The Chargers are returning to Dignity Health Sports Park to take on the Broncos in an AFC West matchup this Sunday.
Los Angeles is looking to extend to three wins, while Denver is eager to finally enter the win column.
Here are five things to know about the Week 5 battle:
Lost in a devastating fashion the last time they met in L.A.
The Chargers and Broncos kicked off their two-game series in Los Angeles last season. Up 20-19 with three seconds left, kicker Brandon McManus knocked in a 34-yard field goal to propel his team to victory. Prior to him making that kick, wide receivers Emanuel Sanders and Courtland Sutton made catches of 38 and 30 yards, respectively, to put him in comfortable position.
Struggling to hold it together
The Chargers are very familiar with losing to game-winning drives to their opponents. But this season, the Broncos are now on that side of the spectrum. Denver has suffered two loses on game-winning field goals in the final seconds of the game.
Broncos are playing without a key piece
Denver lost one of their star pass rushers this past weekend. Linebacker Bradley Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury in Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars. Last season against the Chargers, Chubb amassed one sack and three tackles for loss in his outstanding rookie campaign.
Stout pass defense
The Broncos’ pass defense is fifth in the NFL, only allowing an average of 200 yards per game through the air. The trio is made up of veteran defensive backs Kareem Jackson, Chris Harris and Justin Simmons. They have three interceptions combined through four games.
Poor in pass protection
On the other side of the ball, the Broncos are struggling. Despite adding offensive tackle Ju’Wuan James and rookie Dalton Risner, the offensive line is rated last in pass block win rate. Denver has struggled to put points on the board, averaging 17.5 points per game.
