Monday, 8:20 p.m., ESPN
OPENING LINE: Broncos by 3½.
SERIES RECORD: Broncos lead 64-50-1
LAST MEETING: Broncos beat Chargers 27-19, Oct. 30, 2016
AP PRO32 RANKING: Chargers No. 24, Broncos No. 18.
CHARGERS OFFENSE: OVERALL (14), RUSH (26), PASS (8).
CHARGERS DEFENSE: OVERALL (16), RUSH (10), PASS (20).
BRONCOS OFFENSE: OVERALL (27), RUSH (27), PASS (21).
BRONCOS DEFENSE: OVERALL (4), RUSH (28), PASS (1).
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES: Broncos have won 10 of past 12 meetings. ... First time in NFL history that two black coaches will make head coaching debut in same game with Chargers HC Anthony Lynn and Broncos HC Vance Joseph. ... Chargers’ first game as Los Angeles-based franchise since team’s inaugural season in 1960. ... QB Philip Rivers coming off eighth 4,000-yard season. ... RB Melvin Gordon averaged 102.5 yards rushing in past two games vs. Denver. ... TE Antonio Gates’ 111 TD catches tied with Tony Gonzalez for most TD receptions in NFL history. ... Hunter Heny had 8 TD catches last season, most by rookie tight ends. ... DE Joey Bosa’s 10½ sacks last season most by rookie since Aldon Smith’s 14 in 2011. ... Broncos led league in pass defense last season but SS T.J. Ward released, replaced by Justin Simmons. ... QB Trevor Siemian averaged 258 yards within AFC West last season with eight TDs, four interceptions. ... RB Jamaal Charles has 799 scrimmage yards and seven TDs in past eight games against Chargers. ... WR Demaryius Thomas third player in league history with five consecutive seasons with 90 or more catches, 1,000 yards and five or more touchdowns. ... WR Emmanuel Sanders has three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. ... OLB Von Miller’s 13½ sacks ranked second in league. Since entering NFL in 2011, ranks second in league with 73½ sacks and tied for second with 19 forced fumbles. ... CB Aqib Talib has nine interceptions returned for touchdowns, most among active players.
Associated Press
