LA Chargers 2020 opponent preview: Denver Broncos

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 1: Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos passes under pressure by Melvin Ingram III #54 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the first quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on December 1, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 1: Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos passes under pressure by Melvin Ingram III #54 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the first quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on December 1, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) – LA Chargers
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) – LA Chargers /

How the LA Chargers can beat the Denver Broncos: Limit the running backs

If there is one area of the Denver Broncos that you can pick apart it is the offensive line. While it is not terrible, it is young and there is potential there for it to fall apart and be a lot worse than expected.

This will obviously make Drew Lock’s life a bit harder.

The Chargers are arguably the most well-suited team in the division to handle Lock and all of his newfound weapons in 2020, though. The team undoubtedly has the best secondary in the division and with a great pass-rush, the inexperienced Lock will have some struggles against the Bolts.

The things that will help neutralize his struggles and open up the field for the passing game to get going is the Broncos’ running backs. Again, as much as you may dislike Melvin Gordon, you cannot discount him as a legitimate threat in both phases of the offense.

The combination of Lindsay and Gordon is going to allow the Broncos to do so much at the running back position and the Chargers have to limit that production if they want any chance of winning. We have seen it before with Linday alone. If the Broncos are running the ball and hitting screen passes and wheels at ease then the Chargers are going to have a long day.

The Chargers’ offensive mantra is going to be more run-heavy and is going to include wearing down defenses and draining the clock. That is not going to work against the Broncos if the defense cannot contain the running backs.

What the reduced preseason means for the Bolts. Next

And as much as I have seen some fans saying the Broncos have a bad defense, they still have one of the best defensive coaches in football that allowed the eighth-fewest points per game last year. This is not a team that the Chargers are going to drive up and down the field on.