The Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos are about to go head-to-head on Monday night.
Before the matchup, Broncos Wire’s managing editor Jon Heath spoke with us about Los Angeles’ opponent.
1. Do you think Russell Wilson’s struggles have more to do with the lat injury or offensive structure?
I think it’s a combination, but the injury has only been for the last game and a half. Even before the injury, the offense has been extremely sluggish and some of Wilson’s throws have been off. I think he’s still getting familiar with his receivers and he’s still getting familiar with Nathaniel Hackett and the offense. Broncos fans keep waiting for everything to click, but it’s been pretty ugly so far.
2. What’s Denver’s plan going to be on offense after losing Javonte Williams and Garett Bolles for the season?
They like Melvin Gordon at running back, but he’s not as explosive as Williams. Gordon will be the RB1 but Latavius Murray and/or Mike Boone will also be part of the mix. At left tackle, Calvin Anderson appears to be the next man up to replace Bolles. He’s been a backup swing tackle over the last two years and has just a handful of starts on his resume. He’ll be a weak link that pass rushers will try to exploit.
3. Patrick Surtain II has ascended to star status this season. Where’s the weakness on this defense to avoid throwing at him?
Denver lost its other outside cornerback, Ronald Darby, to a season-ending ACL injury. That presumably means fourth-round pick Damarri Mathis is now in line to start. Mathis has been a fine rotational cornerback through the first five games, but he’s unproven as a starter. QBs will likely test him often.
4. What has made Ejiro Evero’s defense so effective in his first season as defensive coordinator?
He inherited a very talented roster, and he didn’t make many big changes to Vic Fangio’s scheme (Evero comes from the Fangio coaching tree). One notable difference Evero has in play-calling is blitzing. Fangio rarely blitzed linebackers, but Evero has sent inside linebackers on several occasions this year, often at just the right time.
5. What’s your prediction for the game?
Like I said earlier, Broncos fans keep waiting for the team’s offense to click and turn things around. Faced with the possibility of dropping to 2-4, this may be the week Denver gets back on track. Until I see it, though, I can’t back the Broncos to just flip a switch. The defense should keep them in Monday’s game, but it’s hard to have any confidence in Denver’s offense.
Chargers, 23-19.