Tag: Chargers vs. Broncos

Who are the experts taking in Chargers vs. Broncos?

Find out who national pundits are favoring in the matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos.

The Los Angeles Chargers are 4.5-point favorites over the Denver Broncos in Week 6 of the 2022 regular season. The over/under is 45.5 points, per Tipico Sportsbook.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 45.5 points.

My score prediction for the game is a 27-14 win for the Bolts, with a combined total of 41 points. So if I were putting money behind my prediction, I’d bet the under.

As for game picks, analysts favor Justin Herbert and the Chargers in this one.

Expert Pick
Nate Davis (USA Today) Chargers
Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Chargers
Mike Clay (ESPN) Chargers
Matt Bowen (ESPN) Chargers
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Chargers
Bill Bender (Sporting News) Chargers
Gregg Rosenthal (NFL Media) Chargers
Bleacher Report Chargers

Monday’s game will begin at 5:15 p.m. PT and will be televised on ESPN.

Chargers injury report vs. Broncos: Keenan Allen among 3 players limited

The Chargers are hopeful they will have Keenan Allen back for the Week 6 matchup with the Broncos.

The Chargers’ preparation for their Monday night bout with the Broncos is in full swing.

The notable player to be monitored is wide receiver Keenan Allen, who has not played the last four games due to a hamstring injury.

Allen did individual drills during yesterday’s practice but is considered “day-to-day,” per head coach Brandon Staley.

On Thursday, the team just had a walkthrough, and the injury report was all estimated. Allen was listed as limited, as was offensive tackle Trey Pipkins (knee) and kicker Dustin Hopkins (quad).

Los Angeles will practice on Friday and Saturday. It is then that we will know the final status of Allen.

Chargers’ reasons for optimism vs. Broncos in Week 6

Here are four reasons why the Chargers should feel optimistic about winning when they face the Broncos.

The Chargers garner their second primetime appearance this week with a Monday Night Football matchup against the Broncos.

Denver has gotten off to a slow start with Russell Wilson and Nathaniel Hackett at the helm, opening the possibility that Los Angeles moves to 4-2 on the season.

Here are four reasons to be optimistic that the Chargers come out on top.

Injury luck

The Chargers seem to be on the way up as far as injuries go, with Keenan Allen again listed as day-to-day. Donald Parham Jr. made his season debut, while Trey Pipkins looks like he won’t miss any time, despite a sprained MCL last Sunday. Meanwhile, The Broncos put three starters on injured reserve this week: left tackle Garett Bolles, cornerback Ronald Darby, and long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer. LA is, of course, missing the likes of Rashawn Slater and Joey Bosa, but the Broncos are also missing Javonte Williams, Randy Gregory, and Tim Patrick. Justin Simmons, Greg Dulcich, and Michael Ojemudia are eligible to return this week, but some rust on the defensive side and working new players into the fold on offense could lead to more mistakes than normal.

Offensive disjointment

Even without the injuries, Denver has struggled to get on the same page on offense. The Broncos seem to still be looking for an identity on that side of the ball, especially after Williams’ torn ACL. Courtland Sutton seems to be the only receiver with consistent chemistry with Wilson, while Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler have taken a bit of a backseat to the tight ends. Wilson is throwing over the middle a bit more than typical, but still not as often as he probably should be with the skill position personnel. Go back and watch Wilson skip over a wide-open Hamler against the Colts last week with a chance to win the game. The Chargers defense is good enough to prevent Denver from getting things in place this week, and there’s little reason to suggest the Broncos are on the upswing quite yet.

Strength on strength

The Chargers are 12th in pass defense DVOA but 22nd in run defense DVOA, which in an injury-free world would cause some legitimate concern around Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon on the docket. Instead, it’s Gordon and Latavius Murray, a duo currently sitting at 23rd in DVOA on the season. Per the stat, Denver is a better passing team than rushing one, at 21st in pass DVOA on the season. That means the gameplan should be skewed more toward keeping Wilson’s downturn going rather than the rush defense-focused one they had against Cleveland and Nick Chubb. That plays into LA’s hands by allowing them to lean on the strength of their defense: the secondary.

Game management

Say what you want about Brandon Staley’s decision to go for it on fourth and two late in the game against Cleveland, but there’s no denying that Nathaniel Hackett has been a worse decision-maker as a rookie head coach. Denver hired Jerry Rosburg as a game management specialist after two games, but the changes have been less than palpable. Hackett has the unenviable task of calling offensive plays while also managing the game, a tall task for many coaches and especially rookie ones. The former Packers offensive coordinator has become somewhat infamous for his decision-making, which tells me there’s a blunder to capitalize on coming up on Monday night.

5 Broncos who pose biggest threat to Chargers

Here are the Broncos’ five top players who could be the difference-makers when they play the Chargers.

The Los Angeles Chargers take on the Denver Broncos this Monday at 5:15 p.m. PT.

Here are a few Broncos players who the Bolts must hone in on to increase their chances of coming out victorious in Week 6.

