Chargers at Broncos
THE STORY: The San Diego Chargers are in uncharted territory under coach Norv Turner and there doesn’t appear to be much of a storm on this part of the voyage. The Chargers, who are 3-1 for the first time in Turner’s five seasons, visit the struggling Denver Broncos on Sunday for their first of three straight road games. San Diego has won two in a row, including a 26-16 victory over Miami last week, while Denver limps home after taking a 49-23 beating at Green Bay. The Broncos are desperate to enter their off week with a victory. The Chargers have won eight of the last 10 meetings, including two straight at Denver.
TV: CBS, 4:15 p.m. ET. LINE: Chargers -4, O/U 46
ABOUT THE BRONCOS (1-3): This could wind up being a very important game in Kyle Orton’s season – and career. If Orton has a sub-par game and Denver enters its bye week 1-4, the cry for Tim Tebow to take over at quarterback could become too loud for even coach John Fox to ignore. And with Orton becoming a free agent at season’s end, he cannot afford to enter the market as a backup. Orton is 6-20 as a starter since beginning 6-0 in 2009. A bright spot has been the play of rookie linebacker Von Miller, who has four sacks in his last three games. Denver cornerback Champ Bailey said he will return after missing three games with a hamstring injury.
ABOUT THE CHARGERS (3-1): Philip Rivers must be excited after watching film of Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers throwing for 408 yards against Denver. Rivers is blessed with offensive weapons such as wide receivers Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd, and running backs Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert, but is off to a poor start with five touchdowns and six interceptions. Jackson (hamstring), though, did not practice Wednesday and All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates is expected to miss his third straight game (foot). The Chargers’ three victories have come against teams that are 1-11.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Rivers is 8-2 as a starter against Denver with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions.
2. All of Broncos kicker Matt Prater’s 17 kickoffs at home this season (including preseason) have resulted in touchbacks.
3. Chargers safety Eric Weddle has interceptions in his last two games – both in the fourth quarter. The first came with 55 seconds left near midfield to seal San Diego’s 20-17 victory over Kansas City.