Chargers at Denver Broncos: Who has the edge?

CHARGERS (2-4) at DENVER BRONCOS (2-4)

When: 1:05 p.m. Sunday

Where: Empower Field at Mile High

TV/Radio: Channel 2; 98.7-FM; 105.5-FM/94.3-FM (Spanish); Sirius 134

Line: Chargers by 3

Notable injury designations: Chargers: RG Trai Turner (out; groin), RT Bryan Bulaga (questionable; back), QB Tyrod Taylor (questionable; ribs), OT Storm Norton (questionable; knee).

Broncos: RB Phillip Lindsay (questionable; concussion), WR Tim Patrick (questionable; hamstring), TE Jake Butt (questionable; hamstring), OT Demar Dotson (questionable; non-injury related)

What’s at stake?: The Chargers’ first AFC West victory since the 2018 regular-season finale in Denver. Anthony Lynn’s team returns to Denver with a seven-game losing streak in the division. Lynn said they’re treating this game like any other game, but that’s hard to believe. This game likely means more in the Chargers’ locker room after finishing 0-6 versus divisional foes in 2019.

Who’s better?: The AFC West rivals sport identical 2-4 records, but this category might come down to quarterback play, and right now Justin Herbert is doing that better than Drew Lock, who has thrown two interceptions in each of his past two starts. Herbert hasn’t had a turnover in two games and continues to get better with each start. The Chargers had a season-high 39 points last week, despite the struggles on the offensive line. Lock hasn’t played well since returning from a two-game injury absence, but has plenty of offensive weapons to turn it around, with wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, running back Melvin Gordon and tight end Noah Fant.

Matchup to watch: Speaking of those weapons, the Chargers’ defense will need to step up after allowing at least 29 points in each of the past three games. It’s arguably the worst stretch the Chargers’ defense has had since Gus Bradley took over as defensive coordinator in 2017. Specifically, the Chargers need a bounceback performance from Casey Hayward, who hasn’t played like their No. 1 cornerback this season. Hayward has missed tackles and given up big plays in recent games. He’ll have his hands full versus wide receivers Jeudy, Tim Patrick and K.J. Hamler.

Chargers win if: They run the ball efficiently with running backs Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley. The Chargers have struggled to establish the run since Austin Ekeler went on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Kelley, who had a promising start to his career, has failed to reach 30 rushing yards in the past three games. Jackson had only 12 rushing yards last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Chargers will need the two running backs to get back on track if they want to protect Herbert from a stout Broncos defensive line that’s facing a shorthanded Chargers offensive line.

Fantasy sleeper: This writer has failed to pick quality fantasy sleepers this season, but this will be a get-right pick. Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams didn’t do much last week to follow up his stellar performance Monday night against the New Orleans Saints. Williams tends to have quiet games, so this will be the week he returns to making acrobatic catches.

Prediction: This might be the toughest game so far to predict (this writer is 5-1 for the season). On paper, they’re evenly matched in many categories, but the Broncos are at home and might have the better defense. But the Chargers got a taste of winning last week and that might be the momentum they needed to finally end their AFC West losing streak. The Chargers will escape Denver with a 24-17 victory.

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