DENVER (AP) — Perhaps the Denver Broncos wore their throwback uniforms a week too early. Sunday’s game between the Broncos…
DENVER (AP) – Maybe the Denver Broncos wore their homecoming uniforms a week too early.
Sunday’s game between the Broncos (3-2) and the Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) at Empower Field will pit teams sporting two of the NFL’s best defenses and two of the league’s offenses that are still in progress.
The Chargers allow a minimum of 12.5 points per game. Right behind them are the Broncos, who are giving up 14.6 points per game.
Both have bottom-five offenses that are still sorting out their issues with a new QB (Bo Nix in Denver) or a new coordinator (Greg Roman in Los Angeles) as they compete in the AFC West to see who will be the main pursuer of undefeated Kansas. City Chiefs (5-0), who have won the division eight straight seasons.
LA averages 17 points per game and Denver’s performance jumped to 19.2 points thanks to a 34-point outburst against Las Vegas last week – the Broncos’ highest output in 43 games.
Of course, Denver’s defense had a lot to do with this offense, sparked by star cornerback Patrick Surtain. 100-yard pick-6 for a touchdown.
“He’s a really good corner,” Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said. “He’s one of those guys who gets things done. He finds a way. He is almost never out of position.
Neither will his teammates, as Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has done another masterful job even without top tackle Alex Singleton, who will have surgery next week to repair a torn ACL that ended his season ago two weeks ago.
“They’re almost never out of position,” Herbert said, echoing his praise of Surtain. “They are so fundamental and very talented. It’s a nice combination for them, especially in the way they’re able to get after the passer.
The Broncos rank third in the league with 19 sacks and sixth with eight takedowns, one more than the Chargers with one game in hand.
“They do a good job of keeping everything in front of them,” Nix said. “They are not abandoning explosives. They kept everyone in low scoring games.
Under first-year coordinator Jesse Minter, the Chargers have allowed a record 21 explosive plays (running plays of at least 12 yards, receptions of at least 16 yards) so far, a big turnaround from to a year ago when they had already authorized 37 of these backbreakers.
“The game plan is always fun,” Chargers defensive end Morgan Fox said. “It’s never a stagnant game plan. In every match, everything has meaning. And then, when we move forward, it’s the energy behind it. And the energy behind the execution is always exciting.
Harbaugh vs. Payton
This will be the fourth time Jim Harbaugh and Sean Payton have faced each other. Harbaugh has a 2-1 advantage since his time in San Francisco and when Payton coached New Orleans. Payton is 6-0 against the Chargers, including a sweep last year.
Before Payton was hired by the Broncos last year, many believed he would have been a candidate to take over the Chargers if they had moved on from Brandon Staley after blowing a 27-point first-half lead in the game AFC playoff in Jacksonville. . Instead, they retained Staley before firing him at the end of last season and turning to Harbaugh, who rejected the Broncos before hiring Payton in 2023.
“They are tough, disciplined and well-coached football teams, always in all phases. Still as good as he is,” Harbaugh said of the challenge of facing teams coached by Payton.
Payton is just as big of an admirer of Harbaugh.
“I was thrilled that he got a job in our league, but not so much in our division.” » said Payton. “They always have a balance in terms of running the football and throwing the football. All the things that…are necessary to develop a team and he’s done it everywhere he’s been. If you go back to USD – University of San Diego – it’s just no accident.
Duck soup
Both quarterbacks played at the University of Oregon, Herbert from 2016-19 and Nix in ’22 and ’23 after three seasons at Auburn.
“I’ve been able to watch Oregon all these years and it’s been awesome to see their success,” Herbert said.
Nix played with Herbert’s younger brother Pat, a tight end, and got to know Justin Herbert during his time in Eugene.
“He came back from time to time. He came to a game or two, and I was able to be with him and talk and get to know him,” Nix said.
“So he’s one of those guys that you look up to playing at Oregon, and now he’s been in the league for several years. I watched him and he did great things. So it will be fun to watch it live and fun to see it again.
The two faced off in 2019 when Herbert was a senior and Nix a freshman at Auburn. Herbert had the best game (28 in 37 for 242 yards and a touchdown), but it was Nix (13 in 31, 177 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions) whose team won 27-21.
“It was a great one-on-one fight,” Nix recalled.
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AP Sports Writer Joe Reedy contributed from Los Angeles.
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