A look at Broncos-Chargers through the years

Good morning, Broncos Country!

For the first time in 23 seasons, the Denver Broncos return to Los Angeles.

For the first time in 57 seasons, they do so to play the Los Angeles Chargers. In that lone game, on Dec. 10, 1960, at the LA Coliseum, the Broncos lost 41-33. Needless to say, Broncos Country will see history today. Whether that’s in a fond or forgetful manner, only time will tell.

What we do know is this is the second time the two AFC West rivals will smash helmets this season. Denver (3-2) escaped the season-opener against the Chargers (2-4) with a 24-21 win that sure seemed like it was headed to overtime. Thanks to a Shelby Harris blocked field goal, that didn’t happen. As is the custom in division and rivalry games, the first doesn’t mean squat and you can throw out the records.

Adam Malnati and I also previewed today’s game on the latest MHR Radio Podcast. The MHR Radio Podcast is now on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher. Please subscribe to the one that fits your fancy, and also rate and review what you hear.

Before the two rivals kickoff today at a soccer stadium, here’s a look at the series though the years. All information is courtesy of the Broncos’ weekly release.

• Today's game marks the 116th regular-season game between the Broncos and Chargers. The last game was, of course, Denver's 24-21 win in the season-opening game on Monday Night Football. The first game between the two teams was Sept. 16, 1960, in Denver, with then-LA winning 23-19.
• The last time the Broncos played the Chargers in LA was Dec. 10, 1960, at the LA Coliseum. The Chargers won 41-33. Needless to say Broncos Country will witness history today. Whether that’s in a fond or forgetful manner, only time will tell.
• Today’s game also marks the first time the Broncos will play in LA in 23 seasons. Their all-time record when playing there is 5-14 and they've lost nine-straight games when playing in the City of Angels. Interestingly, the last time Denver was shutout (1992) came in LA.
• The Broncos last two games in Los Angeles came against the Los Angeles Rams and Raiders. Denver lost to the Rams 27-21 on Nov. 6, 1994. Later that same season on Dec. 11, the Broncos lost to the Raiders 23-13.
• The longest winning streak for the Broncos in this series is seven games, between Nov. 16, 1975-Sept. 17, 1978. The longest winning streak for the #Chargers is six games, between Dec. 22, 1963-Oct. 30, 1966.

• The last Broncos win at home was, obviously, the season-opening game on Monday Night Football. The last home loss to the Chargers was Dec. 12, 2013 when Denver lost 27-20. The last road win for the Broncos was on Dec. 6, 2015, a 17-3 victory. The last road loss was last season, 21-13.
• The Broncos have recorded six shutouts in this series, with the last coming Oct. 2, 1988, when Denver won 12-0 in San Diego. The Chargers have amassed three shutouts, with the last coming on Oct. 8, 1978, when they won 23-0 at Mile High.
• The most points the Broncos have scored in this series is 50, a 50-34 win on Oct. 6, 1963, at then-Bears Stadium in Denver. The most points the Chargers have scored is 58, a 58-20 win on Oct. 22, 1963, in San Diego.
• The Broncos largest margin of victory is 35, a 38-3 win on Dec. 22, 1997, in Denver. The largest margin of victory for the Chargers is 38, a 41-3 win on Oct. 7, 2007, in Denver.
• The most combined points for the Broncos and Chargers is 84, the 50-34 Denver win in 1963. The fewest combined points is 7, a 7-0 Broncos win on Oct. 7, 1979, at Mile High Stadium.

• The Broncos and Chargers have met only once in the NFL playoffs, Denver's 24-17 win on Jan. 12, 2014, at Mile High. It was my wife's first experience of the playoffs in person.
• During the last seven seasons, the Broncos have compiled a 29-10 (.744) overall record in divisional play to represent the third-highest win percentage against their own division in the NFL during that span.
• The Broncos have won 15 AFC West titles to represent the most all-time among division members. Denver also can win their third AFC West game to ensure a .500 or better divisional record for the 20th time in the last 22 years.
• Demaryius Thomas has totaled 35 career 100-yard receiving games (including the playoffs) to represent the most in Broncos history and rank third in the NFL since 2011 when he recorded his first 100-yard game.
• Von Miller (78.5 career sacks) needs just one sack to pass Ring of Fame linebacker @ Karl Mecklenburg for the second-most sacks in franchise history. Miller also needs 1.5 sacks to become the second-fastest player (94 games) to reach 80 career sacks. Reggie White was the quickest.
• Broncos running back Jamaal Charles needs 66 scrimmage yards to become the 11th active player to reach the 10,000-yard mark.

• Brandon Marshall needs one tackle to reach 300 for his career. And imagine all the touchdowns he could have had for people's fantasy teams.
• The Broncos, who have the NFL's No. 1 defense (261.8 ypg), are one of just two teams to rank in the Top 10 against the run (second/70.2 ypg) and the pass (sixth/191.6 ypg) in 2017.

