PLAYER NOTES

--QB Philip Rivers is one touchdown pass shy of 33 on the season, which would tie Hall of Famer Dan Fouts' team mark.

--WR Vincent Jackson is coming off his third 100-yard game of the season. Jackson has already set career highs in catches (570), yards (1,051) and touchdowns (seven),

--OLB Shaun Phillips has come on of late to produce a solid season. Phillips leads the team with 7.5 sacks. His tackle for a loss in the win over Tampa Bay was his 13th of the season, which also paces the Chargers.

--RB LaDainian Tomlinson is only the third player in NFL history to go over 1,000 yards rushing in each of his first eight seasons. The others are Barry Sanders and Curtis Martin.

--ILB Stephen Cooper leads the team with four interceptions and they have all come in three December games. The four picks are the most by any NFL linebacker this season and the most by a Chargers linebacker since Donnie Edwards had five in 2004.

--RB Darren Sproles has gone over 2,000 all-purpose yards on the season at 2,053. He had 221 yards last game in Tampa Bay, including a season-long 43-yard punt return.

--P Mike Scifres continues to be a weapon for the Chargers. Only five teams have more than 15 punt-return yards against the Chargers this season.

GAME PLAN: The Chargers should let it rip and be aggressive against the NFL's No. 28th defense. While the Broncos can also score, the Chargers defense is playing better right now than Denver's. There's also some bad blood between Rivers and Cutler, and Turner would love to scheme an attack, which would let Rivers pile up some numbers. Look for LaDainian Tomlinson to get his touches early on the ground, then for Rivers to heave it downfield.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Chargers CBs Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie vs. Broncos passing game, which includes WR Brandon Marshall. One of these corners must come through to slow Marshall. In the last meeting, he torched Cromartie, who maybe had his worst game as a pro. Marshall would catch 18 passes -- the second-highest game total in NFL history -- as he consistently exposed the Chargers' defensive backs.

Chargers pass rush, which had two sacks and kept pressure on Tampa Bay's Jeff Garcia last week, against a stout Broncos pass protection scheme. The Chargers get Cutler one week after trying to contain the mobile Garcia. Cutler doesn't have Garcia's moves but he deftly evades and steps aside when feeling the heat. But the Broncos' offensive line must also get some credit as it has allowed but 12 sacks all year, three below their team record set in 2004. It's essential the Chargers get to Cutler or he will carve them apart as he did when facing them in September.

Chargers passing attack, led by Philip Rivers, vs. a Broncos secondary featuring Champ Bailey. If you don't think Rivers would love to have an eye-popping day, think again. Rivers and Denver's Cutler have a heated rivalry and it was Cutler, not Rivers, selected to the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Rivers has a new toy in WR Vincent Jackson and he is having a career year. But keep an eye on Chris Chambers, who has been quiet of late. Bailey is back for his second game after suffering a groin injury. But Denver's secondary has a few other bumps and bruises and Rivers would love to exploit it.

INJURY IMPACT:

--DT Jamal Williams (foot) practiced Thursday and is a go for Sunday.

--WR Malcom Floyd (lung) was limited in his work and could be a game-time decision. Chances are he won't go and Legedu Naanee would get additional playing time.

--LB Brandon Siler (foot) did not practice and it looks like he will be down this week.

--LB Anthony Waters (hamstring) went through a full practice and will play this week.

--DT Igor Olshansky returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday's while sick. He will start Sunday.