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LA Chargers at Denver Broncos: Matchups To Watch For Sunday

By Shelby Manning

CARSON, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers is tackled by A.J. Johnson #45 of the Denver Broncos during the first half of a game at Dignity Health Sports Park on October 06, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers is tackled by A.J. Johnson #45 of the Denver Broncos during the first half of a game at Dignity Health Sports Park on October 06, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Drew Lock
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 19: Quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos rolls out of the pocket against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter during a preseason National Football League game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Drew Lock or Brandon Allen vs. Philip Rivers

Perhaps the biggest storyline coming into this matchup is the struggling QB play amongst both teams. If Drew Lock, activated from IR Saturday, is named the starter, this will be the third QB the Denver Broncos have started in this season alone, just added to the high count of the Broncos’ QB carousel.

On the other hand, the Chargers have ridden with their franchise QB Philip Rivers. However, it is no secret that Rivers has struggled this season, throwing four interceptions in the Chargers’ MNF loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Brandon Allen brought some excitement to Broncos Country in the win over the Cleveland Browns, and was definitely an improvement over the well-regressed Joe Flacco, but fans were forced back down to reality with his inability to produce scoring drives against the Minnesota Vikings and especially the Buffalo Bills, the worst Broncos’ offensive outing since 1992.

It is now time for the Denver Broncos to see what they have in second round pick Drew Lock, who was placed on IR with a thumb injury early in the season. Although starting Lock seems like a risky move given the dreadful offensive line play, it is important that the Denver Broncos know what they have in Lock before the end of the season.

That way, they are able to see his strengths and weaknesses in real time, and if they believe he will be their guy going forward into 2020.

In Los Angeles, the front office will have a decision to make on Philip Rivers at the conclusion of this season. It definitely seems like a possibility that Rivers is regressing, which, with his 38th birthday approaching on December 8th, definitely doesn’t seem improbable.

Rivers has thrown 14 interceptions on the season, second in the league to Jameis Winston, who has thrown 20 on the year. In his 16 seasons, Rivers has provided reliable and very impressive QB play to the Chargers, but has no Super Bowl victory to show for it.

At the end of the day, it is likely that Philip Rivers may be on the list of best QB’s of all time to have never won one. There is a possibility that this may be the last time the Denver Broncos face Rivers as a Charger; they very well may move on from him after the season.

Next. Broncos players to watch on Sunday vs. Chargers. dark

Overall, the winner of this game may be determined on which QB can muster up a better performance on Sunday.

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