STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
NFL Team Report - Denver Broncos</h2><br>PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: The Broncos lost their long-standing stalwart on the offensive line, center Matt Paradis, to a broken leg in their last game against Houston two weeks ago. Paradis was placed on injured reserve during the bye week and will miss the rest of the season. Connor McGovern is slated to make his first start in his place on Sunday against the Chargers. The Broncos also signed Gino Gradkowski during their bye week to serve as McGovern's backup. McGovern stepped in for Paradis after he was injured during the Houston game two weeks ago. He also has had the bye week to become accustomed to quarterback Case Keenum as well getting the first team practice snaps at the center position to prepare for his first start in place of Paradis. Keenum said McGovern has been a quick study. "He's on point," Keenum said. "He showed up ready to go and is a guy that's been working his tail off since I got here. I have complete confidence in him."<p></p> GAME PLAN: The Broncos are averaging 20 points in their last two games, both losses and need to find a way to score more points. Their running game has continued to be productive but they could use more chunk plays in the passing game and they have an inviting target for those downfield passes in rookie Courtland Sutton. If Case Keenum can connect with Sutton downfield at least a couple of times, that could put the Broncos on the doorstep of touchdowns that they'll need to stay on the heels of the Chargers prolific offense. Sutton, who stepped into the starting lineup after Demaryius Thomas was traded to Houston, has 20 receptions this season. A fleet runner and solid route runner, Sutton is averaging 19.1 yards per catch, the third highest average among all NFL players.<p></p> Wide receiver Keenan Allen has emerged as one of quarterback Philip Rivers' favorite targets over the years and this season is no different. That means the Broncos secondary will have its hands full as the Chargers use the run to complement a top-notch passing game. Allen caught a touchdown pass last week for his first score since the season opening game against Kansas City. It will fall to cornerbacks Chris Harris Jr. or Bradley Roby to shadow Allen and keep him from fueling the Chargers' big-play offense.<p></p>MATCHUPS TO WATCH<p></p> Broncos TE Jeff Heuerman vs. Chargers S Derwin James. Heuerman is coming off his best game as a pro, with 10 catches for 83 yards and a touchdown in Denver's loss to Houston. Heuerman was slowed early in his career by injuries, but he has come in strong this season, his fourth in the NFL. He has been a punishing run blocker with the speed, hands and route running to be a major factor in the passing game, especially as a third-down option or as a target in the red zone. But he'll be facing one of the top safeties in the game in James, a ball-hawking defender with the physical abilities to go toe-to-toe in a matchup with tight ends. Broncos head coach Vance Joseph described James as the Chargers' "Kam Chancellor. He's a play-maker. He can sack the quarterback, make plays in the passing game and he can cover all of your tight ends, so he's definitely a special player."<p></p> Broncos LB Josey Jewell vs. Chargers RB Melvin Gordon. Part of the reason the Chargers' offense has been so effective during Los Angeles' six-game winning streak has been the balance between the passing and running games. The Chargers have been able to keep opposing defenses guessing as to what's coming, a slashing run off the edge by Gordon or quarterback Philip Rivers hitting a pass route over the middle. With Denver linebacker Brandon Marshall's status uncertain because of injury, Jewell could be in line to make another start and he'll be at the center of the Broncos' run-stopping effort as an inside linebacker. Gordon has hit his stride in recent weeks running for 338 yards and four touchdowns in his last three games so Jewell is going to have to be at his best to help slow him down.
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