Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - LEAVE NO DOUBT: Broncos Must Take #1 Seed vs. Chargers in DOMINATING Fashion

Starting point is 00:00:00 A lot at stake for the Denver Broncos in this game. Not so much for the Chargers, but still plenty of drama for week 18. It's crossover Thursday. You are locked on NFL crossover. Part of the Locked on podcast network. Your team every day. Welcome in Broncos fans, Chargers fans. If you made it this far, give yourself a pat on the back because your team is in the playoffs.

Starting point is 00:00:31 Absolutely, the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers will be playing in the postseason. And of course, these two teams kind of looking ahead to that, but also plenty of drama here for week 18. The Denver Broncos fighting for the number one seed, the Chargers trying to get to the postseason as healthy as possible. And we're going to break down every possible aspect of this matchup for you on a special crossover, Thursday edition, Locked on Broncos and Locked on Chargers. My name is Sarah Bedinger, co-host of the Locked on Broncos podcast here with Daniel Wade,

Starting point is 00:01:01 co-host of Locked on Chargers as well. And we appreciate every single one of you, every dayers out there for making lockdown broncos locked on charters your first listen of the day every single day and as always crossover thursday is presented by prize picks download the prize picks app today and use the code locked on nfl to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup daniel very excited to get to do a crossover with you together as you know two teams that i know the charters have been to the postseason obviously you know the bronc They went last year, but it feels different this year because as you and I were talking off camera,

Starting point is 00:01:41 you know, we love our guys over there, locked on chiefs, locked on Raiders, your boy Q, Chris, and Ryan. But man, you know what? It feels good to kind of be the last one standing here this season, doesn't it? Yeah, I especially feel bad for Q because like they had, you know, so much hope. Like you get P. Carroll, right? You get Gino Smith. You haven't had a quarterback. But no, I mean, definitely different kind of crossovers this year with the Chargers and the Broncos

Starting point is 00:02:04 is basically looking down upon the Chiefs the entire season. So I couldn't have asked for more than that inside the division. The only down part is this game could have been a battle for the AFC West, but I think Chargers fans will appreciate a Sunday with a little less pressure on it. And a chance to play spoiler a little bit. Yeah, 100%. I mean, that's the same for Broncos country, although Broncos country will be sweating it out once again as we were on Christmas night.

Starting point is 00:02:29 Everybody, once we start to expect like, hey, it's going to be a stress-free weekend or you know, you're playing somebody's backup. That's when the Broncos seem to make it maybe the most stressful this year. I know they did on Christmas night with Chris Oledoken and the Chiefs and was not a stress-free evening there. But obviously the big storyline for this game for the Broncos perspective is fighting for that number one seed. And you mentioned it, the Chargers, they are going to be obviously, you know, a little bit more on the relaxed side this weekend in terms of kind of know your fate. You're going to be road warriors for the playoffs. it's exciting to think that these two teams could potentially, you know, maybe the divisional round,

Starting point is 00:03:07 maybe the AFC championship will see how things kind of play out the rest of the AFC. But I think that's kind of where everybody's at right now is like one eye on beyond week 18. Yeah, absolutely. And that's kind of the funny thing about this game in particular is the Chargers, had they wanted to play it out and, you know, had their best chance to win, they could have ended up with a wildcard game against the Broncos. They take in, you know, knock them down a pig, had the Jaguars jump them, and now it's a six versus three matchup. So they could, you know, mess around and accidentally, you know, end up with a game next week against this Broncos team. But I do think there is something especially for Tray Lance, right, guy who's balanced around the league.

Starting point is 00:03:47 This last preseason, obviously is preseason. But looked like an improved player and now gets a chance to show it. Like if you're talking about making some money for yourself, man, he has a chance against, you know, one of if not the best defenses in the league this week. to show exactly how much he's been able to improve. And I think that'll be kind of the interesting thing. I mean, you talked about off there just last year, you know, the Chiefs last weekend of the season, Broncos still was something to play for.

