Broncos @ Chargers
Final Score: Broncos 24, Chargers 7
Writer: Ben Brown (@BenBrownPL on Twitter)
This game was such a typical Chargers game. After a punt on their opening drive, the Chargers forced a turnover on Denver’s first play from scrimmage deep inside their own territory. With first and ten at Denver’s 13 yard line, Los Angeles turned it over on downs after just four plays. The first half was a mess for both teams, really, as they both traded punts and turnovers and couldn’t sustain an offensive drive to save their lives. Denver finally woke up in the second half and made enough plays to put this game to bed, extending their playoff chances while the Chargers think about what could have been.
Three Up
- Courtland Sutton – Made an amazing one-handed catch for a touchdown
- Russell Wilson – He limited the mistakes and his only interception wasn’t his fault
- Javonte Williams – Scored his first rushing touchdown since December 2021
Two Down
- Jerry Jeudy – One bad drop and got lazy with his feet on what should have been a TD in the back of the end zone. He’s one of the most frustrating players in the game right now.
- Justin Herbert – Sustained a thumb injury that might end his season
Denver Broncos
Quarterback
Russell Wilson: 21/33, 224 yards, 2 TD, INT, 2 sacks | 6 carries, 5 yards
Here’s a hot gambling tip – If you find yourself live betting a Broncos game, bet the house on a sack every time the Broncos face a passing situation on third down. I know Russell Wilson was only sacked twice in this game but it really feels like he’s sacked every time he’s throwing on third down. It has to be so frustrating for Broncos fans.
On this game specifically – Wilson is a new man, truly. This felt like a game he would have thrown away last season but he made really good decisions and seems to really be excelling in Sean Payton’s offense. His lone mistake, the interception, was not his fault. The ball was a good ball to Marvin Mims Jr., but Mims couldn’t secure it and the defender took it away from him. He had great throws downfield to both Courtland Sutton (who caught the touchdown with one hand) and to Jerry Jeudy (who dropped it with two hands). I came away really impressed by Wilson in this one.
Running Back
Javonte Williams: 17 carries, 66 yards, TD | 4 targets, 3 receptions, 25 yards
Williams scored his first touchdown on the ground since December 2021, a long gap that was obviously elongated due to a torn ACL last season but has bled far too long into this season. It came on the first play after a Chargers interception. Other than that, Williams did struggle in this game. He had a 20 yard run that skews his average yards per carry. It’s also a little concerning that Samaje Perine was the one taking all the snaps at RB in the obvious passing downs right before the half once again. Either way, take what you can get from Williams.
Jaleel McLaughlin: 5 carries, 25 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, 7 yards
Samaje Perine: 2 carries, 8 yards | 5 targets, 5 receptions, 36 yards
Notes
- Three of Perine’s catches, and one of his carries, came on Denver’s drive right before halftime
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Courtland Sutton: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 62 yards, TD
Sutton made a fantastic one-handed grab for the score early in the 2nd half with a defender draped all over him. It was truly a thing of beauty. As for why he was targeted fewer times than Jerry Jeudy today? I’m not sure, but I can’t imagine that trend will continue based on the mistakes Jeudy made today.
Jerry Jeudy: 6 targets, 2 receptions, 16 yards
Jeudy had one clear and obvious drop on a deep ball in this game. He was wide open, and while Russ didn’t throw him a perfect ball it was still very catchable and went right through his hands. Later in the first half, Jeudy couldn’t come down with another very catchable ball. The defender was right there so I’m hesitant to call it a drop, but it seemed like one he should have had. Just before halftime, Jeudy made a catch in the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown but was lazy with his feet and couldn’t get them both in when he absolutely should have. It was extremely frustrating to say the least. Jeudy has to be wearing out his welcome in Denver and has developed into a pretty big bust for the franchise.
Lucas Krull: 1 target, 1 reception, 35 yards
Adam Trautman: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 19 yards, TD
Marvin Mims Jr.: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 11 yards
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Justin Herbert: 9/17, 96 yards, INT, 4 sacks
Well, this isn’t good. Justin Herbert fractured his index finger in this game according to multiple reports. Upon first watch through it wasn’t clear exactly when Herbert was hurt, but the broadcast did allude to it before Easton Stick came in. His season is in jeopardy.
Herbert’s lone mistake today was an interception that wasn’t totally his fault. Deep in his own territory, the right tackle missed a block and allowed a rusher in Herbert’s face. Herbert threw it but the ball was tipped by that rusher, and went right into the hands of another Broncos defender. I don’t put that on him. I do put the overthrow of Keenan Allen on the first play of the game on Herbert, however, as it would have been a big gain that might have given Los Angeles a spark. If you have Herbert in fantasy it is time to start looking for other options.
Easton Stick: 13/24, 179 yards, 2 sacks, 2 fumbles (1 lost)
I don’t think Easton Stick looked all that bad. He floated balls a bit and overthrew multiple receivers, but he held his own and didn’t look overwhelmed. There were multiple occasions where you could visibly see him work through his progressions, a good sign if he’s going to be the starter moving forward. He threw a perfect deep ball to Quentin Johnston that resulted in a 57 yard play, and he should have had his first passing touchdown to Austin Ekeler if he had just put some touch on it instead of delivering a bullet to him. Stick was strip sacked twice on Los Angeles’ final drive, but the game was over at that point. All in all, I was expecting a lot worse out of Stick.
Running Back
Austin Ekeler: 10 carries, 51 yards, TD | 7 targets, 5 receptions, 49 yards
Austin Ekeler‘s speed has come into question in recent weeks but he looked fine in this one. This was a pass heavy approach for the Chargers, especially in the second half. I’m not too sure why, though, because they were really struggling to sustain long drives and Ekeler was looking good against this run defense. Los Angeles only had three drives of six plays or longer, and two of them came in the 4th quarter when the game was out of reach. Ekeler should have been more involved, especially once Stick came in. One note on his touchdown – it should have been a receiving touchdown if Stick didn’t throw him a rocket on the play before.
Isaiah Spiller: 6 carries, 19 yards
Joshua Kelley: 3 carries, 6 yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Keenan Allen: 12 targets, 6 receptions, 68 yards | 0/1 passing
The switch to Ethan Stick didn’t really impact Allen today – he was overthrown by both quarterbacks in this one on plays that could have gone for long gains. Stick had no problem finding Allen once he came into the game and I’d imagine that trend continues into the fantasy playoffs. The offense was sputtering on nearly every drive in this game and they’ve now only scored 13 points in their last two games, a dangerous trend that becomes even worse now that the backup QB is likely under center.
Quentin Johnston: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 91 yards
Johnston wasn’t really involed in this one, but he did reel in a fantastic 57 yard catch on a great ball from Easton Stick. He also didn’t have any egregious drops today, a positive step forward after last week’s debacle.
Gerald Everett: 8 targets, 5 receptions, 39 yards
Everett was overthrown in the end zone by Justin Herbert on their second possession, a fourth down play that he couldn’t go up and get.
Donald Parham Jr.: 2 targets, 1 reception, 11 yards
Alex Erickson: 7 targets, 1 reception, 9 yards
Jalen Guyton: 1 target, 1 reception, 8 yards