CHARGERS (0-4) vs. BRONCOS (2-2)<\/p>\n
When: 1:05 p.m. Sunday<\/p>\n
Where: SoFi Stadium<\/p>\n
TV\/Radio: CBS (Ch. 2); 640 AM\/103.9\/98.3 FM (Spanish)<\/p>\n
Line: Broncos by 3.5<\/p>\n
Notable injury designations<\/p>\n
Chargers: OUT: RT Joe Alt (neck), LG Kayode Awosika (fibula), CB Donte Jackson (hamstring), S Derwin James Jr. (hamstring), WR Quentin Johnston (chest), OL Trevor Penning (concussion), WR Brenen Thompson (quadricep)\u2019 DOUBTFUL: QB Trey Lance (groin); QUESTIONABLE: TE Charlie Kolar (forearm), FB\/DL Scott Matlock (foot), WR Ladd McConkey (foot), CB Rodney Shelley (hamstring), OL Branson Taylor (neck).<\/p>\n
Broncos: OUT: CB Riley Moss (ribs), CB Pat Surtain II (ankle).<\/p>\n
What\u2019s at stake: The Chargers\u2019 1992 team, coached by Bobby Ross, is the only one in NFL history to start a season 0-4 and still advance to the playoffs. The Chargers went on to win 11 of their final 12 games and defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC wild-card game before losing to the Miami Dolphins the following week. A repeat doesn\u2019t seem likely this season, particularly since the Chargers are battered and bruised at several key positions, including on their offensive line. The chatter from Denver is that the defending AFC West champion Broncos\u2019 offense needs a fix after they started the season with two wins and two losses. Head coach Sean Payton has taken over the play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Davis Webb.<\/p>\n
Who\u2019s better: This question would be a tossup if the Chargers were healthy and hadn\u2019t stumbled their way to a winless start through the first four weeks of a season that\u2019s gone off the rails slowly and all at once. Justin Herbert is a more capable quarterback than Bo Nix, for example. The Broncos\u2019 defense is hurting, with standout cornerback Pat Surtain II nursing an ankle injury.<\/p>\n
Matchup to watch: Herbert versus everybody has been a pretty standard matchup to watch this season. Can he finally unlock Mike McDaniel\u2019s offense and drag the Chargers kicking and screaming to their first victory of the season?<\/p>\n
Chargers win if: Herbert can\u2019t throw an errant pass on his first attempt of the game, as he did during last Sunday\u2019s 30-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks<\/a>. Return specialist Derius Davis can\u2019t fumble away the first punt that comes his way, as he did in setting up the Seahawks\u2019 first touchdown. The Chargers can\u2019t be penalized 16 times for 130 yards, as they were against Seattle. The Chargers can\u2019t fall behind by scores of 27-6 and 30-13 and expect to rally to win.<\/p>\n