Starting point is 00:04:11 They start carts and wents and you're like, yeah, I guess there's a chance and then the Broncos end up blowing them out. It'll be interesting to see kind of how competitive this game is. And I also just think like, interesting to see what Greg Roman does. These teams could play again in the playoffs, right? So how much are the Chargers willing to divulge in this game? Do they just kind of throw it back to his Colin Kaepernick days? is Lamar Jackson days and it's all RPO's and read options and they just try to run the ball 50 times and it looks like a

Starting point is 00:04:37 completely different offense. So I think there's a lot of fun parts of this and the charges get to sit back. And, you know, if they do somehow find a way to win, obviously that'll have the Broncos with some pretty bad vibes going into the playoffs. That's kind of what I'm thinking as well. I mean, you know, it was the same discussion last year before before it was 38 to nothing against the Chiefs. It was a lot of Broncos country and even Chiefs fans talking about. about, hey, don't forget, like Carson Wentz has played in a lot of big games in the NFL. And so it was a lot of that worry. And I think that stems from obviously the fact that there's a lot at stake, right? I mean, from the Broncos perspective, it's that number one seed.

Starting point is 00:05:13 You want to be hosting throughout the playoffs, if at all possible. And to have that not happen, it does kind of feel like it would take the wind out of their sales in a little bit. Now, of course, a Sean Payton coach team, you've got a number of key leaders on this team that have been deep in the playoffs. I don't necessarily know that it would be deflating to the point that, man, it's just, that's what killed their season was losing in week 18. However, I do think that this game like this, if you go in, you're playing against a lot of backups, you're playing against Trey Lance. I mean, the Broncos have not necessarily been great against the backup quarterbacks all season long. I mean, we just saw it on Christmas night against Chris Olo Doken. So their focus is going to have to be top tier.

Starting point is 00:05:54 And that's the expectation. I think that's why Broncos country is a little bit, you know, just on edge about. this not necessarily nervous about the the fact that you're going up against these guys but it's really this being on edge at awaiting the result and figuring out what is going to be your playoff fate 100% that's the thing you know is if you're you're caught feeling like okay hey we're not going to have a game next week and then all of a sudden you do yeah that's a much different experience right and I do think that it'll be interesting to see if that game on Christmas day against the chiefs and their third string quarterback was kind of the wake up call that that broncos team needed to

Starting point is 00:06:28 not mess around, you know, and play with their food at all in this game. Again, that Chiefs team did put a bunch of players on IR before that game. At the same time, you still have guys like Chris Jones out there. You still have guys like Travis Kelsey out there. In this game, it's going to be a little less star-studded on the Chargers side. I mean, you're not going to see guys like Khalil Mack or Derwin James or Tully Tuli Poloto who, you know, has 13 sacks this season. Those guys will not be playing offensively. You're going to be seeing basically the entirety of the Chargers backup offensive line. And I mean, if anyone, remembers that first matchup in week three, even with Joe Walt, the Chargers could barely

Starting point is 00:07:03 handle what the Denver Broncos were sending their way until very late in that game. So I do think on the plus side and something for Chargers fans to look forward to is for an offensive line, you know, that has had a lot of problems. There are guys that are going to get a chance in this game. That's part of my biggest matchups too. But like young guys having a chance to step into a role that they haven't had yet, I think is more reason for Chargers fans to be invested in this game because you could see some guys that are playing this week that have a chance to earn bigger roles in a potential playoff run. Absolutely. And they are going to get a look at what it's like to play in the playoffs because Broncos country is going to be absolutely rocking there.

Starting point is 00:07:41 It's been, Sean Payton has actually made note about, you know, it's been loud, obviously. But, you know, for the past, he pointed to the Packers game a handful of weeks ago as to when it really seemed to shift in terms of the volume of the stadium being an impact on the game. and I think he's continually calling for it in the media because he likes that advantage that you have at the home field, right? And so those guys, those young players for the Chargers is going to get a taste of what that's like. And I like it from the Broncos perspective as well. You know, we've been talking about it a lot of the year because the Broncos have played a number of backup quarterbacks. There's no denying that when, you know, people in Broncos country having arguments on social media, things like that about, well, you played this backup and you played this team's backup and you only one by one score. I think that the benefit to having this sort of environment with the stakes is exactly what this Broncos team needs.

