For those interested in high-flying offenses and explosive plays, Sunday’s matchup between the Broncos and Chargers might not satisfy your needs.
Under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Los Angeles has adopted a physical, run-heavy offense and Denver’s defense will have to adjust for that style of play.
“It’s run first, run second and quick pass game,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said. “It’s an old-school offensive football team.”
This season, Los Angeles has had one of the steadiest rushing attacks in football. The Chargers are ninth in rushing yards per game (127.8) and second in run rate (53%), according to Next Gen Stats. Similar to Roman’s days as Baltimore’s offensive coordinator, he utilizes a two-running back system, featuring former Ravens JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards.
Dobbins, who has battled injuries throughout his career, has 56 carries for 342 yards and two touchdowns. He got off to a hot start, rushing for 266 yards in the first two weeks, but has cooled down since. In losses to Pittsburgh and Kansas City, he rushed for 76 yards on 29 carries. Edwards, on the other hand, has run the ball 38 times for 113 yards and averaged three yards per carry.
Given how the Chargers have leaned so heavily on the run game, Joseph said defenses are forced to use single high coverages and stacked boxes with eight or more defenders near the line of scrimmage. Los Angeles’ offensive approach is different from last year under former head coach Brandon Staley. The Chargers had a run rate of 39% (26th in the league) and averaged 94 yards per game.
Fortunately for the Broncos, they have been solid in stopping the run as of late. Denver is 10th in rushing yards allowed per game (111.4) and eighth in yards per play (4.2). The unit has only allowed three rushing touchdowns this season.
“(The Chargers) give into heavy personnel (groupings) and pride themselves on shortening the game,” Broncos inside linebacker Justin Strnad told The Denver Post. “We got to answer the bell, defend the run, and hopefully, (the offense) can get some points on the board.”
Roman’s offensive scheme has limited opportunities for star quarterback Justin Herbert. Through four games, Herbert is 31st in passing yards (578) and has the third-fewest attempts (91) after finishing second in passing yards in two of his last three seasons.
Despite the Chargers not throwing the ball a ton, Joseph knows Herbert is one of the top quarterbacks in the league and can be dangerous if given the chance.
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“(Herbert is) not seeing shell coverages or simulated pressures on first and second down because it’s a heavy run (offense), so it cleans his reads for him,” Joseph said. “It’s not what we’ve seen from this offense (before).”
As much as there is an emphasis for the Broncos to tighten up their run defense on Sunday, they will have to be efficient at rushing the ball to keep their winning streak alive.
The Chargers have the fifth-best defense in the league and head coach Sean Payton said it’s hard to generate explosive plays in the run or the pass game. The Broncos’ run game has improved in recent weeks, but Los Angeles, which has allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards so far this year, might make it difficult to maintain their success on the ground.
“They’re a physical, tough-nosed team,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said. “I think it’s always the battle you expect in the NFL, but this team has been living it the last four games.”
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