Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Chargers in Inglewood, Calif.
Live updates
Pre-game updates
It is a gorgeous day in Los Angeles (3:54 p.m.): Temps in the high 70s. Ideal weather for the open-air SoFi palace. Chargers are tenants here. Not going to lie, my favorite trip on the Broncos beat was always going to San Diego. Outdoor press box. Loud crowd. The Chargers still feel like interlopers. But that could change under Harbaugh. Fun fact about the Chargers. They play up the electricity angle strong. But the Chargers nickname comes from former team owner Barron Hilton, who used it was a way to promote his credit card. — Renck
Scouting report (3:54 p.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Chargers in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos 23, Chargers 20
Sean Payton called his shot. He wanted this game flexed to Thursday night. He wanted his team to get another rep in prime time. He looked at the way everything set up and thought this played into Denver’s hands this week and next against Cincinnati. And he’s got a team that’s fully buying what he’s selling. If they rise to the occasion, postseason football is back in Broncos Country.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 17, Chargers, 13
Los Angeles has lost two straight and is coming off one of its worst performances of the season against Tampa Bay. At the same time, Denver is banged up. Even if Pat Surtain II plays, Denver’s depth on the defensive line might be tested with injuries to John Franklin-Myers and D.J. Jones. The Broncos have shown they can win games in a multitude of ways. Despite their limitations, they will figure out a way to win on Thursday Night Football.
Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 19, Chargers 16
The Chargers want a rock fight. Their defense remains strong, even with a recent slump, and they don’t turn the ball over. The Broncos’ path to an upset is scoring first and leading at halftime. The Chargers’ passing attack is not equipped to chase. Broncos Country, say thank you to Wil Lutz. You are going to the playoffs.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Chargers 23, Broncos 18
Too soon. No, really. Too soon. It’s never ideal to go marching into Jim Harbaugh’s backyard — well, technically Stan Kroenke’s backyard — in a short week. But doing so while Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss, D.J. Jones, John Franklin-Myers and Jaleel McLaughlin are all some degree of banged up feels like courting trouble in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Broncos-Chargers NFL Week 16: Must-reads
How Vance Joseph leads a league-leading, havoc-wreaking Broncos defense with calm: “The guy’s got tremendous poise”
Head coach Sean Payton likes to say that each winter teams take their puzzles, dump them upside down and start over.
Vance Joseph did that, retaining much of the verbiage and structure but tailoring an approach built around All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II.
Along the way, Joseph and the Broncos have made all kinds of tweaks. They’ve unleashed Zach Allen, capitalized on Riley Moss’ abilities and watched Nik Bonitto turn into a star. They’re playing a ton of man coverage — doing it better than anybody in the NFL. They’ve got pressure packages for days. Read Parker Gabriel’s full story.
Sean Payton embraces national spotlight. And Broncos players love that about him: “He has this swag to him”
Sean Payton wants the biggest spotlight there is.
When the league asked Denver’s head coach if he wanted his team’s upcoming road matchup against the Chargers to be flexed into Thursday night, three days earlier than originally scheduled, he didn’t hesitate.
When it was announced Tuesday that the Broncos will play Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 28, in their third nationally televised game in four weeks, Payton told his players to get used to it. Read Ryan McFadden’s full story.
Renck: Difference between Bad Bo and The Bo Show is real. Broncos QB must learn how to have short memory in NFL.
Don’t take the wag out of the puppy’s tail.
Nobody wants Sean Payton to become too conservative with Bo Nix. He needs enough leash to make plays.
However, there remains a middle ground where the coach trusts Nix, while the quarterback regains his rhythm. By any measure, Nix has exceeded expectations this season with 20 passing touchdowns, making him only the second Broncos quarterback to reach this mark since 2014. Read Troy Renck’s full column.
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