Starting point is 00:08:32 While the Chargers getting great evaluation on young players who could be contributing, maybe at a bigger role going forward, the Broncos are getting, it doesn't matter who they're going up against. The stakes are what they are and that atmosphere is going to be exactly what it's going to be in the postseason. So it's a big opportunity, I would say, for both sides. Yeah, I couldn't agree more. And then, you know, there's just that little thing where if the Chargers can keep it competitive, right? Like Jesse Minter obviously is going to be out there with working with, you know, guys where he's constantly kind of maximized their talent and stuff like that.

Starting point is 00:09:05 And he has a chance to kind of send a message a little bit. But if they can do it, this is a budding rivalry, right? Like the Cheeps have rivalries with every team, obviously, and the Chargers and Broncos have given them tough games. And obviously both of them swept that team this year. But it does feel like the Bow Nix just. and Herbert, Broncos, Chargers, rivalry is kind of on the rise in the AFC West. So I do think where it's like, hey, the Chargers players, if they're out there and they have a chance and the longer that the Broncos keep them in the game, the more kind of that belief will

Starting point is 00:09:36 build in them that, hey, maybe we can do something fun here. And, you know, maybe we don't need Justin Herbert. Maybe we don't need it. Now, it could go either way because it could go like the game last year where they get behind early and it ends up being a laffer. And I fully expect that it could be that type of a game. But if the Broncos let them hang around, it might become a little more interesting. Absolutely. And that's something that we're going to break down. As you mentioned, you know, there's tons of new players out there for the Chargers in terms of what the Broncos come to expect or what Broncos country has come to expect.

Starting point is 00:10:02 Obviously, no Justin Herbert. We mentioned Trey Lance is going to be getting showcased in this game. But there's going to be a number of other players out there for the charters that still present interesting matchups for the Broncos. And of course, Broncos country's got a number of players that they're looking at, hey, can this guy get back on track? Riley Moss, can he get back on track? The pass rush.

Starting point is 00:10:19 Kind of, you know, a little bit of a dip in the. the sack numbers, can they get back on track? We're going to break down some of the key matchups for this game coming up on today's crossover Thursday edition, Lockdown Broncos, Locked on Chargers. Crossover Thursday is brought to you by Robin Hood. Nobody knows your money goals better than you. Robin Hood puts you in control of your money with tools that work as hard as you do. Locking in on every opening, beating your PR, beating it again, channel that drive into your

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Starting point is 00:11:09 You expect more from yourself. Expect more from your money. Get started today at robin hood.com slash your money. Again, that's robin hood.com slash your money. Your money, your move. Some key matchups for the Denver Broncos against the Los Angeles Chargers here in week 18. Of course, it's going to be a large new cast of characters for the Chargers.

Starting point is 00:11:32 Pretty much the same cast of characters for the Denver Broncos this week. We're going to break down this pass rush going up against an offensive line for the charters that, as Daniel mentioned, they've struggled at times this season, of course, with injuries, things like that. How can this Broncos pass rush be and, you know, take advantage of that? And how can Trey Lance adjust to that with his ability to make plays with his legs? We're going to break all that down coming up on today's show. But I want to quickly say, thank you.

Starting point is 00:11:56 to every single one of you, every dayers out there that makes Lockdown Broncos, Lockdown Chargers, your first listen of the day, every single day here on the Lockdown Podcast Network, the number one sports podcast network. And you know what else? We want to invite you. If you're not an Every Day or All Access member yet, go ahead and become one. There's going to be a link for you in the show notes. And you're going to get tons of bonus content, bonus episodes of the shows, all 22 breakdowns,

Starting point is 00:12:19 a discount on Lockdown merch, which they're putting some great stuff out there as well, and so much more. So if you want to check that out, please do. We invite you to do so. We'd love it if you would check that out. Daniel, let's talk about the matchups in this game. Of course, I think offensive line versus pass rush. That's kind of a big one.

Starting point is 00:12:37 Let's start there. What's your kind of take there as the Charters? You said they're going to be playing their backup offensive line largely in this game. What does that look like for them? Who's going to be out there? Because I know they've already been using a number of replacements this season. Yeah, I guess that's the funny thing about the charges offensive line.

