San Diego vs Denver NFL Playoff Handicapping
The top-seeded Broncos and the San Diego Chargers will meet for the third time this season when they face off in the AFC Playoffs on Sunday afternoon in Denver.
When: Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014 at 4:40 p.m. EST
Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
TV: FOX
LINE: -10 (Broncos), O/U 54
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San Diego is the only surprise team left in the playoffs this season, and will need all they help they can get from one of, if not the best NFL quarterbacks the league has ever seen.
Chargers’ quarterback Phillip Rivers arrives in Mile High this weekend still looking for validation of being heralded as one of the best in the game today, and getting one step closer to a Super Bowl ring will do it , if he can guide his team past a very good Denver unit.
He is off to a good start so far, helping his team make quick work of the Cincinnati Bengals , just a week after sneaking into the playoffs
But Rivers hasn’t done it all alone however, getting some much needed help from a potent rushing attack led by last year disappointment Ryan Matthews, who has come through with his biggest year of his career.
Add to that, Antonio Gates, who has stayed healthier than he has in years, and emerging star receiver Keenan Allen, and this may be the year for the Chargers to finally prove they are legitimate Super bowl contenders.
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Meanwhile, Denver are the top seed in the NFL playoffs, and after getting a bye this past weekend will aim to avenge their prior loss to San Diego back on Dec. 12.
The Broncos will also be looking to make up for last year’s early postseason exit, when they lost in this same spot to the Baltimore Ravens.
They will rely on veteran quarterback Peyton Manning who without a 2014-15 contract in place, will likely be looking to go out a winner here.
Manning has had a monster season along with his receivers Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas, all who are coming off career years receiving for the Broncos.
The running game has been solid as well, with Knowshon Moreno leading the way to one his best campaigns ever.
Defensively , the Broncos have struggled somewhat after starting the season without Von Miller, but match up well to San Diego, who also struggle on defense and don’t have a lot of big names outside of Eric Weddle.
Matt’s Free NFL Playoff Prediction
The Chargers beat the Broncos in their prior meeting and kept it to within eight points in the first game this season in Denver so they won’t be intimidated by the Broncos.
Offense is the key here as both defenses are susceptible to giving up big yardage plays.
And since both offenses are good, it makes it very difficult to declare a winner here. So my pick is the over.
Broncos 35, San Diego 31
