ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — It’s a big day for the Broncos this Sunday.
The Broncos, boasting a strong 13-3 record, will host the Chargers, who sit at 11-5, for their last regular-season match. And the stakes are sky-high.
Head Coach Sean Payton is treating this game like a playoff matchup. “Our focus is, this is a playoff game,” he said earlier this week.
A win means the Broncos can tie for their highest win total ever and secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC. This would offer them a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The significance of winning is clear as they aim for a championship. Cornerback Pat Surtain II emphasized the team’s commitment: “We didn’t come this far just to come this far.”
It’s noteworthy that Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will likely sit out this game, but Denver remains focused. “These guys are smart enough to understand the importance,” Payton commented.
Now, let’s dive into some key factors that will decide the game:
CAN DENVER WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE?
The Broncos have always highlighted the need to win the turnover battle, but with the playoffs around the corner, this focus intensifies. Payton pointed to a key study: In the past 25 years, only one Super Bowl champion had a negative turnover margin. Meanwhile, ten out of the last fifteen winners ranked first or second in turnover differential among playoff teams. For instance, last year, the Eagles had a remarkable plus-12 during their Super Bowl run.
As of now, Denver is tied for 25th in turnover margin and has struggled in recent weeks, losing the turnover battle in their last two games. This came shortly after they had a streak from Weeks 11-15 where they performed well in this area.
Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph emphasized the need for better positioning to create turnovers. “We have to win critical downs,” he noted, mentioning the importance of stopping the run and succeeding on third downs and in the red zone. Although the Broncos excel in these areas, they still need to generate more turnovers. Joseph stressed the balance between being aggressive but not overly reckless in pursuit of turnovers.
As this decisive game approaches, creating takeaways will be crucial for the Broncos’ chances. With their playoff future on the line, every play counts.
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Game Preview Story,Top Stories,Aric DiLalla,Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos (2025-REG-18)
