Los Angeles Chargers: 5 Keys to Victory Against the Broncos

The Los Angeles Chargers should be refreshed after their bye week, ready to take on a tough Denver team. Here are some ways they can come out the other side victorious:

Los Angeles Chargers: 5 Keys to Victory Against the Broncos

Clean Up Penalties On Offense and Defense

“Clean Up The Penalties” may earn a permanent place in my column because there was a lot against the Chiefs before the bye, particularly on offense with several false starts. There were two defensive holding penalties, one by safety Alohi Gilman and another by defensive lineman Otito Ogbonnia , creating two first downs for the Chiefs during the fourth quarter to help them get a touchdown.

Now, the offensive line was makeshift, and Daniel Popper of The Athletic reported that Sam Mustipher, who had been elevated from the practice squad, was at right guard while offensive lineman Trey Pipkins was at right tackle, and Jamaree Salyer at left tackle. These adjustments were to make up for not having right tackle Joe Alt and left tackle Rashawn Slater in the lineup, but overall there was a lot of sloppiness in the offense, and the pressure on Justin Herbert was not helping, as he’s not completely healthy.

The defense has been the saving grace of this team after they couldn’t get anything going on offense after the first quarter, but then these two penalties came at a really critical moment for the Chiefs to break that 10 to 10 tie. Both units need to tighten up for this team to be successful.

Have Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt, or Both, Back On the Offensive Line If Possible

Now this may be wishful thinking, given that Slater and Alt both missed the Chiefs matchup with injuries, and it’s not clear how long both will be out, but if the Chargers can at least get one of them back, it’ll make a world of difference.

According to Pro Football Focus (PFF) during Week 4 against the Chiefs, there were 12 quarterback pressures, which is the highest amount all season, and that’s because they were missing these two key players.

Alt has allowed very few pressures (three) and sacks ( two ) this season and has been worthy of the praise he’s been receiving. While Slater has been his usual, reliable self, only allowing two pressures and one sack.

Chris Roling of Sports Illustrated reported that Slater hasn’t been back in action yet at practice but that Alt was practicing, so hopefully we’ll get him back for this next game. Because I cannot tell you the number of broadcasts this past weekend that talked about the blitz rate of the Denver Broncos, and if you’re wondering it’s 46 . And Broncos defensive end Zach Allen and outside linebackers Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto , each with multiple sacks on the season, will be coming for Herbert. If the Chargers can’t get one or both back for this next matchup, they need another solution at those positions and should try to sign other players.

Keep Pressure on Bo Nix

Denver quarterback Bo Nix found his groove this past week and was uncorking bombs into the end zone and diving over a pile with outstretched arms for a touchdown. It’s going to be up to this Chargers defense to put a stop to that. The Chargers had four sacks on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during Week 4 and edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu started to make his presence known with one quarterback hit, three hurries, and a batted pass during that matchup. Nix will have to have his confidence knocked down a peg and edge rushers Khalil Mack , Bud Dupree , and Tuipulotu are the just the ones to do it.

More Run Plays

With Denver cornerback extraordinaire Pat Surtain II in the lineup, who had an interception this past weekend and returned it for a 100-yard touchdown against the Raiders, and has a PFF receiver coverage grade of 92 from that matchup, the Chargers will need to run the ball a little more, relying less on passing plays to win this one.

And I’ve really been waiting for this run game to materialize over the last few weeks but besides a few great rushes from running back J.K. Dobbins , the run game has been a bit quieter than anticipated.

I said previously that running back Gus Edwards needs to make more of his reps, and that’s still true, because Dobbins can’t be the only reliable back. We’ve seen this story before with former Chargers running back Austin Ekeler and it doesn’t work. The run blocking has been okay but not great, and that’s partially due to the offensive line, but some players like tight end Hayden Hurst and fullback/defensive lineman Scott Matlock need to improve in this area to make the run game more functional.

Utilize Wide Receiver, Josh Palmer

Now that Palmer is back in the Chargers lineup, it’s time for Herbert to start using him. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey has been doing wonders in the first few weeks, and it would be great to have this triangle of Palmer, McConkey and wide receiver Quentin Johnston firing on all cylinders, at least until wide receiver D.J. Chark comes back after being on IR.

Though the receiver coverage and blitz rate will be high in this game, Palmer is built for this, with the experience and chemistry with Herbert to really make an impact when it counts. I hope to see him get an equivalent target share to McConkey moving forward because the high hopes we had for Palmer entering the season were warranted, but he may get replaced if he doesn’t make more of an impression.

More must-reads:

• Broncos Claim They Already Know Chargers’ Game Plan
• Los Angeles Chargers: Troubling Injury News On Star Defender
• Justin Herbert Addresses Chargers’ Offensive Struggles