#LACvsDEN's Burning Questions: Can the Broncos extend their winning streak vs. the Chargers?

[Miles]

DENVER — It was just one loss, and now the Broncos are looking for just one win.


After a tough defeat to the Chiefs in Week 7, the Broncos can win their third game in their last four opportunities with a victory over the division-rival Chargers.


The Broncos swept the Chargers in 2019, and if they can extend their winning streak to three games, it would be the team's longest winning streak over a divisional rival since they beat the Chargers five consecutive times from 2013-15.


Drew Lock and Justin Herbert will draw the headlines in this matchup, but there's plenty else at play in a contest in which the Broncos can move to 3-4 on season and remain in the wild-card hunt.


These are the questions that will determine the winner of Sunday's matchup:


CAN DENVER AVOID THE BIG MISTAKE?


Against Kansas City, the Broncos trailed just 10-6 in the second quarter and had a first-and-10 on their own 49-yard line with a chance to take the lead. Instead, the game spiraled out of control. Drew Lock threw a pick-six when Daniel Sorensen read an out route to Noah Fant that Lock missed on the inside.


Then, after a Brandon McManus field goal, Kansas City's Byron Pringle returned a kick 102 yards for a touchdown that put the Chiefs up 24-9. Later, in the second half, a chance to cut the game to a one-possession lead was foiled when a flea-flicker went awry.


Any chance the Broncos had of winning the game against Kansas City slipped away with those turnovers, and they'll need to avoid a similar fate against the Chargers.


If they can play a clean game, it would stem a season-long issue. The Broncos have had multiple turnovers in five of their six games this season, and they've lost the turnover battle in every game except their Week 6 win in New England.


For Denver to earn a victory over Los Angeles, the formula may be as simple as being ahead in the turnover margin.


They won't have an easy task, though. Justin Herbert has thrown just three interceptions this season, including just one over the last three weeks.