The Denver Broncos (3-2) are coming into Sunday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) and aim to win their fourth straight game of the season. If that’s going to take place, the Broncos offense is going to have to find a way to be more efficient on first and second down against a Chargers defense that does whatever they can to limit the explosives.
Denver Broncos offense bracing for challenge of Los Angeles Chargers defense
Khalil Mack, Derwin James, Asante Samuel Jr. and a handful of other Chargers defenders are guaranteed to play in Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. With Joey Bosa’s status for Sunday’s game up in the air with a hip injury, it would be a welcome sight for Denver offensively if he didn’t play, but they are preparing as though Bosa and Mack are going to be screaming off the edge in Sunday’s home divisional matchup.
Coming into this week, let’s take a look at the numbers between Denver’s offense and LA’s defense.
Broncos offense:
Net Yards Per Game – 270.0 – 28th.
Yards Per Play – 4.47 – 28th.
Points Per Game – 19.2 – tied for 22nd.
Rushing Yards Per Game – 106.8 – 21st.
Passing Yards Per Game – 163.8 – 28th.
Sacks Allowed – 7 – 28th.
Third Down Percentage – 24.6% – 31st.
Red Zone Efficiency – 43.7% – tied for 26th.
It’s been easy to see that early down struggles for Denver have impacted their ability to sustain drives and have success on a consistent basis through five weeks. This is an area of emphasis for Payton and his staff as they look to paint a clearer picture around Bo Nix and the Broncos offense as a whole.
The Chargers’ defense will be a test for them on Sunday, regardless of injuries to their defense. Denver is currently dealing with injuries to starting center Luke Wattenberg, and offensive tackle Alex Palczewski.
Statistically speaking, the Chargers have one of the NFL’s top defenses through five weeks of play.
They’re top five in net yards per game, sixth in yards per play, first in points per game allowed, and sixth in rushing yards allowed. Denver’s key to getting the offense going has to begin with the run game, which has gotten off to slow starts in the first half, and has picked up in the second half in the last three games.
“No. 1, they keep it in front of them,” Payton said. “You can’t find explosives in the running game or the passing game. They’re playing with real good technique. Then you have a real good scheme with talented players. They’ve held the Chiefs, you name it. After the touchdown reel,[I like to] look at the explosives and that reel ended quick. Quicker than I’m used to. Obviously with such a small sample size, we look at the preseason as well. They’ve done a good job.”
We’ll see what gameplan Nix and the offense come out with against LA in their first game against new head coach Jim Harbaugh.