HOW THEY MATCH UP
When Chargers have the ball:
On 12 possessions against Buffalo last weekend, the Chargers scored one touchdown, on a one-yard keeper by Easton Stick. Readying for his third career start, Stick has shown improvement and an arm that’s strong enough to make throws that could be reasonably expected from a backup quarterback in the NFL. With the Chargers changing leadership heading into next season, Stick is playing for his future, whether that’s with the Chargers or one of the league’s other 31 teams. Quentin Johnston has had an underwhelming rookie season, but he did catch three passes for a career-high 91 yards against Denver on Dec. 10 at SoFi Stadium. That performance included a 57-yard completion from Stick. Johnston also scored his second career touchdown on a pass from Stick earlier this month at Las Vegas. This will be a significant offseason for Johnston, who still must prove that former general manager Tom Telesco didn’t err in drafting him with the 21st pick in April. Johnston’s development heading into next season will be a subject the next coach will be asked about often. Receivers Keenan Allen (heel) and Joshua Palmer (concussion) are out. When Broncos have the ball:
With their playoff lives on the line on Christmas Eve, the Broncos blew a halftime lead, came back to tie the score late and then lost in the final seconds to a New England team that entered 3-11. That game also was played in Denver, where the atmosphere Sunday figures to be a little, well, less than New Year’s Eve festive. The Broncos have lost three of their last four, with the only victory coming over the Chargers three weeks ago. In that game, Russell Wilson completed 21 of 33 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Now, Wilson has been benched in favor of Jarrett Stidham. During his career, Stidham has made one appearance against the Chargers — for New England, as Cam Newton’s backup, during the 2020 season. That was a game the Chargers lost 45-0. The Broncos have been a bottomhalf passing offense this season and, at best, middle of the road by most other measures. Firstyear coach Sean Payton will be looking at make significant roster adjustments heading into next season.
When they kick: Cameron Dicker continued his Pro Bowltype season by booting five field goals in Week 16. He hit from 20, 40, 45, 47 and 53 yards to improve to 24 for 25 this season. In 26 career regular-season games, Dicker has missed only two field-goal tries (from 52 and 53 yards) while making all 59 of his extra-point attempts. Will Lutz is 27 for 30 on field goals and 26 for 28 on extra points for Denver. By the numbers: Per-game averages except for sacks and turnovers (with NFL rank):
Jeff Miller’s prediction: Recent history has not been kind to the Chargers when they travel to face the Broncos. They’ve lost nine of 10 road games against Denver, and the only win came late in 2018 when the Broncos were coasting into the offseason and the Chargers were readying for the playoffs. With the Chargers 10-5 straight up and 7-7-1 against the spread for predictions this season, it’s hard to see this game bucking such a strong trend — even with Denver tumbling almost as badly as they have over the last several weeks. BRONCOS 21, CHARGERS 20