Chargers head home after two wins

Oct 19, 2017 - 2:10 AM COSTA MESA, Calif. -- Maybe the Los Angeles Chargers are finally ready for their Hollywood close-up. Los Angeles rolls back into town with two sweet road wins and a new swagger.

After stumbling from the gate by losing their first three home games in a four-game skid, the Bolts (2-4) have shown a jolt. They look to continue that run on Sunday against the visiting Denver Broncos (3-2).

The teams have something in common in that they both recently played the New York Giants. The difference being after the Chargers played them, the Giants were still winless.

Not so, with the Broncos.

But the Chargers aren't worried about a Denver bunch that got smoked at home by the Giants and have lost two of their last three games.

The Chargers are zeroed in on staying on track, one that no longer has them being a punch line on a nationwide basis.

It's possible the Chargers will keep playing winning football against a Broncos team that is saddled with injuries to its receiving corps and has a run defense with numerous leaks.

Head coach Anthony Lynn is plugging his ears when hearing about the Chargers going for their first three-game winning streak since 2014.

And how, if going by head-to-head matchups, the Chargers are out of the AFC West cellar after flipping its keys to the Raiders by beating Oakland last week.

"We're just trying to keep a narrow focus and just trying to take care of the job we have in front of us and that's the Denver Broncos," Lynn said.

Quarterback Philip Rivers is zeroing in on a fast start and that's something the Chargers know little about after being outscored 50-7 in the first quarters of the opening six games.

Rivers said the Chargers have a different approach at the end of a half, or when they had to drive for last week's game-winning field goal.

Unfortunately, Rivers said the unit isn't able to go out and do something in practice so it can ambush the Broncos early.

"It's a collective approach," Rivers said. "It's not like you can do a drill to start fast this week. I don't think you can do that.

"But I would like to just see us play with a sense of urgency. We need to put ourselves in that mind-frame and do that from the beginning."

For starters, the Chargers had a rough start when dropping to 0-4 and getting jeered in their new stadium. But they return from their visits against the Giants and Raiders with two victories and a fresh outlook.

SERIES HISTORY: 116th regular-season meeting. Broncos lead series, 64-50-1. The Broncos return to Los Angeles to play the Chargers under the Los Angeles name for the first time since 1960. The Chargers swept the series that season and went on to win their first four against the Broncos. More recently, Denver has had the upper hand in winning seven of the last eight meetings, a span that included a five-game winning streak. That run was snapped by the Chargers last year, although the Broncos prevailed in the season opener this year, 24-21.

--Running back Melvin Gordon continues to have a breakout season as he's caught three touchdown passes in the last two games. His 42 points is tied for the league lead for non-kickers and his four receiving touchdowns leads all running backs.

"He is a very unselfish player, but at the same time we recognize his talents and we use him," head coach Anthony Lynn said.

--Defensive end Joey Bosa has 5.5 sacks and he could be in line for at least another one on Sunday. He has collected 7.5 sacks in eight AFC West games in his short career.

--Cornerback Trevor Williams, who is filling in for Jason Verrett after he was lost for the season with a knee injury, continues to draw praise from Lynn.

"He's played with really good techniques and fundamentals," Lynn said. Williams had his first NFL pick against the Raiders.

--The Chargers, after having three home contests in their first four games, play on Sunday at the StubHub Center then head out for two more East Coast games against the Patriots and Jaguars.

--Quarterback Philip Rivers will play in his 182nd game, which will break his tie with Dan Fouts for seventh place on the franchise's all-time list.

--The next touchdown pass between Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates will be the 86th between the two. That would break their tie with Joe Montana and Jerry Rice for the second-most between a pair of players.

NOTES: RB Melvin Gordon (shoulder) was limited in Wednesday's practice. ... RB Branden Oliver (hamstring) was a full participant. ... ILB Jatavis Brown (ankle) was a full participant. ... C Spencer Pulley (shoulder) was limited. ... RT Joe Barksdale (foot) didn't practice. ... DT Corey Liuget (back) was limited. ... S Adrian Phillips (concussion) did not participate.