After a 22-17 loss against the Houston Texans, the Broncos were brought back down to Earth. Russell Wilson threw three interceptions and the offense converted on zero third-down plays. Following an amazing month where the Broncos didn’t lose a single time, the team is showing signs of its 1-5 start. The Broncos will have to move on. Their playoff chances dropped dramatically after the loss on Sunday. Luckily for them, the Bronco’s next opponent is their Division rival, the Los Angeles Chargers. The Broncos will beat the Chargers, here’s how they’ll do it.
The Broncos Will Beat The Chargers
Why The Broncos Are Better Than The Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are a team that seems to defy all odds. A team that has some of the biggest stars in the league has found themselves at 5-7, tied for last place in the AFC West. They have lost to teams like the Tennessee Titans and the Green Bay Packers while beating the lowly New England Patriots 6-0. It seems that no matter what Justin Herbert and Austin Ekeler do, their team can’t get the job done.
The Chargers offense is middle of the road so far this year. They score almost 23 points a game and have only turned the ball over 12 times which is 3rd lowest in the NFL. Their weak spot is in the running game. Due to Ekler’s early season injuries and a below-average offensive line, they average less than 100 yards per game. The Charger’s lack of a running game is a much-needed advantage for the Broncos, a team that has allowed the most rushing yards per game this season. If they can force the Chargers to air out the ball early, the Broncos can take control of the clock and force the Chargers into riskier plays.
The Charger’s defense is the Bronco’s biggest advantage. The Chargers allow the 4th most yards per game and have given up 20 or more points in 8 of their 12 games this year. Through their five-game winning streak, the Broncos went over 100 yards rushing in four of those games. When the opposing teams can’t slow the Broncos run game down, they eat up the clock and only allow the opposing offense to score an average of 12 points a game. The Broncos should be able to do this simply, as long as they don’t trail early.
How The Broncos Can Lose To The Chargers
The Chargers are a struggling team with a problematic defense, but the Broncos have lost to worse teams this season. On Sunday against the Texans, the Broncos showed why they were 1-5. They started slow and had to work themselves back into another failed fourth-quarter drive. As a team, the Broncos totaled 282 yards while their opponent threw for 264 yards alone. The Broncos failed to convert a 3rd down and were forced into three interceptions, the final one sealing the game.
The Broncos will lose to the Chargers on Sunday if they make these mistakes. The Chargers can run up the score as fast as any team if they can control the time of possession. The Chargers scored 24 points in a half this season because of their opponent’s turnovers and lack of a running game. If the Broncos can’t get Javonte Williams going early, the game could be over by halftime. Though the Bronco’s defense has turned its season around, they aren’t reliable enough to stop offenses like the Chargers from scoring every drive.
Conclusion
Though it may not be easy, the Broncos will beat the Chargers. Since the beginning of November, the Broncos have become a different team. They have hit a stride and have found their culture and a winning mentality. The Chargers have folded. Their head coach is hoping to keep his job for the rest of the season and their playoff hopes are all but gone. The Chargers have proven time and time again that they are a team that can’t win. The Broncos have shown that they are ready for a playoff push. They will continue that playoff push by beating the Chargers on Sunday.
Main Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