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Broncos Tracks

Three Keys to Broncos-Chargers
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Sacco Sez: Chargers memories from LA days
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Mason's Mailbag: How Brock Olivo and Brandon McManus worked to break the slump
By simulating game-pressure situations in practice, Olivo and McManus hope to get the Broncos' prolific kicker back to his usual form.

Broncos kicker Brandon McManus showed up with a plan 'to get it right'
After a frustrating start to the season, Denver's kicker has proposed adding drills and pressure situations in practice in an effort to avoid a slump.

9 keys to Broncos pulling out victory against Chargers | 9news.com
They are down three receivers, two right tackles and an inside linebacker this week.

Broncos promise 'relentless' response to worst game of season - Denver7 TheDenverChannel.com
Todd Davis and Domata Peko believe team will rebound with a vengeance.

Woody Paige: Already difficult Broncos schedule becoming more adruous - Denver7 TheDenverChannel.com
Vance Joseph, Mike McCoy and Joe Woods have not established themselves as an elite head coach-coordinators trio yet with the Broncos.

Chargers Tracks

What One Move Should the Chargers Have Made in the Offseason? - Bolts From The Blue
If the Chargers had access to a time machine what personnel decision would they change from this offseason?

Why the Chargers will never leave Los Angeles despite woes
Speculation about relocation remorse persists, but reversing the move is nearly out of the question.

Slow starts on offense troubling trend for Chargers - Los Angeles Chargers Blog- ESPN
The Chargers have been outscored 50-7 in the opening quarter through six games, spotlighting Philip Rivers' early-game struggles.

Debunking the myths of the Chargers in Los Angeles - Los Angeles Chargers Blog- ESPN
Are longtime fans snubbing the Chargers? Is the team returning to San Diego? Don't believe everything you hear about L.A.'s new football team.

Chargers trying not to overthink matchup with familiar Broncos - LA Times
Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa isn’t worried about route tendencies. He’s not concerned with whether the quarterback throws the football to the left side of the field or the right side of the field.

AFC West Tracks

Reinforcements could soon be on the way for the Chiefs | The Kansas City Star
Consecutive losses to Pittsburgh and Oakland have caused some consternation among KC Chiefs fans, but Andy Reid has been doing this head-coaching thing long enough — 19 years now — to know this: In the NFL, things are never as good — or bad — as you think they are.

Chiefs lose wild game to Raiders | The Kansas City Star
Before last weekend, the Chiefs had lost just twice in 17 regular-season games. Now, they’ve lost twice in five days.

The AFC is suddenly jumbled because of Chiefs' two-game losing streak
After a 5-0 start and thoughts of winning the AFC, the Chiefs have taken giant steps back in the race to gain the top playoff seed.

The Kansas City Chiefs need to figure out their defense. Who is to blame? - Arrowhead Pride
Is it Bob Sutton or the players?

NFL won’t impose additional fines on Raiders’ Marshawn Lynch – Las Vegas Review-Journal
The NFL will not impose any fines on Marshawn Lynch in addition to the one-game suspension it levied against the Raiders running back for his role in an on-field skirmish during a game Thursday against the Chiefs.

Derek Carr, Amari Cooper back to having fun with Oakland Raiders
Against the Chiefs, Derek Carr and Amari Cooper lived up to their prolific potential after a six-week slump.

Jared Cook hopes to build off his best game as a Raider
Tight end delivers on final drive to set Raiders up for victory

Bay Area radio host Damon Bruce rips Raiders RB Marshawn Lynch and he’s right - Silver And Black Pride
On Friday, 95.7 the Game’s Damon Bruce ripped Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch after his behavior got him ejected for making contact with an official during the Raiders’ 31-30 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football.

NFL Tracks

NFL picks against the spread 2017, Week 7: Rise of the underdogs - SBNation.com
It’s a lot of narrow spreads this week, thanks to a league that doesn’t make much sense right now.

Biggest Week 7 NFL questions, stats and predictions - NFL Nation- ESPN
Will Father Time catch Adrian Peterson this season? Can Green Bay win with Brett Hundley? Is there a Super Bowl favorite? We get you ready for Week 7.

NFL IQ quiz Week 7: Time to test your football knowledge - NFL.com
Welcome to the Weekly NFL IQ Quiz, testing your knowledge as we head into Week 7 of the 2017 season. Think you know your stuff? Give it a go!

NFL Week 7 Sammy Watkins Struggles, Packers Defense | SI.com
Plus, the struggled of a Bucs first-round CB, what the Jaguars can do to help Blake Bortles, and why the Ravens will have an especially tough time in Minnesota

Six teams on upset alert in NFL Week 7
Surprises and upsets lurk around every corner in this league, and we're sure to be in for more than a few eyebrow-raising treats in NFL Week 7.

3 Bold NFL Predictions for Week 7
3 Bold NFL Predictions for Week 7: Even with DeMarco Murray potentially active, can Derrick Henry be a top option this week? Read it now on numberFire, your #1 source for data-driven sports analysis and insight.