Starting point is 00:12:54 Like it could be a whole offensive line of backups and like all of those guys have started for the Chargers basically at some point this year. So not familiar to playing time. We are not unfamiliar with the playing time. But this will be a much different looking unit. On Wednesday's practice, it ended up being Bobby Hart out there for the charges at right tackle instead of Trey Pipkins. They had Trevor Penning, the guy they just traded for at right guard, backup center, Andre James. Or sixth round rookie Branson Taylor at left guard. and then their left tackle this week is going to end up being not Jamari Sawyer,

Starting point is 00:13:27 who was injured and had that hamstring injury before. Now he's probably going to miss this week as well. And why would you play him, right? Like we saw last week how important he is. And now you have an extra week to rest him. There's no chance you're going to not have that guy on the field. But what it also brings and what I think Chargers fans are looking forward to do is the fact to potentially be excited about some new guys stepping up and potentially earning themselves some playing time.

Starting point is 00:13:52 because Austin Decu has stepped in. He'll be the left tackle this week. He'll have a chance to potentially show that he can still bring something to the table or maybe build some confidence going into the playoff run of Jamari Sawyer's not available. But I think the biggest one is their right guard in this game, who's really only played tackle for them, Trevor Penning. Because they tried to start him at left tackle because of the injury to Joe Alt and Rashan Slater.

Starting point is 00:14:11 It was a disaster. But Mackay Beckton's been in and out of the lineup this year so far. He's really struggled and hasn't been the addition to that line they thought he was going to be. And I know Chargers fans are kind of. of hoping that this is an audition for Trevor Penning, that even, you know, that you gave the money to Mackay Beckton, that maybe he could be the guy that starts at right guard for the chargers in the playoffs because they haven't been getting enough out of that position. So this game against, you know, a Denver front that's pretty healthy and is very, very dangerous to show, hey,

Starting point is 00:14:41 maybe I should be getting some looks with the starting lineup going into the playoffs because it's been so uncertain there this year. Yeah, that's a huge opportunity for Trevor Penning there because obviously the Broncos, they're going to bring a ton of different guys on that interior. They rotate so many players. We saw John Franklin Myers last week against the Chiefs. He actually played a pretty minimal number of snaps compared to what we're used to. He's dealing with a little injury there. He's expected to be back at full go this week.

Starting point is 00:15:07 So we'll see if the Broncos do play it. That's the other side of this whole thing, Daniel, is that we don't necessarily know are the Broncos going to be hesitant with any of these guys as well, that they're looking at potentially, okay, like we said, they've got one eye on the postseason. Yeah, if you're borderline, are you playing in this game? So they trust a number of guys out there. Zach Allen obviously leads that group. But then you've got players like DJ Jones, Malcolm Roach, even in Yoma, Uazareke, kind of a forgotten guy.

Starting point is 00:15:35 He's been really stepping up a lot this year on the interior. So a great test for that Chargers offensive line in this game. And I think on the flip side of that, the Broncos offensively, every time I watch the Chargers this season, Daniel, I'm just so impressed by the secondary. I mean, you mentioned Derwin James, not likely to play in this game, but they have such, they've drafted so well at corner. And I think that that's one of those things that we talk about ball hawks on the back end. They've got the guys.

Starting point is 00:16:03 They've got players who can make plays on the football. What is that going to look like in this game? Because I think everybody expects the Broncos to have their full complement of receivers. Pat Bryant was a limited participant at practice. So I wonder if he's going to be back after the concussion suffered against the Jaguars a couple weeks ago. They're expected to have their full complement of receivers potentially available. What do you think that charger's secondary is going to look like overall? Yeah, I think it's a great question because I think there's a lot of different ways they could go with that unit.

Starting point is 00:16:32 And at least according to the Wednesday's practice report, it doesn't look like they're going to sit a bunch of guys in that secondary. Obviously, Derwin James is a proven commodity. So you know exactly what he brings the table. He's not going to play in this game. But the two guys you're talking about that have been the true ballhawks, unlikely hero Tony Jefferson, right, who out of football altogether now comes back this year, has four interceptions this year. He had four interceptions his entire career up until this point. And then he's been, you know, unexpected ballhawk that's ended games for the charges this year. And then Dante Jackson, to me, I would be really surprised if he's out there.

