Defensive-minded Broncos, Chargers square up for slugfest

Back in Denver days after breaking the long-running hex of the rival Raiders, the Broncos attempt to catch lightning in a bottle once more when another division foe rolls into town Sunday afternoon. The Broncos (3-2) catapulted into second place in the AFC West with a 34-18 win over the visiting Raiders last week and push for a fourth consecutive win over the Los Angeles Chargers (2-2). Los Angeles managed 16 total points in a pair of defeats against Denver last season, part of the reason the Chargers are under new management in 2024. New boss Jim Harbaugh steers a rested bunch into Week 6 following a bye week wary of a battle plan from the Broncos that looks eerily familiar. "Not where we want to be. We want to be 4-0," Harbaugh said. "We're 2-2." Denver enjoyed home cooking last week, when they snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Raiders that included every game since the franchise moved to Las Vegas. The Broncos put up 34 points, their highest output in a game since beating the Lions 38-10 on Dec. 12, 2021 with a backfield of Teddy Bridgewater and Melvin Gordon. Defense is the common denominator in this AFC West contest. The Broncos have allowed 11.8 points per game since a Week 1 loss at Seattle and are tied for second in the NFL in scoring defense behind the Chargers' NFL-leading 12.5 opponent points per game. "In my experience, defense comes along a little quicker," Harbaugh said. "Offense is that frustrated, patient discipline." Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert welcomed the early bye week. He played through a high ankle sprain in consecutive losses before the Week 5 break as the Chargers reset in the midst of a stretch with two touchdowns in the past 10 quarters. The Steelers and Chiefs took away the running game that put up 395 yards to carry the offense during a 2-0 start. Production declined to 116 total yards in the defeats to Pittsburgh and Kansas City. Harbaugh said "nobody does more" for the Chargers than Herbert, who is practicing with his right ankle wrapped and was a limited practice participant on Wednesday. He's also a key component in the Chargers making the type of improvement Harbaugh said he's chasing. "For us it's getting crisper, sharper on offense," Harbaugh said, pointing to penalties as missed assignments as areas of focus. "And in all areas. But that's particularly what we're attacking." Finding a ground game has helped Nix settle in; he threw four interceptions in his first two starts. He enters Week 6 with 78 consecutive passes without a pick over the past three starts with Denver's team rushing yardage over 100 in each of those wins. 'He's getting experience, and we're seeing it," Payton said of Nix impressing him with "processing" skills pre-snap. A run-first identity is Payton's preference, but he knows the Broncos have to find a way to take more consistent shots downfield to open running lanes and extend drives. Denver's 14.8 first downs per game is tied for 30th in the NFL with the New England Patriots -- behind the likes of the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns -- but ahead of the 32nd-ranked Chargers (13.5). One of the consequences is a miniscule margin for error for both defenses. Nix had 60 passing yards in a Week 3 win over the Jets. Herbert is averaging 144.5 passing yards per game. But both teams are staying afloat by coming up with takeaways and getting to the quarterback. Only five teams have more takeaways than the Broncos' eight and the Chargers are tied for third in the league with a plus-five turnover differential. Nix averages 168.3 passing yards per game, 30th in the NFL. But Payton insists he'll measure success of his team and quarterback by one statistic -- victories. Nix is the first Denver rookie quarterback to win three consecutive starts and posted his first game with multiple TD passes last week, when the Broncos also delivered a 100-yard interception return courtesy of cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Surtain was NFL defensive player of the week and is being mentioned as a potential NFL Defensive Player of the Year. "He's playing lights out," Payton said of Surtain. "I can't stand talking about those type of awards in the early part of October. But man, the play he made the other day was huge. He's obviously one of, if not the top corner in the league. He practices his tail off. He's a great teammate." Surtain said "it is a little early" for end-of-season awards and he's looking to build each week. "I'm just going to keep on working and keep on honing my craft," Surtain said. After Week 6, three of the next four games are on the road for the Broncos. Payton returns to New Orleans next week for a primetime matchup with the Saints on Thursday night. Denver hosts the Panthers in Week 8 before going to Baltimore and Kansas City to start November. The Chargers are also in primetime next week with a Monday night trip to play the Arizona Cardinals. Los Angeles star outside linebacker Joey Bosa (hip) was limited in his return to practice Friday and is questionable for Sunday. Bosa has not played since Week 3. Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., who started the Chargers' first four games, is out due to a shoulder injury despite being a full participant in Thursday's practice. Four others are also questionable for Los Angeles: cornerbacks Deane Leonard (hamstring) and Kristian Fulton (knee), linebacker Nick Niemann (hamstring) and offensive tackle Rashawn Slater (pectoral). The Broncos have ruled out receiver Josh Reynolds (hand), center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) and offensive tackle Alex Palczewski (ankle). Running back Audric Estime (ankle) and cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle) are questionable. --Field Level Media