AFC west

DENVER BRONCOS

DE Trevor Pryce (back surgery) isn't likely to return until December 5. Without Pryrce, the team has relied on DL Marco Coleman and Anton Palepoi to get pressure off the left side. They have filled in wall on the run but aren't the force in the pass rush Pryce is.... Utilityman Nick Ferguson has stepped into a starting role in place of S John Lynch (hairline fracture of a bone in his spine). Depending on how long Lynch is out, Ferguson could be a key player. Ferguson is all about hustle and desire, which is why he's so good on special teams. Although he's not as good in run support as Lynch, he hits a ton. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: CB Champ Bailey gives the secondary greater flexibility. The Broncos are mixing coverages much more than in the past. For instance, Bailey will take on the opponent's best receiver in man coverage while the rest of the secondary falls back into zone coverage. And Bailey's ability to cover man-to-man also has allowed the defense to use more cornerback blitzes.--Patrick Saunders

OAKLAND RAIDERS

CB Phillip Buchanon's inconsistency is costing him playing time; last Sunday, he platooned with Denard Walker as part of coach Norv Turner's lineup shakeup. Buchanon plays too far off receivers at times, gambles too often and doesn't make enough big plays. Walker, though less flashy, makes more plays but also commits costly penalties. ... The team sees rookie Jake Grove as a starter at center or guard for years to come. Grove, who made his first pro start Sunday in place of RG Ban Stone (knee), is a physical, aggressive player with a mean streak. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The Raiders often line up in their base 3-4 defense but play a 4-3 or 5-2. E Tyler Brayton and/or one of several outside linebackers--DeLawrence Grant, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, Travian Smith or Sam Williams--either rushes or drops into coverage. The idea is to confuse opposing offenses, but the approach hasn't been effective. Brayton often winds up in a mismatch against smaller, faster receivers.--Steve Corkran

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

To help against the run, opponents are allowing TE Tony Gonzalez a free release off the line. That's a mistake. The best way to deal with Gonzalez is to bump him off the snap and try to disrupt his timing. If he gets off dean, he will cause problems in the secondary.... RB Priest Holmes appears to be wearing down under a massive workload. He has left three games early with bumps and bruises. The Chiefs don't like to rotate their backs, but Holmes might be even more effective with more rest than taking Wednesdays off from practice provides. Derrick Blaylock has played well as a spot replacement. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The defenses aggressiveness is hurting the team on bootleg plays. The ends and linebackers fail to stay at home, inviting opponents who don't usually run bootlegs, such as the Bucs, to do so. The solution is better discipline. Without it, the Chiefs will have a problem this week against Saints QB Aaron Brooks.--Adam Teicher

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

RB LaDainian Tomlinson will use the off week to rest a strained groin/lower abdomen, which has robbed him of his burst out of cuts. He's still effective runnng straight ahead or making one hard cut but has lost his juke moves.... TE Antonio Gates has five touchdown catches the past two games and is a matchup nightmare. Most linebackers and safeties lack the size and/or mobility to stay with him, and Gates does an excellent job of using his big body to separate from defenders, particularly in the red zone. At some point defenses will realize the need to double-team him. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Because they've had leads in the second half, the Chargers are relying on more zone coverages. That does two things: It keeps the ball in front of the defensive backs, and it reduces the likelihood that the corners will be called for illegal contact or pass interference. Marly Schottenheimer believes opponents are more likely to make a mistake if they must make long drives.--Jim Trotter

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