SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ DENVER BRONCOS PREDICTION & PREVIEW
San Diego Chargers (10 – 7) @ Denver Broncos (13 - 3)
Sunday January 12, 1:40 PM PST
Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
The San Diego Chargers visit the Denver Broncos in the closing game of the Divisional Round. The Broncos are a 10 point favorite. The total is set at 55.
The San Diego Chargers come into Denver as arguably the hottest team in the NFL having been in a must win situation for weeks now. The Chargers dominated the Bengals in Cincinnati last Sunday on both sides of the ball winning convincingly 27 – 10 as a 7 point dog. Denver finishing with the best record in the AFC had the weekend off to get healthy and prepare for the Chargers.
The Chargers will run the ball first, then pass underneath, then gain chunk yardage with the intermediate routes. Rivers rarely throws the deep ball as his receivers aren’t the 6’5”type guys that can catch the jump ball down field. Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt has done a spectacular job with his offensive play calling leading the league in time of possession without the big names many other playoff teams possess.
The Broncos pass the ball, a lot. They led the league in just about every offensive category including a ridiculous 340 yards passing per game, good for 37 points per game. We all know what Peyton Manning can do and has done throughout his career. If he’s on his game Sunday it’ll be a blowout, but if the Chargers can get some pressure and confuse the future Hall of Famer they’ll have a chance.
If there is one team Peyton Manning doesn’t want to face it’s the Chargers as his career record is 7 - 5 (0 – 2) in the playoffs with a QBR of 84%. The X factor in this game is the resurgence of the Chargers defense. They are hot at the right time; look for Rivers and the Chargers to eat clock again and do just enough to pull off the upset win.
PREDICTION: Chargers 27, Broncos 24
Play San Diego Chargers +10
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