CHARGERS (2-2) at BRONCOS (3-2)
When: 1:05 p.m. Sunday
Where: Mile High Stadium, Denver
TV/radio: KCBS (Ch. 2); 98.7 FM; 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (Spanish)
Line: Chargers by 3
Notable injury designations
Chargers: OUT: RB Gus Edwards (ankle), CB Asante Samuel Jr. (shoulder), Ja’Sir Taylor (fibula). QUESTIONABLE: OLB Joey Bosa (hip), CB Kristian Fulton (knee), DB Deane Leonard (hamstring), LB Nick Niemann (hamstring), LT Rashawn Slater (pectoral).
Broncos: OUT: WR Josh Reynolds (hand), T Alex Palczewski (ankle), C Luke Wattenberg (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: RB Audric Estime (ankle), CB Damarri Mathias (ankle).
What’s at stake? The Chargers have lost two in a row and the Broncos have won three in a row. The Chargers can’t afford to lose a third consecutive game and expect to stay in contention in the AFC West. The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs are 5-0 and threatening to run away with the top spot. So far, the Broncos look like a solid pick to finish second in the division with the Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders playing catch-up. It’s a long season, but not so long that the Chargers can wait around for a rally that might never happen. The time is now to end their skid.
Who’s better? The oddsmakers favor the Chargers by a slim margin, so who are we to argue? When they’re healthy, the Chargers would appear to be the better team, but they’re not healthy and so it becomes something of a toss-up. A great deal depends on whether Justin Herbert’s sprained right ankle is sound enough after he clearly struggled with his mobility during losses to the Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He said this week he expected to continue wearing a brace on his ankle.
Matchup to watch: Not only must Herbert contend with his injured ankle, but he’s also going to have to deal with Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II, the AFC’s Defensive Player of the Week for Week 5. Surtain had two interceptions, including one returned 100 yards for a touchdown, and two tackles in the Broncos’ victory this past Sunday over the Raiders. Herbert has yet to top 200 yards passing in a game as the Chargers have focused their offense on the ground.
Chargers win if: The Chargers’ margin for error is razor thin because of injuries to key players, especially Herbert. So, almost everything must break their way in order to end a five-game losing streak at Denver. The Chargers must convert on third downs, avoid penalties and cash in their trips into the red zone, keys to any and all games, according to Herbert. The Chargers’ defense must also continue its stingy ways against rookie quarterback Bo Nix and the Broncos.
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Fantasy sleeper: At some point, Herbert is going to break through with a 300-yard passing game with multiple touchdowns. Of course, it would help if the Chargers called more passing plays for him. He set season highs with 179 yards and 27 attempts during the Chargers’ 17-10 loss to the Chiefs in Week 4. The Chargers’ commitment to re-establishing a long-dormant running game is admirable, but Herbert is their most effective offensive player. It’s time to unleash him.
Prediction: Coaches and players will tell you that every game is a must-win game, but the reality is some games are more must-win than others. This is one of those games the Chargers must win if they are to stay in playoff contention and avoid having to make a frantic late-season rally. They haven’t reached the most difficult part of their schedule yet. Broncos 21, Chargers 17.