The Denver Broncos don't just need to be thinking about holding off the surging Oakland Raiders when it comes to the AFC West, they also need to be considering the San Diego Chargers, the team they will face in Week 8 on Sunday.
Chargers vs. Broncos 2016 live stream: Game time, TV schedule and how to watch online
The Chargers and Broncos are meeting for the second time in three weeks.
Denver, at 5-2, is in a good place in the division, and the Broncos don’t appear on the surface threatened by the 3-4 Chargers, but Sunday’s game amounts to a two-game swing. If the Chargers win, they are basically only a single game behind the Broncos, while a Denver win would give them a two-game lead. They will face off with kickoff set for 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the game being broadcast by CBS.
Unfortunately for the Broncos, the Chargers may have some momentum after beating them at home in Week 6. Facing the same team twice in three weeks is an interesting challenge, though, and how the Broncos respond will be interesting. The Chargers went on to beat the Atlanta Falcons, another very tough team, in their next game and ride a two-game winning streak after successfully using the Broncos to break a three-game losing skid previously.
Head coach Gary Kubiak wasn't available when the two teams played previously, and he's hoping his Broncos will fare better with him at the helm. The Broncos are coming off the fortunate snapping of their own two-game losing skid after they played a relatively clean game against the Houston Texans in their last outing.
Trevor Siemian is still at the helm at quarterback. He hasn't been amazing this season, but he's been efficient at the very least. Siemian has completed 112 of 176 passes (63.6 percent) for 1,211 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions this year. The running game has also been strong, led by C.J. Anderson, but unfortunately Anderson went on injured reserve this week.
The Broncos will turn to unproven rookie fourth-round pick Devontae Booker to lead their running game going forward.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Broncos are also expected to be shorthanded. DeMarcus Ware, still a very effective pass rusher at his age, is still recovering from a broken forearm. He returned to practice this week for the first time, but is listed as doubtful on the injury report and it seems unlikely he will play.
Inside linebacker Brandon Marshall is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury for the game, but many think he is basically doubtful as well. Re-aggravating a hamstring injury rather than giving it an extra week to heal can often result in missing several more games while it takes longer to heal. The Broncos may intend to play it safe.
But they would be playing it safe against a Philip Rivers-led offense, which has already produced 2,018 yards and 13 touchdowns through the air. The running game, led by Melvin Gordon, has also been effective for the Chargers. Gordon has put up 461 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
How to Watch Chargers vs. Broncos on Sunday
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Location: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colo.
TV: CBS
Announcers: Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Jamie Erdahl
Online Streaming: Sunday Ticket
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