The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers will face off in a crucial Thursday night matchup that will go a long way in determining their playoff seeding. The Broncos, with a 9-5 record, are looking to clinch their first playoff spot since Super Bowl 50 title season, while the Chargers aim to secure a wild-card berth.
Sean Payton and Jim Harbaugh, two of the league’s top coaches, will be closely watching each other’s team strategies as they vie for postseason positioning. The Broncos’ defense, led by elite playmakers Patrick Surtain II and Nik Bonitto, is expected to pose a significant challenge to Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who is dealing with an ankle injury.
The Chargers’ offense needs to find its footing, particularly on the pass, where they have struggled to protect their quarterback. Meanwhile, the Broncos’ defense is well-equipped to contain explosive offenses, having allowed the fewest points per game in the NFL this season.
Four things to watch for in Thursday’s matchup include:
1) Can Chargers quarterback Bo Nix replicate his Week 6 performance against the Broncos, when he led a massive fourth-quarter rally?
2) How will the absence of Justin Herbert impact the Chargers’ offense, and can they find ways to overcome their lack of consistent weapons?
3) Will the Broncos’ defense be able to contain Courtland Sutton and the Chargers’ offense, which has been struggling in recent games against explosive offenses?
4) Can the Chargers’ secondary bounce back from a humbling loss to the Bucs, where they allowed 512 yards and 40 points?
The Broncos vs Chargers matchup promises to be an intense battle for playoff positioning, with both teams fighting for a spot in the postseason.
Source: https://www.nfl.com/news/2024-nfl-season-week-16-four-things-to-watch-for-broncos-chargers-prime-video