A few years ago this was the match up that decided the AFC West. Since the San Diego Chargers hired Mike McCoy, those days ended with a thud. A meaty thud, like the sound of nailing your big toe on an ottoman. Meanwhile the Denver Broncos look as good as they have in years, playing some of the best defense in the NFL and getting solid play from their quarterback.
The Game: Denver at San Diego (+3)
The History
The Broncos lead the series 63-49-1 and have won five straight over the Chargers since the two teams met in the playoffs in January, 2014.
The last win for San Diego over the Broncos was a 27-20 victory on Dec. 2013. It’s the only Chargers win in their last 10 games against Denver.
Both teams were establishment franchises in the old AFL with their first meeting a 23-19 Los Angeles Chargers win over the Broncos on Oct. 16, 1960. The Chargers would win four straight to open the series.
The longest Chargers win streak was six games from Dec., 1963 to Oct., 1966. Denver won seven games in a row over San Diego from Nov. 1975 to Sept, 1978.
The Broncos on Offense
Trevor Siemian returns to the line up after a week off and if you thought that would matter in Week Six back in August, all I can say is thanks for reading Get More Sports Grandma Siemian. Your boy is doing pretty well out there. Send him an extra $5 for his birthday this year.
After letting the defense do the heavy lifting early in the season, the Broncos have opened up the offense every week as Siemian continues to get more comfortable. The lone hiccup with that was the more drop backs Siemian takes, the more hits and it already cost him a start, and in doing so cost Denver its first loss of the season. At running back C.J. Anderson has been about as good as it gets for fantasy owners this season and as Siemian improves, so do the numbers of Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.
The Charges on Offense
San Diego gets Antonio Gates back and not a moment too soon as they have to somehow replace any production they got from Keenan Allen after losing him for the year with a knee injury against the Chiefs. Melvin Gordon is breaking out as a running back for the Chargers and Philip Rivers remains one of the best, most productive quarterbacks in the game.
The Chargers have found a real weapon in second round pick Hunter Henry and he’ll likely get the lions’ share of the reps at tight end, even with Gates cleared to play. The pressure is on Allen’s replacement Dontrelle Inman, who’s not been more of a role player in his three seasons with the Chargers.
The Broncos on Defense
Denver brought nearly all of its Super Bowl-winning unit back this year and has been just as dominant. Even facing one of the most prolific offenses in the league last week in the Falcons, the Broncos still held them to a season-low 23 points. Von Miller continues to be a nightmare for quarterbacks and Demarcus Ware’s injury hasn’t stalled the rush from the other side as second-year outside linebacker Shane Ray has picked up right where he left off. Denver’s secret weapon on this defense might be defensive end Derek Wolfe who is on his way to a career year. Wolfe already has 19 tackles and 4.5 sacks this season.
The Chargers on Defense
As many issues as the Chargers have on defense, it just gets worse this week. Starting cornerback Brandon Flowers and starting safety Jahleel Addae are both out. San Diego’s defense scares no one. They can’t mount a consistent pass rush and seem content to let teams pile up yardage and just hope for a turnover. They’ve held just one team below 26 points all season. On the bright side for the Chargers, first round pick Joey Bosa should be active and actually play in this game. If he can get into the Broncos’ backfield at all, it’ll be a marked improvement over San Diego’s defensive line performance this season. All three starting D-linemen have combined for all of one sack this year.
The Coaches
Gary Kubiak has apparently nearly died on the field again and will take the week off. In his place the Broncos will be led by Joe DeCamillis, the special teams coordinator. On the Chargers’ sideline Mike McCoy still strides seemingly in defiance of God’s will, so let’s call this one a push.
The Pick
As long as Denver is still using Kubiak’s playbook on offense they should be fine. I’ve got a feeling Philip Rivers might show up big for this game and it still not be enough. The line looks good to me. Broncos 27, Chargers 24
Last week
Straight up: 7-7
Against the spread: 9-5
Season
Straight up: 39-38
Against the spread: 33-44
