The Chargers are set to take on the Broncos on Nov. 28 at 1:05 pm PT in hopes of extending their division record to 3-0 on the season.
Here are four important things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the Week 12 bout:
Who’s starting at quarterback?
The Broncos have experienced a quarterback carousel throughout the past few seasons, hoping to find competency at the position. After facing Drew Lock last season, the Chargers will match up against Teddy Bridgewater this time around. Bridgewater has helped Denver to five wins thus far, in which he has thrown six touchdown passes and zero picks. At his best when taking care of the football, Bridgewater has a completion percentage of 69.2 and 14 touchdown passes to just five interceptions, with just one coming in the last four games.
Solid support cast
Bridgewater has benefited from having reliable pass-catchers at his disposal, Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick and Jerry Jeudy. Last week, Sutton and Patrick were rewarded for their efforts, inking contract extensions. Sutton missed nearly the entire 2020 season due to a torn following a Pro Bowl campaign. He is back and is playing like he did not lose a step, leading the Broncos in receptions (43) and receiving yards (617) this season. Patrick has 37 receptions for 523 yards and four touchdowns. Jeudy has at least six receptions in three of his four games. Tight ends Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam are both weapons in this department, as well.
1-2 punch
Running back Melvin Gordon is now in his second season with Denver. Despite some fumbling issues, Gordon has played well, totaling five touchdowns. He has split the backfield with rookie Javonte Williams. Williams has carried the ball 103 times for 514 yards (5.0 yards per carry), including a team-high six runs of 20-plus yards. The two have combined for 221 carries for 1,036 yards.
Dominant defense
Brandon Staley is set to face his former mentor in Vic Fangio. The defense that Staley enforced is replicative of the one Fangio has in place in Denver. They both rely heavily on two high coverage shells and disguising their coverages to make it difficult on opposing quarterbacks. Currently, the Broncos have the ninth-best defense overall, are 14th in rushing (110.1 yards allowed per game), 9th against the pass (218.1 yards allowed per game), and third in scoring (18.3 points allowed per game).