4 matchups to watch in Chargers vs. Broncos

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lists the four matchups to watch when the Chargers take on the Broncos in Week 13.

The Los Angeles Chargers (4-7) take on the Denver Broncos (3-8) in Week 13 of the 2019 regular season.

Here are four matchups to keep an eye on that could ultimately determine the outcome of the game.

Chargers QB Philip Rivers vs. Broncos secondary

In the first meeting of the season, Rivers’ performance wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows as he was held to 211 passing yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions. Since then, has accumulated 14 interceptions on the season and is looking to get back on track, but it won’t be easy facing a stout Broncos secondary.

Led by cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and safety Justin Simmons, Denver hasn’t made life easy on opposing quarterbacks, allowing only 207.5 passing yards per game, which ranks fifth in the NFL. Although they’re strong in this area, they haven’t been able to take the ball away, totaling only 10 takeaways this season.

Rivers, who’s been susceptible to making poor decisions and throwing the ball to whoever in hopes of them coming down with the catch, can’t do that on Sunday or else they will make him pay. Rivers has thrown six interceptions the past three games that the two teams have played against each other.

Chargers injury update: 2 players limited

The Los Angeles Chargers had their second practice of the week ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Denver Broncos. Here is a look at today’s injury report: After being listed as limited on Wednesday, linebacker Thomas Davis and wide receiver Mike …

The Los Angeles Chargers had their second practice of the week ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Denver Broncos.

Here is a look at today’s injury report:

After being listed as limited on Wednesday, linebacker Thomas Davis and wide receiver Mike Williams went back to being full participants.

Offensive tackles Russell Okung and Sam Tevi remained as limited participants for the second consecutive day.

Safeties Derwin James and Adrian Phillips have continued to practice. But their status for this weekend’s game is unknown.

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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Bouncing back won’t be easy task for Chargers’ Philip Rivers vs. Broncos

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers will look to turn things around in Week 13 against the Broncos.

Quarterback Philip Rivers knows that his turnovers have hurt the Chargers in critical situations this season.

Fresh off a bye week, Rivers is eager to turn things around in the final stretch of the season in what could be the last time he suits up in the blue and gold. But it won’t be an easy task for the 16-year veteran this weekend in Denver, CO.

The Broncos may be 3-8, but they’re still talented in certain areas, and one of them is their pass defense. Denver’s 207.5 passing yards allowed per game ranks fifth-best in the NFL.

In the first meeting between the two teams this season, the Broncos got the best of Rivers, limiting him to 211 passing yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions.

The difference between this week’s matchup and the one that occurred in Week 5 is that Rivers’ security blanket — offensive tackle Russell Okung could be playing. Okung’s responsibility will be to eliminate linebacker Von Miller, who has six sacks and nine tackles for loss.

Having Okung protect Rivers’ blindside is a difference-maker because it’s evident that even when he had a clean pocket with Trey Pipkins and Trent Scott as the starters, he still acted like he felt pressure and was just dealing the football wherever, looking rushed and uncomfortable.

But even then if Rivers has time to hit his targets, he has to protect the football because Denver’s defensive backs will not make it easy on him and history shows. Rivers has just three touchdowns and six interceptions in last three games against the Broncos.

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First injury report for Chargers ahead of matchup vs. Broncos

The Los Angeles Chargers released their first injury report ahead of the Week 13 matchup against the Denver Broncos.

Fresh off their bye, the Los Angeles Chargers started practicing to get ready for their Week 13 matchup against the Denver Broncos.

Here is a look at the first injury report of the week:

Every single player on the roster practiced in some sort of fashion Wednesday. There were four players that were limited participants — linebacker Thomas Davis (knee), wide receiver Mike Williams (knee) and offensive tackles Russell Okung (groin) and Sam Tevi (knee).

It’s promising to see Okung and Tevi back out on the field. Tevi, who had a minor procedure on his knee, has been out since Week 9. Meanwhile, Okung has missed the last two games. Trey Pipkins and Trent Scott have started in place of the two.

Williams dealt with a knee issue earlier this season. It’s likely that he will be good to go for Sunday’s contest, but it’s something worth monitoring throughout the course of the week.

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Chargers QB Philip Rivers talks about criticism of recent play

Philip Rivers addressed the media for the first time since his four-interception performance against the Chiefs.

No other player in the Chargers locker room has received more attention than quarterback Philip Rivers.

After throwing 14 interceptions in 11 games, seven in the past two, the narrative has been that there’s clear signs of regression from the 16-year veteran.

On Wednesday, Rivers addressed the media for the first time since his four-interception performance against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football. He spoke on the criticism that has been going on in regards to him and a possible decline.

