The Denver Broncos are coming off their worst - by far - performance as a team in 2019, at least according to the most recent DVOA rankings for last week. At 3-8, the Broncos are searching for answers as they host the 4-7 Los Angeles Chargers for a battle for the AFC West cellar.
Word on whether Drew Lock will be the teams starter this week is expected on Friday, but that will unlikely to spark this team on any kind of run as rookie quarterbacks tend to do rookie quarterback kinds of things.
Broncos Tickets
Buy tickets to Broncos vs. Chargers from StubHub HERE.
Game Preview
The bigger concern for Denver right now is injuries on that defense.
On defense, the Broncos could be without Von Miller and Alexander Johnson. Shelby Harris was also hobbled, but was limited on Thursday and looks like he’ll be able to go on Sunday. Even so, not having one of the best edge rushers in the game and Johnson, who really helped stabilize this defensive unit early in the season, is going to be tough to overcome.
Philip Rivers under duress is the best way to ensure he throws an untimely sack, but without Miller that gets a lot harder to do.
On the offensive side of the ball, if Drew Lock gets the start then the success on offense will flow through his right arm and the creative playcalling of Rich Scangarello. If I were him, I’d feature Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman early and often regardless of the score.
Here is how to watch.
TV Schedule
When: Sunday, December 1, 2019 at 2:25 p.m. Mile High time
Where: Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado
Channel: CBS / Local
Announcers: Andrew Catalon (play-by-play) and James Lofton (analyst).
Local Radio: KOA - 850 AM | 94.1 FM & The Fox - 103.5 FM | Spanish Radio KNVR 1150 AM | National Radio - Sports Radio
If you see BLUE in your area below, you will get the Broncos-Chargers game on CBS locally. And yes, that Broncos Country area is shrinking with each passing defeat it seems.
If you see BLUE, you will get the #Broncos #Chargers game on your local CBS affiliate on Sunday. #LACvsDEN https://t.co/BzdN85g5VT
— Tim Lynch (@TimLynch1978) November 27, 2019
Online Streaming
FuboTV (Available if being televised in your area)
NFL Game Pass (After the game)
Broncos injury report
Player | Pos. | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Pos. | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
Duke Dawson | CB | Concussion | DNP | DNP | LIMITED | QUESTIONABLE |
Chris Harris Jr. | CB | NIR | DNP | FULL | FULL | |
Shelby Harris | DE | Ankle | DNP | LIMITED | LIMITED | QUESTIONABLE |
Josey Jewell | ILB | Ankle | DNP | LIMITED | LIMITED | QUESTIONABLE |
Alexander Johnson | ILB | Knee | DNP | DNP | LIMITED | QUESTIONABLE |
Von Miller | OLB | Knee | DNP | DNP | LIMITED | QUESTIONABLE |
Derek Wolfe | DE | NIR | DNP | FULL | FULL | |
Justin Hollins | LB | Hamstring | LIMITED | LIMITED | FULL | |
Ron Leary | G | Shoulder / Neck | LIMITED | LIMITED | FULL | |
Connor McGovern | C | Back | LIMITED | LIMITED | FULL | |
Tim Patrick | WR | Shoulder | LIMITED | LIMITED | FULL | |
Jeff Heuerman | TE | Knee | FULL | FULL | FULL | |
Ja’Wuan James | T | Knee | FULL | FULL | FULL | QUESTIONABLE |
Joseph Jones | ILB | Foot | FULL | FULL | FULL | |
Will Parks | S | Hand | FULL | FULL | FULL | |
Dalton Risner | G | Ankle | FULL | FULL | FULL |
Chargers injury report
Player | Pos. | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Pos. | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
Thomas Davis | LB | Knee | LIMITED | FULL | FULL | |
Russell Okung | T | Groin | LIMITED | LIMITED | FULL | QUESTIONABLE |
Sam Tevi | T | Knee | LIMITED | LIMITED | LIMITED | QUESTIONABLE |
Mike Williams | WR | Knee | LIMITED | FULL | FULL | |
Justin Jackson | RB | Calf | FULL | FULL | FULL | |
Drue Tranquill | LB | Calf | FULL | FULL | FULL | |
Geremy Davis | WR | Hamstring | NOT LISTED | NOT LISTED | LIMITED | QUESTIONABLE |
Odds
The Broncos odds have steadily gotten worse since opening slight home underdogs to the 4-7 Chargers this week. The line has shifted to three points in favor of Los Angeles. This line probably has a lot to do with the likelihood that Drew Lock will be making his first start and a quarterbacks first start can be quite unpredictable for predictions sake.
Matchup History
The Broncos and Chargers have a long history together with Denver holding a 66-52-1 advantage. Interestingly, the rivalry has been like a pendulum that swings back and forth between the two with one of the team teams dominating the other for years at a time. Currently, the Broncos have taken the pendulum back since 2011 having won 13 of the last 17 that includes four of the last six.
Hot Reads
Fan Sentiment
Predictably, fan confidence has plummeted a bit this week after the teams 20-3 beatdown at the Buffalo Bills last week. However, now as much as I would have thought. It would seem the idea of Drew Lock starting has some fans anxious and excited to see the 2019 second round draft pick get on the field.
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MHR Radio
We have a new podcast schedule for the regular season. Please subscribe and check in every weekday morning for a new MHR Radio show. Details here.
On MHR Radio this week, Ian and Adam give thanks by having a classic Thanksgiving Day turkey fight. Who gets the pie to the face?
Luke Patterson of Broncos on the Rox wonders if five games will be enough of a sample size to properly evaluate Drew Lock heading into the 2020 offseason.
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Broncos 2019 regular season schedule
Wk | Date | Opponent | Time (MT) | TV | Score | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wk | Date | Opponent | Time (MT) | TV | Score | Record |
1 | Sep 9 | at Raiders (MNF) | 8:20 PM | ESPN | 24-16 L | 0-1 |
2 | Sep 15 | vs Bears | 2:25 PM | FOX | 16-14 L | 0-2 |
3 | Sep 22 | at Packers | 11:00 AM | FOX | 27-16 L | 0-3 |
4 | Sep 29 | vs Jaguars | 2:25 PM | CBS | 26-24 L | 0-4 |
5 | Oct. 6 | at Chargers | 2:05 PM | CBS | 20-13 W | 1-4 |
6 | Oct 13 | vs Titans | 2:25 PM | CBS | 16-0 W | 2-4 |
7 | Oct 17 | vs Chiefs (TNF) | 6:20 PM | NFLN | 30-6 L | 2-5 |
8 | Oct 27 | at Colts | 11:00 AM | CBS | 15-13 L | 2-6 |
9 | Nov 3 | vs Browns | 2:25 PM | CBS | 24-19 W | 3-6 |
10 | Nov 10 | BYE | ||||
11 | Nov 17 | at Vikings | 11:00 AM | CBS | 27-23 L | 3-7 |
12 | Nov 24 | at Bills | 11:00 AM | CBS | 20-3 L | 3-8 |
13 | Dec 1 | vs Chargers | 2:25 PM | CBS | 23-20 W | 4-8 |
14 | Dec 8 | at Texans | 11:00 AM | CBS | 38-24 W | 5-8 |
15 | Dec 15 | at Chiefs | 11:00 AM | CBS | 23-3 L | 5-9 |
16 | Dec 22 | vs Lions | 2:05 PM | CBS | 27-17 W | 6-9 |
17 | Dec 29 | vs Raiders | 2:25 PM | CBS | 16-15 W | 7-9 |