Chargers vs. Broncos: Keys to victory, matchup to watch
The Chargers are set to host the Broncos this Sunday, Dec. 29.
Let’s examine what Los Angeles needs to do in order to take care of business in their final home game of the 2020 season.
Offensively, Los Angeles needs to let Herbert cook. The last time the two teams played each other, Herbert threw two interceptions. However, a lot has changed since then. CBs Duke Dawson and Kevin Toliver most recently joined Essang Bassey and A.J. Bouye on the list of unavailable cornerbacks. This is the perfect recipe for Herbert to have a field day. To avoid Denver’s fearsome pass rush and mask L.A.’s suspect offensive line, a lot of play-actions and rollouts will need to be implemented; Herbert has been efficient with those. Defensively, the Chargers need to stop the rushing attack, which is an area they have struggled this season. If the Bolts can eliminate the ground game, they will force Denver to rely on Lock, who’s had a rough second season as a pro. Lastly and most importantly, the game management and special teams can’t afford to be subpar or else the Broncos will capitalize.
Matchup to watch: Broncos RBs Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay vs. Chargers front seven.
Stopping the run has been a difficult task for Los Angeles. For Denver, it’s all about rolling with what has been working for them on offense. If Los Angeles is going to slow down Gordon and Lindsay, it will be on edge defenders Joey Bosa, Isaac Rochell and Uchenna Nwosu to set the edge, NT Linval Joseph to command double teams and LBs Kenneth Murray and Kyzir White to fill the running lanes and not let these backs get going.
