Two of the league's top defenses meet up in Denver as Broncos, Chargers work out issues on offense

DENVER — Maybe the Denver Broncos wore their throwback uniforms a week too soon.

Sunday's matchup between the Broncos (3-2) and Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) at Empower Field pits teams sporting two of the NFL's top defenses and two of the league's offenses that are still works in progress.

The Chargers are allowing a league-low 12.5 points per game. Right behind them are the Broncos, who are yielding 14.6 points a game.

Both have bottom-five offenses that are still working out the wrinkles with a new QB (Bo Nix in Denver) or coordinator (Greg Roman in L.A.) as they jockey in the AFC West to see who will be the main chaser of the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs (5-0), who have won the division eight consecutive seasons.

L.A averages 17 points a game and Denver's average jumped to 19.2 points thanks to a 34-point explosion against Las Vegas last week — the Broncos' highest output in 43 games.

Of course, Denver's defense had plenty to do with that onslaught, which was sparked by star cornerback Patrick Surtain's 100-yard pick-6 for a touchdown.

“He’s a very good corner," Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said. "He’s one of those guys who gets things done. He finds a way. He’s hardly ever out of position.”

Nor are his teammates as Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has done another masterful job even without top tackler Alex Singleton, who will have surgery next week to repair a torn ACL that ended his season two weeks ago.

“They are hardly ever out of position," Herbert said, echoing his praise of Surtain. "They’re so fundamental and very talented. It’s a great combination for them, especially the way they are able to get after the passer.”

The Broncos rank third in the league with 19 sacks and sixth with eight takeaways, one more than the Chargers have in one fewer game.

“They do a good job keeping everything in front of them," Nix said. “They don’t give up explosives. They’ve kept everybody to low-scoring games."

Under first-year coordinator Jesse Minter, the Chargers have allowed a league-low 21 explosive plays (running plays of at least 12 yards, receptions of at least 16 yards) so far, a big turnaround from a year ago when they'd already allowed 37 such backbreakers.

“The game plan is always fun,” said Chargers defensive end Morgan Fox. "It’s never a stagnant game plan. Every game, everything makes sense. And then when we go forward, it’s the energy behind it. And the energy behind the execution is always exciting.”

Harbaugh vs. Payton

This will be the fourth time that Jim Harbaugh and Sean Payton have faced each other. Harbaugh has a 2-1 edge from his time in San Francisco and when Payton was coaching New Orleans. Payton is 6-0 against the Chargers, including a sweep last year.

Before Payton was hired by the Broncos last year many thought he would have been a candidate to take over the Chargers had they moved on from Brandon Staley after blowing a 27-point, first-half lead in the AFC wild-card playoff game at Jacksonville. Instead, they retained Staley before firing him late last season and turning their sights to Harbaugh, who had spurned the Broncos before they hired Payton in 2023.

“They’re tough, disciplined, well-coached football teams always in all phases. Always as good as it is,” Harbaugh said about the challenge of facing teams coached by Payton.

Payton is just as big an admirer of Harbaugh.

“I was excited that he got a job in our league, but not so much in our division.” Payton said. “They always have balance relative to running the football and throwing the football. All the things that ... are necessary to develop a team and he’s done that wherever he’s been. If you got back to USD — University of San Diego — it’s just not an accident.”

Duck soup

Both quarterbacks played at the University of Oregon, Herbert from 2016-19 and Nix in ‘22 and ’23 after three seasons at Auburn.

“I was able to watch Oregon all those years and it was awesome to see their success,” Herbert said.

Nix played with Herbert's younger brother, Pat, a tight end, and got to know Justin Herbert during his time in Eugene.

“He would be back every once in a while. He came to a game or two, and I was just able to be around him, talk and just kind of get to know him,” Nix said.

"So he’s one of those guys you look up to playing at Oregon, and now he’s been in the league for several years. I’ve been watching him and he’s been doing great things. So it’ll be fun watching him live and fun seeing him again.”

The two squared off in 2019 when Herbert was a senior and Nix a freshman at Auburn. Herbert had the better game (28-for-37 for 242 yards and a touchdown), but it was Nix (13-for-31, 177 yards, two TDs, two interceptions) whose team prevailed 27-21.

“It was a great head-to-head battle,” Nix recalled.

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AP Sports Writer Joe Reedy contributed from Los Angeles.