“I don’t necessarily try to seek it out. But I’m also not naive to it or don’t ignore it completely. I understand it. I know it comes with it. It’s not one of those things that I’m looking for extra motivation, or ‘I’ll show them’ or ‘I can’t believe they think that.’ I get it. You know, if I was in that locker room, I’d be upset with me too. Some of those things, it just comes with it, it comes with the position. And I understand that,” Rivers said.

Rivers acknowledged that while there are few things that can be blamed for the Chargers being 4-7, he knows that his woes are one of the reasons. However, he believ Philies that he can bounce back and has not discounted himself, despite his poor play.

“And again, I’m disappointed that I haven’t made some the plays I need to. I’ve also made some play that helped us be in these games, too. So, it goes both ways. And I’m not trying to sell that I’ll play well. I have not played well. And the turnovers are unacceptable. But also, there’s no lost confidence, no loss belief in myself, can I do this and all that. I don’t even entertain it.”

Rivers and company will travel to Denver, CO this weekend to take on the Broncos in what can be seen as a revenge game after suffering defeat to them earlier this season.

“I’m excited to go to Denver for the 17th time. Like I said, I don’t take for granted any of these. When you go on a road in a division at this point in your career, you never know when it’s going to be the last time you go.”

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Chargers LB Thomas Davis blaming defense for losses

Linebacker Thomas Davis isn’t around to throw anyone under the bus.

Sitting with an unexpected 4-7 record, there’s a lot you can list for the reasons why the Chargers are currently in the position that they’re in heading into the 13th week of the season.

Injuries, a coaching change, bad quarterback play are atop of the list. But one thing that hasn’t been in discussion that linebacker Thomas Davis feels like deserves the blame for the team’s losses is the defense.

“Our record says we haven’t played well enough. That’s the ultimate thing that determines how we’ve played as a defense. The offense has put up enough points for us to be more successful,” Davis said, per Los Angeles Times’ Jeff Miller.

“We just haven’t figured it out for four quarters. We’ve played extremely well at times, and other times we’ve been inconsistent. If we do a better job in certain situations, our record could be much, much better.”

In the 17 years that Davis has been playing in the NFL, he has established himself as a leader, which is something Los Angeles coveted him for when making the decision to bring him onboard.

With the leadership skills that he possesses, Davis isn’t going to go around throwing anyone under the bus. The only person he’s going to blame is himself and the side of the football he plays on.

In reality, the defense hasn’t been the issue for their seven losses. The Chargers defense ranks No. 5 in points allowed, fourth in passing yards given up and tied for fifth in big plays allowed this season.

Meanwhile, on the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Philip Rivers has tossed 14 interceptions through 11 games and has been unable to get his team points on game-winning or tying drives.

Coach Anthony Lynn says it’s not just Rivers’ fault that the team is 4-7. Lynn said he evaluated everyone during the bye week, and said it’s on everyone.

Los Angeles will look to get finish the season on a strong note starting against the Broncos this Sunday. The team is fresh off a bye and will get some reinforcements with safeties Derwin James and Adrian Phillips back, as well as potentially offensive tackles Russell Okung and Sam Tevi.

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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.

Chargers sign CB KeiVarae Russell to practice squad

The Chargers made an acquisition on Tuesday.

After signing linebacker Malik Jefferson to the practice squad on Monday, the Chargers added another player a day later.

Los Angeles signed cornerback KeiVarae Russell after hosting him for a workout on Tuesday, according to Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson.

Russell takes CB Tevaughn Campbell’s spot on the practice squad after he was called up to the active roster yesterday.

Russell was drafted in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs out of Notre Dame. He spent the past three season with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he amassed 22 tackles, two passes defensed and an interception in 20 career games.

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Report: Chargers release WR Dontrelle Inman off IR, goes unclaimed

Wide receiver Dontrelle Inman, who was released off injured reserve on Monday, cleared waivers on Tuesday.

The Los Angeles Chargers released wide receiver Dontrelle Inman off injured reserve on Monday, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

Inman entered waivers, where teams could claim him. But no one did, which means that he will enter free agency, where he can sign with any NFL team.

Inman went on the IR after sustaining a quad injury in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins — it marked his biggest game this season as he caught five passes for 76 yards. In his four games played, he posted eight receptions for 132 yards.

The Chargers signed Inman prior to the 2019 regular season to shore up a thin wide receiver group, but he wasn’t able to stay healthy after starting to breakout.

But when he appeared to be ready to go after six weeks of being on the injured reserve, the team was already confident with what they have and elected to go their separate ways.

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