SAN DIEGO --Perhaps nothing has come to symbolize the Broncos' run of success the last five years more than their league-record 15-game winning streak in road division games.
It included the greatest comeback in franchise history, a rally from a 24-0 deficit in 2012 in San Diego that matched the rally against Seattle in 1979. It included an improbable overtime win against the Chargers on Thanksgiving weekend in 2011, as well as games won or saved by defensive touchdowns against the Chiefs and Raiders last year.
During the course of the streak, the Broncos evolved and evolved again, from a team reliant upon a madcap, running quarterback with a sub-50-percent completion percentage to one that leaned on of the most surgical -- and perhaps best -- quarterbacks in NFL history, to the current iteration that is carried by its pressure-intensive defense.
Coaches, quarterbacks and tactics have changed. The results have remained the same.
Now, with a new quarterback and interim head coach Joe DeCamillis, the Broncos head to San Diego on Thursday night hoping to extend their league-record streak.
"I just try to really not think about it, let you guys jinx us or something," said outside linebacker Von Miller, one of the few players still with the team from when it began at Oakland in 2011. "I just really try not to think about it. It's tough when you look at the teams that we play and the type of places that we go.
It's tough to win in those spots. Somehow, we've been able to do it. I don't want to put too much thought into it."
And it's wise, because even though the streak is a point of pride, it's also one that doesn't have a great deal of common threads. No matter who starts at quarterback Thursday, he is the Broncos' fifth starting quarterback since the start of the 2011 season, the year when the streak began. Further, interim head coach Joe DeCamillis will be the fourth coach to lead the Broncos in a road division game since the 2013 season, joining John Fox, Jack Del Rio and Gary Kubiak.
What are the keys to continuing that streak?
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- PRESSURE PHILIP RIVERS**
Rivers has been sacked 11 times in 183 pass plays this year, giving the Chargers a league-average rate in terms of sacks allowed. But the Broncos have had success getting to Rivers and forcing errant throws, none moreso than Von Miller, who has sacked Rivers 11 times in 10 career games against him.
2. FIND OFFENSIVE BALANCE
And that starts with being able to run the football, which the Broncos hope will be easier with Donald Stephenson and Virgil Green, both of whom saw full practice workloads this week.
As Kubiak said Oct. 6:
"If we're able to run the ball, it makes us a good football team on Sunday. I think we've proven that we can throw it around a bit. We have a couple of really good players making plays for us, but we need to be more consistent running the ball."
3. WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE
Just as takeaways have been a reason why the Broncos have won, giveaways have helped doom the Chargers, especially this season. They are 0-3 with a negative turnover margin, and 1-10 in their last 11 games with more giveaways than their opponent.
San Diego has allowed 20 points following drives that ended in turnovers the last two weeks.
A look at a few of the matchups that could decide Sunday's rematch between the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos. (Photos by AP)
In 10 career games against the San Diego Chargers, Von Miller has racked up 11 sacks, including three in the two contests the Broncos played against the Chargers last season. Miller is off to a torrid start to the 2016 season with 6.5 sacks through the first five weeks of the season as he continues a six-game sack streak. Philip Rivers, one of the league's best quarterbacks, is capable of tearing up a defense if given the time. Miller will do his best to make sure Rivers doesn't get that luxury.
Chris Harris Jr. got the best of Travis Benjamin in the first matchup between the two teams as he held the Chargers WR to just three receptions for 17 yards. The Broncos will need to crack down on the tight ends a bit more in this contest, but it remains incredibly important for the cornerbacks to continue to limit the threats on the outside. If Harris and the rest of the Broncos secondary can hold the Chargers' receiving threats to the same type of output, Denver should find itself in position to pull out a home win.
Trevor Siemian and the offense will look to maintain more balance as an offense in this matchup against the Chargers. In the first meeting, Siemian completed 30 of his 50 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown. The Broncos will need to start faster, however, as they managed just 60 yards of offense in the first half. He'll again need to beware of fifth-year player Melvin Ingram. The Chargers' linebacker is following up a 10.5-sack season with a strong start to 2016. He racked up six tackles against the Broncos two weeks ago and tacked on a sack against Atlanta last week. His matchup with Siemian could prove paramount in the Broncos' quest to flip the script.
With Donald Stephenson back on the line, the running game got back on track against the Texans as C.J. Anderson and Devontae Booker combined for 190 yards. But Stephenson's ability to stop the pass rush will be just as important. Rookie Joey Bosa didn't pick up any sacks against the Broncos in Week 6, but he grabbed two against the Falcons and now has four in two weeks. After an offseason of drama for the young player, he looked strong in his first action of the year. In fact, he looked like everything the Chargers could've wanted when they spent the high draft pick on him. Stephenson will have his hands full as he attempts to slow the dynamic pass rusher.
After a disappointing rookie season without scoring a single touchdown, Gordon has rebounded with 10 touchdowns to lead the NFL through the opening 7 games. With a healthier offensive line and more experience under his belt, Gordon has become a veritable weapon for the Chargers. The Broncos will continue to watch Gordon as a threat out of the backfield, and if Brandon Marshall misses Sunday's game, Todd Davis must step up alongside Corey Nelson.
