Five Key Matchups: Broncos vs. Chargers
Can Allen Barbre handle Melvin Ingram coming off the edge? That's just one battle to watch during Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
More than any other one-on-one matchup, this could be the struggle that decides the outcome of Sunday's game. In the absence of Menelik Watson, Billy Turner and Donald Stephenson, the Broncos must rely on Allen Barbre to fill in at right tackle and protect Trevor Siemian. It certainly won't be easy, though. He'll be tasked with blocking Melvin Ingram, who has recorded 7.5 sacks through six games this year. And if Ingram swaps over to do battle with Garett Bolles, Barbre must combat the equally talented Joey Bosa. Should Barbre find a way to keep Siemian upright, the Broncos will have the chance to pass the ball with success and move the ball down the field. But if there's one area in which the Chargers could find an advantage, this may be it.
Melvin Gordon mustered just 54 yards in the first meeting between these two teams, and the Broncos hope to bottle him up in a similar fashion during this matchup. Most of that effort begins with Domata Peko Sr., who has made opposing offensive lines miserable during the first few weeks of the season. When he gets penetration or a hand on the opposing running back, the rest of the defense can flow to the ball. Gordon will certainly present a challenge this week — he's had over 100 all-purpose yards in each of the last two games — but if the Broncos can slow him down, they'll likely be in the game until the end.
No Emmanuel Sanders? That means this weekend must be the Demaryius Thomas show. In all likelihood, the Broncos will need another dominant performance from Thomas in order to threaten the Chargers defense. Last week, Thomas provided just that. He caught 10 passes for 133 yards and also drew some crucial pass interference calls that helped the Broncos move the ball. He's still looking for his first touchdown catch of the season, though, and Sunday would be as good a time as any to find his way into the end zone. Casey Heyward will try to hold down the Chargers' defensive backfield even without Jason Verrett, who was placed on IR after the Chargers' Week 1 loss.
In the Broncos' first meeting this season against the Chargers, Keenan Allen finished with five catches, 35 yards and a touchdown as Philip Rivers focused in on his receivers in the passing game. This time around, the Broncos expect the Chargers to target their tight ends more. That said, Bradley Roby and the Broncos' defense has seen a different Keenan Allen the last few weeks as he continues to recover from last year's ACL tear. Chris Harris Jr., who covered Allen the most in Week 1, must smother the Chargers' top target if the Broncos want to earn their first road victory of the year.
Through six games, Hunter Henry is on pace to smash his statline from his rookie year. He already has 17 catches for 228 yards and has his eyes on passing the 36 receptions and 478 yards he totaled last season. But against the Broncos in Week 1, Henry didn't have a single reception. In fact, he wasn't even targeted. The Broncos expect that to change during this week's game. And that means there will be pressure on Justin Simmons, who Pro Football Focus graded well for his Week 6 performance. Even with that honor, Simmons still let New York's Evan Engram get away from him a couple of times, and Engram made the Broncos pay. Denver's young safety can't allow that to happen again in Los Angeles.
