The Broncos will take on the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 2 at 2:05 p.m. MT.
MATCHUP
While the Broncos' playoff hopes are slim, Denver (7-8) still has a shot to finish the year with their a winning record. To do that, they'll have to win each of their final two games, starting with Sunday's rematch against the Chargers (8-7), who are hoping to improve their playoff chances. Each team is desperate to put an end to a two-game losing streak, and the Chargers will be especially hungry to reverse their recent struggles against the Broncos, as Denver has won four of the last five games in the series. That includes wins in two of the three games since Justin Herbert became Los Angeles' starting quarterback. The Broncos gave Herbert another tough outing in Week 12, as cornerback Pat Surtain II intercepted him twice. Herbert, running back Austin Ekeler and receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams will surely be keen to put that behind them.
Denver, however, will look to continue its run of success, even as COVID-19 sidelines several of the team's starters. That challenge will test its resiliency, but the Broncos must improve from last week's performance, regardless of the roster, to get a win. Quarterback Drew Lock will make his second start of the season, and after a turnover-free game against the Raiders, he'll look to keep that part of his game going. To get the kind of necessary balance on offense that was absent a week ago, Denver will require more effectiveness from him but also greater production from running backs Melvin Gordon III and Javonte Williams.
INJURY UPDATE
On Friday, the Broncos ruled out quarterback Teddy Bridgewater for a second consecutive week as he continues to recover from a concussion. The team also listed nine players as questionable: Gordon (thumb/hip), Williams (knee), cornerback Ronald Darby (shoulder), safety Kareem Jackson (back/shoulder), inside linebacker Kenny Young (concussion), defensive linemen Shelby Harris (ankle), Dre'Mont Jones (foot) and Shamar Stephen (knee) and wide receiver Courtland Sutton (illness).
The Broncos will also be down more than a dozen players who will miss the game on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, including tackles Bobby Massie and Calvin Anderson, cornerbacks Bryce Callahan and Mike Ford, wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick, outside linebackers Bradley Chubb, Jonathon Cooper and Stephen Weatherly, defensive lineman McTelvin Agim, safety Caden Sterns and inside linebacker Baron Browning. Defensive lineman Mike Purcell and outside linebacker Andre Mintze are also on the list, but they could be able to return to the field in time for Sunday's game.
The Chargers listed linebacker Drue Tranquill as doubtful for the game with an ankle injury.
As of Friday, Los Angeles also has 11 players on its Reserve/COVID-19 list: safeties Nasir Adderley and Alohi Gilman, tight end Jared Cook, cornerbacks Chris Harris Jr. *and *Davontae Harris, kicker Dustin Hopkins, linebackers Damon Lloyd and Kenneth Murray Jr., long snapper Matt Overton and tackles Storm Norton and Trey Pipkins III.
The full week's injury report can be viewed here.
WATCH ON TV: CBS
Play-by-Play: Ian Eagle
Analyst: Charles Davis
Sideline: Evan Washburn
WATCH ON MOBILE
In-market fans can stream the game on DenverBroncos.com or in the Broncos 365 app via mobile web on iOS on iPhones and iPads and through the Yahoo Sports app. Streaming is available on Android devices on the Yahoo Sports app only.
LISTEN LIVE
LOCAL ENGLISH RADIO (KOA - 850 AM/94.1 FM & The Fox - 103.5 FM)
Play-by-Play: Dave Logan
Analyst: Rick Lewis
SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
Follow the Broncos for live game-day updates, videos and behind-the-scenes photos:
Instagram: @Broncos
Twitter: @Broncos
Facebook: Denver Broncos
