5 takeaways from Chargers’ loss to Broncos in Week 18

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The Chargers backups fell to the Broncos by a score of 16-3 on Sunday, locking Los Angeles into the 7 seed in the AFC playoffs after Houston and Buffalo both won earlier in the day.

Here's what to take away from the game.

Defensive performance

Jesse Minter's defense did not allow a touchdown all afternoon on Sunday despite the Chargers resting Derwin James Jr., Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and missing Denzel Perryman (suspension) and Elijah Molden (hamstring). Denver's only trip to the end zone came on a Trey Lance pick-six in the first quarter. The Broncos accrued a third of their yards on the day on their opening drive and were held to 160 yards the remaining three and a half quarters of the day. Bo Nix was held to 141 yards passing after throwing for 300 yards in 3 of his last 5 contests.

Marlowe Wax flashes

With Perryman out and Daiyan Henley resting, Los Angeles rolled with a linebacker trio of Troy Dye, Del'Shawn Phillips, and Wax, the undrafted rookie who made himself uncuttable during the preseason by continuing to flash late in games. Wax flashed again in his first defensive action of the regular season, finishing tied for the team lead with 8 total tackles, including a crucial 3rd down tackle for loss that forced a Broncos punt. On that play, Wax shot his gap and met Denver running back RJ Harvey in the hole, driving through the tackle to stop the play in its tracks.

Offensive line continues to struggle

Denver sacked Lance 4 times and hit him 8 times overall, including 2 apiece from Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen, and Eyioma Uwazurike. Bonitto beat left tackle Austin Deculus badly on one of this hits, blindsiding Lance to force a fumble that was recovered by the Broncos and led to a Denver field goal. The Chargers also struggled to get anything going on the ground, finishing with 12 running back carries for 44 yards without Omarion Hampton in the lineup. Kimani Vidal was the most effective of the Chargers trio in his return from a neck injury, averaging 4 yards a carry on 3 opportunities while backing up Jaret Patterson.

Strategic positioning

There's a real argument that the Chargers have actually set themselves up as best as they could have for the upcoming playoff bracket after seeing Denver this week. Los Angeles knew coming into the game that Houston had already won, leaving the Chargers as either the 6 or 7 seed. The 6 seed would've matched LA against Jacksonville again, after the Jaguars beat the Chargers 35-6 earlier this season. Instead, LA will face the Patriots, whose second-year quarterback Drake Maye is an MVP favorite in one of the biggest turnarounds of the season. If the Chargers can dispatch New England in Foxboro, they'd face Denver again as the lowest seed remaining. They should have a decent chance after watching the Broncos struggle to move the ball consistently against the Chargers' backups.

Injury concerns

Cornerback Donte Jackson left the game for the Chargers in the first quarter with an ankle injury, which pressed Cam Hart and Deane Leonard into more action on the outside, with some players resting for LA. Edge rusher Bud Dupree and wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith both left the game with hamstring injuries, with Lambert-Smith later ruled out for the rest of the afternoon. Special teams safety Kendall Williamson left with an ankle injury as well. While none other than Jackson is a major contributor, the Chargers will likely need all hands on deck to make a playoff run.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers vs. Broncos: 5 takeaways from LA’s 19-3 loss in Week 18

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