Schlereth: Stopping Gordon on edge key to Broncos win vs. Chargers

Ahead of the Broncos road trip to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers, “Schlereth and Evans” co-host Mark Schlereth laid out his keys for Denver victory on Sunday.

Stop Melvin Gordon on the edge

Schlereth said the Chargers are one of the only teams in the NFL who run a “downhill, outside-the-tight-end run game,” and one that features the potent Melvin Gordon.

In order to combat that, Schlereth said the Broncos need to be able to “replace” and “set a firm edge.”

“That edge run, that’s going to come down to safeties. That’s going to come down to cornerbacks,” Schlereth said. “And, remember, the Broncos had a serious issue defending that against the Jets earlier in the season. So, that’s going to be imperative that they’re able to do those things.”

Broncos smother Keenan Allen

Schlereth called the Chargers wide receiver “one of the most underrated” and “under-publicized” in all of football.

“He does the dirty work. He does the crossing routes. He does the middle of the field routes. He’s good versus man and zone. He’s a great release guy. He’s great at the top of his route,” Schlereth said.

So, whoever “draws the assignment” of covering Allen, it’s going to be a “challenge.”

Diversity on offense

Earlier this week, Schlereth talked about finding a rhythm on offense was key to starting fast. Along with that, he spoke about involving a “multitude” of players on offense.

On Friday, Schlereth championed that same sentiment, saying “diversity is key” in order to help your “playmakers to make plays.”

“Spreading the ball around to multiple people. Get your fullback involved. Keep your tight ends involved,” Schlereth said. “Make the defense defend more than Phillip Lindsay and defend more than Emmanuel Sanders. Make them defend the entirety of your roster, the entirety of the football field.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.