Lessons the Denver Broncos Must Learn From First Meeting with Chargers

Lessons the Broncos Must Learn from their Last Meeting with the Chargers

Oct 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) is sacked by Denver Broncos defensive end Jared Crick (93) and Derek Wolfe (95) during the second half at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego won 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) looks to pass during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

The prevailing theory in the NFL seems to be: spread out the Broncos defense and find a 1 on 1 matchup you like. Given the ballhawks on the edge, the offense’s best bet is in the middle, and Rivers threw 18 of his 29 attempts towards running backs or tight ends.

Even though that play was a drop, it was a harbinger of things to come, as Antonio Gates pretty much did whatever he wanted on that route, and his counterpart was even more dominant. Watch the inside wideout on the top of the Chargers formation here.

Hunter Henry made a slow break out of a bunch trips formation, as this was one of the concepts San Diego stressed all night. They wanted to put traffic in front of their speedy tight end and isolate him against the Broncos linebackers.

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