Following their second loss of the season, the Denver Broncos will head to SoFi Stadium this Sunday to face the winless Los Angeles Chargers in a key divisional game for both teams.
The Broncos will be looking for an offensive spark after blowing another great defensive performance in San Francisco last Sunday. However, on defense, the team could be without both starting cornerbacks, Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss, just like in the second half of last week's game.
That could be just what the doctor ordered for Justin Herbert and the Chargers, who have struggled mightily in the first month of the season.
On offense, the Broncos will likely be without wide receiver Pat Bryant, who left last week's game on a cart with an ankle injury. That could force
Bo Nix to look at guys like Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr. much more than he has in the passing game.
Broncos fans who think this will be a walk in the park against the Chargers, since they have yet to win a game, need to think again. There is plenty for the Broncos to be concerned about going into this one.
Broncos' Week 5 concerns vs. Chargers
1. Impact of play-calling change
It was confirmed on Thursday that head coach Sean Payton is making a change and taking back the play-calling duties from Davis Webb. The concern here is something that could carry over beyond this game for the Broncos.
What if nothing changes? What if the offense is still pedestrian? What if the team has a tough time making an adjustment back to the way Payton likes to call a game? All of these questions are legitimate, and this decision is likely to be controversial regardless of what happens.
2. Chargers play the Broncos well
Throw the records out the window; divisional matchups are always different. The Chargers have a good recent history against the Broncos and always play them tough. The Chargers have taken five of the last six meetings in Los Angeles.
3. Denver's running game
The Broncos must get this running game going. Things are likely to improve when Jonah Coleman returns from his ankle injury, but an improvement needs to start in this game.
A solid running game would help Bo Nix settle down as well as help him not try to do too much with the football. It would also open things up in Payton's playbook and make calling the game much smoother. This needs to be the offensive focus in this game, but it's fair to ask if the team is properly equipped to be successful in this area currently.
4. Chargers are a desperate team
Herbert and Jim Harbaugh know that coming back from an 0-5 start to do anything positive this season will be close to impossible, especially if two of those losses are in the division (they lost to the Raiders in Week 2). The Broncos need to be wary of this team playing desperately and being willing to throw the kitchen sink at them.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: 4 causes for concern when Broncos face Chargers on Sunday
