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Broncos-Chargers Preview
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) Bo Nix and Justin Herbert have tried to keep their focus squarely on Thursday night's pivotal AFC West showdown between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers.
Both quarterbacks realize though what a win would do in regards to their postseason chances.
Nix and Denver (9-5) have won four straight and would return to the playoffs for the first time since 2015 with a victory at SoFi Stadium.
Even though a win in one of the next three games extends Denver's season for at least one week, that's not the way Nix is looking at it.
According to the NFL, a loss by Denver would leave its probability at 85% with remaining games at Cincinnati on Dec. 28 and Kansas City in Week 18.
“We’ve got three games to win three and go into the playoffs and win a Super Bowl," he said.
Herbert and Los Angeles (8-6) are reeling with losses in three of its past four. Yet, it would wrap up its second postseason berth in three seasons with a win plus losses or ties by Miami and Indianapolis.
“The past couple of games have been felt like playoff games where they’re important and have that environment where at any moment something big can happen,” Herbert said. “That’s on us to be able to handle that environment, continue to go through it and realize the importance of these games."
The Chargers would have a 97% probability of making the playoffs with a win compared to 73% if they lost.
Los Angeles closes the season with road games against New England and Las Vegas, but would be favored in both.
The Chargers are looking to sweep the season series for the first time since 2010, which would give them the tiebreaker if both teams had the same record. The Bolts go into Week 16 as the AFC's seventh seed, which would mean a trip to Buffalo or Kansas City in the wild-card round.
The Broncos hold the sixth seed, which would likely be a trip to AFC North winner Pittsburgh or Baltimore.
“We know where we stand as a team, we control our own destiny. This Thursday everything we want is right in front of us and it starts with a division game,” Chargers safety Derwin James said.
This is the first time a game has been flexed to Thursday night. NFL owners approved a two-year trial last year where up to two games in Weeks 13 through 17 could be flexed to the Amazon Prime Video package with at least 28 days notice prior to the game.
It wasn't used last year, but needed to this season to see the effects. The AFC North matchup between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals was bumped to Sunday afternoon.
The Chargers were one of six teams not to have a Thursday game when the NFL schedule was released in May.
The Broncos are the first team to have two road Thursday games immediately after a Sunday game since 1926.
“I just think we as coaches have learned a lot about how to play these games maybe differently than when we were first doing it," Denver coach Sean Payton said. "I think it’s important to really look closely at not over installing. Making sure the guys know what they’re getting by heart. Plays that they know.”
Nix had his first three-interception game as a pro Sunday and Denver produced just seven points in its first nine drives against the Colts. But Nix bounced back and led the Broncos to 17 points in the final 20 minutes for a 31-13 blowout.
“Later in that game when we needed him he didn’t flinch,” Payton said. “There’s a maturity and a moxie about him that I love. And I think it’s contagious to the team, and when you have that at the quarterback position, you know you’re in every game. And when you don’t have it, that’s pretty difficult because deep down in their bellies they know that’s not the case.”
The Chargers lack of playmakers at the offensive skill positions has been apparent over the past three games with running back J.K. Dobbins on injured reserve because of a knee injury.
Los Angeles ran the ball on 44.4% of its plays before Dobbins' injury. That rate has decreased to 33.1% of its snaps against Atlanta, Kansas City and Tampa Bay.
Herbert is also dealing with a sprained left ankle. While the injury is not as severe as when he sprained his right ankle at Carolina on Sept. 15, it has led to offensive coordinator Greg Roman leaving certain plays off his call sheet.
“I don’t know if I’d be able to put an exact percentage on it. I know it is better than it was last week and as long as we're going in that direction,” Herbert said.
