecutive home games to the Chargers, both teams were playing in the American Football League – 1967 and '68. Since then the Chargers have won just six games in Denver, and only once were there fewer than five years between victories ('80 and '82).

– JAY POSNER

PROJECTED STARTERS
OFFENSE

WR 15 Brandon Marshall

LT 78Matt Lepsis

LG 62 Chris Myers

C 66 Tom Nalen

RG 70 Montrae Holland

RT 64 Erik Pears

TE 89 Daniel Graham

WR 84 Javon Walker

QB 6Jay Cutler

FB 37 Cecil Sapp

RB 20 Travis Henry

DEFENSE

LE 60 John Engelberger

LT 95 Sam Adams

RT 63 Amon Gordon

RE 97 Simeon Rice

WLB 52 Ian Gold

MLB 55 D.J. Williams

SLB 58 Nate Webster

LCB 24 Champ Bailey

RCB 32 Dré Bly

SS 25 Nick Ferguson

FS 47 John Lynch

SPECIAL TEAMS

P 10 Todd Sauerbrun

K 1 Jason Elam

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