The Broncos (4-12) are looking to end their season on a high. Stay here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.
Live updates
Pre-game updates
Inactive (1:13 p.m.): Hello from Empower Field, where the Broncos have new turf just for today’s season finale against the Chargers. Beauty of a January day — 41 degrees, partly cloudy and light winds.
Here are the inactive Broncos:
DB rookie Damarri Mathis (concussion) was listed as a limited entrant this weekend but will not play. WR Montrell Washington is also inactive again.
Others:
- WR Kendall Hinton
- OT Calvin Anderson
- OLB Jonathan Kongbo
- DL DJ Jones
- QB Jarrett Guarantano
—Parker Gabriel
Reconnaissance report (noon): Find out how the Broncos match the Chargers in Kyle Newman Recognition Report.
Publish predictions
Mark Kiszla, columnist: Broncos 20, Chargers 17
Jerry Rosburg, the pigskin laureate of Denver’s lost season, delivers a William Shakespeare-esque soliloquy after the Broncos’ game to the pride and joy of beleaguered local fans. All’s well That ends well. Or something like that.
Kyle Newman, beatwriter: Chargers 24, Broncos 21
In a fitting end to a season of dumpster fires, Justin Herbert or Chase Daniel devise a winning last-second practice to beat the Broncos and leave the home crowd booing as they leave. Another loss that proves there are serious question marks over Russell Wilson, who is throwing at least one game-changing interception for a third straight week.
Parker Gabriel, beatwriter: Broncos 21, Chargers 17
Sure, there’s nothing major to play for — Denver hasn’t had that in several weeks — but the Broncos put on a tough performance against Kansas City last week. One more Sunday in the season finale and Jerry Rosburg could retire with a win on his NFL head coaching roster. The last time this team played at home, they failed and hammered for 168 rushing yards, two touchdowns and a win over Arizona. It looks like a good recipe.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 21, Chargers 20
Jerry Rosburg’s first week on the job proved what many had suspected all along: This roster needed a “dad” in charge, as opposed to Nathaniel Hackett’s “cool older brother” vibe. And how can you not love a mug that names Sonny Liston and Joe Palooka in the same sonic phrase?
Broncos-Chargers NFL Week 18: Must-Reads
NFL Journal: Broncos QB Russell Wilson on what he’s looking for in new head coach
Eleven things about the Broncos as they cap off a disappointing regular season with a home game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
1. After Denver’s final against the Chargers, CEO Greg Penner’s search for a new head coach will kick into high gear. Interview requests and the interviews themselves — depending on availability and playoff scenarios — will begin as early as the coming week. As the research develops, the interviews will cover a lot of ground. Quarterback Russell Wilson will of course be a major topic of conversation. What does he want to see in a head coach? Read the full story. —Parker Gabriel
Dalton Risner is about to be a free agent. Next stop for the Broncos mainstay at left guard? Wherever it is “valued”.
For the past four years, Dalton Risner has been the Broncos anchor at left guard.
But unless the Broncos came up with a competitive offer for the Wiggins native, he might have played his last game in orange and blue. Risner will be a free agent at the end of the season and was placed on the injured list this week with a strained ligament in his left elbow.
Risner addressed his uncertain future Thursday in Dove Valley, speaking to members of the Denver media after being named the 2022 recipient of the local PFWA chapter’s Good Guy award. This honor is given annually to a Denver player who demonstrates enthusiasm, cooperation and honesty in their dealings with reporters. Read the full story. —Kyle Newman
Broncos DC Ejiro Evero says he’s ‘as ready as he can be’ to take on head coaching opportunity after season ends
When Denver’s season ends on Sunday, the defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero is likely to be a popular guy.
The freshman defensive coordinator, who turns 42 on Friday, should attract interest from teams with head coaching openings in the NFL. Whether he lands a chief job after just a year in charge of a defense remains to be seen, but he’s quickly become a name to know in the coaching community.
Evero said he’s had conversations with Broncos brass recently, but “not specifically about working here.” General manager George Paton said after the team fired Nathaniel Hackett that they wanted to interview Evero about the head coaching job. Read the full story. —Parker Gabriel