Broncos vs Chargers NFL Pick: Streaking LA Hosts AFC West Rival Denver (Sep 21)

• In NFL Week 3 Broncos-Chargers, LA tries to keep its scorching hot streak going against AFC West rival Denver
• LA has opened the season at 2-0, beating the Chiefs and Raiders relatively easily
• Denver is 1-1, beating the rebuilding Titans in Week 1 and losing on a last-second field goal to the Colts in Week 2
• The Chargers won both matchups in 2024 by a total of 16 points
• LA is favored by a field goal at home

What Is the Broncos’ Identity?

The Broncos have started at 1-1 in one of the most difficult divisions, the AFC West, in the NFL. They beat the Titans in Week 1 and lost to the Colts in Week 2 on a last-second field goal.

Both games could have gone the other way.

Much was made over the…spirited debate…between head coach Sean Payton and second-year QB Bo Nix.

This is not a big deal. All anyone needs to do is look back at clips of Bill Parcells and Phil Simms literally screaming at each other on the sideline. Parcells is one of Payton’s coaching mentors. The QB and coach should be completely upfront rather than bottling up any animosity. It’s a high-stress atmosphere and not a long-term problem.

Nix is getting more freedom in his second year than he had in his first. It’s important to remember that he’s still learning the league. In two games, he’s got an 82.2 passer rating and has thrown 4 TDs and 3 picks. It’s acceptable play, but not good enough to win tight games against good teams.

Denver played well enough to win against the Colts, but it went the other way with an unfortunate penalty on the first attempted game-winning field goal, which missed.

Their defense has handled the pass with their solid secondary led by star cornerback Patrick Surtain II. They have struggled against the run, currently ranked 20th in the league. They must keep Justin Herbert from pushing the ball downfield as he has in LA’s first two games.

Nix cannot turn the ball over against the Chargers if the Broncos are going to win. They also need J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey to accrue yards on the ground against LA and control the clock.

Tight end Evan Engram (back) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quad) did not practice. Safety Talanoa Hufanga was limited with a chest injury.

The Chargers Are Now Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers

After inexplicably keeping Justin Herbert on a short tether and preventing him from opening it up and throwing downfield in head coach Jim Harbaugh’s first season as Chargers head coach, Herbert is firing in a controlled manner, not taking unnecessary risks, as evidenced by his zero interceptions so far. He has 5 TD passes and a 127.8 passer rating in LA’s 2-0 start.

Their rushing attack has been blunted so far. Rookie Omarion Hampton has 72 yards on 23 carries in two games. Free agent signee Najee Harris has 33 yards on 9 carries. Once they get their running game going, Herbert will be even more dangerous.

The Chargers’ defense has another Harbaugh hallmark: a hard-hitting defense. Veteran linebacker and leader Khalil Mack was lost for the season against the Raiders with a serious elbow injury.

LA is in the middle of the pack against the pass, but in the top 10 vs the run.

Tight end Will Dissly (knee) and wide receiver Ladd McConkey (biceps) did not practice. Linebacker Daiyan Henley missed practice due to illness.

Broncos vs Chargers Pick

The Chargers are taking to Harbaugh’s style faster than the Broncos have to Payton’s. Perhaps that’s by design and due to circumstance, as Harbaugh walked into a more ready-made situation with a star QB in place. Payton dealt with Russell Wilson and his drama before getting Nix.

Herbert will not have as easy a time pushing the ball deep against the Broncos as he did against the Raiders. The Broncos must run the ball to have a chance to win, and Nix can’t turn the ball over.

Expect a tightly contested matchup with the underdog Broncos covering the 3-point spread.