Broncos, Chargers going opposite directions

ENGLEWOOD – Four weeks ago, the San Diego Chargers were, if not dead in the AFC West race, in a very big hole.

By mid-November, they were even with the Denver Broncos again, and have a chance to take the outright division lead with a win Sunday. Broncos fans are shocked by the turnaround, from three-and-a-half games ahead to tied in four weeks. The Chargers are quite surprised as well.

“In this league anything can happen,” San Diego tight end Antonio Gates said. “You never take anything for granted, you just go out and play. It just so happens we’re back in the hunt.”

The Chargers have won four in a row since losing to the Broncos on Oct. 19. Chargers coach Norv Turner said he thought his team has benefited from getting healthy, which started about the time San Diego lost to the Broncos. Gates said he thought it was just a matter of a play or two going the Chargers’ way instead of against them.

Whatever has happened, there is a huge difference between the team the Broncos played a month ago and the one they are preparing for this week, according to Broncos coach Josh McDaniels. He said San Diego is playing extremely well and cited many examples: They are protecting quarterback Philip Rivers better, they have cut down on turnovers, LaDainian Tomlinson and the running game seem to be back on track, they’re stopping the run well, getting turnovers and sacks on defense and have improved in every special-teams area.

The Broncos are slumping and could be without quarterback Kyle Orton, who didn’t practice Wednesday because of an ankle injury, but McDaniels said the past struggles won’t matter.

“We’ve lost three games in a row and I understand it seems like we’re going in opposite directions but I think this game is going to be determined by how we play on Sunday, and how they play,” McDaniels said.