Broncos’ offensive line unable to slow Chargers’ pass rushers

The Denver Post

After one of CARSON, their worst offensive performances in a quarter century, there weren’t many silver linings to be found for the Broncos on Sunday.

One of the few: Trevor Siemian and Denver’s under-siege offensive line won’t have to see Joey Bosa or Melvin Ingram again this season.

For the second time in seven weeks, the Chargers’ fearsome pass-rushing duo wreaked havoc upon Siemian and the Broncos’ offense. Bosa and Ingram combined for three sacks Sunday, just as they did in the Broncos’ 24-21 season-opening victory over the Chargers on Sept. 11.

Ingram, who was credited with one sack, had another demolition of Siemian negated after he was flagged for a personal foul penalty for helmet-to-helmet contact that left the Denver quarterback with a face full of grass.

“I heard from up top that it maybe wasn’t a good call, but I don’t call the game,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said.

Even without Ingram’s second sack, there was plenty of damage to go around from the outside duo.

“I think, right now, that’s the best two edge guys in the league working together,” Siemian said. “When you get to third-and-10 in this league, it’s tough enough in this league in general. But it’s really tough with those guys. You have to keep the down and distance manageable to keep those guys on their heels. They’re really good players.”

The Broncos started rookie Garett Bolles at left tackle and veteran Allen Barbre, the team’s normal left guard, at right tackle. The two turned in an up-anddown performance as the Broncos gave up a season-high five sacks.

Bolles was tasked with facing Bosa and Ingram in his NFL debut, which doesn’t constitute a friendly welcome into the league. The pressure they put on the rookie only intensified Sunday.

“He has to play better,” Broncos coach Vance Joseph said of Bolles.

A third edge rusher, Chris McCain, was also destructive, registering two sacks, including a strip of Siemian in the first half that the Chargers recovered for one of their three takeaways.

But the sacks weren’t the only thing that impressed Lynn about his pass rushers.

“What I liked about them is that they played the run better,” he said, referring to a defensive performance that limited the Broncos to only 69 yards on 19 carries. “Sometimes, it’s hard to stop the run when you’re trying to sack the quarterback, and unselfishly, they played the run.”