San Diego Chargers |
Sunday, December 14, 2014 - 2:05 PM MDT |
Denver Broncos |
||
AVG. YDS (RNK) |
TEAM CATEGORY |
AVG. YDS (RNK) |
||
12th | Pass Off. | 4th | ||
28th | Rush Off. | 17th | ||
8th | Pass Def. | 14th | ||
14th | Rush Def. | 2nd | ||
8-5 | Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA | 10-3 | ||
2nd AFC West | Spread: -4 | 1st AFC West | ||
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The Denver Broncos can secure their fourth consecutive AFC West division title with a win this afternoon over the San Diego Chargers. Out of all of the AFC West teams, the Chargers have proven to be the only team capable of taking down the Peyton Manning-led Broncos. Even so, it will be a tall order for Philip Rivers to repeat their success from last seasons Thursday Night Football upset.
For the Broncos offense, they will finally be fully healthy again with Julius Thomas returning to the lineup. I believe this will equate into touchdowns in the red zone for Manning and the Broncos. Thomas may not be the one catching the touchdowns, but him on the field in the red zone opens things up for everyone else. Connor Barth is going to be bored today with Brandon McManus having all the fun with kick-off duty.
On the other side of the ball, the Broncos defense has one goal in this game. That goal is to frustrate and harass Rivers as much as possible. Rivers will get his couple of drives, but we all know that when he gets frustrated he makes mistakes. Those are the mistakes that will decide the outcome of this game. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware must bring it today.
I think this game is one that once the Broncos take control, they'll keep it and pull away late. With all of the criticism Manning has taken in recent weeks, this could end up being a game where he throws four or five touchdowns and shuts everyone up again. The ole washed-up quarterback is far from finished here.
Prediction: Broncos 35, Chargers 24.
What is your prediction, Broncos Country?
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