HEADLINE

With hopes squandered, Chargers, Broncos meet again

Field Level Media

November 28, 2019 at 4:45 am.

Two teams with high aspirations in September are now trying to figure out how to play out a disappointing season.

The Los Angeles Chargers hit the road to face the Denver Broncos on Sunday, looking for something positive and a measure of revenge. The Broncos beat the Chargers 20-13 in Week 4 to give head coach Vic Fangio his first win. It also started a downward spiral for L.A.

The Chargers, coming off a 12-4 campaign and a return to the postseason in 2018, are stumbling through a tough stretch that has all but knocked them out of playoff consideration. Los Angeles (4-7) has lost five of its last seven games — starting with the loss to Denver — and veteran quarterback Philip Rivers is turning the ball over at an alarming rate.

Rivers has 15 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions, plus two lost fumbles, on the season for an offense that hasn’t been able to generate much. Only once in the first 11 games has a running back rushed for more than 100 yards, and the Chargers haven’t topped 30 points in a game all season. They’ve been held to 20 or fewer in seven games.

Despite those numbers, linebacker Thomas Davis says the defense is to blame despite ranking fifth in yards allowed per game (317.5) this season.

“Our record says we haven’t played well enough,” Davis told The Los Angeles Times. “That’s the ultimate thing that determines how we’ve played as a defense. The offense has put up enough points for us to be more successful.

“We just haven’t figured it out for four quarters. We’ve played extremely well at times, and other times we’ve been inconsistent. If we do a better job in certain situations, our record could be much, much better.”

The defense could get back All-Pro safety Derwin James this week, after he was designated to return from injured reserve on Monday and has been practicing in his return from foot surgery.

Whether or not James plays, the unit will get a chance to shut down another struggling offense in Denver. The Broncos (3-8) are 29th in scoring (15.9 points per game) and have moved on from Joe Flacco (on IR) at quarterback to Brandon Allen, who has struggled in the last two games.

Now second-round rookie Drew Lock appears on track to make his NFL debut Sunday, after taking the majority of reps in practice this week. Fangio said a starter will be determined late in the week.

“When you don’t win games, it’s always hard (to keep your spot) and obviously, he’s a second-round pick so they want to see what he can do,” Allen said Wednesday. “They’ll up his reps and give him a chance.”

Part of Allen’s struggles has been who the Broncos have played — and where. Two weeks ago, Denver lost in Minnesota after holding a 20-0 halftime lead. Last week in Buffalo, the Bills held Allen to 82 yards passing and the team to 134 yards of total offense, its lowest total in a game since 1992.

The defense has kept the Broncos in most games despite losing linebacker Bradley Chubb to a torn ACL early in the season. Linebackers Von Miller (knee), Alexander Johnson (knee) and Josey Jewell (ankle) as well defensive lineman Shelby Harris (ankle) did not practice Wednesday.

Fangio hasn’t ruled any of the players out for Sunday’s game.

A loss would give Denver its third straight losing season for the first time in more than 40 years.

The Chargers had all players present at Wednesday’s practice. Offensive tackles Russell Okung (groin) and Sam Tevi (knee) were limited after each missed the last few games.