Denver Broncos: Gameplan to beat the Los Angeles Chargers

What gameplan should the Denver Broncos use to beat the Los Angeles Chargers?

The gameplan for Denver Broncos last week saw the team exploit the Kansas City Chiefs on the ground. Phillip Lindsay was well on his way to a monster day before leaving the game with a concussion.

Should the team go back to the ground again if Lindsay cannot go?

Or, does offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur try and revive his young quarterback’s confidence and focus on getting Drew Lock going early and often?

The defensive gameplan was executed well as the team played admirably against the most potent offense in the league. How will they play differently against another young and exciting quarterback?

Earlier this week, I pointed out key individual matchups for the Broncos this game. Now I took a look at what the Chargers do well and where they can be exploited to identify how the Broncos can gameplan this week for a much-needed win Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High.

Denver Broncos offensive gameplan vs. Los Angeles Chargers defense

The Broncos most likely will be without WR1 Tim Patrick, who has come on this season as a dependable receiver capable of making big plays anywhere on the field.

With or without Patrick, the Broncos would be wary of throwing the ball outside as the team boasts top-flight corners Casey Heyward and Desmond King. Additionally, the team has up and coming cornerback Michael Davis. Overall the pass defense of the Chargers ranks 12th in the NFL in pass defense DVOA.

The Chargers also rank 12th in rush defense DVOA, but those numbers are a bit understated.

The Chargers struggle mightily covering backs out of the backfield and containing the run game as their linebackers and safeties have failed to uphold their end of the bargain.

If healthy, Phillip Lindsay should get most of the work with Melvin Gordon coming in for situational work. If Lindsay remains sidelined, Gordon will get redemption for last week and show up his former team.

First, the Broncos can utilize similar run concepts as they did last week against the Chiefs, preferably from big (2 tight ends) or jumbo (3 tight ends) sets.

Drew Lock has played well under the center this year and really well when utilizing play-action.

Instead of working for deep shots, as they have in previous weeks, Shurmur should utilize the short to the intermediate area of the field between the hashes to attack the Chargers defense’s clear weakness.

First, Shurmur can utilize the counter-action that worked for big chunk plays last week. Even with Graham Glasgow out this week (positive COVID-19 test), the Broncos should be able to get their linemen on the move.

Both Lindsay and Gordon can get the to edge, even though Lindsay has much more of a big-play spark to him.

I expect the team to commit much more to the run game than the Chiefs to protect their young quarterback.

However, Lock cannot hide either.

Here is how Shurmur can get him going with an abundance of quality tight ends to help get him some easy throws.

Play-action seems to be a lost art, but if a quarterback can utilize it well, they have a leg up on the defense. Play-action helps create clearer windows and simplified reads for the quarterback.

So, with the counter-action, Shurmur likes to roll Lock behind the tackle of the right side. This helps cut down Lock’s read and makes it easier for him with only half of the field.

Lock then is asked to read high-to-low, meaning check to see if the go or deep crosser is open first before coming down to the drag or outlet receiver underneath.

I expect Shurmur to make things simpler and take away the deep ball early. He can utilize delay routes with additional tight end sets to create a mid-to-low-to-swing concept making the throw much safer and quicker.

With delay routes, the second or third tight end in the formation blocks for an extra second or two before releasing and provides the quarterback with an unaccounted receiver.

This will lead to simple passes for small gains but provide receivers opportunities to create with space and or keep the offense on schedule.

Tight ends Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam should see the field early and often to provide Lock with two matchup nightmares. Lock has shown a comfortability to throw to each player and will most likely be instructed to look their way against a vulnerable Chargers defense.

Lock will need to perform well for the team to get a win, and utilizing play-action can allow him to let a play develop a bit more, thus making the read easier for the young quarterback.