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Bo Nix is not the quarterback the Chargers were preparing for in Week 6. Jesse Minter knows he’s partly to blame.
“We kind of sparked his run by what we let him do to us in the fourth quarter of that game,” the Chargers defensive coordinator said sheepishly this week.
After Nix threw two touchdowns to score 16 fourth-quarter points against the Chargers in Week 6, Minter must now face the monster he unleashed. The rookie quarterback leads the Broncos (9-5) into a critical divisional rematch on Thursday as the Chargers (8-6) look to reverse a late-season swoon.
The Broncos started 3-3, including a 23-16 loss to the Chargers in Denver on Oct. 13, but have won six of their last eight games and snapped a four-game winning streak heading into Thursday’s prime-time game at SoFi Stadium.
Nix has completed 64.3% of his passes over the last eight games, averaging 236.3 yards per game while throwing 15 touchdown passes. He entered the Week 6 game at Denver completing 61.8% of passes and averaging 173.2 yards per game. In his first five games, he threw three touchdowns compared to four passes intercepted.
Read more: Jim Harbaugh, Chargers feel better after first win in Denver since 2018
Nix is a quiet contender for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He leads all rookies with 20 touchdown passes and has three games with at least three touchdown passes, including last week’s win over the Indianapolis Colts. Like in October against the Chargers, Nix had problems early on with an interception on the first drive. He shook off three turnovers and threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.
“Ultimately he made winning plays for his team,” said Minter. “That’s really what you see from him, he’s just like a really good competitor, really savvy, moxie, scrambler, playful mentality, throwing on the run.”
Nix led the Chargers 23-0 early in the fourth quarter and then easily ran for 28 yards on three runs. He completed 15 of 19 passes in the quarter for 189 yards and two touchdowns.
The Chargers still won comfortably, thanks to safety Derwin James Jr., who played the team’s best football of the year in the first three quarters. But the defensive captain’s lasting impression of the win was still the disappointing ending.
“They’re a different team than they were the first time,” James said. “Much more confidence. They’re a playoff-caliber team right now and I can’t wait for us to show what we’re made of on Thursday.”
The Chargers are trying to re-establish themselves on defense after giving up a shocking 40 points and 506 yards to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Minter said he felt a “different vibe” on defense during the blowout. When he broke down film of the game on Monday, he didn’t just point out missed tackles or errant plays.
Read more: The Chargers-Broncos game could decide playoff opponents, a scary prospect
He pointed out the unit’s lack of energy. That was clear on the first play, complained outside linebacker Khalil Mack.
“I felt like everything was just kind of routine,” Mack said. “But if you love the game, you have to play with excitement, energy and juice.”
For a game with direct playoff implications for both teams, finding the necessary energy shouldn’t be a problem. The Broncos can secure a spot in the playoffs with a win or a draw on Thursday. The Chargers are playing to defeat their AFC West rival for the first time since 2010.
“I expect a playoff atmosphere,” Mack said. “At least on our side, we just understand where we want to go and what we want to achieve as a team. A lot depends on this game.”
Etc.
Quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) said Tuesday he expects to play against the Broncos. He was limited in training on both days this week due to a sprained left ankle. … Starters Elijah Molden (knee), Zion Johnson (ankle) and Otito Ogbonnia (pelvis) missed both days of practice this week, but cornerback Kristian Fulton participated fully in practice on Tuesday after being limited during Monday’s workout. … Cornerback Cam Hart is suffering from a concussion for the second time in a month after hitting his head hard on the turf following a pass breakup on Sunday. … The Chargers opened the 21-day practice window for tight end Hayden Hurst, who returned from injured reserve on Tuesday. He was placed on IR four weeks ago with a hip injury.
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