Starting point is 00:17:08 I don't know what else you need to see from him specifically at this point. And so he isn't on the injury report at all. But it's like, okay, well, are you going to play the guy that leads the team in picks? You kind of already know, he's a veteran guy. Unlike, you know, guys like Tar Heap Still and Cam Hart, who are second year players who have been starting for you all season. But there's no reason for them not to go get more experience this week and go up against, you know, what has been a pretty good offense. But I do think that is kind of the subplot to this game is Jesse Mentor, who all of a sudden to much too charges fan chagrin, has become a really hot head coaching name in the 2026 cycle. And so he has a chance to kind of do something fun in this game where he's like, I know I've been maximizing a lot of dudes, especially in the secondary and Steve Klingskill deserves a ton of credit for that.

Starting point is 00:17:53 Look what I can do when I don't have my stars against, you know, the team who ranks ninth and offensive yards per game, you know, 14th and points per game. Look what I can do even with some backup. So he'll have, you know, a chance to kind of put some sprinkles on top of his resume as he goes into this offseason as a potential head coach candidate. So Bow Nix obviously has struggled that time. he's been terrible against the Chargers, but the Chargers have had his numbers so far. He's 0 and 3 against him two out of three games, 20 points or less for that Broncos offense. Jesse Mentor, with his backups versus this Broncos offense, I think is interesting. It really is.

Starting point is 00:18:28 And that's the chess match that's going to come into play here is like you said, especially if the game is close, how aggressive did they end up getting? You know, how much did they really pull out of the bag on both sides of the ball? Well, they miss some chances, say or two. Let's remember that first game, right? Bone necks, obviously they beat the charges on that 50 yard, you know, fig toss out at the side and then get them deep. But there was a couple other plays where the chargers got pretty lucky that Bowenix was not able to connect, right? But they had their chances.

Starting point is 00:18:55 It'll be interesting that they can capitalize this time. And that is interesting, too, because it almost feels like, that feels almost like a lifetime ago at this point. But also, it's sort of representative of the way the Broncos have responded this year or how teams have defended them since then. They've really, I mean, I think teams saw what they did last year in terms of taking the top off with the deep ball. And teams have really done their their best to take that away. They're respected this year. They're respecting it 100%. And so the opportunities that have been there when you're hitting, you know, 50% or less,

Starting point is 00:19:28 it feels like it's just never happening, right? So the Broncos explosives offensively, that is going to be fascinating to see how aggressive are they in a game like this where, you know, you do have so much at stake. Are you going to try to push the ball down field? Are you going to try to be aggressive and hunt with that? Or are you going to continue to do what they've done? Like Steve Spagnolo last week played a whole different type of defense against them. And it really forced the Broncos, you know, 14 plays here, 15 plays there.

Starting point is 00:19:54 You've got a dink and dunk down the field and then convert in the red zone. I feel like maybe we could get another situation like that this week where it's just like, hey, we're going to keep everything in front of us. We're going to allow these guys to rally and tackle, force you to have target practice out there versus zone coverage and see what happens. But that's going to be huge, I think, in this game for sure. Yeah, one. I mean, of course, last week, the Chargers, you know, you start off the game, down 14 nothing against that defense on the other side with a 43-yard touchdown and a 75-yard bomb. So like, they obviously have some things to fix on the back end. Their strength is their communication, but it was tested

Starting point is 00:20:28 last time against the Broncos. And it was definitely tested last week. So as all, you know, as far as big stars not being out there, of course, you have to figure that stuff out on the back end because that was your starters last week. That ended up, you know, they've only given up six points in the second halves of the last three games combined. So like they've been really hot, especially in the second half. But they need to figure out some of those issues on the back end, whether it's the backups or the starters in there. Yeah, that's going to be fascinating to find out in this game, how they respond to that, how the Broncos kind of respond, like you said, to maybe having a wake up call against the Kansas City Chiefs last Thursday as well.

Starting point is 00:21:01 Broncos fans, Chargers fans. We're going to talk a little bit more about keys to victory in this game. And we'll also kind of put an eye on the future beyond this week, right, the playoffs. What does it hold for these two teams? Of course, we know there's a game yet to be played, but there's still plenty to come after this week. For both of these squads, we're going to break it down on today's crossover Thursday edition,

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Starting point is 00:22:23 after you play your first $5 lineup. That's code Locked on NFL to get $50 in lineups after your first $5 lineup. Price Picks, it's good to be right. Keys to Victory for Week 18, where two teams have a lot of different things at stake in this game. the Chargers auditioning a number of players, the Broncos, fighting for the number one seed. And of course, there's a lot else going on around the AFC.

