The Los Angeles Chargers appear to be better than their 2-4 SU record indicates. Maybe that’s because they’ve covered five of their six games. Denver has the same record and is 4-2 ATS this season. Both teams have talented young quarterbacks and this will be the first meeting of Justin Herbert against Drew Lock.
The Chargers meet the Broncos for the first this season on Sunday afternoon. Last season, the Broncos won both games against the Chargers as an underdog.
Chargers needed a win
The LA Chargers had lost four straight games coming into their matchup against lowly Jacksonville last week. The 30-27 overtime loss hurt, but showed that they could be competitive against a potential playoff team. They bounced back with a 39-29 victory over Jacksonville last week, led by rookie quarterback Justin Herbert. He completed 27 of 43 for 347 yards with three TDs and no picks. Herbert also led the Chargers in rushing with 66 yards on nine attempts. The Chargers came back from being down 29-22 late in the third quarter. They went on a 17-0 run to end the game as the defense clamped down on Gardner Minshew and the Jags.
Coach Lynn speaks to the media. https://t.co/efBICb96Yv
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) October 26, 2020
The Chargers have some issues at running back with Austin Ekeler (hamstring) out. Ekeler leads the team with 248 yards rushing, but there doesn’t appear to be a sufficient replacement on the roster. That puts more pressure on Herbert to produce. They are also dealing with TE Virgil Green (ankle) and guards Ryan Groy (biceps/COVID) and Trai Turner (groin) as potentially missing the Denver game. All three missed practice on Wednesday.
Herbert has completed 67.4% of his passes for 1,542 yards with 12 TDs and three picks this season. Not bad for a rookie, who was supposed to back up veteran Tyrod Taylor at the beginning of the season. The offense ranks fourth in the NFL in total yards per game (405.8ypg) and fifth in passing yards (281.3ypg). They also rank 13th in rushing yards per game (124.5ypg). The problem has been the defense, which ranks 19th in yards per game allowed (366.2ypg) and 23rd against the pass (253.2ypg). Getting DE Melvin Ingram back from a knee injury (he’s questionable) would help the pass rush. Joey Bosa leads the team with 4.5 sacks
Streak snapped in the snow
Denver opened the season losing their first three games, but defeated the NY Jets (37-28) and New England (18-12) in back-to-back weeks (beat the Pats after a bye). Their biggest test of the season came last week when they met Kansas City in a snowy Invesco Stadium. The Broncos made too many mistakes led by Lock, who threw two interceptions and they fell 43-16. Patrick Lindsay ran for 79 yards on nine attempts and Lock threw for 254 yards and ran for a score to lead the Broncos. But Denver scored just two touchdowns and didn’t do a bad job defensively against Patrick Mahomes and Clyde Edwards-Delaire. Thie Chiefs scored on a 102-yard kickoff return and a 50-yard interception return, but they had just 284 total yards of offense.
Q’s got moves.@DrewLock23 | 📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/bK1CxAcxj4
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 25, 2020
Unfortunately for Denver, Lindsay is in concussion protocol, but they do have depth at running back led by former Chargers’ star Melvin Gordon. He leads the team in rushing with 349 yards and four TDs.
Denver has struggled on offense this season, averaging just 322.8 yards per game (28th), 209.2 passing yards (26th) and 113.7 rushing yards (16th). They allow 339.2 yards per game (8th) and 230.2 passing yards (12th).
Statement from the Broncos:
📰 » https://t.co/tfRQpXYslF pic.twitter.com/n69TgWJ3YA
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 30, 2020
Denver had some COVID-19 issues this week, when offensive line coach Mike Munchak entered COVID protocol and missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday. The Chargers had to cancel practice when Ryan Groy had tested positive on Thursday. Stay tuned on whether this game will be played on time or at all.
