Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers

Date/Time: Sunday, November 28, 1:05 PM PST/4:05 PM EST/2:05 PM MST

Spread/Odds (Varies by Site): 2.5, O/U 47.5

Records/AFC West Standings: Chargers 6-4/2nd and Broncos 5-5/4th

Having split last season 1-1, the Denver Broncos and Los Chargers this weekend are on course to help determine a winner for the AFC West. As Sunday’s week 12 matchup will be a factor in the title and wildcard puzzle. Due to the games left, team records, and games behind. As any head-to-head division win helps the Broncos or Chargers gain an advantage towards the title.

So with that being said here is what to look for

Los Angeles Chargers

Leb by Justin Herbert, the Chargers entering Week 12 coming off a 41-37 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers was an offensive juggernaut however what stood out from the game was the Steelers scoring 27 points in the fourth quarter by capturing momentum and capitalizing opportunities in the red zone.

So in Week 12 matchup, the Chargers will have to fix their mistakes and not allow the Broncos to gain momentum whether Denver is leading or down. Besides that the Chargers offensively will get to test the Broncos defense both through the rushing and passing game. First on the rush game, Austin Ekeler after a four-touchdown game week 11 with be the number priority for Denver, however for Los Angeles the threat of Ekeler allows the Chargers play action to blossom, and receivers to freedom as Denver has to choose to stop one of the two. On defense with amazing playmakers on both the d-line and secondary. Overall, creating pressure and stopping the run game (Javonte Williams and slightly Melvin Gordon) will be very much the key for the Chargers to seal a win Sunday Afternoon. As injuries will not be afactor for the team besides rookie CB Asante Samuel Jr. out with a concussion.

Denver Broncos

Entering week 12 off their bye, the 5-5 Denver Broncos are up for a challenge as nearly five of their final 7 games are against AFC West opponents. Meaning Sunday’s home bout versus the Chargers is an important game, not only for the team’s morality but overall their wildcard and division contention.

However, besides the importance of the game and the Broncos looking for a comeback win. The team will be going through many pregame obstacles such as missing Kareem Jackson, Bobby Massie, and Garett Bolles.

Offensively, against the worrisome Charges defense, the Broncos key spots to win the game is to establish the run, have stability on the offensive line/lessen pressure on Teddy, incorporate the wideouts more, and good to decent playcalling from a returning Pat Shurmur. Because as seen against the Cowboys, who themselves lost to the Raiders on Thanksgiving, the Broncos can be a complete team when everyone is on the same wavelength.

On defense with Jackson questionable for Sunday, rookie safety Caden Sterns may make his first start which is a pro and con. Positives being we get to see what rookie is made of/is he a future starter next to Justin Simmons. As the most likely negative is that Herbet and the Chargers offense will target routes and possessions towards Sterns side of the field. Other notes to look for on defense would be stopping Ekeler, covering Allen, preventing any Herbert scrambles, and creating pressure.