Denver @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 18, 2012 ) San Diego 23, Denver 30

The bye week did not provide a much-needed respite for the Denver Broncos, who lost their head coach for perhaps the rest of the season when John Fox underwent a surgical procedure to repair a heart valve. Defensive coordination Jack Del Rio was named interim coach and will lead Denver into Sunday's matchup at the San Diego Chargers. The high-powered Broncos need a win to keep pace with AFC West-leading Kansas City entering next week's showdown with the Chiefs.

The Chargers remain in the thick of the race for a wild card berth despite last week's overtime loss in Washington - the team's third defeat in the final seconds of regulation or OT. First-year head coach Mike McCoy knows what he's up against in facing Peyton Manning and Denver's record-setting attack, having served as the Broncos' offensive coordinator prior to getting the job in San Diego. Denver has won the past three meetings, including a series sweep last season.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Broncos -7. O/U: 58.

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (7-1): Manning, who's often been likened to a coach on the field, has thrown for 2,919 yards and 29 touchdown passes so Denver is not expecting a dip in its offensive efficiency in Fox's absence. "Nothing changes," wideout Andre Caldwell said. "It's just a different co-pilot. It's just a different guy saying the same words." Tight end Julius Thomas is dealing with an ankle injury sustained in a 45-21 win over Washington - a game in which the Broncos scored 31 fourth-quarter points - but the Broncos have a multitude of weapons in wideouts Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and Wes Welker, who leads the team with 50 catches and nine TD catches.

ABOUT THE CHARGERS (4-4): Philip Rivers is experience a career revival in McCoy's offense following a pair a pair of turnover-riddled seasons, throwing for 17 TDs against seven interceptions and posting a 106.5 passer rating - third best in the league. Ryan Mathews had back-to-back 100-yard games, but he was limited to 34 on seven carries at Washington and San Diego failed to score from the 1-yard line on three tries in the final seconds of regulation. The Chargers surrendered 500 total yards to the Redskins and rank 27th in the league with 275.4 passing yards allow, an ominous sign with Manning coming to town.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Broncos erased a 24-0 halftime deficit at San Diego last season, a victory which ignited an 11-game winning streak.

2. Mathews has rushed for 100 yards three times against Denver, his most against any opponent.

3. Denver has amassed 343 points, the most by any team through the first eight games of the season.

PREDICTION: Broncos 41, Chargers 27