DENVER (Ticker) -- Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan hopes to prevent his team from a letdown Sunday when they host the Detroit Lions in an interconference game.
The Broncos are coming off a 31-10 rout of the Oakland Raiders Monday night and play another division rival - the Kansas City Chiefs - on October 5. But in between, they will try not to overlook the Lions, who have lost two straight after a season-opening 42-24 win over Arizona.
Lions running back Olandis Gary probably had this game circled on his calendar. He played the first four years of his career with the Broncos, and rushed for 1,159 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie in 1999.
Gary signed with the Buffalo Bills as a free agent in the offseason, but Lions president Matt Millen acquired him on August 31 after starting running back James Stewart suffered a season-ending injury.
However, Gary has produced just 60 yards on 26 carries and three catches for 20 yards in Detroit's first three games. Last week, Gary had just five carries for eight yards while Shawn Bryson had 17 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown in Detroit's 23-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Denver's offense is clicking on all cylinders. The Broncos have scored 30 or more points in each of their first three games, totaling 98 points.
Jake Plummer threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score - all in the first quarter - to lead the Broncos to Monday's rout of Oakland in their home opener. Second-year receiver Ashley Lelie had three catches for 108 yards, including a 44-yard TD.
Denver has outscored its opponents, 98-33, and has yet to trail in a game.
Rich Gannon, the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player, completed just 14-of-29 passes for 148 yards against the Broncos. Now second-year quarterback Joey Harrington, who threw for 235 yards but was intercepted three times by Minnesota, will have to contend with Denver's pressure led by end Trevor Pryce and linebackers Ian Gold, Al Wilson and John Mobley.
Denver leads the series, 5-3, but the teams have not met here since 1987.
