10 Insights: Three Chargers Starters to Face Former Team

Nov 15, 2018 at 08:26 AM

Chris Hayre

TEAM REPORTER

Los Angeles Chargers vs Oakland Raiders at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on Sunday, November 11, 2018 in Oakland, CA. Final score: LAC 20 - OAK 6

Below are 10 quick-hitting insights entering the Chargers' Week 11 matchup against the Denver Broncos:

1) Three notable Los Angeles offensive starters were once members of the Broncos. Tight end Virgil Green spent his first seven NFL seasons in Denver before signing with the Chargers this past offseason. In 2016, offensive tackle Russell Okung started all 16 games in his lone season in Denver. Offensive guard Michael Schofield was a third-round draft pick of the Broncos in 2014.

2) Despite playing in at least one fewer game, Melvin Gordon is one of five NFL running backs to have over 1,000 yards from scrimmage (1,033) and double-digit touchdowns (11) entering Week 11.

3) Gordon has recorded five straight games with 120 total yards and a touchdown. A sixth on Sunday would put him in the company of four other running backs – including Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson – that have achieved that feat, per NFL Communications.

4) After 41 days in between home games, the Chargers return to ROKiT Field at StubHub Center for the first time since beating the Oakland Raiders 26-10 in Week 5. Los Angeles has won seven of its last eight home games.

5) Chargers cornerback Trevor Williams and Broncos rookie wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton were roommates at Penn State. Los Angeles' third-round rookie defensive tackle Justin Jones and Broncos rookie defensive end Bradley Chubb – selected fifth overall – played on the same defensive line at North Carolina State. Chubb has eight sacks on the season and 6.5 in his last four games.

6) Last season, Los Angeles beat Denver 21-0 at StubHub Center. It was the first time the Broncos had been shut out in 25 years. Wide receiver Travis Benjamin scored twice – one a 65-yard punt return, and the other a 42-yard reception from Philip Rivers.

7) Rivers has thrown at least two touchdown passes in every game this season. Only five quarterbacks in NFL history have thrown for multiple TD passes in each of the first 10 games of a season. Four became Associated Press MVP in those years, per NFL Communications.

8) Though Denver quarterback Case Keenum has never faced the Chargers in his NFL career, he is familiar with Los Angeles. Keenum started nine games for the Rams in 2016. He's thrown for 2,400 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for the Broncos this season.

9) Both the Broncos and Chargers each roster undrafted running backs who played their college football in Colorado and wear No. 30. Austin Ekeler (Western State) has 591 yards from scrimmage and three total touchdowns this season for Los Angeles. Rookie Philip Lindsay (Colorado) leads the Broncos in rushing with 591 yards and three touchdowns. He's second on the team in yards from scrimmage (745) and tied for the lead in total touchdowns (4).

10) Head Coach Anthony Lynn played running back for the Broncos during the 1993 season and then again from 1997-99. He was a member of the Denver's 1998 Super Bowl team.