Pros
- The Denver Broncos boast a new play-caller this season in head coach Nathaniel Hackett, and THE BLITZ projects their pass/run mix to lean 4.1% more towards passing than it did last season (context-neutralized).
- THE BLITZ projects the Broncos to run the 7th-most plays on offense on the slate this week with 67.4 plays, given their underlying tendencies and game dynamics.
- The forecast calls for 4-mph wind in this game. Low wind typically means increased pass volume, increased TD potential, and increased passing effectiveness.
- The Denver Broncos O-line has afforded their quarterback 2.68 seconds before the pass (6th-best in the league since the start of last season), which has a positive effect on all air attack statistics across the board.
- The Denver Broncos have gone up against a stacked the box on 17.6% of their plays since the start of last season, 10th-most in the league. Positioning an extra defender near the line of scrimmage improves run-stopping at the expense of better passing efficiency.
Cons
- The Broncos are a 6.5-point favorite this week, indicating a rushing game script.
- Opposing teams have averaged 33.1 pass attempts per game vs. the Los Angeles Chargers defense this year: 8th-least in the league.
- Russell Wilson’s throwing accuracy has diminished this year, with his Completion% falling off from 65.3% to 59.1%.
- Russell Wilson has been among the worst per-play passers in the league this year, averaging a lowly 6.61 yards-per-target while checking in at the lowly 19th percentile.
- Opposing offenses have passed for the least yards in football (just 200.0 per game) versus the Los Angeles Chargers defense this year.
Projection
THE BLITZ
225
Passing Yards