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AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton in Englewood, Colorado, contributed to this story.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
B. Nix
10 QB
248 FPTS
|
B. Nix | 297/467 | 2972 | 20 | 11 | 248 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Sutton
14 WR
178 FPTS
|
C. Sutton | 2/2 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 178 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Dixon
9 P
|
R. Dixon | 1/1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. Williams
33 RB
118 FPTS
|
J. Williams | 130 | 461 | 4 | 20 | 118 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. McLaughlin
38 RB
65 FPTS
|
J. McLaughlin | 87 | 388 | 1 | 21 | 65 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Nix
10 QB
248 FPTS
|
B. Nix | 75 | 327 | 4 | 32 | 248 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Estime
23 RB
16 FPTS
|
A. Estime | 46 | 204 | 0 | 21 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Badie
28 RB
9 FPTS
|
T. Badie | 11 | 86 | 0 | 43 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Mims
19 WR
54 FPTS
|
M. Mims | 11 | 40 | 0 | 17 | 54 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Franklin
16 WR
51 FPTS
|
T. Franklin | 2 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 51 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Burton
20 RB
15 FPTS
|
M. Burton | 6 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Wattenberg
60 C
|
L. Wattenberg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
J. Stidham
8 QB
0 FPTS
|
J. Stidham | 2 | -2 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
C. Sutton
14 WR
178 FPTS
|
C. Sutton | 113 | 66 | 878 | 6 | 37 | 178 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Vele
17 WR
72 FPTS
|
D. Vele | 46 | 33 | 377 | 1 | 37 | 72 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Mims
19 WR
54 FPTS
|
M. Mims | 34 | 23 | 287 | 2 | 93 | 54 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Humphrey
84 WR
56 FPTS
|
L. Humphrey | 43 | 29 | 267 | 1 | 41 | 56 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Williams
33 RB
118 FPTS
|
J. Williams | 53 | 40 | 267 | 0 | 34 | 118 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Franklin
16 WR
51 FPTS
|
T. Franklin | 46 | 23 | 227 | 2 | 30 | 51 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Trautman
82 TE
28 FPTS
|
A. Trautman | 18 | 11 | 178 | 2 | 37 | 28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Krull
85 TE
23 FPTS
|
L. Krull | 19 | 15 | 128 | 0 | 23 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Adkins
45 TE
21 FPTS
|
N. Adkins | 9 | 8 | 65 | 3 | 16 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. McLaughlin
38 RB
65 FPTS
|
J. McLaughlin | 23 | 20 | 60 | 2 | 11 | 65 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Burton
20 RB
15 FPTS
|
M. Burton | 7 | 7 | 46 | 0 | 28 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Estime
23 RB
16 FPTS
|
A. Estime | 4 | 4 | 14 | 0 | 11 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Nix
10 QB
248 FPTS
|
B. Nix | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 248 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Badie
28 RB
9 FPTS
|
T. Badie | 3 | 3 | -2 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
B. Jones
22 SAF
|
B. Jones | 63-28 | 0.0 | 3 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Moss
21 CB
|
R. Moss | 53-18 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. McMillian
29 CB
|
J. McMillian | 50-18 | 1.0 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Barton
55 LB
|
C. Barton | 43-45 | 1.5 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Locke
6 DB
|
P. Locke | 41-17 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Strnad
40 LB
|
J. Strnad | 38-21 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Cooper
0 LB
|
J. Cooper | 29-23 | 8.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Bonitto
15 LB
|
N. Bonitto | 28-13 | 11.5 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Allen
99 DE
|
Z. Allen | 27-22 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Surtain II
2 CB
|
P. Surtain II | 24-8 | 0.0 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Wallace
39 DB
|
L. Wallace | 20-8 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Jones
93 DT
|
D. Jones | 19-17 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Elliss
52 LB
|
J. Elliss | 18-7 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Singleton
49 LB
|
A. Singleton | 17-14 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Franklin-Myers
98 DE
|
J. Franklin-Myers | 17-19 | 5.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Roach
97 DT
|
M. Roach | 17-21 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Key
26 SAF
|
D. Key | 11-12 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Tillman
92 LB
|
D. Tillman | 8-8 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Abrams-Draine
31 CB
|
K. Abrams-Draine | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Jackson
94 DT
|
J. Jackson | 2-13 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Bailey
56 LB
|
L. Bailey | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Cunningham
42 ILB
|
Z. Cunningham | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Uwazurike
96 DT
|
E. Uwazurike | 1-7 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Mims
19 WR
|
M. Mims | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Smith
43 DB
|
K. Smith | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Skinner
34 SAF
|
J. Skinner | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Mathis
27 CB
|
D. Mathis | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
W. Lutz
3 K
117 FPTS
|
W. Lutz | 27/30 | 54 | 35/35 | 116 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
J. Herbert
10 QB
213 FPTS
|
