No team takes the field and tries to get off to a slow start. In Thursday night games, though, a fast start isn’t just preferred. It’s critical. Broncos coach Sean Payton noted before his team’s first Thursday night game — Week 7 at New Orleans — that teams leading at halftime on Thursday nights win a disproportionate number of games. This week, in a potential clinching matchup against a division rival with whom Denver is jockeying for postseason position, that message is getting hammered home. The Los Angeles Chargers have been a fast-starting team this year in general. That was never more apparent than when they stormed out to a 20-0 lead against Denver in Week 5 at Empower Field. “Their first-quarter point differential is better than ours,” Payton said Tuesday. “So it’s important.” Overall this year, the Chargers have outscored opponents 70-36 in the first quarter and by 81 points total in the first half. That difference is far greater than their overall plus-47 margin, meaning they’ve been outscored in the second half. The Broncos, meanwhile, have been outscored 61-37 in opening quarters but are plus-10 overall in the first half. They’ve done most of their damage late in games, outscoring opponents by 79 after halftime. These teams are opposites in that regard, then, on a night when history favors the team that plays like the Chargers. “Just play clean football early,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said. “Every game you play, especially on a short-week game, you want to play fast early and play clean early. I thought last week (against Indianapolis) we got off to a slow start again. So we’ve got to fix that. “On the road against a good team, you can’t fall down 13-0 and expect to win every game like that. So just play clean early and play good football.” Related Articles Denver Broncos | Sean Payton embraces national spotlight. And Broncos players love that about him: “He has this swag to him” Denver Broncos | Renck: Difference between Bad Bo and The Bo Show is real. Broncos QB must learn how to have short memory in NFL. Denver Broncos | NFL playoff picture 2024: Where Broncos stand entering NFL Week 16 Denver Broncos | Broncos’ Week 17 game at Cincinnati set for Saturday afternoon kick Denver Broncos | Jonathan Taylor’s goal line gaffe costly not only to Colts’ playoff chances but to fantasy football players Moss making progress. The Broncos only submitted an estimated injury report Tuesday because they held a walk-through rather than a full practice, but it still brought good news for cornerback Riley Moss. Moss was estimated to be a limited participant, which would mark the first time he’s participated in any official capacity since injuring his right MCL on Nov. 24 at Las Vegas. All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II (ankle) was estimated as a full participant for the second straight day, meaning he’s on track to play Thursday night. DL D.J. Jones (finger) and RB Jaleel McLaughlin (quad) bumped up from DNP to limited participation but DL John Franklin-Myers was a DNP for the second straight day. Keep it simple. Another key to preparing for the quick Thursday night turnaround: Keep it simple. The Broncos are playing on Thursday for the second time this season, while the Chargers are doing it for the first time. “I think (our players) know the schedule and they played pretty well (against the Saints in Week 7),” Payton said. “But this is a different-type game. I think we as coaches have learned a lot about how to play these games maybe differently than when we first were doing it. “It’s important to really look closely at not over-installing. Making sure the guys know what they’re getting by heart. Plays that they know. There will be some wrinkles.” Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.