Sunday, January 12th 2014 (4:40 PM ET)
Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver CO
Station: CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson (sidelines).
Point Spread: Broncos (-10)
Over/Under: 54.5
Expected Game-Time Weather: 37 degrees and sunny with 19 MPH winds WNW.
Chargers Offense vs Broncos Defense | Team | PPG | Passing Yds | Rushing Yds | Total Yds | Sacks | Turnover Diff. |
| Chargers | 24.8 (12) | 270.5 (4) | 122.8 (13) | 393.5 (5) | 30 (4) | - 4 (20) |
| Broncos | 24.9 (22) | 254.4 (27) | 101.6 (8) | 356.0 (19) | 41 (13) | 0 (14) |
San Diego's offense has actually performed nearly as good on the road as at home. Including the win last week, it's averaging 22.4 per outing on the road this season. The Chargers also put up a solidly balanced attack against the Broncos in Denver back in Week 15, going for 160 through the air and 177 on the ground. Ryan Mathews, who will be a game-time decision this afternoon, put up 127 yards on 29 attempts in that game. Meanwhile, Keenan Allen scored touchdowns on both of his receptions against Chris Harris.
For his part, Philip Rivers has tallied 13 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions and is 5-2 in his career at Mile High.
Denver's defense will be without former Defensive Player of the Year Von Miller, who tore his ACL back in December. Champ Bailey and Wesley Woodyard should, however, be ready to go in this one. The Broncos gave up an average of 22.5 points per game at home during the regular year.
Broncos Offense vs Chargers Defense | Team | PPG | Passing Yds | Rushing Yds | Total Yds | Sacks | Turnover Diff. |
| Broncos | 37.9 (1) | 340.2 (1) | 117.1 (15) | 457.3 (1) | 20 (1) | 0 (14) |
| Chargers | 21.8 (11) | 258.7 (29) | 107.8 (12) | 366.5 (23) | 43 (10) | -4 (20) |
Records on top of records...on top of records. This is the best way to describe what Denver's offense did during the regular season. Peyton Manning didn't only break single-season yardage and touchdown passes marks, the Broncos finished with the highest points per game average in the long history of the league. Interestingly enough, Manning was sacked a league low 20 times, even with starting left tackle Ryan Clady out of the lineup for all but two games during the regular year.
The Broncos also saw four different pass catchers and one running back put up double-digit touchdowns. That's obviously never happened in the history of the league. They also put up 40-plus points a ridiculous six times in 16 games.
On the other hand, San Diego's defense hasn't been great this season. Including last week, it has yielded 270-plus passing yards eight times this season, including a total of 608 in two games against the Broncos. The likes of Shareece Wright and Richard Marshall really don't match up too well against Denver's fearsome foursome in the passing game. The one advantage here for San Diego is that its defense has the confidence to stop Manning and Co. after a solid Week 15 showing in Denver.
Key Matchups
Keenan Allen vs Chris Harris and Champ Bailey: Allen recorded two touchdowns, including one against Harris (the only score he gave up all season) in Week 15. There are, however, indications that Jack Del Rio's defense may in fact decide to line an injury-plagued and over-the-hill Bailey up against Allen. I personally don't think that will end well for Denver. Let's hope, it comes to its senses. Harris is by far Denver's best cover corner and has been for three seasons now. This is a huge matchup to watch.
Broncos' Pass Catchers vs Chargers' Secondary: Speaking of not matching up well. Marshall and Wright leave a lot to be desired against what is the best core of receiving options in the entire NFL. Thomas, Decker, Welker and the other Thomas combined for a ridiculous 47 touchdowns on the season. Meanwhile, San Diego's defense yielded 23 touchdown passes and only intercepted 11 passes during the regular year.
King Dunlap vs Shaun Phillips: By no means is Dunlap a franchise blindside protector in the NFL, but he held his own during the regular season. The journeyman gave up just three sacks and three quarterback hits on the season. Meanwhile, Phillips was Denver's best pass rusher. He recorded 11 sacks and 32 quarterback hurries during the regular season.
Eric Weddle vs Julius Thomas: Thomas caught a ridiculous 74 percent of the passes thrown in his direction in the regular season, which ranked him sixth among regular tight ends in the NFL. He also averaged nine yards per target. Weddle, coming off another Pro Bowl campaign, didn't allow a single touchdown in coverage this season. He's among the best cover safeties in the entire league.
Statistical Leaders
San Diego Chargers
Philip Rivers: 69.5 completion, 4,478 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 105.5 rating.
Ryan Mathews: 1,255 rushing yards, 26 receptions, 189 yards and seven total touchdowns
Danny Woodhead: 4.0 average, 429 rushing yards, 76 receptions, 605 yards and eight touchdowns
Keenan Allen: 71 receptions, 1,046 yards and eight touchdowns
Eddie Royal: 47 receptions, 631 yards and eight touchdowns
Antonio Gates: 77 receptions, 872 yards and four touchdowns
Denver Broncos
Peyton Manning: 68.3 completion, 5,477 passing yards, 56 total touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 115.1 rating.
Knowshon Moreno: 4.3 average, 1,038 rushing yards, 60 receptions, 548 yards and 13 total touchdowns
Demaryius Thomas: 92 receptions, 1,430 yards and 14 touchdowns
Eric Decker: 87 receptions, 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns
Wes Welker: 73 receptions, 778 yards and 10 touchdowns
Julius Thomas: 65 receptions, 788 yards and 12 touchdowns