Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner always reminds people that the NFL season is a marathon, not a sprint. So as his team prepares to face a Broncos group that has lost three-consecutive games, he’s knows what they’re capable of.
“This is a tough league,” Turner said. “They went through the stretch with playing Baltimore and Pittsburgh back to back. We had a very similar stretch. There are obviously no guarantees and I thought they played well in those games. They’ve hit a tough stretch, but I know the team we’re getting ready to play is the same team we played on Monday night a little over a month ago and they’re a very good football team.”
Since the Chargers and Broncos met on Monday Night Football in Week 5, the Chargers haven’t lost and Denver hasn’t won. The Broncos opened the season 6-0 before hitting their recent slide, but like his head coach, Chargers linebacker 
“They’ve been playing the same game, had the same philosophy and gone out there and done the same thing,” Phillips said. “Other teams have stepped up and made some big plays. The other team has made a few more plays against them. That was the difference in our game. They made more plays.”
Earlier this week when Turner was asked to specifically identify what’s different about the Broncos team his will face Sunday and the one they played a month ago at Qualcomm Stadium, he could only speak to one area, one that so often has such a big influence on games.
“I know they went through a stretch where they didn’t turn the ball over at all and now they’ve had some turnovers,” Turner said. “Those things take their toll.”
The Broncos have committed just 11 turnovers on offense this season, six of which have come during their current three-game losing streak. On the opposite side of the ball, they’ve taken the ball away 14 times this season but have forced just two turnovers in their last three games.
Denver won the turnover battle 1-0 in their Week 5 visit to San Diego, and that one play proved to be huge. The Chargers were down just one and driving to possibly take the lead when the Broncos recovered a fumble near midfield and turned it into a field goal while stealing momentum.
Last week, the Chargers faced an Eagles team that entered the week with an NFL-best 22 forced turnovers. They left San Diego with the same number thanks to the Bolts’ ability to protect the ball in a tightly-contested battle.
Injury update
Seven Chargers missed Wednesday’s practice, a group that included center
“It’s real early,” Turner said. “We have some guys that are struggling to get through the week but they’re doing a good job managing it. I hope the bulk of them are able to practice tomorrow.”
Merriman, Phillips and Nwagbuo played Sunday against the Eagles despite missing most of the week. Linebacker
Broncos starting quarterback Kyle Orton missed Wednesday’s practice due to the ankle injury that kept him out of the second half of Denver’s loss at Washington Sunday but Turner believes his team will see Orton and not Chris Simms at Invesco Field.
“I’d expect Kyle to play,” Turner said. “We’re preparing for both guys.”
Two other Broncos starters – receiver Brandon Marshall (neck) and tackle Ryan Harris (toe) – did not participate Wednesday.
Milestone approaching
Tight end Antonio Gates leads the Chargers with 49 receptions this season, and his next catch will be the 450th of his career. Gates has 668 receiving yards on the season, which is just 36 shy of his 2008 total (704), and he’s on pace to top his career high of 1,101 he set in 2005.
“He’s played at a super high level,” Rivers said. “He’s been big for us in some capacity almost every week.”
Gates has at least five receptions in eight of the Chargers’ nine games this season and is tied for the second-most catches in the NFL amongst tight ends.
Distant memory
Sunday’s trip to Denver will mark the Chargers’ first visit to Invesco Field since last September’s infamous “Hochuli Rule” call that aided a Broncos victory, but Turner isn’t taking a stroll down memory lane as he prepares for it.
“I hadn’t even thought about it so I don’t have real strong emotions about it now,” Turner said. “It’s so long ago, it’s a different season and it doesn’t have any affect on what we’re getting ready to do.”
Number 1,000
Including regular season, postseason and preseason, the Chargers will play their 1,000th game in team history Sunday. The Chargers’ all-time record heading into Sunday’s game is 498-486-15. It will also be their 100th all-time meeting against the Broncos.
Celebrate with us
The Chargers have sold out a team-record 44-consecutive home games, but that streak could be in jeopardy when they return to Qualcomm Stadium next week. Approximately 7,300 tickets remain for the Chargers’ Week 12 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The game must be declared a sellout by next Thursday in order for the local television blackout to be lifted.
In addition to facing a longtime AFC West rival, the Chargers will celebrate the team’s 50th Anniversary by honoring the all-time Greatest Chargers. Approximately 45 of the 53 men named to the group are expected to be on hand for the game and the special weekend.
Tickets are available now at the Chargers’ ticket office at Gate C at Qualcomm Stadium, at www.Chargers.com and through TicketMaster at 800-745-3000.
