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DENVER - Peyton Manning laughed when his receivers played hot potato with his record-setting memento last weekend. . He wont be nearly as jolly Thursday night if the San Diego Chargers play keep-away from the Denver Broncos high-powered offence as they did last year. The Broncos were held under 65 snaps just twice last season — both times by San Diego. The Chargers controlled the clock for more than 38 minutes in both games, including a 27-20 stunner at Denver on a Thursday night in December. That was Mannings only divisional loss since heading West in 2012 and the Broncos only loss at home. Last year they caught us sleeping, cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said. This year, we know they can come in and beat us. So, were preparing well, were preparing hard and I think well be a lot better. The Broncos (5-1) have beefed up their defence and that should make it harder for the Chargers (5-2) to keep Manning & Co. on the sideline again. It was tough last year, insisted Chargers coach Mike McCoy, who was Mannings co-ordinator in 2012 and saw firsthand how the five-time MVP maximizes his chances. Manning earned his 27th career AFC Offensive Player of the Week award for his four-TD masterpiece against San Francisco in which he supplanted Brett Favre as the NFLs career touchdowns leader. Manning is on pace for 51 TDs and 4,928 yards — just under his record-setting 2013 season in which he threw for 55 TDs and 5,477 yards. Where hes better is in passer rating (118.2 to 115.1) and touchdown proficiency (8.7 per cent of his throws to 8.3 per cent). I think Peyton is being Peyton, one of the greats of all time, McCoy said. Im happy to see him break the record ... but its not a shocker at all the way hes playing. Nor is it surprising that Philip Rivers is doing so well once again. After reviving his career under McCoy in 2013 and halting a three-year playoff drought, Rivers 113.0 passer rating trails only Manning in the AFC. And his 17-3 TD-to-interception ratio is similar to Mannings 19-3. Other things to watch for in Denvers second prime-time game in four nights: CORNERBACKS CORNUCOPIA: San Diegos secondary is banged up with cornerbacks Jason Verrett (shoulder, questionable) and Brandon Flowers (concussion, out) ailing. So Shareece Wright and Richard Marshall could make their third straight start together in Denver. Some of the players that are starting this week started last year and they were able to beat us still, Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas said. So, our main thing is trying to go out and do something better than what we did last year. TERRIFIC TIGHT ENDS: This game features the top tight ends in the NFL: Julius Thomas, who has nine TD catches, and Antonio Gates, who has seven. We see it all the time here against Julius, so we know what a special player at that position can be and they certainly have one, Denver defensive co-ordinator Jack Del Rio said. I think when our guys went out and got Juice I think they were hoping that he could become something like Gates someday. Antonio has done it for quite a while and we understand the concerns, the issues, the matchup problems they present. OLD FRIENDS: Dwight Freeney didnt get to face Manning, his old Indianapolis teammate, last year because a thigh injury sidelined him after a month in San Diego. Mannings not exactly eager to face the outside linebacker until the postgame hugs and handshakes this time: Our offensive line knows weve got a challenge against their front, especially the guys having to block Dwight, Manning said. WELL-RESTED: Rivers figures neither team has an advantage because they just played on Sunday night and weve got to travel, so it evens out. The Broncos, though, were able to rest most of their starters in their blowout of the 49ers on Sunday night. The Broncos were gassed in last years Thursday night loss to San Diego as they were coming off a come-from-behind win over Tennessee in which Manning played 95 snaps. He took just 51 snaps Sunday night and joined several other starters on the sideline in the fourth quarter. RIVERS IN THE ROCKIES: Manning is 20-3 at home since joining the Broncos, but Rivers is no slouch in Denver, where hes 6-3. And hed be 7-2 if not for Ed Hochulis blown call on a last-minute Denver fumble in 2008. Its a great place to play, Rivers said. I love playing there. . Charlottetown scored four times in the third period en route to a 5-2 win over the defending champion Halifax Mooseheads on Friday. . -- The Chicago Bears say they have agreed to a one-year contract with centre Roberto Garza. .500 were once common achievements for the Dallas Mavericks. Now, both are season highs as Dallas slowly works its way back into playoff contention in the Western Conference.CHICAGO - New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony sat out Thursday night against the Chicago Bulls because of a sore left knee.Anthony is averaging 23.4 points in 24 games but has been battling the knee problem all season, leading to talk he might be shut down to let it heal.Knicks coach Derek Fisher said that will be up to Anthony.Ultimately that has to be the players decision, in terms of what he feels like is best for him and his career. Also, whats best for the team, Fisher said. I think Melo is smart enough to balance those things. He doesnt like to sit out.I think hes savvy enough too make the right decision at the right time, Fisher added. . New York also was without Andrea Bargnani (right hamstring), Cleanthony Early (right knee), Iman Shumpert (left shoulder) and J.R. Smith (left foot).Amare Stoudemire originally was expected to miss the game for a recovery day, but did end up playing.Travis Wear took Anthonys spot in the starting lineup.Anthony was recruited heavily by the Bulls during free agency. Instead of joining a championship contender, he took a maximum contract to stick with a New York team that entered Thursday with a 5-22 record. ' ' '