Chargers at Denver Broncos: Who has the edge?

CHARGERS (6-4) AT BRONCOS (5-5)

When: Sunday, 1:05 p.m.

Where: Empower Field astatine Mile High

TV/Radio: CBS (Ch. 2); 98.7 FM; 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (Spanish); Sirius 137

Line: Chargers by 2½ points

Notable wounded designations: Chargers: LG Matt Feiler (questionable; ankle), CB Asante Samuel Jr. (out; concussion) S Alohi Gilman (out; quadriceps), DB Trey Marshall (questionable; ankle/hip), DB Mark Webb Jr. (injured reserve; knee)

Broncos: DE Shelby Harris (questionable; ankle), S Kareem Jackson (doubtful; neck), OT Bobby Massie (doubtful; ankle)

What’s astatine stake? The Chargers’ archetypal 3-0 commencement successful the AFC West since 1996. The Chargers defeated the Kansas Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders successful the archetypal period of the season, but they haven’t played a divisional crippled since defeating the Raiders connected “Monday Night Football” successful Week 4. The Chargers person an accidental to overtake the Chiefs for archetypal spot successful the part if they’re capable to decision the Broncos, but they haven’t had overmuch occurrence successful Denver successful caller years. They person mislaid 7 of their past 8 games successful Denver dating to 2014. Last season, the Chargers blew a 21-point pb to the Broncos connected the roadworthy earlier falling, 31-30.

Who’s better? The Chargers due to the fact that of the sizable vantage astatine the backmost presumption with Justin Herbert, who is coming disconnected a sensational show against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Herbert became the archetypal subordinate successful NFL past to propulsion for astatine slightest 350 yards and unreserved for astatine slightest 90 yards successful a azygous game. Herbert volition beryllium tested against Vic Fangio’s defense, which features a stout secondary with information Justin Simmons and rookie cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Broncos backmost Teddy Bridgewater isn’t known for racking up yards, but he’s businesslike and protects the ball. The Chargers’ secondary could person occupation against the Broncos’ receiving trio of Tim Patrick, Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy.

Matchup to watch: Fangio coaching against Chargers manager Brandon Staley, who spent 3 seasons moving nether Fangio arsenic an adjunct manager successful Denver and Chicago. Fangio told Chargers reporters successful a league telephone this week that his antiaircraft strategy and Staley’s antiaircraft strategy are precise similar. This chess matchup betwixt mentor and mentee mightiness travel down to which defence tin disguise their coverages the best. Herbert has struggled astatine times this play against well-disguised defenses. But Herbert has had the luxury of practicing against Staley’s antiaircraft scheme, which was molded aft Fangio’s scheme.

Chargers triumph if: … Their defence records aggregate takeaways against the Broncos. The Chargers person lone recorded 1 takeaway successful the past 3 games and person 11 full this season, which ranked 20th successful the NFL entering Week 12. The Broncos person struggled connected discourtesy this play and could person a pugnacious clip keeping gait with Herbert and the Chargers. Denver ranks 23rd successful the NFL astatine 20 points per crippled and sits astatine 28th for third-down conversion percent (34.6%).

Fantasy sleeper: Sutton gave the Chargers fits successful 2019 and they avoided him past play due to the fact that helium was sidelined with a torn ACL. Sutton has returned to wellness and is having different productive season. Sutton volition look a short-handed Chargers’ secondary that volition beryllium without rookie standout cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. Backup cornerback Tevaughn Campbell has struggled this play erstwhile he’s been asked to start.

Prediction: Herbert could person occupation against the Broncos’ defense, which is holding opponents to 18.3 points per game. But Herbert has Staley’s cognition connected his broadside for however to run against a Fangio-led defense. The Chargers volition leap to a double-digit pb and clasp connected for a 24-17 roadworthy win.