Los Angeles Chargers

Six Points: Broncos vs. Chargers

Published Dec. 4, 2015 8:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Brock Osweiler looks to make it three in a row when the Denver Broncos (9-2) travel to take on the San Diego Chargers (3-8). Kickoff is slated for 4:05 p.m. ET at Qualcomm Stadium.

Osweiler has been everything the Broncos hoped and more. He's posted an 88.4 passer rating, about 20 points higher than his legendary predecessor's. He even rallied his team in the snow for a win over the once-undefeated Patriots. That's something Peyton Manning struggled to do.

These Chargers won't be confused with New England anytime soon. But they're more confident after breaking a six-game losing streak on the road in Week 12. And they might have a little extra motivation in what could be their second-to-last game at Qualcomm Stadium.

Here are three keys to the game for both the Broncos and Chargers:

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BRONCOS

1. Involve Demaryius Thomas early

Osweiler and Thomas don't have that quarterback-receiver rapport down pat. Osweiler has looked the his top target's way 21 times since Week 11; Thomas only has four catches to show for it. Thomas hasn't posted a 100-yard game since the Packers win, either. That can be easily remedied against a Chargers secondary surrendering 8.2 yards per attempt in 2015.

2. See if C.J. Anderson is just a late bloomer

When the weather turns cold, Anderson gets hot. Just look at last season -- Anderson had 765 rushing yards and eight touchdowns from Week 10 on. So the Broncos should be encouraged by his Week 12 output (15 carries, 113 yards, 2 TD) and, as head coach Gary Kubiak planned, ride the hot runner.

3. Wrap up when balls are caught over the middle

T.J. Ward has no issue coming in from his safety spot to clean up after his defensive teammates. But he'll miss this game with an ankle injury; it'll be up to 10 other Broncos to remain sound tacklers, especially on quick Philip Rivers throws. Those plays can't turn into big gains.

CHARGERS

1. Open the Gates

When Rivers and the offense faces long odds, they dial up a play for No. 85. Gates caught two touchdowns last week in Jacksonville and might be their hottest player heading into Week 13. The future Hall of Famer always torches the Broncos; he caught three scores in two meetings last season.

2. Run Melvin Gordon right up the gut

The Bolts' top draft pick was oh-so-close (14 carries, 60 yards) to breaking free for his first pro touchdown last weekend. It'll be unquestionably tougher to score vs. Denver's stout defense. But Gordon might find room through the middle thanks to the absence of gap-plugging nose tackle Sylvester Williams (ankle).

3. Let Gamblin' Mike McCoy loose

San Diego's notoriously conservative head coach went against his instincts last weekend and it paid off. He'll need to go for a few more fourth downs instead of field goals to keep up with Denver. Or, better yet, he could open up the playbook to a few gadget plays. What does he have to lose?