The Denver Broncos (9-5) will travel to Los Angeles to take on Justin Herbert and the Chargers. Tonight’s game is massive for the Broncos, where if they win, they’ll be in the playoffs for the first time since the Super Bowl 50 season.
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers AFC West Divisional
Here is the tale of the tape for Thursday’s Week 16 showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Broncos offense:
- Net Yards Per Game – 311.1 (22nd)
- Points Per Game – 24.0 (T-10th)
- Net Rushing Yards Per Game – 108.4 (20th)
- Net Passing Yards Per Game – 202.7 (23rd)
- Sacks Allowed – 20 (3rd)
- Third Down Conversion Percentage – 37.7% (16th)
- Red Zone Conversion Percentage – 58.7% (9th)
- Top Offensive Players: Bo Nix, Courtland Sutton, Devaughn Vele
- Leading Rusher: Javonte Williams (461 rushing yards)
- Leading Receiver: Courtland Sutton (878 receiving yards, six touchdowns)
Chargers Defense:
- Net Yards Allowed Per Game – 336.7 (14th)
- Points Per Game Allowed – 17.6 (T-1st)
- Net Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game – 125.1 (19th)
- Net Passing Yards Allowed Per Game – 211.6 (9th)
- Sacks – 40 (T-6th)
- Third Down Conversion Percentage – 37.0% (12th)
- Red Zone Conversion Percentage – 40.0% (1st)
- Top Defensive Players: Derwin James, Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa
- Leading Sack Producer: Tuli Tuipulotu (five sacks)
- Leading Tackler: Daiyan Henley (126)
- Interception Leader: Tarheeb Still (four)
Broncos Defense:
- Net Yards Allowed Per Game – 315.3 (8th)
- Points Per Game Allowed – 17.6 (T-1st)
- Net Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game – 98.6 (5th)
- Net Passing Yards Allowed Per Game – 216.7 (T-15th)
- Sacks – 49 (1st)
- Third Down Conversion Percentage – 37.6% (11th)
- Red Zone Conversion Percentage – 42.1% (2nd)
- Top Defensive Players: Patrick Surtain II, Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen
- Leading Sack Producer: Nik Bonitto (11.5)
- Leading Tackler: Brandon Jones (91)
- Interception Leader: Patrick Surtain II (4)
Chargers Offense:
- Net Yards Per Game – 302.1 (27th)
- Points Per Game – 21.0 (21st)
- Net Rushing Yards Per Game – 105.8 (T-22nd)
- Net Passing Yards Per Game – 196.4 (25th)
- Sacks Allowed – 41 (T-23rd)
- Third Down Conversion Percentage – 37.1% (21st)
- Red Zone Conversion Percentage – 55.6% (16th)
- Top Offensive Players: Justin Herbert, Ladd McConkey, Josh Palmer
- Leading Rusher: J.K. Dobbins (766 yards)
- Leading Receiver: Ladd McConkey (873 yards, five touchdowns)
Notable Injuries for Thursday’s game
Denver Broncos:
- Cornerback Riley Moss is out with a knee injury.
- Running back Jaleel McLaughlin is out with a quad injury.
Los Angeles Chargers:
- Tight end Will Dissly is out with a shoulder injury.
- Cornerback Cam Hart is out with a concussion.
- Defensive back Elijah Molden is doubtful with a knee injury.
Biggest key for the Denver Broncos – Avoid the slow start
The Denver Broncos cannot afford to get off to a slow start on either side of the ball in tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Offensively, the Broncos have to find a way to sustain drives and come away with points in an attempt to keep Justin Herbert off of the field as long as possible. The last time these two teams played, Herbert and the Chargers were surgical on third down against Denver’s defense, and the Broncos have gotten off to slow starts in the first half of the last two games, allowing opposing offenses to convert on third down often. They’ve adjusted in two games in a row and negatively impacted opposing offense’s production on third down, but in a game where the stakes are as high as this, a slow start can’t be the story tonight.
Bo Nix needs some relief from shouldering the entire offensive load by having the run game in his back pocket. He’s been the primary producer for Denver’s offense most of the season, including leading the team with rushing first downs. If Javonte Williams and Audric Estime can get some production on the ground, it will help open things up for Denver’s offense and make them less one-dimensional.
Matchup to watch for – Nik Bonitto vs. Rashawn Slater
Nik Bonitto is third in the NFL right now in sacks, just half a sack away from second place and one sack away from being tied for first. If Bonitto can have a big game tonight against Rashawn Slater, his defensive player of the year chances increase while also putting the Broncos in a position to succeed.
Getting after Justin Herbert is going to be crucial for the Broncos’ defense this evening and Bonitto will be one of the key impact players to watch for.
Kickoff is set for 6:15 p.m. MT on Amazon Prime or locally on ABC.