EDGE Bradley Chubb & Baron Browning

The Broncos have the NFL’s top passing defense, and a big reason is their ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks at a high rate. After undergoing ankle surgery that kept him out for two months last season, Chubb is back like he didn’t lose a step. He leads the group with 5.5 sacks, which is the second-most in the league. In addition to that, he has 19 pressures. Randy Gregory, who was signed to play opposite Chubb, will not play this weekend after having arthroscopic knee surgery. Had he played, Gregory would’ve been quite the load, as evident from his 19 pressures and 11 hurries. Nevertheless, Denver has rookie Baron Browning playing in his place. And Browning has done a fine job filling his shoes, as he has 14 pressures and two sacks.

CB Patrick Surtain II

Surtain is quickly working his way into the top-5 cornerback category. The second-year player has the highest coverage grade among corners (88.1), per Pro Football Focus. Lining up across from opposing team’s No. 1 wide receivers, Surtain uses his size, length, speed and explosiveness to give them fits. He has allowed just 19 catches on 31 targets for 143 yards (7.5 yards per reception) while breaking up four passes.

WR Courtland Sutton & Jerry Jeudy

With how underwhelming Russell Wilson has been, you would think that there isn’t a pass-catcher that’s been productive this season, but Sutton’s play says otherwise. Sutton is tied for sixth-most receiving yards in the NFL with 417. An explosive player, Sutton has six of his 29 receptions that have gone for over 20 yards. The Broncos’ slot wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is also not to be taken lightly. While he’s dealt with drops, Jeudy has the speed to take the top off the defense or make something small turn into a big gain. He is averaging 16.9 yards per reception.

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.

Chargers OT Trey Pipkins’ game continues to show growth

Trey Pipkins has very much looked like a professional offensive tackle.

Selected by the Chargers in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft out of Sioux Falls, Trey Pipkins was tabbed as a developmental tackle with the potential to grow into a starting role.

However, the product on the field suggested otherwise, and he was being written off amid his struggles in his first two seasons. Pipkins made eight starts, with five of them coming last year. In that action, he allowed 42 pressures, 24 hurries, nine quarterback hits, and nine sacks.

When Bryan Bulaga went down in the first game of the season, Storm Norton was plugged in as the starting right tackle. Meanwhile, Pipkins came on the field in jumbo packages, but it wasn’t long after that where he was inactive for four straight games due to lackluster play.

That was until Rashawn Slater was ruled out with COVID-19 in Week 15 against the Chiefs when Pipkins was called on to make the start in place of him. It resulted in his best game as a pro. On 42 pass-blocking opportunities, Pipkins allowed just three pressures.

Fast forward two weeks later to this past Sunday’s victory over the Broncos, and Pipkins started at right tackle in the absence of Norton. Raising eyebrows of those who had doubted him, Pipkins did not surrender a single pressure on 32 opportunities.

While he got a bit of assistance from chip blocks and moving pockets, Pipkins displayed a player of much more confidence, an improvement from a technical standpoint in pass protection, and a never-seen brand of strength and physicality as a run-blocker in both games.

The growth of Pipkins is a prime example that scheme and coaching are significant factors in the development of mid- late-rounders, but in particular, offensive tackles. That is why offensive line coaches Frank Smith and Shaun Sarrett deserve credit for the player Pipkins has molded into.

Because of his and Norton’s promising play, it should give the Chargers some flexibility when they assess the position this offseason. Should they move on from Bulaga, the two have shown to be serviceable enough, so that way the team won’t have to spend on a high-priced free agent or take one early in the draft.

Stars, studs and duds in Chargers’ 34-13 victory over Broncos

Highlighting the Chargers players who shined and struggled in the victory over the Broncos.

The Chargers are coming off one of their most complete performances with a 34-13 win over the Broncos.

Here are a few players who shined and struggled in Sunday’s victory over Denver.

Star: WR Andre Roberts

Roberts supplied a massive special teams spark with kick returns of 47 yards and one of 101 yards that was returned to the house in the fourth quarter, becoming the only active player with three kickoff return touchdowns and three punt return touchdowns in his career. Roberts was a midseason addition for the Bolts and he showed why he is a strong candidate to be re-signed at the end of the season.

Star: QB Justin Herbert 

Herbert wrote his name in the history books once again, but this time, it was quite significant. His 45-yard touchdown to Mike Williams set a franchise record for most passing touchdowns in a single season with 35. Additionally, the sophomore quarterback became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 800 completions. Herbert managed to do so in just 31 games.

Studs: RBs Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson

Ekeler and Jackson made up more than half of Bolts’ total yards with 173. For much of the season, the run game consisted of Ekeler alone. However, it appears they have finally established a nice one-two punch to boost the offensive output heading into the final game of the regular season and potentially the postseason. Furthermore, this is the eighth time this season that Ekeler has reached 100 yards from scrimmage.

Stud: OT Trey Pipkins

Credit goes to the entire offensive line for allowing just two pressures on 33 dropbacks. But the spotlight specifically goes on Pipkins for stepping in and performing well in his second start this season. While the Broncos were without their top pass rusher, Bradley Chubb, Pipkins still managed to get the job done in pass protection and as a run blocker. Things are looking up for the player who many were writing off.

