- WHERE: SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, Calif.
- WHEN: 8:15 p.m. ET | Prime Video, NFL+
Thursday night time’s recreation between the Broncos and Chargers will go a good distance towards figuring out playoff seeding. That’s why it turned the primary recreation to be flexed into the Thursday slot since late-season Thursday flex scheduling was approved previous to the 2023 season.
The Chiefs have wrapped up the AFC West, however each groups are in nice form for wild-card berths. The Broncos and Chargers sit at sixth and seventh, respectively, within the AFC playoff slots now.
The 9-5 Broncos can clinch their first playoff spot since their Tremendous Bowl 50 title season with a win on Thursday. In addition they can get in with a loss and the Bengals, Colts and Dolphins all shedding in Week 16.
The 8-6 Chargers can’t clinch Thursday however can get into the playoffs this week by beating the Broncos and having the Colts and Dolphins additionally lose on Sunday.
Though the Chargers won the first meeting this season in Week 6, cruising to a 23-0 lead earlier than hanging on late, the Broncos have received 4 straight whereas the Chargers have dropped three of their previous 4 video games.
Sean Payton final made the postseason with the Saints within the 2020 season. Jim Harbaugh hasn’t coached within the NFL playoffs for the reason that 2013 season, spending the previous 9 years on the College of Michigan. The 60-year-old coaches are two of the league’s greatest, assembly Thursday with necessary postseason positioning on the road.
Listed here are 4 issues to observe for when the Broncos go to the Chargers on Thursday night time on Prime Video and NFL+:
1) Bo Nix hopes to keep away from sluggish begin, replicate fourth-quarter success from Week 6. When the Chargers and Broncos met in Week 6, Nix struggled badly the primary three quarters (4 of 14 passing, 27 yards, INT) earlier than rallying to guide two TD drives and a discipline objective in a large fourth quarter. That type of woke Nix up in his rookie season. He’d thrown for 5 TDs and 5 INTs in his first six video games, averaging 180.3 cross yards per recreation, and was extra reliant on his legs. However within the eight video games since he’s totaled 15 TDs and 6 INTs, averaging 236.3 yards per recreation and operating much less typically. Nix struggled with the Chargers’ heavy zone method early however accomplished 15 of 19 passes for 189 yards and two TDs, regardless of heavy strain. That’s the Nix who Denver wants on Thursday. He was erratic towards the Colts final week, throwing three interceptions vs. zone protection regardless of not going through a lot warmth from them. However the Chargers struggled badly to cease Baker Mayfield” data-link=”http://www.nfl.com/gamers/baker-mayfield/” data-slug=”baker-mayfield”>Baker Mayfield and the Bucs’ passing recreation this previous Sunday, getting shredded once they tried to play man and never faring a lot better in zone. Can Jesse Minter’s protection confuse and decelerate Nix a second time?
2) Justin Herbert coping with ankle harm in massive recreation. The Chargers know that they go as Herbert goes. That’s why the information that he’s coping with a left ankle sprain is regarding, having been restricted in follow this week. Herbert got here out robust towards the Bucs however didn’t look proper within the second half, finishing solely 9 of 17 passes for 65 yards and an interception earlier than giving technique to Taylor Heinicke” data-link=”http://www.nfl.com/gamers/taylor-heinicke/” data-slug=”taylor-heinicke”>Taylor Heinicke late within the blowout. Along with the harm, Herbert’s lack of constant weapons has additionally been an issue. Ladd McConkey” data-link=”http://www.nfl.com/gamers/ladd-mcconkey/” data-slug=”ladd-mcconkey”>Ladd McConkey has been a rookie standout, and Quentin Johnston” data-link=”http://www.nfl.com/gamers/quentin-johnston/” data-slug=”quentin-johnston”>Quentin Johnston has had some massive video games. Even TE Stone Smartt” data-link=”http://www.nfl.com/gamers/stone-smartt/” data-slug=”stone-smartt”>Stone Smartt has stepped up right into a semi-featured position in latest weeks. However most of this has been out of want, because the Chargers merely lack the skill-position firepower, particularly after the lack of operating again J.Okay. Dobbins” data-link=”http://www.nfl.com/gamers/j-k-dobbins/” data-slug=”j-k-dobbins”>J.K. Dobbins, of different contenders. The Chargers’ cross safety has additionally been an issue. If left sort out Zion Johnson” data-link=”http://www.nfl.com/gamers/zion-johnson/” data-slug=”zion-johnson”>Zion Johnson can’t go for this recreation, that additional weakens an already considerably disappointing offensive line. tight finish Will Dissly” data-link=”http://www.nfl.com/gamers/will-dissly/” data-slug=”will-dissly”>Will Dissly has remained sidelined at follow, though Hayden Hurst” data-link=”http://www.nfl.com/gamers/hayden-hurst/” data-slug=”hayden-hurst”>Hayden Hurst has returned to motion after his IR stint. The Chargers would possibly want all arms on deck to assist Herbert and dent an excellent Denver protection.
