The Los Angeles Chargers appear to be doing better than their 2-4 SU record shows. Maybe that’s because they played five of their six games. Denver has the same record and is 4-2 ATS this season. Both teams have talented young quarterbacks and this is Justin Herbert’s first meeting against Drew Lock.
The chargers hit the Broncos for the first time this season on Sunday afternoon. Last season the Broncos won both games against the Chargers as underdogs.
Chargers needed a win
The LA Chargers had lost four games in a row to Jacksonville last week. Losing 30-27 hours of overtime hurt but showed they could be competitive against a potential playoff team. They bounced back last week with a 39:29 win over Jacksonville, led by rookie quarterback Justin Herbert. He completed 27 of 43 for 347 yards with three TDs and no picks. Herbert also led the chargers on nine attempts at 66 yards. Chargers came back towards the end of the third quarter on 29-22. They took a 17-0 lead to end the game when the defense came up against Gardner Minshew and the Jags.
Coach Lynn speaks to the media. https://t.co/efBICb96Yv
– Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) October 26, 2020
The chargers have some problems walking back with Austin disgust (thigh). Ekeler leads the team at 248 yards, but there doesn’t seem to be a sufficient replacement on the roster. That puts more pressure on Herbert to produce. You’ll also face TE Virgil Green (ankle) and guards Ryan Groy (biceps / COVID) and Trai Turner (groin) who may be missing out on the Denver game. All three missed training on Wednesday.
Herbert has completed 67.4% of his passes for 1,542 yards with 12 TDs and three picks this season. Not bad for a rookie who should endorse veteran Tyrod Taylor early in the season. The offense ranks fourth in the NFL in total yards per game (405.8ypg) and fifth in passing yards (281.3ypg). They also rank 13th in rushing yards per game (124.5ypg). The problem was the defense, which ranks 19th (366.2ypg) in yards per game and 23rd place (253.2ypg) against passing. DE Getting Melvin Ingram back from a knee injury (he’s questionable) would speed up the pass. Joey Bosa leads the team with 4.5 bags
Stripes snapped in the snow
Denver opened the season with a loss in their first three games, but defeated the NY Jets (37-28) and New England (18-12) (defeated the Pats after a farewell) in two straight weeks. Their biggest test of the season came last week when they hit Kansas City in a snow-covered Invesco stadium. The Broncos made too many mistakes, led by Lock, who threw two interceptions and fell between 43 and 16. Patrick Lindsay ran 79 yards on nine tries and Lock threw 254 yards and ran for one score to lead the Broncos. But Denver only scored two touchdowns and didn’t do a bad job on the defensive against Patrick Mahomes and Clyde Edwards-Delaire. The Chiefs scored one hit with a kickoff return of 102 yards and an interception return of 50 yards, but they only had a total of 284 yards of attack.
Q has movements.@ DrewLock23 | ????: CBS pic.twitter.com/bK1CxAcxj4
– Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 25, 2020
Unfortunately for Denver, Lindsay is on concussion log, but they have depth in walking back, led by former Chargers star Melvin Gordon. He leads the team in a rush with 349 yards and four TDs.
Denver had to contend with an average of 322.8 yards per game (28th), 209.2 yards (26th) and 113.7 rushing yards (16th) this season. They allow 339.2 yards per game (8th) and 230.2 yards (12th).
Statement from the Broncos:
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– Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 30, 2020
Denver had some COVID-19 issues this week when offensive coach Mike Munchak entered the COVID protocol and missed training on Wednesday and Thursday. The chargers had to cancel training after Ryan Groy tested positive on Thursday. Stay tuned to see if this game is being played on time or at all.
