The Denver Broncos (1-3),

a win away will host the AFC West-leading San Diego Chargers (3-1) on Sunday, with the Mile High City crew taking a third crack at its 400th regular-season win. Kickoff from Sports Authority Field at Mile High is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. (ET) and will be televised on CBS.
San Diego opened up as a 6-point road favorite in NFL betting, but the number has fallen by at least two points everywhere. The total has been bet down a point to 46.
In last year’s trip to Denver, the Chargers came away with a 33-28 win as 5-point favorites, out-gaining the Broncos by 110 yards. Head coach Norv Turner has taken his team on the road just once this year, dropping a 35-21 decision to the New England Patriots as 6½-point underdogs.
San Diego had every opportunity to win that game, but ultimately lost the turnover battle by a 4-0 margin.
The Chargers have won eight of the past 10 games in the series, including three in a row. Bettors will find that the squad is 7-1-2 ATS over that span.
Second-year running back Ryan Mathews has become a offensive weapon in the backfield, coming into this week with a team-high 288 rushing yards and 19 catches for 254 yards. It’s still important to note that the Chargers are 15th in the league in scoring 22.8 points per game, a drop-off from their normal production, which many attribute to the inability of tight end Antonio Gates to stay on the field.
The All-Pro is listed as doubtful on the injury report with plantar fascilitis in his right foot. He has played in just 12 of 20 possible games for the team since the start of the 2010 campaign.
Denver knows it has quite a mountain to climb in trying to avoid an 0-2 start in the division, as the team dropped a 23-20 season-opening contest to the Oakland Raiders as three-point home favorites. The Broncos have struggled mightily on the defensive end in this series, allowing at least 32 points eight times since the 2006 season, including a combined 68 points in last year’s two meetings.
Quarterback Kyle Orton’s leash is getting shorter and shorter, as the losses continue to pile up, coming in with a 6-20 record in his last 26 starts. The former Chicago Bears signal caller has turned the ball over eight times, including six interceptions.
Defensively, the unit is anticipating the return of veteran cornerback Champ Bailey, who is listed as probable with a hamstring injury that has kept him out of three games this season. Over that span, the Broncos have allowed 1,001 passing yards, which is the second-most over a three-game period in the history of the franchise.
His return is vital in trying to slow down San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers, who has averaged 238.5 yards per game and thrown for 18 touchdowns and just six interceptions in 11 career games against Denver.
The Broncos are 11-27-2 ATS in their last 40 home games, but bettors will find that the team is 11-5-2 ATS when getting points in the Mile High City.
Weather forecasts suggest game-time temperatures in the low-50s and a slight chance of rain showers in the Denver area.