Parker Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos 23, Chargers 20 Sean Payton called his shot. He wanted this game flexed to Thursday night. He wanted his team to get another rep in prime time. He looked at the way everything set up and thought this played into Denver’s hands this week and next against Cincinnati. And he’s got a team that’s fully buying what he’s selling. If they rise to the occasion, postseason football is back in Broncos Country.

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos Ryan 17, Chargers, 13 Los Angeles McFadden has lost two straight and is coming off one of its worst performances of the season against Tampa Bay. At the same time, Denver is banged up. Even if Pat Surtain II plays, Denver’s depth on the defensive line might be tested with injuries to John Franklin- Myers and D.J. Jones. The Broncos have shown they can win games in a multitude of ways. Despite their limitations, they will figure out a way to win on Thursday Night Football.

Troy Troy Renck, Renckcolumnist: Broncos 19, Chargers 16 The Chargers want a rock fight. Their defense remains strong, even with a recent slump, and they don’t turn the ball over. The Broncos’ path to an upset is scoring first and leading at halftime. The Chargers’ passing attack is not equipped to chase. Broncos Country, say thank you to Wil Lutz. You are going to the playoffs.

Sean Sean Keeler, Keelercolumnist: Chargers 23, Broncos 18 Too soon. No, really. Too soon. It’s never ideal to go marching into Jim Harbaugh’s backyard — well, technically Stan Kroenke’s backyard — in a short week. But doing so while Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss, D.J. Jones, John Franklin-Myers and Jaleel McLaughlin are all some degree of banged up feels like courting trouble in the wrong place at the wrong time.