This is going to be interesting.
The Chargers play the Broncos for the second time in three weeks on Sunday in Denver. Playing a team two times in a month is tough enough as it is. Playing a division rival in what amounts to the NFL’s version of a home-and-home complicates things a bit more.
When you play a pair of games in a month against a team you already know so well you kind of have to change things up. But you also don’t want to get away from the game plan, especially if it worked like it did in San Diego’s 21-13 win on Thursday Night Football. But they know what the game plan is so you can’t just do the same thing again. But you can’t get too far away from your bread and butter.
It’s a vicious cycle.
At this point there is very little unfamiliarity between these two longtime rivals. So as quarterback Philip Rivers said it’s very likely going to come down to which team executes better. If the Chargers run their plays better than the Broncos run their plays they should be in good shape. That leads us to this week’s three players to watch:
Josh Lambo, K
The weather in Denver is going to be beautiful for Sunday’s game. Warm, calm, dry. And that could mean big things for the kicking game. Lambo’s only field goal miss this season was a 56-yard try in Kansas City that had plenty of distance. A new off-season training system strengthened his leg to the point that the Chargers have one of the strongest kickers in the NFL. So, when you have thin air … warm air … and little to no wind Lambo could be in line for some monster blasts. He said during the week that he’s not sure what his range will be at Sports Authority Field but will kick some testers before the game. The NFL record is 63 yards. If the conditions stay as they are (never a guarantee in Denver) that could be up for a challenge. Plus Lambo has hit eight field goals in the last two games so he’s in a nice little groove right now.
Dontrelle Inman, WR
The Chargers signed Isaiah Burse to the 53-man roster on Saturday. That is a sign that either Travis Benjamin or Tyrell Williams, who both missed practice time with knee injuries this week, is not going to be able to play. Inman was already the longest-tenured Chargers wideout on the roster after Keenan Allen’s injury. He has the most experience working with Rivers so if Philip needs to trust someone down the field to make a big catch he has the most trust in Inman so look for him to get a few big targets on 3rd down.
Melvin Ingram, OLB
Joey Bosa took three games to match Ingram for the team sack lead. In his 5th season, the outside linebacker has not evolved in to the elite pass rusher many thought he would become. Now that Bosa is going to get a lot more attention from offenses Ingram has the chance to start pumping up those sack stats. Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian is not going to do anything dazzling to win a game but he’s managing things nicely. If you let him just sit back and find his wideouts it’s going to be a long day for the Chargers defense. Plus Ingram is in his contract year so he needs to start picking things up if he wants a big payday in 2017 and beyond.
Derek’s Prediction
This is going to be a low-scoring game. The Chargers are missing pieces in the passing game; the Broncos are missing C.J. Anderson in that running game. I like what I’m seeing from the resurgent Bolts defense, which should be able to hold Denver down just enough to squeak out a W.
Final score: Chargers 16, Broncos 13
