Chargers’ resurgent defense faces test from Russell Wilson, Broncos

Sebastian Joseph-Day has heard what’s been said and read what’s been written.

He’s not buying it.

None of it.

Not for one minute.

Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos will be a formidable challenge Sunday.

“I’ve been playing against this guy my whole career,” the Chargers defensive lineman said. “Last year, all y’all was trying to tell me this guy stinks. Y’all are crazy. I’ve played against this man my whole career and now, even with a different team, he’s still elite. He’s an elite player.”

The Broncos gave everyone around the NFL pause when starting the season with a 0-3 record, which included giving up 70 points to the Miami Dolphins in Week 3. More recently, the Broncos (6-6) changed a great many minds around the league by winning five consecutive and leaping back into the AFC playoff race.

The Chargers (5-7) need a similar five-game winning streak in order to match their 10-7 record of last season, when they won four consecutive down the stretch to rally for their first playoff berth since the 2018 season. Last season, their defensive play was the key to their late-season winning streak.

Wilson, 35, has been the catalyst for the Broncos’ turnaround this season, completing 67.5% of his passes with 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He might not be as celebrated as while he was with the Seattle Seahawks before they dealt him to the Broncos on March 16, 2022.

Joseph-Day had plenty of opportunities to see the damage Wilson could inflict on a defense while playing against him and the Seahawks during his first three seasons in the NFL while with the Rams from 2019-21. Joseph-Day joined the Chargers as part of a roster overhaul in the 2022 offseason.

“I have no doubts about Russell Wilson,” Joseph-Day said. “It’s going to be a great challenge. We have a great challenge ahead of us. Great team, great O-line, great players on D, great defense. It’s going to be a very challenging game. It’s going to be very challenging, but also very fun.”

Last season, the Chargers’ late surge was sparked by a defense that suddenly came to life with consecutive victories over the Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts and the Rams. The Chargers ended the season with a meaningless loss to the Broncos after locking up a playoff spot.

The Chargers gave up an average of 11 points during their winning streak, half of what they surrendered for the season. Could a repeat defensive performance be at hand for the final games of the regular season?

Maybe?

After all, the Chargers are coming off a 6-0 victory over the New England Patriots at rain-soaked Gillette Stadium and a 20-10 loss to the AFC co-leading Baltimore Ravens at SoFi Stadium in which the Ravens didn’t break open the game until a late touchdown with less than two minutes to play.

“I think that is to be determined,” Chargers defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley said when asked if the defense has played its best down the stretch. “I feel like our best football is ahead of us. We haven’t hit our stride yet. There’s still a level or two that we can get to, and that’s what we’re striving for on the practice field.”

In addition to Wilson, the Chargers will see a familiar face on the opposite sideline Sunday. Joe Lombardi, their former offensive coordinator, is now with the Broncos. Lombardi’s offense isn’t all that different from what he designed and implemented with the Chargers for two seasons.

“They’re a different team, but there are definitely some similarities there,” Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. said of facing Lombardi for the first time. “It’s the NFL. Each week certain stuff is going to show up, especially if it’s something that we haven’t stopped or that we need to work on. I feel like each week with the NFL, you’re going to see some NFL staples. We just have to be ready.”

Buckle up, it could be a bumpy ride.

CHARGERS (5-7) at BRONCOS (6-6)

When: 1:25 p.m. Sunday

Where: SoFi Stadium

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