Antonio Gates and Ryan Mathews are two players the Chargers will count on to lift the offense above its current ranking of 23rd in the NFL. (US Presswire)

The Chargers offense is ranked 23rd, having only averaged 334.8 yards per game. It's puzzling because coach Norv Turner is frequently credited as being an offensive genius and Philip Rivers is a marquee QB who has plenty of weapons to throw to. TE Antonio Gates attributes the low production to his teammates not being familiar with each other yet.

New additions to the Chargers offense this season include RB Jackie Battle, RB Ronnie Brown, WR Eddie Royal and WR Robert Meachem.

“We are still binding,” Gates said. “That is the key for us. We are constantly getting better.”

Gates is off to a slow start, at least by his standards. He only has 13 receptions for 143 yards and no TDs in the four games he has played. “I am having fun,” Gates said. “I’m healthy. When I get man coverage, I win. It ain’t even close.”

One-on-one coverage is a rarity for Gates. He's frequently double-teamed, which is a good explanation for his low production, but he's not using that as an excuse. “Since I have been 12 years old, I have been getting game planned,” Gates said. “It’s nothing new. You still have to find ways to be productive.”

Gates said he's OK if his touches are limited, so long it opens up an opportunity for someone else.

“Whatever [the opposing defense] decides, ultimately it’s about me playing my role,” he said. “My role is to impact the game. That is what I try to go do. I try to impact the game as much as I can.”

Gates explained that if he receives double-coverage, then another offensive weapon should be open.

“They want to take one thing away from this offense then we have to make plays in other areas,” Gates said. “That is what this offense is predicated on. It’s a progression offense. We have more depth here now than we have had in the past. It’s like a basketball game. You want to leave a shooter open in double-post, and we got guys who can make those shots.”

The new weapons, however, haven't stepped up and consistently made their shots. None of the new faces have had a 100-yard game.

Battle has been the most productive. He has carried the ball 36 times for 173 yards and has six receptions for 49 yards. He also leads the Chargers with four TDs (three rushing, one receiving), but his touches look to be on the decline as RB Ryan Mathews is apparently slated for more playing time.

Brown only has 11 carries for 40 yards with no TDs. He has actually contributed more as a receiver with 17 receptions for 149 yards.

Royal has just 11 receptions for 76 yards and one TD. He also has three carries for 22 yards.

Meachem was supposed to assume the role of WR Vincent Jackson, who left for the Bucs as as a free agent. But he has just nine receptions for 159 yards. His best performance, however, did come last Sunday against the Saints -- three catches for 67 yards and two TDs.

“We are trying to get this thing on the road where we can all play collectively together well,” Gates said. “It’s not an overnight thing. You keep growing. You find out what people can do as you play games.”

This week the Chargers (3-2) face the Broncos (2-3) on Monday Night Football, for what will be a battle for first place in the AFC West. Gates knows this week he will likely be asked to work on more blocking assignments than normal because LT Jared Gaither (groin) may not play. If Gaither is out, Gates would then be asked to help out LT Mike Harris (undrafted, UCLA) in his effort to slow down linebacker Von Miller, who leads the Broncos with five sacks.

“He is so shifty,” Gates said of Miller. “He goes underneath. You get caught up into that and that is what makes him tough. You get your hands on him you have a better chance, but getting your hands on him is the hard part.”

Gates says he doesn't go into games with a preconceived notion of how it will play out.

“I have an idea of what their scheme is about,” he said. “I understand what they do, and what they might do. In case they don’t do X and Y, then they might come back with this. If they don’t do any of that, then you have to learn as you're going. That is what this game is about. It's about adapting.”

Gates believes his philosophy of being prepared and unselfish is the key for the offense to get on track.

“It’s just timing and sacrifice,” he said. “You don’t need to make a play this week, but the play you make next week might be a game-changing play. We all understand that because we are trying to win a championship.”

Ingram fined: OLB Melvin Ingram was fined $15,750 for his roughing-the-passer penalty against the Saints last Sunday. On the play, Ingram lowered the crown of his helmet and hit QB Drew Brees in the head area. The penalty negated an interception and TD return by ILB Demorrio Williams. Had the touchdown stood, the Chargers would have led 31-14. Brees then completed the drive for a Saints TD in what was the first of 17 unanswered points for New Orleans. And the Chargers went on to lose 31-24.

Blackout lifted: The Chargers have sold enough tickets to lift the local blackout for Monday night’s Chargers-Broncos showdown at 5:30 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium. The game will be shown throughout Southern California on ESPN and fans in San Diego can also watch the simulcast on CBS affiliate KFMB-TV, Channel 8.

Practice report -- Did not practice: Gaither (groin), K Nate Kaeding (groin) and WR Eddie Royal. Limited: WR Malcom Floyd (groin) and CB Shareece Wright. Practiced in full: RT Jeromey Clary (foot) and RB Ryan Mathews (ankle). Floyd was a new addition to the injury report.

Turner said he expected Floyd and Royal would both play on Monday. He was less optimistic about Gaither and acknowledged that the upcoming bye week could sway his decision towards keeping an injured player out this week.

What’s next: The Chargers will conclude their preparations for the Broncos with a practice on Saturday morning.

Follow the Chargers and Dan McLellan on Twitter @CBSChargers and @sandiegosports.