The Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers are in similar situations. Both teams are 7-4, tied for the AFC West lead with Oakland -- and they are coming off surprising losses.

The Broncos expected to play better at home last Sunday night, but it almost looked like they waltzed in and expected to whoop the Colts. Instead, they lost 23-20 on Mike Vanderjagt's 51-yard field goal in overtime -- in the snow.

Meanwhile, the Chargers suffered a 30-3 tail-whoopin' against Miami. During the week I talked to defensive end Marcellus Wiley, who said they were prepared but didn't come ready to play.

The Broncos got the best of the Chargers in Week 5, winning 26-9 in Denver. San Diego will be looking to return the favor, but the Chargers need to figure out what kind of team they are -- the one that got pounded by the Dolphins and the Jets or the one that beat the Patriots, the Raiders and the 49ers.

Sunday's game is critical: With 10 of the AFC's 16 teams having six wins or more, the Broncos and the Chargers not only want to win their division; they are also trying to remain in the running for home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.

Five keys for the Broncos
1. Stay focused: The Broncos need to get last week's game out of their minds. They have to remove the bitter taste from a loss against a team they should have beaten on national TV. The Chargers should be their primary focus, not the Colts.

2. Get out quickly: They need to start by putting the ball in the end zone quickly -- with touchdowns, not field goals. Because the Broncos are on the crowd, it will be important for them to take the San Diego crowd out of the game and make the Chargers play catch-up.

3. Eliminate LT: Although Drew Brees has proven his passing ability at the NFL level, the defense must remove LaDainian Tomlinson from the equation and force the Chargers to become a one-dimensional passing team. Tomlinson had his worst rushing effort of the season last week (14 carries, 45 yards). Without Tomlinson, the Chargers become a different team and can't play "Marty Ball." The Broncos must take him out in both the running game and the screen game out of the backfield.

4. Offensive misdirection: With misdirection, play-action and bootlegs, the Broncos must get Steve Beuerlein, who's not a great runner, to move around a little bit to change his point of attack. The Chargers have fast linebackers who like to run and chase. For instance, going from a play-action pass to a naked boot in the opposite direction, the Broncos can beat an overly aggressive defense. They can do it in the run game and the passing game to take the Chargers' linebackers out of plays.

5. Protect Beuerlein: Beuerlein lacks mobility, but he has a wonderful pocket presence. The Broncos need to protect him to help get him in the flow of the game. If he can stand back in the pocket without getting punished, he can pick apart any defense in the NFL. The more hits on Beuerlein, the more likely he will be to turn the ball over.

Five keys for the Chargers
1. Pass rush: The Chargers know where Beuerlein is going to be on most passing downs -- either three, five or seven steps back in the pocket. They also understand that Beuerlein doesn't have great foot speed. I expect them to turn the pass rush loose with a variety of blitzes. If they can hit Beuerlein and force turnovers, momentum will be on their side.

2. Take it to the fourth quarter: The Chargers have a knack for staying close and winning games. Brees has been outstanding in the two-minute drill at the end of games. If the Chargers can be within a touchdown in the fourth quarter, they believe they can win.

3. Protect the ball: This especially applies to Brees. Don't play scared, but don't play stupid. He should take a shot if it's available, but he should make sure it benefits the team and doesn't put the defense in a hole. He can't turn the ball over -- either with an interception or a fumble. When he gets hit, Brees has to protect it. He may face adversity 6-8 times in the game. What Brees does with the ball may make the difference in the game.

4. Control Broncos linebackers: The Broncos' linebackers -- Ian Gold, Al Wilson and John Mobley -- are the strength of the defense and are as fast as any group in the league. They are able to run and make plays from sideline to sideline. The Chargers can control them by pounding them. They have to attack between the tackles, not with sweeps, plays that go east and west. The Chargers need to be physical and keep the Broncos' linebackers from feeling good and dominating the game.

5. Pass first: Marty Schottenheimer likes to run and play defense. But if I were offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, I would throw to set up the run. Denver knows LT is San Diego's offensive star and that the Chargers want to run the ball. But the Chargers can loosen up the Broncos' defense by spreading it out and throwing the ball early, making efficient throws and smart decisions. If they get the Broncos thinking about the passing game, the Chargers can come back and gash them with the run.

Sean Salisbury covers the NFL for ESPN.