The Denver Broncos are prepared to face the “MVP” through two weeks of the regular season, and former star cornerback Chris Harris, a member of the 2015 Super Bowl team, did not mince words about the stakes.
Quarterback Justin Herbert has led the Los Angeles Chargers to their second consecutive 2-0 start and will look for his first even 3-0 opening salvo as a pro against the Broncos.
Bo Nix and the Broncos are looking to bounce back after their loss in Week 2.
Broncos Legend Chris Harris Sets Tone For Chargers Game
An undrafted free agent out of Kansas in 2011, Harris spent 12 seasons in the NFL, nine of which were with the Broncos in the “No Fly Zone.” He earned four Pro Bowl trips, one First Team All-Pro selection, and is a member of the Hall of Fame All-2010s Team.
Harris has ties on both sides of this AFC West rivalry, spending two seasons with the Chargers.
“This Chargers vs Broncos game is huge,” Harris posted on X on September 18. ”A lot at stake early in the season.”
“I think anybody who coaches against Jim Harbaugh has that little competitive thing because he brings it out of people. He’s a quirky dude.”
Harris faced the Chargers 17 times during his Broncos tenure, including one playoff game during the 2014 season. He played in 16 of those contests, with the postseason matchup among them.
Harris and the Broncos won five of those games.
Conversely, Harris was 2-2 with the Chargers against the Broncos, further underscoring LA’s recent upper hand in the rivalry.
Broncos Set to Face ‘MVP’ Justin Herbert
GettyJustin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers passes the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The 2025 Broncos will not have it much easier than Harris’ squads, who went up against the Chargers with Philip Rivers at QB. These Chargers are led by Herbert, who Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph called the “MVP” through two weeks of the season.
Joseph also called Herbert a “special athlete,” who is “playing at a high level right now.”
“He is accurate. He’s obviously a big man. So, he can see over the pressure. He’s escaping on major downs, second-and-long and third downs, to keep drives alive. So, how we rush this guy is going to be key. But how we cover the receiving targets and make him hold the ball is also going to be key,” Joseph told reporters on September 18.
“It’s a combination of rush and coverage to contain this quarterback. And, it’s a run-first offense. So, the balancing act between stopping the run and defending the pass is going to be critical.”
89 QBR 74% Comp 307 Pass YPG 10 TD, 1 Int
Tonight on MNF, he has a chance to be the first player in 5 years to post an 80+ QBR in 5 straight starts (via @ESPNInsights)
Entering Week 3, the Broncos have allowed opposing QBs to complete 56.5% of their passes, the third-lowest mark in the league. The Broncos rank ninth in passing yards allowed, but there is reason for even more encouragement.
The Chargers’ QB has taken 5 sacks, while the Broncos are tied for the third-most sacks with 7.
Herbert has completed 72.1% of his passes for 560 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions through two games.
Justin Herbert Aware of Broncos’ Defense
GettyJustin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers during warm ups before facing the Los Angeles Rams.
Herbert is not overlooking the Broncos. He is 5-4 against them in his career, though he swept them last season, completing 65.7% of his passes with a 2,199-13-7 line in those contests.
Herbert said the Broncos are a “very talented” and “really good defense.”
“They’re never really out of place. They’ve added a few pieces this year, and those guys have had huge roles in other teams,” Herbert told reporters on September 17. “You watch them, and they’re really well-coached. They fly around, they’re fast, and they get after the passer. I think they’re leading the league in sacks. So, that’s definitely something to be aware of.”
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Nix – who posted a 479-4-1 line of 65.7% completion against the Chargers as a rookie – and the Broncos must be at their best to notch a victory in Week 3.
Super Bowl Champion Puts Broncos on Notice Before Chargers Game