J. Herbert | 255/399 | 2959 | 16 | 2 | 213 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Heinicke
8 QB
1 FPTS
|
T. Heinicke | 3/3 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Scott
16 P
|
J. Scott | 1/1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. Dobbins
27 RB
159 FPTS
|
J. Dobbins | 158 | 766 | 8 | 61 | 159 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Edwards
4 RB
36 FPTS
|
G. Edwards | 87 | 297 | 2 | 12 | 36 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Herbert
10 QB
213 FPTS
|
J. Herbert | 54 | 224 | 2 | 38 | 213 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Vidal
30 RB
21 FPTS
|
K. Vidal | 33 | 107 | 0 | 16 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Davis
12 WR
11 FPTS
|
D. Davis | 9 | 46 | 0 | 10 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. Haskins
28 RB
5 FPTS
|
H. Haskins | 14 | 26 | 1 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Heinicke
8 QB
1 FPTS
|
T. Heinicke | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Q. Johnston
1 WR
107 FPTS
|
Q. Johnston | 3 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 107 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Bozeman
75 C
|
B. Bozeman | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
J. Harris
47 LS
|
J. Harris | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
J. Scott
16 P
|
J. Scott | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
J. Reagor
83 WR
14 FPTS
|
J. Reagor | 3 | -3 | 0 | 1 | 14 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
L. McConkey
15 WR
158 FPTS
|
L. McConkey | 88 | 63 | 873 | 5 | 60 | 158 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Palmer
5 WR
81 FPTS
|
J. Palmer | 53 | 32 | 502 | 1 | 45 | 81 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Q. Johnston
1 WR
107 FPTS
|
Q. Johnston | 63 | 34 | 459 | 8 | 66 | 107 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
W. Dissly
81 TE
85 FPTS
|
W. Dissly | 55 | 43 | 418 | 1 | 29 | 85 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Smartt
84 TE
15 FPTS
|
S. Smartt | 14 | 11 | 148 | 0 | 31 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Dobbins
27 RB
159 FPTS
|
J. Dobbins | 34 | 28 | 134 | 0 | 15 | 159 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Fehoko
87 WR
15 FPTS
|
S. Fehoko | 16 | 6 | 106 | 0 | 30 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Reagor
83 WR
14 FPTS
|
J. Reagor | 12 | 7 | 100 | 0 | 41 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
H. Hurst
88 TE
11 FPTS
|
H. Hurst | 12 | 7 | 65 | 0 | 27 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Vidal
30 RB
21 FPTS
|
K. Vidal | 7 | 5 | 62 | 1 | 38 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Davis
12 WR
11 FPTS
|
D. Davis | 12 | 8 | 47 | 0 | 17 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Chark
9 WR
1 FPTS
|
D. Chark | 3 | 3 | 25 | 0 | 12 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Fisk
42 TE
4 FPTS
|
T. Fisk | 6 | 5 | 21 | 0 | 7 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Matlock
44 FB
1 FPTS
|
S. Matlock | 4 | 3 | 18 | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
E. Tomlinson
83 TE
2 FPTS
|
E. Tomlinson | 4 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
G. Edwards
4 RB
36 FPTS
|
G. Edwards | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 36 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
D. Henley
0 LB
|
D. Henley | 73-54 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. James
3 FS
|
D. James | 52-31 | 3.5 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Molden
22 CB
|
E. Molden | 38-30 | 0.0 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Perryman
6 MLB
|
D. Perryman | 38-16 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Still
29 DB
|
T. Still | 33-15 | 0.5 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Gilman
32 SAF
|
A. Gilman | 31-16 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Fulton
7 CB
|
K. Fulton | 26-12 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Hart
20 CB
|
C. Hart | 24-9 | 0.5 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Dye
43 LB
|
T. Dye | 24-19 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Ford
95 DT
|
P. Ford | 21-15 | 3.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Tuipulotu
45 LB
|
T. Tuipulotu | 18-16 | 7.5 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Mack
52 OLB
|
K. Mack | 18-18 | 5.0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Fox
56 DE
|
M. Fox | 17-6 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Dupree
48 OLB
|
B. Dupree | 16-8 | 5.0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Bosa
97 LB
|
J. Bosa | 14-4 | 4.0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
O. Ogbonnia
93 DT
|
O. Ogbonnia | 13-20 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Colson
25 LB
|
J. Colson | 12-9 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Tart
90 DT
|
T. Tart | 11-11 | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Samuel Jr.
26 CB
|
A. Samuel Jr. | 11-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Taylor
36 CB
|
J. Taylor | 10-9 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Jefferson
23 S
|
T. Jefferson | 8-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Niemann
31 LB
|
N. Niemann | 5-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Maye
26 FS
|
M. Maye | 3-5 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Apple
41 CB
|
E. Apple | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Murphy
42 LB
|
C. Murphy | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Matlock
44 FB
|
S. Matlock | 1-4 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Leonard
33 CB
|
D. Leonard | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Eboigbe
92 DT
|
J. Eboigbe | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. Dicker
11 K
123 FPTS
|
C. Dicker | 29/31 | 59 | 25/28 | 112 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |