The game between the Broncos and Chargers will be presented on RDS2 and RDS.ca at 8 p.m. Thursday.
Bo Nix and Justin Herbert tried to keep their attention on Thursday’s duel, a crucial clash in the American West between the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers.
The quarterbacks, however, both realize what a win could accomplish for their chances of making the playoffs.
Nix and the Broncos (9-5) have won their last four games and would return to the playoffs for the first time since 2015 with a victory at SoFi Stadium.
Even though a victory in one of their last three matches would guarantee them a place in the winter tournament, that’s not how Nix sees things.
According to the NFL, a defeat by the Broncos would still give them an 85% chance of making the playoffs, with games in Cincinnati and Kansas City still to be played.
“We have three games to play to get three wins, get into the playoffs and win the Super Bowl,” he said.
Herbert and the Chargers (8-6) have suffered defeat in three of their last four outings. A win Thursday, coupled with losses to the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts, would give them their second bye in three years.
“The last two games felt like playoff games. They were important, we felt the same atmosphere, while at any moment something important could happen, Herbert said. It’s up to us to learn to master this environment and realize the importance of these matches. »
The Chargers would have a 97% chance of qualifying with a win versus 73% in the event of a loss. The team will finish the season with meetings in New England and Las Vegas, while being favorites in these two duels.
They are also trying to sweep their series against the Broncos for the first time since 2010, which would give them the tiebreaker if the two clubs finish the season with the same record.
“We know where we stand as a team; We have our destiny in our hands,” said Chargers safety Derwin James. This Thursday, everything we want is within our reach.”
A first
This duel is the first in the NFL to have been moved to the Thursday night game. NFL owners approved a two-year trial last year in which up to two games from Weeks 13-17 can be moved to Thursdays. The teams involved must be notified 28 days in advance.
No games were moved last year. The initially scheduled meeting between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals has been postponed until Sunday.
The Charges were one of six NFL teams not to have a Thursday game when the schedule was disclosed in May. The Broncos become the first team to play two road games on Thursdays after having played on Sundays since 1926.
“I think we coaches have learned to play these games maybe differently than we did initially,” noted Broncos head coach Sean Payton. I think it’s important not to overdo it. From making sure the guys know the upcoming games by heart, staying with what they know. »
