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Earlier we examined why the Chargers will win, but sadly now it is time to look at why they may lose.
Von Miller
The Denver Broncos pass rusher is arguably the best defensive player in the NFL. On any given play, he is able to completely disrupt the offense all by himself. And he will be lining up against a Chargers offensive line that relies upon the likes of Spencer Pulley, Kenny Wiggins, and Joe Barksdale. If Philip Rivers is not able to get the ball out quickly on Monday Night, he will be in for a long, painful evening and the Chargers will almost certainly lose. And even if the Chargers can slow down Miller, they still have to deal with Shaquil Barrett and Derek Wolfe. The Broncos’ pass rush is fearsome and will not be able to completely stopped. The best Los Angeles can hope for is to slow them down.
Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders
Trevor Siemian is lousy, but Thomas and Sanders are one of the very best wide receiver duos in the league. The outside corners are great, but Desmond King is a rookie and the safeties are not a strength for the Chargers (even if they are probably better than last year’s group). One of the two should be able to get open regularly if Gus Bradley’s pass rush cannot get home. And although the Broncos receivers are the bigger threat, Denver also features some playmakers at running back in C.J. Anderson and the great Jamaal Charles who has always given the Chargers fits.
Aqib Talib and Chris Harris
Talib and Harris are the best best starting corners in the NFL. The Chargers have some excellent receiving threats, but the Broncos secondary is as good as it gets and they will not have to cover all that long with the likes of Von Miller rushing the passer. Chargers fans know what it’s like to have a great cornerback tandem in Jason Verrett and Casey Hayward, but Talib and Harris are better (certainly more proven on a consistent basis). If Keenan Allen and Tyrell Williams can find a way to get open they will be doing it against long odds.