Starting point is 00:22:50 And we're excited to break it down for you here today on crossover Thursday. Once again, just want to say thank you to all the everydayers out there that make us your first listen of the day every single day. Daniel, I'm interested for your perspective on this. And we'll talk about the AFC as a whole. But it's been a crazy year, hasn't it? I mean, it's been just like we went into the season thinking like, all right, there's these tiers right of teams right now there's the the bills the chiefs the ravens and everybody else in the

Starting point is 00:23:17 afc just kind of fighting you know as like little brothers it feels it feels good to to not be that at this stage of the season but at the same time like i want your perspective like you this weekend different vibe the following weekend though and i don't think necessarily we're going to get a chance maybe you never know what could happen i don't necessarily think we're going to do a crossover next week what's what's the vibe for the chargers like what's this what's the key for the chargers right now not just in week 18 but going forward yeah i think the vibe is weird because the chargers have surpassed expectations from the standpoint of you know what many thought this season would be for them once they launched joe walton rshawn slater and at the same

Starting point is 00:23:59 same time, the vibe is also, man, what a terrible year to lose Rashan Slater and Joe Walt. Because like, I just think that we would be looking at a completely different conversation if the Chargers had those guys healthy. And it's hard not to feel like you've missed an opportunity here. And what is a pretty wide open AFC, right? Like, I don't think there's any prohibitive favorite. I think every team kind of has their flaws and is, you know, hot or maybe cooling off a little bit.

Starting point is 00:24:26 But I do think for the Chargers, like, man, if you did have your guy. eyes obviously in your, you know, pro bowl slash all pro level tackles, this could be your year, right? Or maybe you are thought of in a different light. Maybe you are thought of as a, you know, Super Bowl threat, like a legitimate Super Bowl contender, because I don't know if they're in that conversation right now for me, which is the funny thing because it's like there's a part of it that's like, hey, it's kind of house money because like no one thought you should be here. They had such a tougher schedule this year and they're in the playoffs with basically two weeks left, right, which is a foreign kind of feeling for them.

Starting point is 00:25:02 And you're not necessarily expected to win. And like no one really expected you to get there anyway. So like who cares? At the same time, the narrative around Justin Herbert with or without his tackles continues if you don't find a way to get a playoff win. And I know obviously as the host of the Lockdown Chargers podcast, I'm not going to be excited for that narrative surrounding them

Starting point is 00:25:22 if they're not able to win and not able to get that monkey off of Justin Herbert's back because it's just like I watch him every week. So I know how good he is, right? that doesn't matter. If you go and go to 0 and 3 in the playoffs, nobody's going to, you know, remember that you didn't have your tackles and nobody really expected you to get there. It's just going to be 0 and 3 in the playoffs. Yeah, it's, it's similar with like Josh Allen. He's won seven playoff games and all anybody ever talks about is how you can't get past Patrick Mahomes, right? It's right. The goalposts keep moving, no matter what, even if you get the win.

Starting point is 00:25:50 That's 100% accurate. What you just described to remind me, I had to look it up to make sure I was right, but the 2013 Broncos, I mean, they came in obviously that year with tons of expectations and then you lose Ryan Clayty, who was playing at the best football that he's ever been playing at at that time. You lose him for the season. And then in the middle of that year, then he lose Von Miller after he had just a MVP caliber season the year before. So you lose two guys. And it's like, all right, now it's up to your quarterback to make up for everything and everybody else. So I think that Broncos country can kind of empathize in that way a little bit. But you're right. I mean, it is getting that monkey off the back.

Starting point is 00:26:27 And Justin, I mean, he's out there. I've been calling it the Chubs Peterson hand because he looks like he's got the Chubs Peterson hand from Happy Gilmore. But he's out there doing whatever the heck that he has to do to will his team to victory. So I think we can all admire that even if, you know, it's behind enemy lines there. But yeah, I think in this game in particular, what are we looking at here in terms of keys to victory? I know we break this down every single week, crossover Thursday.