3) Broncos’ protection options two elite playmakers. The Broncos rank near the highest of the NFL in defensive effectivity, main the league in sacks and tied for the fewest factors allowed, with two Professional Bowl candidates setting the one for them. The primary is CB Patrick Surtain II” data-link=”http://www.nfl.com/gamers/patrick-surtain-ii/” data-slug=”patrick-surtain-ii”>Patrick Surtain II, who has developed into one of many league’s greatest corners over the previous few seasons. Amongst corners with 400 or extra protection snaps, Surtain is tied for the fewest targets (43) and the fewest yards per goal at 4.9. He suffered an ankle harm on Sunday however has been listed as a full participant in follow main as much as Thursday. His sidekick, Riley Moss” data-link=”http://www.nfl.com/gamers/riley-moss/” data-slug=”riley-moss”>Riley Moss, who has missed the previous two video games with a knee harm, is also again to bolster the secondary nearer to full energy. The opposite main contributor this 12 months has been Nik Bonitto” data-link=”http://www.nfl.com/gamers/nik-bonitto/” data-slug=”nik-bonitto”>Nik Bonitto, who has scored a TD previously two video games, by way of interception and fumble returns. He additionally leads Denver in sacks with 11.5, one among 5 Broncos with a minimum of 5 this season. With the Chargers failing to guard Herbert adequately at instances, Bonitto figures to be a key participant to observe. He had a sack and two QB hits within the first assembly and can be licking his chops for extra.
4) Chargers’ protection wants bounceback effort. The Chargers and Broncos, together with the Eagles, are permitting the fewest factors per recreation within the NFL this season at 17.6. However the Chargers have had some humbling moments in latest video games towards explosive offenses, together with Sunday at dwelling towards the Bucs, permitting 512 yards and 40 factors. In addition they beforehand had hassle containing offenses of the Bengals and Ravens. The query is whether or not the Broncos supply that caliber firepower. Courtland Sutton” data-link=”http://www.nfl.com/gamers/courtland-sutton/” data-slug=”courtland-sutton”>Courtland Sutton is a top-tier playmaker, and he and Troy Franklin” data-link=”http://www.nfl.com/gamers/troy-franklin/” data-slug=”troy-franklin”>Troy Franklin each scored towards the Chargers final time, though it’s arduous to name the Broncos an explosive offense, even with massive outings just lately towards the Browns and Falcons. Nonetheless, the Chargers’ struggles Sunday had been eye-opening. They’d been an elite third-down protection by way of 12 video games, permitting solely 33.3% to be transformed, however the Chargers gave up conversions on 17-of-30 third downs within the losses to Kansas Metropolis and Tampa Bay. In addition they haven’t pressured a punt in additional than 5 quarters and have not pressured a turnover in 5 of their previous eight video games. The potential return of LB Denzel Perryman” data-link=”http://www.nfl.com/gamers/denzel-perryman/” data-slug=”denzel-perryman”>Denzel Perryman is encouraging, however the Chargers’ secondary seems to be battered and bruised heading into this massive recreation.
