Broncos Chargers: Three keys to victory

When the Denver Broncos take the field against the San Diego Chargers on Thursday Night Football, they will be looking to wash away the stains of their first defeat of the season. The crowd should have a significant contingent of Bronco fans, so that should help.

Here are the three most important keys the Broncos must unlock to come out victorious.

1. Protect the damn quarterback

I’ve been beating this drum all week. Ten sacks in two games with one resulting in an injured starting quarterback is unacceptable. Trevor Siemian is questionable, but Mike Klis of 9News broke the story that he will start. His shoulder can’t possibly be 100% by now, so keeping him clean is the biggest key to keeping the offense in rhythm.

2. Sack City

Nothing gets Phillip Rivers flustered and making those iconic faces of disappoint than having Von Miller and the Sack City crew up in his grill all night long. It may not be one of the most important keys to victory, but it sure does make me feel good. It’ll also keep Rivers from having one of these kinds of days.

3. Running the ball would be nice

Not only has the offensive line been struggling in pass protection, they can’t even open up some holes for C.J. Anderson or Devontae Booker on a consistent basis. Who knew Donald Stephenson and Virgil Green would be the linchpin to the Broncos success in all phases of their offensive line unit. Bubble wrap these fools!

Horse Tracks

What to watch for in Broncos-Chargers on 'TNF' - NFL.com
The Broncos take on the Chargers on Thursday night. Can San Diego get out of their losing slump? Will Trevor Siemian be ready to go after returning from a shoulder injury? What else to watch for.

That's What They Said: San Diego Chargers
A look at what QB Philip Rivers and Chargers head coach Mike McCoy are saying ahead of Thursday Night Football.

Defense still containing opposing offenses
Atlanta scored 12 points below its average coming into the game, which is the norm for Denver's defense in the last 10 games.

Melvin Gordon's TDs, and fumbles, will catch Broncos' attention - ESPN
Because of coaching changes and health concerns, Thursday night will mark the fourth different coach who has directed the Denver Broncos in a trip to San Diego.

Broncos say Falcons' success against defense was one-time deal - ESPN
Since the Denver Broncos suffered their first loss of the season to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, there has been discussion outside the team’s walls that the Falcons cracked the code on the Broncos’ swirling, quarterback-harassing defense.

It wasn't their linebackers, it was the matchup against Atlanta backs | 9news.com
Brilliance usually has simplicity at its core. How to neutralize a pass rush? Get rid of the ball quickly. Where is man coverage most vulnerable? It better be the linebackers and not the cornerbacks.

Denver has won last 5 meetings | Broncos Wire
Broncos Wire takes a look at the series history between the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers, who meet in Week 6.

Trevor Siemian's Unlikely Road to NFL Starter, Star | The MMQB with Peter King
A player who struggled to win the starting job at Northwestern has assumed the role of replacing a legend and quarterbacking the reigning NFL champs—and so far, it’s worked. Here’s the NFL’s most unlikely success story of 2016.

What’s Going on with NFL Ratings? | The MMQB with Peter King
Yes, TV numbers are down early in the 2016 season. But let’s channel Aaron Rodgers and R-E-L-A-X. Marquee players might be missing and the presidential race might be stealing eyeballs, but the league’s cash flow won’t be drying up anytime soon

The NFL wasn’t prepared for the 'Dak Attack,’ but the Cowboys were - SBNation.com
The Cowboys believe Tony Romo gives them their best shot at a Super Bowl this year, but that Dak Prescott gives them a shot at many more in the future.

The Panthers are making history this season, just not the way they’d like to - SBNation.com
An autopsy on the Panthers' dreadful Super Bowl hangover.

49ers get rid of Colin Kaepernick's injury clause days before he starts at QB again - SBNation.com
The 49ers eliminated Kaepernick's $14.5 million injury guarantee for 2017.

Tom Brady and LeBron James had two very different responses to Donald Trump's 'locker room talk' - SBNation.com
LeBron on Donald Trump: "That's not locker room talk. That's trash talk."