The Denver Broncos haven’t needed Peyton Manning playing at an MVP-level to extend their winning streak to three games as the other parts of their game have picked up the slack. But the opportunity to lock up a third-straight AFC West title might be enough to bring the old Peyton back in San Diego. However, Philip Rivers and the wild card-chasing Chargers will be eager to delay Denver’s plans for at least another week.
Meanwhile in the AFC North, another pair of playoff hopefuls square off when the division-leading Cincinnati Bengals visit the Cleveland Browns. Check out our preview of that game here. Meanwhile, get caught up with our preview of this big AFC West matchup below.
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Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers Betting Preview
Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
When: Sunday, December 14, 4:05 PM ET
Line: Denver Broncos (-3.5) at San Diego Chargers (+3.5); total 50.5 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Denver Broncos
With the Thomas’ – Julius and Demaryius, who have accounted for 22 receiving touchdowns this season – both slowed by respective ankle injuries, Peyton Manning’s streak of 51 consecutive games of at least one touchdown pass finally came to an end on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
[sc:NFL240banner ]However, the Broncos still managed to extend their current winning streak to three games with a 24-17 win despite their MVP quarterback throwing for less than 180 yards for the second consecutive week while also throwing two interceptions.
That’s because both the running game and the defense have stepped up big time. The running game, revitalized with CJ Anderson taking the brunt of the carries, has averaged a sizzling 182 rushing yards over the last three games. Meanwhile, the defense has held the opposition below 20 points and has forced three turnovers in back-to-back games.
It would be highly unlikely for Manning to have a third-consecutive sub-200 yard passing game, which hasn’t happened in about a decade. With his receivers hopefully a little healthier, he should find some holes in an injury-plagued Chargers secondary that’s a pitiful 30th against the pass per DVOA through Week 13.
But if he does indeed struggle, the Broncos can still lean on the ground game and defense that already beat San Diego in their earlier meeting this season. Pre-CJ Anderson, a Ronnie Hillman-led Broncos running game had similar success against the Chargers with 139 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while the Broncos defense intercepted Philip Rivers twice.
Denver has had very good success in San Diego with Peyton Manning at the helm. The Broncos are an undefeated 3-0 (and 3-0 ATS) in their last three on the road against the Chargers, the last two with Manning as starting quarterback. On both occasions, the Broncos won by eight or more points.
Betting on the San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers held tough for three quarters, but they eventually succumbed to the New England Patriots, 23-14, at home as their three-game winning streak came to an end.
The Chargers defense held the powerful Pats offense to just 13 points entering the final frame, but the Chargers were the ones who were shut out in the second half while the Pats scored 10 in the fourth to claim the win. San Diego is now 0-4 against the spread in its last four home games.
Still, it was an impressive effort from the Chargers defense, which forced the Pats to punt on four straight possessions in the third quarter and held the third-best red zone offense in the NFL to one conversion in four trips.
Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense had the more difficult time coping with the Pats’ stifling defense. The Chargers’ offensive line didn’t deal with the Pats’ pass rush well, allowing Rivers to be sacked four times. Rivers never got into a rhythm and was held to just 189 passing yards, his second-lowest output of the season.
San Diego similarly couldn’t run the ball on New England, playing a factor in them going just 4-of-13 on third downs and ceding around nine minutes of possession.
Those issues on the offensive line could continue to haunt the Chargers against the Broncos, who have a penetrating pass rush which sacked Kyle Orton four times and delivered six more quarterback hits. And with a non-existent rushing game, more responsibility will be thrust unto Rivers to carry the offense.
But to his credit, Rivers has stepped up in his head-to-heads with Peyton Manning, throwing seven touchdowns in his last three games against the Broncos.
Writer’s Prediction
Rivers rises up to the occasion and outplays Manning to give the Chargers a big home win. Create a betting account now and win on some of the NFL’s undervalued home underdogs this week.
