Broncos (6-6) at Chargers (5-7)
When: 2:25 p.m. MT Sunday
Where: SoFi Stadium
Radio/TV: 850 AM, 94.1 FM/CBS
Broncos-Chargers series: The Broncos are 70-55-1 in 126 regular-season games dating back to 1960; the Broncos won 31-28 in the last meeting, on Jan. 8, in Denver, but have lost two of three to their divisional rival.
In the spotlight
It felt like Inglewood, California, at the Broncos training facility on Thursday afternoon.
It was 65 and sunny. The Chargers’ logo was painted on the practice field while songs from SoCal musicians Kendrick Lamar, YG, Nipsey Hussle and Dr. Dre blasted through the speakers as the team practiced.
As he so often does for road games, Broncos head coach Sean Payton was trying to set the tone for his team’s divisional matchup at Los Angeles on Sunday. If listening to Dr. Dre’s “Still D.R.E.” is key to beating the Chargers and ending an 11-game road losing streak to AFC West opponents, then turn up the volume.
“The reason sometimes the division is more important is because your first goal is to win the division,” Payton said. “Everything we’re doing today — the attention to detail and making sure we know this team and opponent well — all those things matter.”
Denver has not won a division game on the road since October 2019, when it defeated the Chargers, 20-13. At the time, quarterback Justin Herbert was a senior at Oregon, and USC’s Caleb Williams was still in high school and not a generational NFL prospect.
Since then, the Broncos have experienced nothing but pain whenever they hit the road to face an AFC West foe. Denver has allowed 23.7 points in divisional road games since 2019. More alarming has been the Broncos’ inability to win tight contests away from Mile High, with two of their last three divisional road matchups being decided by three points.
Even though the Chargers have lost three of their last four, Denver’s recent history has proven that this trip will not be a cakewalk. Last season, Los Angeles defeated the Broncos, 19-16, in overtime at SoFi Stadium. The deciding moment was Montrell Washington’s fumbled punt in Broncos territory — an error that essentially handed the Chargers a victory in an overtime that featured zero first downs. In 2021, Denver lost to the Chargers by 21 points on the road. The year before that? Another narrow 19-16 loss that saw a last-ditch Broncos comeback attempt from 13 points down fall short when Michael Badgley kicked the game-winner with 41 seconds remaining.
Still, the Broncos are no strangers to breaking losing streaks. In October, they snapped a 16-game losing skid to the Kansas City Chiefs with a commanding victory at home. If Denver wants to keep its playoff hopes alive, this is the next streak that needs to fall.
“I believe that’s the team we are. And I think we can be even better. That’s the best part about it,” quarterback Russell Wilson said.
Who has the edge?
When Broncos run
Broncos starting running back Javonte Williams has been held under 50 rushing yards in two of the last three games. Undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin has totaled 19 yards in two games. After a big game against Cleveland (seven carries, 55 yards), Samaje Perine had just three touches for 6 yards last week in Houston. The Chargers have allowed 161.8 rushing yards in their last four games. Edge: Broncos
When Broncos pass
Quarterback Russell Wilson has thrown for 200-plus yards four times this season but gets an opportunity against a Chargers secondary that’s second-to-last in passing yards allowed per game. Denver’s offensive line, which struggled to block Will Anderson Jr. last week in Houston, will have a challenge against Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack. The former Raiders and Bears standout has been one of the most dominant pass rushers in the league this season, with a career-best 15 sacks. Edge: Even
When Chargers run
Los Angeles running back Austin Ekeler had 14 carries for 18 yards against the Patriots last week, continuing what’s been a disappointing season for the Eaton High product. Ekeler has never finished a season averaging fewer than 4.2 yards per carry but is currently at 3.5 this year. Denver has held opponents under 100 rushing in just four games, but the Broncos are coming off one of their better showings against the run this season after allowing just 89 yards last week in Houston. Edge: Broncos
When Chargers pass
Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen is first in receptions (102) and third in receiving yards (1,175) in the NFL. He totaled more than 100 receiving yards in three straight games before his streak ended last week at New England. The Broncos have generated pressure on 19.2% of dropbacks, ranking 27th in the league. Edge: Even
Special teams
Broncos kicker Wil Lutz and the Chargers’ Cameron Dicker are ranked among the top 10 in field goal percentage. Lutz has converted 92.6% of his attempts, the eighth-best percentage in the league, while Dicker is sixth at 95%. Lutz is 3 for 4 on attempts for 50-plus yards. Edge: Broncos
Coaching
Head coach Brandon Staley leads a team consisting of quarterback Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler and Khalil Mack. Yet, Los Angeles is 5-7, and Staley’s seat gets warmer each week. From lack of communication to poor use of timeouts, issues that plagued Denver earlier in the season re-emerged in a loss against the Texans. Edge: Broncos
Tale of the tape
| Broncos | Chargers | |
|---|---|---|
| Total offense | 299 (24th) | 338.6 (15th) |
| Rush offense | 115.8 (13th) | 97.7 (25th) |
| Pass offense | 183.3 (26th) | 240.9 (11th) |
| Points per game | 21.9 (T-15th) | 22.9 (T-11th) |
| Total Defense | 385.3 (31st) | 379.5 (29th) |
| Run defense | 149.7 (32nd) | 113.8 (17th) |
| Pass defense | 235.6 (24th) | 265.8 (31st) |
| Points allowed | 25.2 (29th) | 21.5 (19th) |
By the numbers
4: Sacks recorded by Broncos defensive end Zach Allen.
131: Receiving yards for Broncos tight end Adam Trautman.
13: Rushing touchdowns allowed by the Chargers.
10: Touchdown passes Herbert has thrown against the Broncos in six career games.
Bet on it
Line: Chargers -3
The Chargers are the favorites but what has this team really done to trust them? Payton said in the offseason that he will be frustrated if Denver doesn’t make the playoffs. He’s not going to let Los Angeles stand in his way.
Prop bet: Over/under 44
Denver’s offense should have a better performance than last week, so it’s wise to take the over for this matchup.
Post predictions
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos 24, Chargers 21
Denver was its own biggest enemy in a loss last weekend at Houston. With a similar style game on tap — indoor stadium, an opponent that struggles to defend the pass — Sean Payton finds just enough patience to stick with the run plan and Russell Wilson doesn’t turn the ball over three times. Unless they really fail against Khalil Mack. … Yeah, it’s not likely to be easy.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 24, Chargers 21
The Broncos will get back into the win column and improve their playoff chances. It’s a divisional matchup, so things are going to be close. But I can see Sean Payton leaning on the run and using the play-action game to exploit Los Angeles’ pass defense. Denver doesn’t deserve to be in the playoffs if it can’t beat Los Angeles.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 22, Chargers 20
Somebody get the shepherd’s crook for Bolts coach Brandon Staley before he wastes any more peak years of Justin Herbert’s career. The Broncos’ pass-protection issues make you nervous in this one, granted, which is only one more reason why Sean Payton needs to let somebody other than Russ do the cooking.
Mark Kiszla, columnist: Broncos 20, Chargers 16
In Broncos Country takeover of Sofi Stadium, Denver beats the team the City of Angels never wanted. And Russell Wilson out-performs Justin Herbert, the most overrated player in the NFL.
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