Starting point is 00:26:52 If the Chargers are going to win this game, what do you? you think has to happen because I think from the Broncos perspective, it's really just about don't make mistakes, number one, and number two, force the Chargers to make a lot of mistakes. That's something the Broncos have not done this year, Daniel, has forced other teams to make mistakes. Eight games without forcing a turnover this season for, like you said, it could be one of the best, if not the best defense in the league. They've got eight games where they've got zero turnover, zero takeaways.

Starting point is 00:27:18 That's the theme for this team this season, I think, is the offense having a slim margin for error even as good as the defense has been, they're not getting those extra possessions that most other top tier teams are getting. Yeah, that's such a good point. And the charges are kind of on the flip side of that where, you know, because I think the good thing for Broncos fans with that specific conversation is you know you're a really good defense when you're a really good defense even without the takeaways, right? Because you look at teams like the Chicago Bears or some of these other teams, even the

Starting point is 00:27:47 chargers to a certain extent, who rely so heavily on the takeaways, right, to be an elite team, that it's like that can be a little bit more fluky, you know, like takeaways are not something that is always repeatable weekend and week out, as the Broncos fans know. But I think for the Chargers, it was a fun keys to victory this week because it's just such a different game from their perspective. But I think it's pretty simple as far as the rookies have to shine. Like this is actually a showcase for those guys, guys like a Trey here, a second round pick, or Keandrelandry Lambert Smith, who's stuck behind Ladd McConkey and Keenan and Johnston. He'll get a, you know, a bunch have run in this game too and get to show themselves against a former, you know, the last year's

Starting point is 00:28:26 defensive player of the year and an elite Denver secondary. I think the second thing, run the ball 40 times. Like that is the only kind of, you know, vision I have in my head where the Chargers could be able to pull this game off is where they just turn it into a total slug fest. Last week, they had seven offensive linemen on the field at one point. Maybe they just really try to muck it up out there. Just run a wingtie offense, right? I want 60 or 70 rushing yards out of Tray Lance too and this one. And my last thing is just like make it weird. There's no clean way the Chargers win this game, right? Like that in my mind, at least, you're not going to be able to win unless something weird

Starting point is 00:29:01 happens. It's like I'm talking to punt or kickoff or turn touchdown. Somebody gets a pick six or a wild scoop and score. Maybe you try to redo that hook and ladder. You tried the other week against the Chiefs. But I don't think there's a clean way for the Chargers to win this one. I think it has to be kind of chaos. So if they are going to win, I think they have to make it a weird game.

Starting point is 00:29:19 Yeah, I think that's a great point. And well said as well. just in terms of what you're looking for out of that, you know, all the young players on this team to come in and do just whatever they can to possibly, like you said, make it weird. I think that's a great way to put it. I think from the Broncos end of things, there's a couple guys you want to get going. I think offensively, though, it's a broken record of wanting to get Evan Ingram going a little bit more.

Starting point is 00:29:41 We've seen in spurts this season. He can be great. I want to see it on a consistent basis. Sean Peyton jokes, too, because Adam Troutman, I don't know if you know this. He's five catches away from an incentive. and he's like, that's what he gets for an entire season. So it's probably not going to happen on Sunday. But looking forward to R.J. Harvey, the rookie running back.

Starting point is 00:30:01 He's got 12 total touchdowns this year. And he's been so dynamic for this team. And I think if the Broncos are going to go deep in the playoffs, he's going to have to continue to grow and evolve in his game. So can he have a big game on the ground as well? That's going to be fun to see in this one. But Broncos country, Chargers fans, we're excited. And I think both teams, both franchises fan,

Starting point is 00:30:21 basis, very expectant for what is to come. I mean, optimism is brimming this time of year. Of course, the stakes are high, but Broncos fans, I think we're believing that this is going to be a victory on Sunday. We'll see what happens, of course, in the postseason, however, for both of these teams, the AFC West, man, they're being run by the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles charges these days. So enjoy it.

Starting point is 00:30:43 Enjoy the winning to both fan bases these days. Enjoy these young quarterbacks making plays out there and enjoy the game on Sunday. We'll catch you on the next. episode of the show.

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - LEAVE NO DOUBT: Broncos Must Take #1 Seed vs. Chargers in DOMINATING Fashion

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