Witness backups compete against the Broncos. Can special teams rebound, Trey Lance impress, and Greg Roman call a functional game?
The Los Angeles Chargers are taking on the Denver Broncos this Sunday in a game where it has already been announced that Justin Herbert and several other starters will not see the field. Los Angeles will very likely enter the playoffs as the seven seed, with a slim chance at the six seed if Buffalo loses to New York in Week 18. That would set up a road matchup with the likely NFL MVP Drake Maye and the New England Patriots. But that conversation can wait.
Up next are the Broncos. Even with the Chargers resting starters, here are three things worth watching in Week 18.
Are the special teams blunders a one-game issue?
JK Scott has had a very good season. Cameron Dicker has had an excellent career so far, one that already puts him among the league’s better kickers. But against Houston, it felt like nothing could go right. Dicker missed two kicks that are automatic by his standards. Scott dropped three punts under 40 yards and consistently gave Houston favorable field position while the defense was doing everything it could to keep the game close.
With starters sitting or on snap counts, the offense will likely struggle to move the ball. Field goals and punts are going to be part of this game whether anyone likes it or not. The Chargers need to see both Dicker and Scott shake off last week and head into the playoffs with confidence.
Does Trey Lance look competent over a full game?
The chances of Trey Lance returning to Los Angeles next season are slim. But if he can look comfortable running the offense for a full game, even with backups, against what is arguably a top five defense in the league, teams will take notice.
No one is expecting Lance to light the field on fire. But if he looks composed, makes good decisions and keeps the offense functional, there will be teams willing to bring him in as competition next year. That matters for the Chargers too. If Lance shows something, Los Angeles could potentially be looking at a compensatory pick down the line, something they could badly use given their current draft capital.
Will Greg Roman call a competent game with the backups?
The result does not matter. Health does. That is the priority. Get out of Denver healthy and get ready for the playoffs.
But there is still value in how this game is called. If Roman spends the afternoon sending Hassan Haskins straight into stacked boxes for two yards a carry, nothing is learned. If Lance is asked to drop back with no protection and no quick options, nothing is learned. That helps no one.
No one is asking Roman to unveil playoff wrinkles or get cute. Just call a functional game. Give the backups a chance to show something. Build at least a little offensive rhythm heading into New England. If that doesn’t happen, fans are going into the playoffs with zero confidence, and Roman has done little this season to earn the benefit of the doubt.
This game is not about winning. Keep players fresh, compete with who is on the field and get ready to take a real swing in the playoffs. That is all that matters.