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By David Dickens
December 11, 2014 (Denver) -- This could very well be the matchup of two of the best teams in the American Football Conference. This will be the first time these two division rivals square up in the postseason.
The Denver Broncos are 9-point favorites, more than likely due to the fact of three injured key players for San Diego. Veteran center NickHardwick left last weeks contest at Cincinnati in the first half with a concussion, and also a neck injury has yet to be cleared for Sunday’s game. This can create issues as far as communication on the field for quarterback Philip Rivers. Another key player on this high powered offense that may not play is right guard, Jeromey Clary who missed Wednesday and Thursday’s practice with a shoulder injury, and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. None will be missed as much as running back, Ryan Matthews who has not practiced at all. Matthews was a large reason why the Chargers won last week in Cincinnati. Matthews carried 13 times for 52 hard earned yards, and caught two balls for a minimal gain of 12 yards and had no trips to the endzone, however he did pick up quite a few blocks to assist quarterback Philip Rivers in continuing to stand upright.
That being said, if all three, or if even two of these key individuals don’t start, it could prove to be a huge disadvantage on the offensive side of the ball.
Anytime you have the emotion and heart that this squad is playing with, they can be tough to beat. Philip Rivers is having a Pro Bowl type year, and rookie wide receiver, Keenan Allen is having a breakout year with 73 receptions and 1,076 yards, and 8 touchdowns. He has been Philip Rivers’ go to man right behind veteran tight end Antonio Gates, who was only targeted 5 more times than Allen.
On the defensive side of the ball, defensive Captain and veteran safety, Eric Weddle along with defensive coordinator, Chuck Pagono, has a much improved defense along with their 5 game winning streak. Safety Eric Weddle leads the revamped defense with 121 tackles and leads the team with two interceptions, which was one of the keys of defeat against the Cincinnati Bengals last week, winning the turnover battle, rattling Bengals quarterback, Andy Dalton to throw 2 interceptions and recovering an Andy Dalton fumble as he dove head first for the first down. Turnovers can kill you or, on the other hand, win you a ball game.
The Denver Broncos are also on the mend and had a first-round bye to assist in healing some of their wounded soldiers. The injury report for the Denver Broncos is not exactly good news either. All-Pro, shut down corner, Champ Bailey is listed as probable with a shoulder ailment, which is new since most of the season has had a major foot issue, allowing him to play only one full game all season. As Denver plans to use Bailey as a fifth defensive back, he will also be a valuable commodity with his offensive reading expertise, and he knows Philip Rivers mechanics very well. Bailey will play in this one. Others on the somewhat disabled list include tight end. Joel Dreessen, safety, Duke Ithenacho, and most importantly, wide receiver, Wes Welker, who was out for the last four weeks with a concussion, and purposely saved for this divisional round.
The key to winning this close one for the San Diego Chargers? Maintaining ball control, and owning the clock. This prevents quarterback Peyton Manning fromleading his high powered offense into the end zone repeatedly and beating you 42-28. Philip Rivers is also the key element in this offensive battle as long as he stays upright, which means Denver could be in for a long day.
The key for the well rested Denver Broncos is a big dose of running back Knowshon Moreno, and Peyton Manning staying in rythym with his specialty, the no-huddle offense. This will keep San Diego confused and will include a major dose of slot receiver, Wes Welker . The Chargers didn’t have to worry about the slithery, sure-handed Welker last time the two teams met in Denver, and the Chargers prevailed 27-20 . Another key for Denver is if they can actually have their defense step up at the right time. It will be a tall order however, especially with the absence of former Pro-Bowler, Linebacker Vonn Miller, out for the season. The Broncos lost Miller the last game of the season atOakland suffering a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament.
The Denver Broncos are favored by 9, but this game really comes down to who can win the turnover battle, and control the clock. My pick is the Denver Broncos 35-28 and advancing to the American Football Championship against the Indianapolis Colts next week in Denver. We must all take our hats off to this passionate group that call themselves the San Diego Chargers, but Denver’s talent defeats San Diego’s emotion.
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