Veteran QB Rivers, rookie rusher James pace win streak
Coach: Anthony Lynn (second year with Chargers — 16-9 record; 16-10 overall).
Record: 7-2 (second AFC West). Oakland. in Won 20-6 at vs. Arizona.
115.4 passer rating is third-best in the NFL. He has 21 touchdown passes and four interceptions. … He is 113-88 as a starter. … In 25 starts (regular season and playoffs) against the Broncos, he is 12-13 with 43 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.
Analysis: Rivers is on pace for his best career passer rating and fewest interceptions in a season. At 36 years old, he continues to play at an elite level. … Never a mobile quarterback, Rivers knows how to slide around the pocket to create time for him to shotput his throws. … Against Oakland on Sunday, he was 18-of-26 for 223 yards. Six of his attempts did not cross the line of scrimmage, and he was 4-of-7 on attempts that traveled at least 15 yards in the air.
rookie first-round pick leads the Chargers in tackles (64) and also has 3½ sacks, six quarterback hits, one interception and seven pass break-ups.
Analysis: Just like Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes is going to be a decade-long problem for the Broncos’ defense, James will be an issue for the Broncos’ offense . ... While with Seattle, Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley developed the “Legion of Boom” secondary that featured Kam Chancellor as the safety/enforcer. James serves the same role. … Against Oakland, he lined up as an on-the-ball outside linebacker-type, a “box” safety and a downfield safety. He also blitzed three times (one pressure). … James looks comfortable covering tight ends. Chargers with 53 catches for 687 yards (two touchdowns). Analysis: Allen is healthy for the second consecutive year after being limited to a combined nine games in 2015-16. … The Chargers’ passing game has 38 plays of at least 20 yards (tied for fourth-most). … Tyrell Williams has 10 20-yard catches and Allen has eight. … In seven games against the Broncos, Allen has 32 catches for 379 yards and six touchdowns, but only one 100-yard game. … Still only 26 years old, he knows how to use his 6-foot-2, 203pound frame to get yards after the catch but also has the quickness to get downfield.
leads the Chargers in sacks (5½) and quarterback hits (14) and also has 28 tackles.
Analysis: Per Stats, Inc., Ingram’s 34½ combined knockdowns/hurries are tied for 12th in the NFL. … The 18th overall pick in 2012, Ingram had only six sacks in his first three years, but 34½ since the start of 2014. … A former 3-4 outside linebacker, Ingram is now a 4-3 defensive end.