STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
NFL Team Report - Los Angeles Chargers
PLAYER NOTES --LB Kyle Emanuel (hip) was a full participant in practice Wednesday. --RB Melvin Gordon (hamstring) was limited in practice Wednesday after missing the previous game. --TE Antonio Gates (knee) didn't work Wednesday but he should be available on Sunday. --DE Chris Landrum (hip) was a full participant in practice Wednesday. --DT Darius Philon (ankle) was a full participant in practice Wednesday. --CB Trevor Williams (knee) didn't practice Wednesday and he could be down this week. PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: ILB Hayes Pullard. With Denzel Perryman out for the season, Pullard is the guy to fill in and he's got a big load. The run defense had shown an edge of late and Perryman is the reason why. Pullard was waived by the team just before the season started after filling in for Perryman last season. He was re-signed on Oct. 30 and is going to be thrust into a major role on a team with playoff aspirations. Gus Bradley, the Chargers' defensive coordinator, was Pullard's head coach when he was with the Jaguars. GAME PLAN: The Chargers can let Philip Rivers be Philip Rivers at any time but it's the running game, and that includes short swing passes that mimic a run, that has allowed the Chargers to go on this roll. The Broncos are mediocre at best in stopping the run and that's just too tempting with Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler. Rivers won't be shy about going up top, but the Broncos have two big-time pass rushers and he doesn't need to be put in harm's way of either with a steady diet of deep passes.MATCHUPS TO WATCH --Chargers run defense vs. Broncos running game. The Chargers will have a challenge against an offense that will be eager to keep the ball on the ground to drain the clock and keep the ball away from Philip Rivers. Plus, it's the first game without inside linebacker Denzel Perryman so the Broncos will test how the Chargers are compensating for his loss. Undrafted rookie Phillip Lindsay is the lead back, leading the team with an impressive 5.4-yard average per carry. Royce Freeman and Devontae Booker supply the depth to let the Broncos stay with the run. --Chargers pass protection vs. Broncos pass rush that includes LBs Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Philip Rivers is having a great season because his pass protection has been top shelf. It will have to be once again with Miller (nine sacks) and Chubb (eight) causing havoc this season. Rivers gets much credit for staying clean because of his quick release but he'll need some help, especially on the edges from Ts Russell Okung and Joe Barksdale.
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