The Chargers’ extended audition for 2024 continues on Sunday with a matchup against the Broncos, a team that has only recently entered the “looking ahead to next year” tier.
Here are a few matchups to keep an eye on in the game.
Chargers TE Gerald Everett vs. Broncos LBs Alex Singleton and Josey Jewell
With Keenan Allen (heel) and Joshua Palmer (concussion) out, the Chargers’ No. 1 wideout on Sunday will be rookie Quentin Johnston. That puts the rookie on Patrick Surtain II, with Alex Erickson, Jalen Guyton, and Derius Davis left with the more advantageous matchups.
With that position group looking pretty lackluster, the Chargers’ offense will likely have to run through Austin Ekeler and Everett, who had 5 receptions for 39 yards on 8 targets in the first matchup with Denver. Neither Singleton nor Jewell is particularly proficient in coverage, which could give Everett plenty of opportunities on Sunday.
Chargers QB Easton Stick vs. the blitz
Denver sacked Chargers quarterbacks six times in the first matchup. Five of those sacks came from linebackers or defensive backs, with Los Angeles completely unable to handle the blitz from defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
That game began with Justin Herbert at quarterback and veteran Will Clapp at center. Both players are now out for the season, with inexperienced Easton Stick and Brenden Jaimes now taking their place. Kellen Moore showed a few more answers for defenses in the first week post-Brandon Staley, but Los Angeles still gave up five sacks to the Bills, two of which came from blitzing players.
Joseph will likely send the heat again on Sunday, which will force Stick to make quick, smart decisions. He fumbled twice in relief against the Broncos the first time around, but a full week of prep with a plan designed around getting the ball out quickly could pay dividends for the Chargers.
Chargers safety Derwin James and CB Essang Bassey vs. Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy
Jeudy could be the Broncos’ main receiver on Sunday with Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims both limited in practice so far this week. The former first-round pick operates mostly out of the slot, which will leave him matched up with James and Bassey for the majority of the game.
The main thing to watch here will be how much the Chargers leave James isolated with Jeudy after almost exclusively playing him in the slot against the Bills. Buffalo also had tight end Dalton Kincaid flexed out into the slot for parts of the game, a more natural matchup for the former All-Pro. If the quick first step of Jeudy proves to be problematic, James could come off the field or move back to safety in favor of Bassey, who drew a few key snaps in the slot last week against Buffalo.
Chargers punter JK Scott vs. Broncos punter Riley Dixon
With both teams banged up at pass catcher and starting backup quarterbacks, it seems relatively likely that this game could come down to which team flips the field more effectively. Dixon pinned five of his seven punts inside the 20 in the first matchup three weeks ago, but Scott outpaced his average yardage by almost 13 yards, including an 83-yard touchback.
Scott has been on a career-best tear over the past month or so, finding almost ten yards of net yardage per punt over his career averages. Dixon, while not bombing punts to the same degree, has been steadily putting punts inside the 20 and putting his defense in great positions to succeed. Chargers punt returner Derius Davis returned two of Dixon’s kicks for 24 and 20 yards each. Broncos punt returner Marvin Mims had returns of 13 and 12 yards but could miss Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury.
