The Denver Broncos are hitting the road this week to fight the Los Angeles Chargers in hopes of defeating their division rival for the second year in a row. The Broncos have swept the Chargers 18 times over the years – the most sweeps of any individual opponent in the team’s history.
Although both AFC West teams are seated 5-9, the overall tone or tone of each team is remarkably different. In LA, despite the record, the feeling in the fanbase is one of excitement and relief, as it appears on the surface that the Chargers quickly moved from a starter of more than a decade to another quarterback of the franchise in a matter of one season.
Justin Herbert appears to be the real deal as he has already broken the NFL rookie pass touchdown record (27) and is on his way to a historic finish north of 4,000 yards. He has the influence and drive to take off.
In the meantime, the Broncos expected to have resolved the position of defender, but are no longer sure of the problem today than they were a year ago, because Drew Lock did not make that quantum leap in his first full season as a starter. The fans have serious doubts about Lock, as well as the media in general (ask them), but the Broncos remain in a waiting pattern in the position of defender, while the team leader hopes the second-year professional can put a stranglehold. in position providing two declaration wins to close the season.
It starts this week in LA for Lock, but with the Broncos revealing his final injury report for Week 16, we learn that he will not have one of his keepers in the backfield.
What happens next for the Broncos? Don’t miss any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and receive the latest Broncos news in your inbox daily!
Broncos Takeaways
Running back Phillip Lindsay was discarded while continuing to care for the knee injury he suffered in week 12 as a Wildcat quarterback. He also has a hip injury, but it may be wise for the Broncos to turn him off for a year, as he is not the same player since the knee injury.
Pro Bowl Rush linebacker Bradley Chubb is officially questionable and was listed as a non-participant in the first two days of practice this week with an ankle. But sitting on 7.5 sacks a year and riding high on his first NFL star nod, it would be a pain if he didn’t dress up on Sunday. Hitting double-digit bags this year would be a big help in justifying your Pro Bowl approval.
Three other Broncos are listed as questionable, including running back Royce Freeman, defensive tackle DeShawn Williams and newcomer cornerback Nate Hairston. Of the trio, Williams is the main factor in the Broncos’ field prospects as the first nose tackle, but with Lindsay out and the cornerback depth chart decimated, Freeman and Hairston become significantly more important this week.
READ: How Broncos Prevent Justin Herbert Hype’s Train From Dying
If Freeman can’t make it, the Broncos will still have Melvin Gordon to lead the way against his former team and newcomer LeVante Bellamy would be the next player to carry (the only one). In the corner, if Hairston can’t go, that will put more pressure on the already stressed De’Vante Bausby, Michael Ojemudia and Will Parks with newcomer Parnell Motley serving as the counter-fault.
However, Alijah Holder can play in the corner, as can Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson in trouble. Holder was hired as a free college agent last year outside Stanford as a corner, but was converted to security this year by Vic Fangio and Ed Donatell. Simmons played in some emergency corners for Denver in the past few days and Jackson was a first-round pick in 2010, who spent most of his career playing the position before converting to full-time security.
Travel Chargers
The defensive side of Pro Bowl Joey Bosa and his 7.5 sacks will not be on the field on Sunday, which is a mercy, although Garett Bolles has not yet been credited for giving up a sack this year. Defensive side mate Uchenna Nwosu was also eliminated from the process, with internal linebacker Denzel Perryman – who defeated Lock in Week 8 – listed as questionable.
Pro Bowl player Keenan Allen is also questionable, but I would be surprised if he didn’t play. He only got a pass last week against the Las Vegas Raiders before the Chargers chose to limit their snap count. If Allen doesn’t play, it would be another mercy for an injured Broncos secondary.
Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen and @MileHighHuddle.