4 key things to know about Chargers’ Week 6 opponent: Broncos

To get you prepped for the Chargers’ Week 6 matchup with the Broncos, here are some important things to know about them.

The Chargers are looking to extend their win streak to three games when they take on the Broncos next Monday night.

To get you prepped for the Week 6 bout, here are four key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.

Is Russ cooked?

As the old saying goes, “Let Russ cook!” Well, the question now looms whether he is cooked instead. Wilson’s tenure with the Broncos after being traded from the Seahawks hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows. Wilson ranks No. 14 in the NFL in passing yards (1,254), is tied for No. 23 in passing touchdowns (four), and ranks No. 28 in passing completion percentage (59.4%). In addition, Denver is averaging just 15 points per game, which is second-worst in the league behind the Colts. Wilson sustained a partially torn lat near his right shoulder in the Week 4 loss to the Broncos, but he is expected to still play against the Chargers.

Was Nathaniel worth nothing?

The Broncos hired Nathaniel Hackett, former Packers offensive coordinator, to oversee the team in hopes of him bringing a boost to the offense. However, that has been far from the case. Denver has scored six total touchdowns, and three of those came in a single game in its loss to Las Vegas. Hackett has also not set a standard for discipline, as league-leading 44 penalties have hampered the team. Further, game management has been an issue, given that the Broncos are 21.43% in red zone scoring percentage, which is the worst in the NFL.

Familiar face keeps fumbling

Javonte Williams suffered a torn ACL and LCL in Week 4, leaving Melvin Gordon as the Broncos’ top running back. Gordon has been decent this season, as he has 193 yards and one touchdown on 52 carries (3.7 yards per carry), as well as 11 catches for 98 yards. However, fumbles have been a big issue for Gordon, who has four in 2022, the most among non-quarterbacks. Mike Boone will share touches with Gordon, while Latavius Murray could become more involved as Denver figures out the rotation.

Top dog against the air

The Broncos boast the NFL’s best passing defense, allowing just 176.6 yards per game, and they have given up only three touchdowns, which is tied for second-best. It all starts up front, where Denver has a fearsome edge defender trio of Bradley Chubb, Baron Browning and Randy Gregory, who have combined for 52 pressures. But they will be without Gregory, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. Along the interior of the defensive line, Dre’Mont Jones and D.J. Reed have totaled 14 and ten pressures, respectively. Allowing quarterbacks very little time to throw has been a big factor, but the Broncos have arguably one of the top corners in second-year Patrick Surtain II, who has done a great job of taking away the opposing team’s No. 1 wide receivers.

3 storylines to follow in Chargers’ Week 8 matchup against Broncos

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out what to watch for on Sunday against the Broncos.

The Chargers and Broncos are set to meet in an AFC West battle on Sunday afternoon.

With that being said, here are three storylines to follow as Los Angeles looks to pick up their third victory of the season:

Can Justin Herbert continue his dominance?

Herbert has been lights out, which was awarded with Offensive Rookie of the Month for the month of October. While the first-year signal caller has shown that he can hang with some of the league’s best defenses, this weekend might be his toughest test yet. The Broncos, who held Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes to just 200 passing yards, rank No. 13 in pass defense. Denver will show a handful of coverage looks and the unit will be hungry to exploit a depleted offensive line. But if everything clicks and they are able to overcome the offensive line deficiencies, look for Herbert to flourish in that thin Denver air.

Can the running game get anything going?

The Chargers rushing attack has been nonexistent ever since RB Austin Ekeler was placed on the injured reserve. Rookie Joshua Kelley has failed to surpass 30 rushing yards in the last three outings and Justin Jackson is coming off a performance where he only he ran for 12 yards. If the offense can’t get anything going through the air because of the stingy secondary and fearsome pass rush, Los Angeles will expect Kelley and Jackson to step up.

Can the defense compete in all four quarters?

The Bolts’ defense has produced a mixed bag of results this season. While the unit has looked outstanding in the first half, they’ve fallen apart in the second half in nearly every singly game, resulting in at least 29 points given up in each of the last three outings. If defensive coordinator Gus Bradley wants to get back on the right track, this would be the game to do so. After missing three games with an injury, QB Drew Lock has four interceptions and zero touchdowns in the past two contests. The offense has only mustered one touchdown in eight quarters, ranking 29th in points per game (19.3). On paper, it doesn’t look appealing. But the defense has to piece it all together by staying disciplined without busted coverages, missed tackles or blown assignments.

How Chargers offensive line might shake up vs. Broncos

The Los Angeles Chargers offensive line could possibly look more depleted this weekend.

The Chargers offensive line took a hit with injuries to two key starters, guard Trai Turner and tackle Bryan Bulaga, earlier this season.

