Tag: Easton Stick

Social media reacts to Chargers’ 16-9 loss to Broncos

Here’s how social media reacted to the Chargers’ loss to the Broncos.

The Chargers extended their losing streak to four after falling short to the Broncos.

Here’s how social media reacted to Los Angeles’ loss to Denver:

4 takeaways from Chargers’ 16-9 loss to Broncos

Highlighting everything notable from the Chargers’ loss to the Broncos.

The Chargers kept pace with the Giants and Titans in the race for the fifth overall pick on Sunday.

Here’s what to take away from the performance on the field.

Everything to know about Chargers’ loss to Broncos

The Chargers lost their fourth-straight game.

The Chargers lost their fourth-straight game, falling to the Broncos on Sunday 16-9.

To recap the Week 17 game between Los Angeles and Denver, here is everything to know.

Staff predictions for Chargers vs. Broncos in Week 17

Find out who the Chargers Wire staff is picking between Los Angeles and Denver.

The Los Angeles Chargers kick off Week 17 against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 1:25 p.m. PT.

Who is going to come out victorious?

Here is a look at the predictions from each of our writers at Chargers Wire:

Gavino:

This is a game between two depleted rosters and backup quarterbacks playing. While the Chargers showed some life under interim head coach Giff Smith last weekend against the Bills, winning at Mile High is not an easy task. I believe we see a low-scoring affair that ultimately goes in the Broncos’ favor.

Broncos 17, Chargers 14

Alex K:

You know how the days between Christmas and the New Year all run together, and you never really end up doing anything because of the general brain fog of the end of the holiday season? The Chargers and Broncos are going through that, too. Don’t expect much offense from either team, as both are starting backup quarterbacks and missing their top receiver.

Chargers 17, Broncos 16

Alex I:

Both the Chargers and Broncos come into this game without much to play for from a 2023 standpoint. LA’s key injuries list is long and they fired Brandon Staley two weeks ago. Meanwhile, in Denver, Sean Payton and management decided to effectively end Russell Wilson’s Denver tenure after a loss to New England.

Jarrett Stidham will get the start at quarterback in Wilson’s place. Stidham vs. Easton Stick is probably not the matchup many expected coming into the season. But between the two skeleton squads, the Chargers have gotten worse offensive results recently. Denver has more of their key contributors available to them (in other words, they’re not starting Quentin Johnston against Patrick Surtain).

The tank keeps on rolling, but the Chargers keep it competitive in Giff Smith’s third game.

Broncos 17, Chargers 16

Valentina:

The Chargers face the Broncos on Sunday and it will definitely be an interesting game since both teams are starting their backup quarterbacks. While Justin Herbert is out due to an injury, Denver has had some major internal problems as Broncos head coach Sean Payton chose to bench quarterback Russell Wilson. With all the drama going on in Denver, I think the Chargers will take this one home. 

Chargers 20, Broncos 16

5 keys to a Chargers win over Broncos

Here is how the Chargers defeat the Broncos.

The Chargers have late-season pride on the line in a matchup with division rival Denver in Week 17.

Neither team seems to be playing for much of a chance at the playoffs, despite the Broncos not being mathematically eliminated. Benching Russell Wilson has had them in the national media’s spotlight this week.

How can the Chargers get their first win under interim head coach Giff Smith while breaking their four-year-long losing streak in Denver? Let’s go over it.

Now or never for the run game

No way around it: LA’s run game has been absolutely dreadful in 2023. The Chargers have averaged over five yards per carry just once in their last eight games. The run blocking has taken a step back and Austin Ekeler has clearly regressed. Isaiah Spiller and Joshua Kelley haven’t brought much production to the table as of late either.

I wrote about it in my last Broncos-Chargers preview, but Denver’s run defense is still really bad. In fact, it’s gotten worse since their last meeting. They rank 31st in average rush yards allowed with 141.1.

Well, the Chargers have two weeks to show some signs of life on the ground. Austin Ekeler did have a more efficient night overall against Buffalo. But the Chargers really need to get something from Isaiah Spiller going forward. He should be fed more carries as the only longer-term contract asset on this roster. Kelley and Ekeler are free agents after the year.

Surviving Sean Payton’s initial scripts

Obviously, Denver’s quarterback change is an interesting variable to introduce into the picture this week. But either way, Sean Payton has been one of the better offensive scripters historically. This year, Denver ranks 7th in the NFL in first-quarter scoring.

It’s the second and third quarter where the Broncos have struggled with consistency. If the Chargers can come out hot with a defensive effort similar to the one they showed early in Buffalo last week, it could make their lives a lot easier. Outside of the scripted offense perspective and Denver not adapting well later in games, it’s obviously important to not let Stidham get comfortable either.

