Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers: Breaking Down San Diego's Game Plan
The San Diego Chargers (8-5) have a tough Week 15 test against the Denver Broncos (10-3), their AFC West-leading rivals. If the Chargers are to upset the Broncos Sunday, they must use a screen-centric offense and have linebackers Melvin Ingram and Manti Te’o continue to play at a high level.
This break down will look at why San Diego needs to be successful in those two facets and how it will go about doing so. Before we start, let’s briefly overview each team and its playoff outlooks heading into this divisional tilt.
The Chargers are coming off a disappointing loss to the AFC-leading New England Patriots. They were up 14-3 at one point, but the offense couldn’t sustain any sort of drive and let down a superb performance by the defense. They are clinging to the No. 6 seed in a tight AFC playoff picture. A loss would severely damage their postseason hopes. Unfortunately for San Diego, there are no Jacksonville Jaguars left on the schedule.
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At this point last year, Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense set records through a prolific passing attack. Now, the team is imposing its will through breakout running back C.J. Anderson and a supremely talented defense. It’s a good sign for a team that used to only go as far as the passing game would let it, assuming Manning returns to form. The Broncos hold the No. 2 AFC playoff seed.
Offensive Key of the Game: Use WR Screens to Wake Up the Offense
The Chargers were smothered by the Patriots’ man coverage on Sunday, accumulating a pitiful 189 passing yards and going scoreless in the second half. No. 1 receiver Keenan Allen was marooned on Revis Island, and no one suitably replaced him.
The receivers didn’t get open, which exposed the Chargers’ horrific offensive line. Philip Rivers had choice words for linemen Chris Watt and D.J. Fluker during the game, assumingly regarding their missed protections.
The offensive collapse could have been avoided, but the Chargers used no screen passes or rub routes to get their receivers off of man coverage, as SB Nation’s Jeff Siniard pointed out in his Week 14 Chargers grades. Jeremy Young expressed his frustration with and questioned the Chargers' on-field performance:
The lack of a screen game—which would have forced the defensive backs to back off, at least—was frustrating, because quick passes are what Rivers is best at.
| Completion % | QB rating | QB rating rank | Sacks taken | |
| 2.5 seconds or less | 78.6 | 116.5 | 1st | 5 |
| 2.6 seconds or more | 55.7 | 79.3 | 13th | 22 |
The Broncos aren’t too different from the Patriots in regard to their secondary. They have a deep and talented unit—cornerback Chris Harris erases receivers with regularity, Aqib Talib is a lengthy and physical cover man and Rahim Moore has developed into a fine center fielder. They frequently play tight man coverage in nickel packages, and the Chargers often run three-receiver sets.
San Diego has a second chance to prove it can deal with a talented secondary. What should the approach be this time?
As mentioned earlier, the screen game is the ultimate equalizer when used effectively. Allen and Eddie Royal are both very effective in this facet, as they both accelerate quickly and have nice control in space. That’s also why they both moonlight as punt returners. Royal and Malcom Floyd are good blockers on bubble screens, which makes things easier for the ball-carrier.
The Chargers have proven success using screens. Against an athletic St. Louis Rams defense, Rivers completed 29-of-35 passes as the Chargers milked short passes for all they were worth. They scored 27 points on a defense that held the Broncos to seven a week earlier. Three of Rivers’ incompletions were throwaways.
San Diego’s game-winning score was a 29-yard screen pass to Allen. Let’s break it down.
Yes, that play did not have an elite cornerback in tight man coverage on Allen. However, Allen can shed tackles very effectively—he’s tied for eighth among receivers with 12 avoided or broken tackles, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Additionally, the Broncos use plenty of zone looks in two-wide sets. Allen will make the most of his chances if the team plans accordingly.
Once Allen gets past the pesky Harris, good things will come for San Diego. The Broncos secondary is talented, but it does get overly aggressive at times. Defensive backs T.J. Ward, Bradley Roby and Moore all have nine or more missed tackles charted by Pro Football Focus. Ward is fourth-worst in the NFL with 17. Allen and his blockers can take advantage of this.
Quick passes will also make life for the offensive line easier. The Broncos have one of the best one-two punches at pass-rusher in the NFL with Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. San Diego allowed four sacks against New England, a team that didn’t have a sacker close to their caliber.
Defensive Key to the Game: Keep Ingram and Te’o on Their Hot Streak
Ingram and Te’o looked like emerging stars in prime time against the Patriots. Te’o amassed three tackles, two deflections, one pressure and his first career interception. His pass coverage has rapidly improved since his rookie season. Football Perspective notes that amazingly Te'o's first interception was actually in a one-on-one with Gronkowski:
Ingram had one sack, one quarterback hit and three tackles. He is already a quality edge-setter.
It’s a good sign for general manager Tom Telesco that two high draft picks are beginning to pay dividends. However, the best players in the NFL are those who sustain their excellence week after week. It is unknown whether Ingram and Te’o, who have both dealt with their fair share of injuries, will keep this up. They’ll have to if the Chargers are to stand a chance against the Broncos’ notoriously explosive offense.
Luckily for San Diego, both Ingram and Te’o should have favorable matchups versus Denver. Broncos left tackle Ryan Clady hasn’t been his usual Pro Bowl self this season. He will have trouble handling Ingram’s excellent use of power and leverage. Patriots lineman Nate Solder can attest to this.
As for Te’o, he will either spend time covering a hobbled Julius Thomas, who has missed the last three games with an ankle injury or the inexperienced Virgil Green. He might also be chasing Emmanuel Sanders on a couple of crossing routes, but the Broncos’ passing game is largely going through Demaryius Thomas on the outside.
Thomas’ recent absence has coincided with Denver’s focus on Anderson and the running game. Manning isn’t throwing as well as he was last season, and it could indicate a shift in philosophy for the rest of the season. Dave Richard of CBS Sports discussed the shift:
Ingram and Te’o have made highlight reels with their recent work in the passing game, but they have held up well in run defense. Anderson is a bowling ball in his own right, so hopefully the two young pros learned something while battling LeGarrette Blount.
Ingram and Te’o are potential defensive building blocks. The San Diego defense could take its game to the next level if it continues to develop and stay healthy. Instead of being a top-heavy defense relying on Corey Liuget, Eric Weddle and a host of castoffs, the Chargers could become a playoff contender that can give even Tom Brady and Peyton Manning fits.
It’s up to Ingram and Te’o to step up their games and help carry the Chargers’ ailing offense into the postseason. Sunday will be a good chance for them to prove their growth.
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