The Chargers are looking to extend their win streak to three games when they take on the Broncos next Monday night.
To get you prepped for the Week 6 bout, here are four key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.
Is Russ cooked?
As the old saying goes, “Let Russ cook!” Well, the question now looms whether he is cooked instead. Wilson’s tenure with the Broncos after being traded from the Seahawks hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows. Wilson ranks No. 14 in the NFL in passing yards (1,254), is tied for No. 23 in passing touchdowns (four), and ranks No. 28 in passing completion percentage (59.4%). In addition, Denver is averaging just 15 points per game, which is second-worst in the league behind the Colts. Wilson sustained a partially torn lat near his right shoulder in the Week 4 loss to the Broncos, but he is expected to still play against the Chargers.
Was Nathaniel worth nothing?
The Broncos hired Nathaniel Hackett, former Packers offensive coordinator, to oversee the team in hopes of him bringing a boost to the offense. However, that has been far from the case. Denver has scored six total touchdowns, and three of those came in a single game in its loss to Las Vegas. Hackett has also not set a standard for discipline, as league-leading 44 penalties have hampered the team. Further, game management has been an issue, given that the Broncos are 21.43% in red zone scoring percentage, which is the worst in the NFL.
Familiar face keeps fumbling
Javonte Williams suffered a torn ACL and LCL in Week 4, leaving Melvin Gordon as the Broncos’ top running back. Gordon has been decent this season, as he has 193 yards and one touchdown on 52 carries (3.7 yards per carry), as well as 11 catches for 98 yards. However, fumbles have been a big issue for Gordon, who has four in 2022, the most among non-quarterbacks. Mike Boone will share touches with Gordon, while Latavius Murray could become more involved as Denver figures out the rotation.
Top dog against the air
The Broncos boast the NFL’s best passing defense, allowing just 176.6 yards per game, and they have given up only three touchdowns, which is tied for second-best. It all starts up front, where Denver has a fearsome edge defender trio of Bradley Chubb, Baron Browning and Randy Gregory, who have combined for 52 pressures. But they will be without Gregory, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. Along the interior of the defensive line, Dre’Mont Jones and D.J. Reed have totaled 14 and ten pressures, respectively. Allowing quarterbacks very little time to throw has been a big factor, but the Broncos have arguably one of the top corners in second-year Patrick Surtain II, who has done a great job of taking away the opposing team’s No. 1 wide receivers.