Dealing with Vance Joseph’s pressures better this time

The Chargers’ offensive line struggled with Vance Joseph’s blitzes and simulated pressures in their first matchup of the season. LA’s offensive line allowed 18 out of the team’s 20 pressures. Will Clapp, Jamaree Salyer, and the interior of that offensive line struggled in particular. Trey Pipkins also set his 2023 season-high for pressures allowed with seven.

Rashawn Slater and the aforementioned Pipkins need to have better showings in particular on the outside considering the inexperience of Brenden Jaimes on the interior. Ultimately, the line needs to have proper communication and execution if they’re going to hold up against the strain of Denver’s aggressive playcalling.

Can Quentin Johnston get something going?

Joshua Palmer and Keenan Allen are out. Frankly, one has to wonder from a long-term standpoint whether it’s better for the Chargers to shut them down for the rest of the season.

Nonetheless, it will be Quentin Johnston this week as the team’s natural WR1. In the two Easton Stick starts after they hooked up on some long throws in the Denver game, Johnston has been rather unremarkable. He has just four receptions on ten targets for 52 yards in the last two games.

We’ve seen some flashes from Johnston here or there, but it would be nice for the Chargers’ offense to see some evidence of a wire-to-wire takeover game. If they’re going to beat Denver with the receivers they’ll be rolling out on Sunday, they’re going to need it.

Good luck against Patrick Surtain.

Turnover battle is must win

In the Easton Stick era, winning the turnover battle is more of a requirement than it’s previously been. Even after beating the Bills 3-0 on turnover margin, the Chargers still lost due to some drives that resulted in Cameron Dicker field goals instead of touchdowns.

This is a test for Stick as well. Last week was the first game of his career in which he committed zero turnover-worthy plays. In the games against Las Vegas and Denver, he committed six combined. He has to play disciplined, sound football for the Chargers’ defensive turnovers to truly count.

Make Stidham uncomfortable. Get some strip sacks. Take a pick-six back to the house. Regardless of how it happens, the Chargers need to win the turnover margin for any shot to win in these last two contests.

4 matchups to watch in Chargers vs. Broncos

Here are a few matchups to keep an eye on in the game.

The Chargers’ extended audition for 2024 continues on Sunday with a matchup against the Broncos, a team that has only recently entered the “looking ahead to next year” tier.

Here are a few matchups to keep an eye on in the game.

Who are the experts taking in Chargers vs. Broncos?

Find out who the experts are picking between the Chargers and Broncos.

The Chargers are 3.5-point underdogs to the Broncos in Week 17 of the 2023 regular season. The over/under is 36.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 36.5 points.

My score prediction for the game is a 20-17 win for the Broncos, with a combined total of 37 points. So if I were putting money behind my prediction, I’d bet the over.

As for game picks, analysts are picking Denver to win.

Expert Pick
Nate Davis (USA Today) Broncos
Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Broncos
Mike Clay (ESPN) Broncos
Matt Bowen (ESPN) Broncos
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Broncos
Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Broncos
NFL.com Staff Broncos (4 to 1)
Bleacher Report Broncos

Sunday’s game will begin at 1:25 p.m. PT and will be televised on CBS.

Statistical Breakdown: How the Chargers and Broncos stack up before Week 17 game

Here’s how the Chargers and Broncos stack up statistically ahead of the Week 17 matchup.

The Chargers and Broncos are set to square off this Sunday.

Here’s how Los Angeles and Denver stack up statistically ahead of the Week 17 matchup:

One more time: Ed Oliver all but seals Bills’ win vs. Chargers

What a play:

The Buffalo Bills were well on their way to beating the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16. Ed Oliver just made sure of it.

With his team up 24-22, the defensive lineman decided to ruin any hopes the Chargers (5-10) might have had.

Oliver burst through the offensive line and sacked quarterback Easton Stick. With no timeouts and almost no time left, the clock rolled down and the Bolts only got off one more last-second attempt that was stopped by the Bills (9-6).

Essentially, Oliver ended it.

With Buffalo now turning their attention over to the New England Patriots (4-11) in Week 17, check out Oliver’s clutch play one more time in the clip below:

[lawrence-related id=129293,129285,129201]

Where the Chargers rank statistically after Week 16

Looking at the major metrics, here is where the Chargers stand after Week 16.

The Chargers fell to 5-10 after losing to the Bills on Saturday.

Now that Week 16 is in the rearview, we now know how the Bolts rank statistically compared to the rest of the NFL. Looking at the major metrics, here is where L.A. stands.