Los Angeles has been without them for the past few weeks, and both of their statuses still remain in doubt heading into this weekend against the Broncos.

Turner has been ruled out while Bulaga is questionable for Week 8.

In addition, the team will be without Turner’s replacement, Ryan Groy, who was placed on the injured/COVID-19 list. They could also be without Bulaga’s replacement, Trey Pipkins, who was a close contact to Groy as well as his backup, Storm Norton, who is questionable with a knee injury.

Pipkins was placed on the COVID-19 list, but it doesn’t necessarily rule him out from Sunday’s contest, per coach Anthony Lynn.

However, if Bulaga, Pipkins and Norton can’t go, the offensive line will look a lot more thin than what it already was.

If this actually comes to fruition, here’s a look at the starting unit:

LT – Sam Tevi

LG – Forrest Lamp

C – Dan Feeney

RG – Scott Quessenberry

RT – Tyree St. Louis

Facing a Broncos defense that’s averaging three sacks per game, the Chargers offense could be in for a long day.

What Broncos said about Chargers QB Justin Herbert

Broncos coach Vic Fangio and edge defender Bradley Chubb had high praise on the Chargers rookie quarterback.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has notified the NFL that he is not to be taken like a rookie with his slew of strong performances in his five starts.

Herbert has done it against some stiff competition. Heading into this weekend’s contest, it won’t be getting any easier as he’s set to face a stout Broncos defense that held Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to just 200 passing yards last Sunday.

Among one of the defensive players that contributed to their success was edge defender Bradley Chubb.

Chubb recognized what former Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers brought to the table over the past decade, but realizes that a new challenge awaits with Herbert possessing the keys now.

“He’s a rookie but he’s back there comfortable and confident. He’s throwing the ball like a guy who’s been in the league for years. He’s running it with confidence. It’s going to be a good challenge for this defense,” Chubb said.

Denver’s head coach Vic Fangio had high praise for Herbert, as well.

“He’s playing very good for those guys. He throws the deep ball real well, throws the intermediate stuff well. Obviously, very athletic. They’ve done a good job coaching him and adapting their offense to his skill set,” Fangio said.

Herbert will be riding high into Mile High Stadium this Sunday with the hopes of guiding the Chargers to another win and continuing to help his case for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Everything you need to know about Chargers vs. Broncos, Week 13

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez delivers your game primer for the Chargers-Broncos matchup in Week 13.

The Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos are set to square off in an AFC West battle on Sunday afternoon at 1:25 p.m. PT.

Here is everything you need to know about today’s matchup:

Features

4 things to know (link)
6 things to watch (link)
4 matchups to watch (link)
Bouncing back won’t be easy task for Rivers (link)
NFL experts make Week 13 picks (link)
Prediction poll (link)
Mike Williams seeking first touchdown (link)

How to watch/stream

Will game be on in your area? (link)

Social Media

Like Chargers Wire on Facebook
Follow Chargers Wire on Twitter

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Will the Chargers-Broncos game be on in your area?

Fans in the periwinkle area of the map will get the Chargers and Broncos matchup.

The Los Angeles Chargers (4-7) are looking to snap their two-game losing streak on Sunday against the Denver Broncos (3-8).

Those in the periwinkle area will get the game on CBS, courtesy of 506 Sports.

If you’re in the red, you will get the AFC West battle between the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders.

Prior to the Chargers and Broncos, the majority of the country will watch the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Cleveland Browns.

It’ll be Andrew Catalon and James Lofton calling Sunday’s bout between Los Angeles and Denver.

The Chargers are still 1.5-point road favorites. Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. PT.

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4 key things to know about Chargers vs. Broncos

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lists the four most important things to know about the Chargers’ opponent in Week 13.

Fresh off their bye week, the Los Angeles Chargers (4-7) will look to get back on track after losing their past two consecutive games in a matchup against the Denver Broncos (3-8).

Here are four key things to know prior to the Week 13 bout.

Decision on quarterback is up in the air

The last time the Chargers played the Broncos, veteran Joe Flacco was behind center. That won’t be the case this weekend as Flacco is currently nursing an injury, which has put him out for the past few weeks.

In place of Flacco has been Brandon Allen, who is 1-2 since taking over as Denver’s starter. But rookie Drew Lock, who has returned from the injured reserve, could make his professional regular season debut.

Lock has practiced the past three weeks, but the Broncos have continued to roll with Allen to ensure that the first-year player’s thumb is feeling 100%.

“We’re going to up Drew’s reps this week extensively in practice, see how he does with this, and then make a decision prior to the game. The earliest (the decision) would be made would be later in the week, right up until the game,” coach Vic Fangio said.

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