This week, we were joined by Ian St. Clair of our Broncos sister site, Mile High Report, to help us preview the matchup between two divisional opponents.
A big shoutout to him for helping us out, now let’s dive right in!
1.) The Broncos are 1-1 with their lone loss coming to a last-second field goal against the Colts. How is the fan base feeling about this team through two weeks? Are there any nice surprises? What about any early letdowns?
At the moment, Broncos fans are fighting the reality of expectations.
Denver needed a fast start to the season, and a loss to the Colts was not on the bingo card. On top of that, the Broncos defense getting shredded by the Indy offense has left the fanbase dazzled. This was supposed to be one of the best defenses in the league. Now comes the first real test of the 2025 season, and whether this Denver team will live up to the expectations and hype. One of the nice surprises has been the emergence of Troy Franklin. To have another receiving option for Bo Nix is much needed for this offense. As for letdowns, the showing by the Broncos defense in Indianapolis was a major one.
2.) The Broncos offensive line is allowing a league-low pressure percentage when defenses aren’t blitzing. Is the offensive line meeting or performing beyond expectations early on? is this a sign of their potential or something created through the matchups they have had through the first two games?
It’s a mixed bag in terms of expectations and performance. The offense and offensive line struggled in the opening week of the season against the Tennessee Titans. However, both were much better against the Colts. What we saw against Indy is what the team and fans expect to see from this offense. The Broncos do have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, so it’s more toward the potential. And I have a feeling that as the season progresses, we’ll see the offense and the offensive line get even better. That’s typically what happens with Sean Payton offenses and teams. They tend to have rocky starts to the season.
3.) If you were Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman, how are you planning to attack this Broncos defense? Which players/matchups are you going to exploit? Which players should you stay away from?
If he watched what Daniel Jones and the Colts just did, he’ll run the exact same game plan. But if I were Roman, I’d consistently target the horrible Broncos middle linebackers. Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are awful. And that doesn’t begin to do justice to how truly awful both of these guys are as middle linebackers. So attack them play after play after play. And with how successful Jonathan Taylor was running the ball, test the Broncos front seven again. In two of the last three games Denver has played, it has been manhandled defensively at the line of scrimmage.
4.) If you were Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, what is your plan to stop this Broncos offense? Which players do you have circled in red?
As with any defense, you want to make the offense you’re playing one-dimensional. So stop the run and force Nix to beat you through the air. Don’t allow J.K. Dobbins or RJ Harvey to beat you on the ground. As for the passing game, limit the big plays and pressure Nix up the middle. Keep an eye on Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin in the passing game.
5.) Let’s top this off with your predictions for this matchup. Who will leave victorious? How do you see this game shaking out?
This will be a close, physical game. I don’t see either team getting more than a touchdown lead in this one, so it could go either way. I think Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense will make more plays in the passing game by attacking, again, the truly awful Singleton and Strnad. Chargers 24-Broncos 23
