The Broncos game plan for beating the Chargers in Week 18

The Denver Broncos are going to wrap up a lost season on Sunday. The team has played better under interim head coach Jerry Rosburg, and there is a chance they can end the season on a high note with a rare win. At 4-12, this is shaping up to be one of the worst seasons in Broncos’ history. A win won’t do much, but it will feel better if Denver ends up in the “W” column.

The Broncos are at home in Week 18 against their division rival the Los Angeles Chargers. While the Broncos aren’t going anywhere, the Chargers are bound for the postseason for the second year in a row. Based on what the Baltimore Ravens do on Sunday, the Chargers may be locked into the no.5 seed. If the Ravens win, the Chargers must win to maintain that position. If the Ravens lose, then the Chargers will likely limit their starters to get them ready for the playoffs.

The Chargers are a team who can make a run at the Super Bowl. You hear a lot about the Buffalo Bills, the Cincinnati Bengals or the Kansas City Chiefs. I believe the Chargers should belong in that conversation as well. If the Chargers are playing for something, they will be tough to beat. If the Chargers backups are playing, then Denver has a better chance to win.

How will the Broncos attack the Chargers on both sides of the ball? Let’s take a look.

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When the Broncos Run the Ball

Stop me if you’ve heard this before; the Broncos need to have their ground attack lead the way on Sunday. Latavius Murray should get around 20 carries, but I’d like to see that number pushed to 25 carries if the Broncos can keep things close or control the game. Murray runs with authority, and he’s a rhythm runner who can get stronger as the game goes on. Some say the veteran is not the type of guy who can handle a larger workload, but I say it’s the season finale and you should run him into the ground.

Marlon Mack is now on Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury. That means Murray is in line to do more as a runner and receiver out of the backfield. Short passes can essentially be long handoffs and complement what they do on the ground. Murray is good in pass protection, and he can move the chains as a receiver on short throws.
In addition to Murray, QB Russell Wilson needs to run the ball more. He has done that in recent games, and Wilson is playing better football because of it. He had two rushing touchdowns against the Kansas City Chiefs last week, and Wilson should at least run one more in this week. He may want to win from the pocket, but that’s not the best part of his game. Wilson can be an effective quarterback when his legs are part of the threat he poses to opposing defenses.

Second rushing TD of the day for @DangeRussWilson. 💨

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/aCQpIiRwFy

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 1, 2023

With Mack done for the season, the Broncos will have to see what Chase Edmonds can do. Edmonds is a speed back who can work well on those aforementioned short passes to running backs out of the backfield.

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When the Broncos Pass the Ball

Wilson needs to utilize play-action passing to get the ball down the field. He wants to throw “moon balls” but those won’t happen behind this offensively offensive offensive line (make it make sense). Wilson needs time to throw down the field, and this line is so bad that he doesn’t get the time to do that. Instead, using play-action fakes to set up deep shots is the way to go.

I’d like to see more from WR Jerry Jeudy and WR Courtland Sutton. With the way that Jeudy is playing over the last month of the season, I believe the Broncos will pick up his fifth-year option after this year is done. Jeudy can showcase his talent against the Chargers and give the Broncos confidence that he can be part of the plan going forward. Sutton flashed last week against the Chiefs, even on a catch that was called back due to a bogus penalty. It would be nice if he built some momentum for the following season with a good game on Sunday. Sutton has 61 catches this year, but he’s only got one touchdown catch – and that was back in Week 4. Get him the ball, and get him a touchdown catch or two on Sunday.

It was nice to see TE Albert Okwuegbunam actually used last week against the Chiefs. Okwuegbunam is big, fast, and physically imposing on the football field. Rosburg seems willing to use him (as he always should have been) to attack linebackers in coverage and be a “seam ripper” for Wilson.

Hey-O, Albert O!@AOkwuegbunam | 📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/sjlDVpvmar

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 1, 2023

Let’s see what some of this young talent can do on Sunday. Week 18 doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but there will be clues we can gather about players who will (or won’t) be here next season.

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When the Chargers Run the Ball

It doesn’t take many carries or touches for RB Austin Ekeler to make his presence felt. That’s what happened last week when the Chargers were able to easily defeat the Los Angeles Rams. Ekeler was pulled early in the fourth quarter having already compiled over 160 yards and two touchdowns. If Ekeler gets pulled early again, especially if the Chargers don’t have anything to play for, then we’ll see backup RB Larry Rountree and RB Joshua Kelley get more work.

A sixth-round pick out of Missouri in the 2021 NFL draft, Rountree is a hard-charging runner who at times is out of control. He has good foot frequency, and he can use that skill to change direction quickly. However, sometimes he gets to the hole too quickly and so far Rountree seems to lack the necessary patience of a pro runner. If he sees a crease, Rountree can get there quickly and he’s got the ability to gash a defense for a big play.

Kelley was a fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, and he plays larger than his size. He’s listed around 210 pounds, but Kelley runs with the authority of a 225-pound back. Kelley is a gap runner who is swift and tough to bring down when he builds a head of steam. Unlike Rountree, Kelley is not going to change direction quickly. He’s a better receiving option than Rountree, but Kelley needs a lane to make a play.

Under the radar adds:

Larry Rountree – 33% of Chargers carries and 22% of snaps. Remember Joshua Kelly excitement?

DeeJay Dallas / Alex Collins – Rashaad Penny hurt again, a handcuff play on Chris Carson.

pic.twitter.com/9aPsQi2iBG

— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls) September 15, 2021

The Chargers may want to shorten this game by running the ball. If Ekeler is limited by the game script, Rountree and Kelley will bring some energy to the field for the Chargers.

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When the Chargers Pass the Ball

Chargers QB Justin Herbert is a superstar. One of the main reasons why the Chargers are Super Bowl contenders is the play and leadership they get from Herbert. If the Chargers have nothing to play for, Herbert will be among those starters getting rest in Week 18. That means their backup, veteran QB Chase Daniel, could be thrust into action on Sunday.

Undrafted out of Missouri in 2009, Daniel has bounced around the league to several different teams. Last year, Daniel went to the Chargers but in 2021 he didn’t attempt a single pass. This year, in relief of Herbert, Daniel has been on the field for a few passes here and there. Daniel is known for quick decisions to short-and-intermediate receivers. He is not known for stretching the field with his arm or his ability to elude the rush.

If the Chargers have nothing to play for, then reserve receivers behind WR Keenan Allen and WR Mike Williams will get more work. With Allen and Williams banged up earlier this year, guys like WR DeAndre Carter and WR Joshua Palmer were able to get valuable playing time. Both Carter and Palmer have speed to get by defenders quickly. The Broncos have the secondary to handle the Chargers’ passing attack – at least if/when the reserves are out there.

Chase Daniel coming in with Herbert in the tent: pic.twitter.com/Jp946Cfdik

— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) November 14, 2022

The Broncos may be facing Daniel for most of the game on Sunday. If the Chargers can’t run the ball effectively, they should not be able to do much with Daniel under center. The Broncos’ defense has led the way this season, and they could lead the team to a “W” in Week 18.

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