Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.
Live updates
Pre-game updates
Scouting report (9:16 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Chargers in Luca Evans’ scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, Broncos writer: Broncos 38, Chargers 0
If it was good enough for Week 18 last year, it’s good enough for Week 18 this year. The Broncos need a win to wrap up the No. 1 seed. The Chargers are sitting likely several key players. A couple of times this year, Sean Payton’s played just to ensure a win. This week, the bet here is he tries to dial up a feel-good game for Bo Nix and the Broncos offense heading into a bye week. What does it matter once Denver’s postseason play actually starts? Probably not much.
Luca Evans, Broncos writer: Broncos 21, Chargers 13
This will be another one-score game, because of course it will. Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is too good to let Sean Payton and Bo Nix just tee off on Sunday, and here’s betting Los Angeles takes a similar approach to Kansas City and tries to keep the lid on the Broncos’ passing game. The Chargers just have little offensive juice without Herbert, though, and this one should really never be in doubt.
Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 34, Chargers 12
Sean Payton knows his team needs momentum going into the playoffs as it clinches the AFC’s top seed. He will not be a turtle on offense. More like a snap dragon. Remember what the Broncos did to the JV Chiefs in the season finale a year ago? This should be a repeat, including two takeaways by the suddenly-maligned defense.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 23, Chargers 10
The Chargers’ offensive line is a mess, and Vance Joseph’s defense won’t miss. Los Angeles gave up five sacks to the Texans, four to the Chiefs and seven to the Eagles — that’s 16 takedowns over the last four games. The Bolts come into the weekend 28th in the league in sack percentage allowed, per SumerSports.com. The road to Super Bowl LX goes through Empower Field.
Broncos-Chargers NFL Week 18: Must-reads
Renck: Doubts remain about Broncos offense. Time for Sean Payton’s vindication.
On a forgettable Thursday night, the Broncos became Raiders of the Lost Art. They won, beating Las Vegas, despite finishing with more penalties (11) than first downs (10). There is winning ugly, and there is delivering a victory while looking like Freddy Krueger.
In the six games since, the Broncos have averaged 24.5 points per game. As the excitement bubbles about the postseason, it is important to remember how vulnerable the Broncos are. They have trailed in 12 of their wins. Their negative turnover margin cannot be ignored.
But there is a takeaway as important as the takeaways: it is time for Sean Payton to shine. Read Troy Renck’s column.
Related Articles
Broncos analysis: Sean Payton’s takeaway quest and an existential defensive question Around the NFL: How Week 18 sets up the AFC field for Broncos’ potential playoff opponents Broncos CB Jahdae Barron says it’s ‘human nature’ to want more reps, but rookie’s role is growing Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto sweeps local PFWA awards as ‘good guy,’ team MVP Broncos-Chargers: Can Bo Nix, Sean Payton beat LA’s zone coverage to earn AFC’s No. 1 seed?Broncos analysis: Sean Payton’s takeaway quest and an existential defensive question
A defense as disruptive as the Broncos figured to be and one that takes the ball away, too? That set up a scary proposition. Except then a strange thing happened. The turnovers dried up. The group has smacked around quarterbacks, tackled well and dominated most key areas but hasn’t taken the ball away like an elite defense.
Now the playoffs are just about here and head coach Sean Payton is doing his version of sounding an alarm bell. Read Parker Gabriel’s story.
Broncos CB Jahdae Barron says it’s ‘human nature’ to want more reps, but rookie’s role is growing
That has been the story of Barron’s inaugural season in Denver: a rookie who’s gradually learned to put himself in better positions in Joseph’s defense but has only sparingly found himself in the position to do so.
Six months ago, in a locker room in Santa Clara, Calif., after the Broncos’ first preseason game of the season, Barron told The Post that “everything’s gonna click.” Now, as the Broncos gear up for a postseason run that could take them right back to Santa Clara for the Super Bowl, Barron’s role has mostly stayed static. Read Luca Evans’ story.
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