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    Chargers vs. Denver Broncos: Who has the edge?
    • December 18, 2024

    CHARGERS (8-6) vs. BRONCOS (9-5)

    When: Thursday, 5:15 p.m.

    Where: SoFi Stadium

    TV/Radio: Ch. 11/Prime Video; 98.7 FM; 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (Spanish)

    Line: Chargers by 3

    Notable injury designations

    Chargers: OUT: TE Will Dissly (shoulder), CB Cam Hart (concussion). DOUBTFUL: DB Elijah Molden (knee). QUESTIONABLE: TE Hayden Hurst (hip), LG Zion Johnson (ankle), DL Otito Ogbonnia (pelvis), LB Denzel Perryman (groin).

    Broncos: OUT: RB Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps), CB Riley Moss (knee).

    What’s at stake: A victory for the Chargers over the Broncos would give them the head-to-head tiebreaker and put them on a better path to finishing second in the AFC West thus earning a better seeded spot in the playoffs. A victory for the Broncos over the Chargers would put them on a better path to finishing second in the division thus earning a better seeded spot in the playoffs.

    Related: NFL playoff picture

    Who’s better: It’s a tossup. At the moment, the Broncos are second in the division and holders of the sixth-seeded spot. The Chargers are third in the division and holders of the seventh-seeded spot. The Chargers have the more experienced and more accomplished former University of Oregon quarterback in Justin Herbert. The Broncos’ Bo Nix has made a name for himself in his rookie season, particularly in the games after Denver’s loss to the Chargers in Week 6. The Chargers rebounded for a 23-16 victory over Denver after consecutive losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3 and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4. The Chargers are on a two-game losing streak going into the rematch with the Broncos, having lost to the Chiefs in Week 14 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15.

    Matchup to watch: Denver defensive back Patrick Surtain II sat out all but one play of the first game between the teams after suffering a concussion. He’s among the most disruptive forces in the NFL, and the Chargers were fortunate they didn’t have to face him. He could fill that role Thursday, though, shadowing the Chargers’ young receiving corps, especially rookie Ladd McConkey.

    Chargers win if: The Chargers said all the right things after doing so few of them during their 40-17 loss Sunday to the Buccaneers. How they respond to their worst loss of 2024 will be a key to Thursday’s game and, indeed, to the rest of the season. The Chargers cannot afford to have the sort of defensive breakdowns against the Broncos that they had against the Buccaneers, who torched them for 505 total yards. Herbert’s mobility must return if their offense is to be as effective as it needs to be. Herbert’s sprained left ankle means the Chargers must adjust their playbook, taking out some of the rollouts and scrambles.

    Fantasy sleeper: Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker has made 29 of 31 attempts this season, including eight of nine from 50 yards or beyond. He set his career-high of 59 yards earlier this season, breaking his previous best of 55 yards, set last season. The Chargers’ offense has relied on him during all-too-frequent stalled drives inside the 30-yard line this season. He has misfired only once inside the 50 this season. It’s likely the Chargers will need him again Thursday.

    Prediction: It’s difficult to imagine the Chargers failing to respond in a positive way to their humiliating loss to the Buccaneers. After all, a victory over the Broncos would all but clinch a playoff berth. The Chargers have had two two-game losing streaks, but not one three-game skid. Chargers 21, Broncos 20.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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