Broncos at Chargers: Week 14 Bold Predictions & Picks
The Denver Broncos can no longer be called the hottest team in the NFL. Sitting at 6-6 and firmly on the bubble of the AFC playoffs, the Broncos' only hope of qualifying for postseason play is ensuring last week's stumble in Houston was just that.
The Broncos have never won at SoFi Stadium — a glaring fact with a trip to take on the Los Angeles Chargers next up on the docket. The Broncos have had some success vs. quarterback Justin Herbert over the years, and while the Chargers have underperformed this year, this is a division rival who'd love nothing more than to spoil Denver's postseason aspirations.
How will it shake out? Let's go around the Mile High Huddle table to see how our staff envisions this one unfolding.
James Campbell (@JamesC_MHH) 5-7: A rival game that seems to be there for the taking for the Broncos. The more the Broncos put it in Wilson's hands, the less likely they are to win the game. The Chargers, like the Broncos, are a flawed team, but they have Herbert, who somehow finds a way to pull out a game-winning drive.
Pick: Chargers 21, Broncos 17
Keith Cummings (@KeithC_NFL) 6-6: This game boils down to how well Wilson bounces back from his poor three-interception performance in Houston. On defense, Patrick Surtain II might be playing on one wheel, so expect heavy doses of Keenan Allen. Ultimately, this one hinges on a punt return score from Marvin Mims Jr. to keep the Broncos' playoff hopes alive.
Pick: Broncos 21, Chargers 17
Carl Dumler (@CarlDumlerMHH) 6-6: It seems like each game for the past four weeks has been the biggest of the season after that 1-5 start. If the Broncos lose this one, the odds of making the playoffs drop down to almost zero. Thankfully, the Broncos' offense responds against a bad run defense and wins this one pretty handily, with all three running backs getting a touchdown.
Pick: Broncos 27, Chargers 17
Mike Evans (@MHHEvans) 6-6: The Broncos are in a do-or-die scenario, with playoff dreams flickering like distant stars. To seize the win, Wilson must widen the tunnel vision he has for Courtland Sutton and distribute the ball to other playmakers. Meanwhile, the Broncos' defense must reawaken its ball-hawking instincts to win the field-position battle and keep playoff hopes alive.
Pick: Broncos 27, Chargers 20
Thomas Hall (@ThomasHallNFL) 6-6: Victory depends on which Broncos team shows up against the Chargers. If it's the one that played the Cleveland Browns, the Broncos will smoke the Chargers. If it's the team that showed up in Houston, it’s going to be a bad day. I’m betting on the good team showing up.
Pick: Broncos 31, Chargers 17
Chad Jensen (@ChadNJensen) 7-5: This game is a litmus test to determine just how well Sean Payton has changed the culture in Denver. In recent years past, a singular setback would be enough to have the Broncos dropping their gaze and embracing the here-we-go-again attitude while they laid down for opponents to run all over them. A winner, however, takes the lessons gleaned from a loss and uses them to quickly get back on the horse. I'm erring on the side of Payton's new culture having some mettle as he helps Wilson battle back to remind the suddenly legion critics of his savvy playmaking over that five-game win streak, which everyone was so quick to forget.
Pick: Broncos 23, Chargers 19
Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) 5-7: Much of Broncos Country is 'out' on Denver following its loss to Houston. Not I. The Broncos have proved resilient over the course of the year, and Sunday will prove no different. They'll get back to playing clean ball and... well, Chargers gonna Charger.
Pick: Broncos 22, Chargers 17
Nick Kendell (@NickKendellMHH) 6-6: The Chargers' defense is not very good. On the season, many advanced metrics have them as a worse passing defense than a rushing unit, but since Week 8, it's been a bottom-3 unit against the run in EPA/play. Los Angeles' running game is nearly as inadequate offensively. For a Broncos team that has struggled against the run and wants to pound the rock, it should match up well and win this weekend.
Pick: Broncos 20, Chargers 16
Bob Morris (@BobMorrisSports) 4-8: The Broncos are trying to keep their playoff hopes alive while the Chargers have a coaching staff trying to save their jobs. The Chargers have a good pass rush, but the secondary isn't that good. Given that the Chargers are a good offensive team, the Broncos offense must keep drives going. The teams have split their outings for a while, and I'm betting it happens again. Unfortunately, this is the one the Broncos lose.
Pick: Chargers 20, Broncos 17
Luke Patterson (@LukePattersonLP) 6-6: The Chargers aren’t a good football team. Their ownership is in disarray, with a head coach likely on his last legs in L.A., but it's still dangerous with Herbert. The Broncos have never won in SoFi Stadium, and if we’re being honest, they’re very flawed as well. Payton and Wilson are just as compatible as water and oil with an underwhelming and chaotic offense. The Bolts survive a close game, and the playoff window for Denver is all but slammed shut.
Pick: Chargers 23, Broncos 20
Lance Sanderson (@SandersonMHH) 6-6: After watching the Broncos' offense struggle to get things going when putting the ball in Wilson's hand last week, Payton should get back to the horse that carried them to a five-game winning streak with a creative running game. The Chargers' run defense is leaky between the B-gaps, and with the way Denver's interior offensive line has played lately, the team has an opportunity to crack the 200-yard mark on the ground this week. The Broncos have to get after Herbert, but controlling the game offensively is the biggest key to victory.
Pick: Broncos 27, Chargers 20
Erick Trickel (@ErickTrickel) 6-6: This is a game the Broncos can win, even with their issues on offense. The Chargers are a terrible defense against the run and pass, but their pass rush does quite well, so Wilson and the offensive line will have to be careful of that. The question is whether the Broncos' defense can slow down or even shut down the Chargers. There are avenues to success, but execution will be vital, as will be limiting explosive plays, both of which have been problems the Broncos had covered up with all the takeaways, and Herbert protects the ball well. Ultimately, the Chargers get to 4-0 at home under Herbert vs. the Broncos and 4-3 overall.
Pick: Chargers 24, Broncos 19
Dylan Von Arx (@arx_d) 6-6: The Broncos put the ball in Wilson's hands last week, and it ultimately cost them the game. If Denver can get back to running the football and limiting big plays on defense, it will get back on track to the playoffs.
Pick: Broncos 28, Chargers 20
Ron White (@RonWhiteNFL) 6-6: This is a must-win for the Broncos’ playoff hopes. In the five-game win streak, many of the Broncos' flaws were masked by a great running game and takeaways on defense. However, the Broncos will get back to this level of play by facing an extremely flawed divisional opponent. Javonte Williams cracks 100 yards rushing, while Justin Simmons and Ja'Quan McMillian come away with an interception each. The Broncos leave So-Fi with their first win there ever.
Pick: Broncos 24, Chargers 20
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