**Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) at Denver Broncos (13-3)**
**Sunday, 4:25 EST, CBS**
**BetMGM NFL Odds:** Broncos by 12½
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### Game Preview
The Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) travel to face the Denver Broncos (13-3) in a crucial AFC matchup this Sunday at 4:25 PM EST, broadcast on CBS. The Broncos enter the game as strong favorites with a 12½-point spread.
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### Series History
– **Series Record:** Broncos lead 72-58-1
– **Last Meeting:** Chargers defeated Broncos 23-20 on September 21, 2025, in Inglewood, California
– The Chargers have won all three games against Denver while Sean Payton has been the Broncos’ head coach, with all contests decided by one score.
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### Recent Performance
– **Last Week:**
– Chargers fell 20-16 to the Houston Texans.
– Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs 20-13.
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### Team Statistics
| Category | Chargers Rank | Broncos Rank |
|——————–|————–|————-|
| Offense Overall | 12 | 9 |
| Rush Offense | 12 | 19 |
| Pass Offense | 15 | 9 |
| Scoring Offense | Tied 16 | 14 |
| Defense Overall | 4 | 3 |
| Rush Defense | 9 | 2 |
| Pass Defense | 6 | 8 |
| Scoring Defense | 7 | 4 |
**Turnover Differential:**
– Chargers: +4
– Broncos: -5
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### Players to Watch
**Chargers**
*Quarterback Trey Lance* — Making his sixth career start and first for the Chargers, Lance has appeared in three games this season. He has completed 7 of 13 passes for 90 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, and has taken two sacks.
**Broncos**
*Wide Receiver Courtland Sutton* — Surpassed 1,000 yards last week but struggled slightly with dropped passes, catching only four of ten targets from QB Bo Nix. Sutton has 73 receptions for 1,012 yards and seven touchdowns this season, similar to his 2024 stats (81 receptions, 1,081 yards, 8 TDs).
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### Key Matchup
**Chargers’ Offensive Line and Backup QB vs. Denver’s Pass Rush**
The Broncos lead the NFL with 64 sacks this season, setting a franchise record and nearing the NFL single-season record of 72 sacks, set by the 1984 Chicago Bears (who recorded 12 in their season finale). How well the Chargers protect their quarterback will be a pivotal factor in Sunday’s game.
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### Injury Report
**Chargers**
– QB Justin Herbert (left hand) is inactive for the finale as confirmed by Coach Jim Harbaugh.
– Rookie RB Omarion Hampton (ankle), CB Nikko Reed (hamstring), and OL Jamaree Salyer (hamstring) missed some practice time; Salyer is unlikely to play Sunday.
**Broncos**
– LB Dre Greenlaw (hamstring) will not play.
– WR Pat Bryant (concussion), TE Nate Adkins (knee), and DL John Franklin-Meyers (hip) were limited in practice.
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### Additional Notes
– The Chargers have clinched a playoff spot for the second consecutive year, the first time since their four straight postseason appearances from 2006-09.
– In their Week 17 loss to Houston, the Chargers were 2 of 5 in the red zone, and their defense gave up two rare long touchdown passes early in the game. Kicker Cameron Dicker missed a field goal from inside 40 yards for the first time in his career and missed an extra point for the first time this season.
– The Chargers remain undefeated within the AFC West at 5-0.
– RB Omarion Hampton has scored a touchdown in three of his last four games.
– WR Quentin Johnston recently posted a spectacular 98-yard performance.
– WR Keenan Allen recorded seven catches for 65 yards and a touchdown in Week 3 against the Broncos.
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### Broncos Highlights
– The Broncos were the first team to clinch a playoff berth this season. They can secure the AFC’s No. 1 overall seed with a win on Sunday.
– Denver won the AFC West title for the first time since 2015, ending the Kansas City Chiefs’ nine-year division dominance.
– QB Bo Nix is tied for the second-most wins by a quarterback in his first two NFL seasons, with 23 victories. A win Sunday would tie Russell Wilson’s record of 24 wins in the first two seasons.
– Nix requires just one touchdown pass to become the fourth quarterback in NFL history with at least 25 touchdowns in each of his first two seasons.
– Nix joins Justin Herbert and Peyton Manning as the only players to throw for 3,500+ yards and at least 25 touchdowns in each of their first two NFL seasons.
– Rookie RB RJ Harvey leads all rookies with 12 touchdowns and has scored in five consecutive games.
– LB Nik Bonitto recorded two sacks in Denver’s Week 3 matchup vs. the Chargers.
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### Summary
Sunday’s contest between the Chargers and Broncos will feature a battle of contrasting fortunes and high stakes. The Chargers, led by backup QB Trey Lance, will look to upset the dominant Broncos defense. Meanwhile, Denver aims to maintain its stronghold atop the AFC West and chase historic records on both sides of the ball.
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*AP NFL: By The Associated Press*
https://mymotherlode.com/sports/nfl-general-news/10359871/broncos-look-to-clinch-afcs-no-1-seed-with-win-against-chargers.html