Dud: Tackling

There wasn’t a player in particular who played poorly enough to find themselves in this category, but rather a specific area. Drew Lock’s stat line of 18-of-25 passing for 245 yards looks decent on paper, but that’s primarily a product of a handful of yards after the catch allowed due to poor tackling by the defensive backs in the open field.

Chargers hitting their stride at the perfect time

The Chargers are carrying some momentum heading into the must-win game against the Raiders.

After beating the Broncos, it seems that everything is coming together for the Chargers.

Well, at least head coach Brandon Staley believes so.

It was a good performance,” Staley said. “It was a performance that, I think, was reflected in the way that we prepared. I felt like all three phases had really big contributions to the win. I felt like that was a good thing. I felt like a lot of the things that we discussed, in terms of what it was going to take to win that game, we got accomplished.

We have to get right to work here on Las Vegas, but I’m really proud of the way that our guys competed yesterday in the game. I really felt like we took that stadium and played with the type of energy and the type of focus that that game required. I’m really proud of those guys.”

Los Angeles played with a near full-strength team, which hadn’t been the case for weeks prior, whether that be because key players were injured or on the COVID-19 list.

As a result, the Chargers had a balanced approach on offense, a dominant defense that held the Broncos to three of 11 third-down conversions and 3.1 yards per carry, and a spectacular special teams showing from Andre Roberts, who had a kick return touchdown for 101 yards.

Nonetheless, all three phrases will have to show up again for the Bolts when they take on the Raiders on Sunday night. If Los Angeles picks up the win, they will be heading to the playoffs for the first time since 2018, in a matchup likely against the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 17 win over Broncos

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ individual studs and duds from the Chargers’ win over the Broncos.

In Week 17, the Chargers ran away with a road win over the Broncos.

En route to victory, there were a handful of players who helped guide the team along the way.

With that being said, here are the best and worst performers from Sunday’s contest, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Note: To be more accurate, this is based on players who played at least 35% of the snaps on offense (67) or defense (60).

Top 5 Offense

OT Rashawn Slater – 94.8

OL Michael Schofield – 84.5

QB Justin Herbert – 79.4

OT Trey Pipkins – 73.3

WR Mike Williams – 68.8

Top 5 Defense

EDGE Joey Bosa – 81.5

DT Linval Joseph – 68.9

S Derwin James – 68.5

EDGE Uchenna Nwosu – 65.1

DT Jerry Tillery – 59.5

Bottom 5 Offense

OL Scott Quessenberry – 65.0

WR Jalen Guyton – 64.4

TE Stephen Anderson – 51.0

WR Josh Palmer – 47.6

OL Matt Feiler – 46.2

Bottom 5 Defense

S Nasir Adderley – 49.8

CB Asante Samuel Jr. – 43.9

CB Chris Harris Jr. – 42.3

LB Kyzir White – 40.2

CB Michael Davis – 37.3

5 numbers that tell tale of Chargers’ victory over Broncos

Here are five numbers that sum up what happened at SoFi Stadium in the Chargers’ win over the Broncos.

The Chargers hosted the Broncos at SoFi Stadium in a must-win game to keep their playoff aspirations alive.

They delivered, defeating Denver by the score of 34-13.

Here are five numbers that tell the story of Los Angeles’ victory in Week 17:

35

Every week, it seemed that Justin Herbert accomplished something to be put in the history books, but this feat was special. Herbert’s 45-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams in the fourth quarter gave him the single-season franchise record for touchdown passes with 35. Philip Rivers had the previous record with 34 touchdowns in 2008. To know that he surpassed this in just his sophomore season is truly remarkable.

3

The Chargers struggled to get off the field in weeks prior, fielding the worst third-down defense in the league. However, the team made a turnaround for the better in this game, as they held the Broncos to just three conversions on 11 attempts. It helped with having Joey Bosa, Derwin James, and Justin Jones back to force Denver into third-and-long situations.

3.1

That segues perfectly into the run defense, where the Chargers did a 360 after being gashed by the Texans the week before. The difference was night and day, and it’s due to the contributions of Bosa, James, and especially Jones, who ate up blocks and slivered his way through gaps to make plays in the backfield. As a result, the Broncos averaged just 3.1 yards per carry.

101

When was the last time the Chargers had a competent kick returner? The midseason signing of Andre Roberts showed to be worth it as soon as he took the field in the blue and gold. But the veteran made a strong point to be re-signed at the end of the season. Roberts opened up the game with an eyebrow-raising 47-yard kick return. Then, early into the fourth quarter, Roberts took one back to the crib for a 101-yard return, marking the fourth-longest in franchise history the first by a Chargers player since 2012.

173

Austin Ekeler has been electric since Week 1, but his fellow teammate Justin Jackson is hitting his stride at the right time. Impactful catching the football just as much as they were running it, Ekeler and Jackson combined for 173 yards from scrimmage, which was more than half the team’s total yards (341). Having a solid one-two punch in the backfield will go a long way heading into the season’s final game and the playoffs, should the Chargers beat the Raiders.