Chargers at Denver Broncos: Who has the edge?

CHARGERS (6-4) AT BRONCOS (5-5)

When: Sunday, 1:05 p.m.

Where: Empower Field at Mile High

TV/Radio: CBS (Ch. 2); 98.7 FM; 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (Spanish); Sirius 137

Line: Chargers by 2½ points

Notable injury designations: Chargers: LG Matt Feiler (questionable; ankle), CB Asante Samuel Jr. (out; concussion) S Alohi Gilman (out; quadriceps), DB Trey Marshall (questionable; ankle/hip), DB Mark Webb Jr. (injured reserve; knee)

Broncos: DE Shelby Harris (questionable; ankle), S Kareem Jackson (doubtful; neck), OT Bobby Massie (doubtful; ankle)

What’s at stake? The Chargers’ first 3-0 start in the AFC West since 1996. The Chargers defeated the Kansas Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders in the first month of the season, but they haven’t played a divisional game since defeating the Raiders on “Monday Night Football” in Week 4. The Chargers have an opportunity to overtake the Chiefs for first place in the division if they’re able to defeat the Broncos, but they haven’t had much success in Denver in recent years. They have lost seven of their past eight games in Denver dating to 2014. Last season, the Chargers blew a 21-point lead to the Broncos on the road before falling, 31-30.

Who’s better? The Chargers because of the sizable advantage at the quarterback position with Justin Herbert, who is coming off a sensational performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Herbert became the first player in NFL history to throw for at least 350 yards and rush for at least 90 yards in a single game. Herbert will be tested against Vic Fangio’s defense, which features a stout secondary with safety Justin Simmons and rookie cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater isn’t known for racking up yards, but he’s efficient and protects the ball. The Chargers’ secondary could have trouble against the Broncos’ receiving trio of Tim Patrick, Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy.

Matchup to watch: Fangio coaching against Chargers coach Brandon Staley, who spent three seasons working under Fangio as an assistant coach in Denver and Chicago. Fangio told Chargers reporters in a conference call this week that his defensive scheme and Staley’s defensive scheme are very similar. This chess matchup between mentor and mentee might come down to which defense can disguise their coverages the best. Herbert has struggled at times this season against well-disguised defenses. But Herbert has had the luxury of practicing against Staley’s defensive scheme, which was molded after Fangio’s scheme.

Chargers win if: … Their defense records multiple takeaways against the Broncos. The Chargers have only recorded one takeaway in the past three games and have 11 total this season, which ranked 20th in the NFL entering Week 12. The Broncos have struggled on offense this season and could have a tough time keeping pace with Herbert and the Chargers. Denver ranks 23rd in the NFL at 20 points per game and sits at 28th for third-down conversion percentage (34.6%).

Fantasy sleeper: Sutton gave the Chargers fits in 2019 and they avoided him last season because he was sidelined with a torn ACL. Sutton has returned to health and is having another productive season. Sutton will face a short-handed Chargers’ secondary that will be without rookie standout cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. Backup cornerback Tevaughn Campbell has struggled this season when he’s been asked to start.

Prediction: Herbert could have trouble against the Broncos’ defense, which is holding opponents to 18.3 points per game. But Herbert has Staley’s knowledge on his side for how to operate against a Fangio-led defense. The Chargers will jump to a double-digit lead and hold on for a 24-17 road win.