Denver Broncos

Six Points: Chargers vs. Broncos

Published Dec. 31, 2015 8:00 a.m. ET

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The Denver Broncos (11-5) seek to wrap up the AFC West when they host the visiting San Diego Chargers (4-11). Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. EST at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.

A Denver win would give the team its fourth consecutive division title. It'll be the first crown since 2012 without Peyton Manning at the helm; Brock Osweiler has already been named the starting quarterback in Week 17. The Broncos can still finish as the AFC's one, two, three, five, or six-seed.

This game could be the last one for the San Diego Chargers, as currently named. They'll face an owner's vote on Los Angeles relocation in January and could move upstate in 2016. It would make for one sweet moment if their last win spoiled the Broncos' designs on a top playoff spot.

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

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CHARGERS:

1. Avoid throwing to the guys in orange and blue

This Broncos offense doesn't just prevent points â it scores them for Denver outright. Just ask Philip Rivers, who tossed a pick-six to Danny Trevathan in their earlier meeting. Game-changing mistakes must be kept at a minimum if Rivers and Co. want a fifth win.

2. Let Denzel Perryman handle the run defense

The brightest spot on San Diego's maligned defense? It probably belongs to rookie linebacker Denzel Perryman, who's tallied 67 tackles in just eight starts in 2015. He'll now be tasked with shutting down Denver's spark-plug, C.J. Anderson. Denver wins when it establishes a ground game.

3. Keep defensive contain on Osweiler

Osweiler isn't exactly dual-threat quarterback. But he's not afraid to use his legs to move the sticks or advance Denver in the red zone. It's a trait that outside linebackers like Melvin Ingram and Jeremiah Attaochu must keep in mind if they want to use inside moves and open outside lanes for the QB.

BRONCOS:

1. Attack Eric Weddle's old spot

An already-soft Chargers secondary got softer when the team placed Weddle on injured reserve in Week 17. Denver's safety depth chart is now a three-deep: Jahleel Addae, Matt Daniels, and Adrian Phillips. None of those players are capable of hanging with Emmanuel Sanders on deep routes.

2. Keep Demaryius Thomas warm

Denver's last meeting in San Diego was just what their No. 1 wideout needed after a few down weeks. Thomas has been on a solid streak since: 22 catches, 215 yards, and two touchdowns over the last three weeks. Osweiler needs to make sure that momentum carries over in Week 17, and then into the playoffs.

3. In case of a blow out, do not break Manning in

An old football adage suggests a team with two quarterbacks really has none. Osweiler needs confidence heading into postseason play; nothing will undermine that faster than a vintage Peyton Manning performance in front of the home crowd. No. 18 might be healthy, but his place is on the bench.