Denver Broncos: AFC West Week Seventeen Picks
Chargers @ Broncos
Graham Tiedtke
The Broncos close out their unfortunately bad 2018 season with a meaningless game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Although some will argue that no game is meaningless, this game is in terms of playoff opportunities for Denver. They are eliminated.
They lost star running back Phillip Lindsay to a wrist injury that required surgery, so it would make sense for the team to sit some of their key starters (who aren’t already hurt).
I realize that they have all offseason to recover, but risking injury is absolutely pointless at this point in the season.
Denver has just suffered way too many injuries for me to believe that they will win. Ultimately, I am just not confident that the team has a chance against the Chargers anymore.
There continues to be something almost every week that this Broncos team doesn’t do well. It seems to be something new week-by-week. They do something well one week, and then poorly the next.
It’s like a rollercoaster.
Hopefully, however, rookie linebacker Bradley Chubb has a great game against the Chargers offensive line and get to quarterback Phillip Rivers.
If the Denver cannot get to Rivers, it is going to be a long regular-season finale for the Broncos.
Chargers 31, Broncos 17
Baylor Bradac
After the disappointing display from the Broncos last week, and the fact that the Los Angeles Chargers need to win for top seed, I feel this is a very one sided game.
Philip Lindsay is out for 4-6 months after wrist surgery, Chris Harris Jr is still down. No Emmanuel Sanders, and a bunch of rookies.
LA has Philip Rivers and Keenan Allen, a host of defensive weapons, and a reason to play in this game.
All of those should let the Chargers win this game. However, I do expect to see Chubb add onto his sack total for the year with at least one.
Not a blow out this week, but not a win. The Chargers win this game.
Chargers 27, Broncos 17
Matt Geving
The Broncos look to play for pride while the Chargers are fighting for the #1 seed in the AFC. Despite the difference in records, it still has the potential to be a close game (just like the first matchup).
The Broncos will get after Philip Rivers early and often, and will force an interception early in the first quarter. The Chargers defense, however, will match well against Denver, and Case Keenum will also struggle.
Broncos vs. Chargers Week 17 Preview. dark. Next
Going into the third quarter with a 7-7 tie, Case Keenum will finally get things going with Tim Patrick (who will have a 100+ yards receiving) and will connect with him on a 20-yard touchdown to take the lead.
As great a play as this will be, it will be the last touchdown of the Denver Broncos’ 2018 season.
Philip Rivers will come alive in the second half, connecting with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams for touchdowns. Melvin Gordon will run in for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
Chargers 31, Broncos 14