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DENVER -- How so much can change in such little time.The Broncos and Chargers arent exactly the same teams that met in San Diego on Oct. 13 when Denvers 15-game divisional road winning streak skidded to a halt in a 21-13 loss that snapped the Chargers out of a 10-game AFC West funk.Following with a win at Atlanta, the Chargers (3-4) have gone from stagger to swagger, saving coach Mike McCoys hide and earning the chance to make the seasons second half much more meaningful.Weve won two in a row but this is what we expected, what we should have done in some of those earlier games, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said. We should be sitting here with a different record, but were not. This one right here can really get us right back in the thick of it.The Broncos (5-2) also are a very different team than the one that stumbled into San Diego under interim coach Joe DeCamillis, got off to a slow start and never recovered.Gary Kubiak is back on the sideline after missing that game under doctors orders following a complex migraine. And quarterback Trevor Siemian isnt nearly as compromised from his sprained left shoulder that did as much to keep him from throwing downfield as the Chargers cover-2 schemes.But the Broncos will be without running back C.J. Anderson , who underwent right knee surgery Thursday, 72 hours after his best game of the season, a 107-yard effort that helped the Broncos beat Houston 27-9 Monday night.Instead, theyll hand off to rookie Devontae Booker and third-year pro Kapri Bibbs, who has four carries in eight career games -- not exactly the 1-2 punch they were so excited about when they rumbled over the Texans.Whenever players get hurt its unfortunate, but thats part of the league, Broncos linebacker Von Miller said. I feel like everybody has to battle some type of injury throughout their career and overcome it, and C.J., hell do that. Hell be right back for us. And what injury does is it gives opportunity for guys to go out and start their legacy.The Broncos felt really good about their 190 yards rushing against the Texans, but now they dont have that 1-2 punch. Or do they?Book is ready to play; Im ready to play, Bibbs said. And I dont think theres going to be any drop-off. I think were going to go in there and were going to handle our business.Thats something the Broncos as a whole didnt do in San Diego earlier this month.Other subplots when the teams meet Sunday:BOSA BOOM: Rookie Joey Bosa has played in only three games but has four sacks, including takedowns on consecutive drives last week in Atlanta. Bosa is the first NFL player since Elvis Dumervil in 2006 to have two multi-sack games in his first three games. He is the only player in Chargers history to accomplish that feat. Bosa missed all of training camp in a contract spat and then injured a hamstring, costing him the first four games.MEN IN THE MIDDLE: In a nod to Denvers star-studded secondary, the Chargers isolated tight ends Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry on Denvers inside LBs Brandon Marshall and Todd Davis last time, similar to what the Falcons had done with running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. The Broncos realized they had to mix some zone looks in their man-heavy coverage. Corey Nelson will likely get tested with Marshall dealing with a pulled left hamstring.CHASING RIVERS: Miller, who has 7+ sacks, is excited at the prospect of DeMarcus Ware (broken forearm Sept. 18), returning to the field this weekend. Its like having the Karate Kid and Mr. Miyagi, Miller said, praising Wares wisdom and poise. Hes just always calm no matter what the situation. He always has great advice, he always knows the direction to go, and he has the vision.MELVIN METAMORPHOSIS: Chargers RB Melvin Gordon, who didnt score as a rookie last year, leads the league with 10 TDs, eight rushing and two catching. Hes got 10 more touchdowns than he did last year, Denver defensive coordinator Wade Phillips deadpanned when asked what was the difference. No, he was a good back last year. He was a rookie. I think they certainly realized how to use him and hes come on and gotten better and better.BOLSTERED BRONCOS: Denver acquired a tight end just before the trade deadline for the second straight season. Last year, it was veteran Vernon Davis from the Niners. This time, the Broncos got greenhorn A.J. Derby from the Patriots. Playing behind Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett, Derby had no catches this season. But his preseason production -- 15 receptions for 189 yards, a TD -- is roughly what the Broncos other tight ends have managed so far.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton .Johnathan Joseph Jersey .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. Josh Ferguson Jersey . "Four now," Carl Gunnarsson told the Leaf Report proudly following a 5-2 victory over New York on Tuesday night, the clubs fifth straight at home. http://www.cheaptexansjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-keke-coutee-jersey . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. Nick Martin Jersey . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss. Drew Lewis Jersey . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets.GREENVILLE, N.C. -- East Carolina officials say the school will not tolerate further protests after some band members kneeled while others performed the national anthem before a game.Band director William Staub, School of Music director Christopher Ulffers and College of Fine Arts and Communication dean Christopher Buddo issued a joint statement Monday.They say they regret the actions taken by the 19 members who took a knee during the ceremonies before the game against Central Florida last week.They say they expect the members of the Marching Pirates will learn from this experience and fulfill their responsibilities. They call the protests hurtful to many in our Pirate family and disrespectful to our country.Fans booed the protestors after the anthem was completed, and Chancelllor Cecil Staton quickly issued a statement affirming the band members right to express themselves.ddddddddddddThat statement came after athletic director Jeff Compher said his department is working with the university and the school of music after the incident. Compher said in a statement Monday that there have been ongoing conversations between the music and athletic departments and the university and says hes confident that there will be a positive resolution in the future.Coach Scottie Montgomery, who was in the locker room with his team during the anthem, says he was made aware of the situation and trusts the university to handle it properlyent that there will be a positive resolut'