2014 NFL playoffs, Chargers vs. Broncos: Peyton Manning, Denver get back to AFC Championship

Third-and-17. Yep, let’s go ahead and get that out of the way. I have two theories.

Bird appears to at least move toward Thomas as the receiver is breaking outside. The safety to that side is actually moving toward the deep middle, so we can cross him off the list of suspects.

Cause of Death:

2. Through those first three quarters, the Saints went one-for-seven on third down and averaged a near-meaningless 0.86 yards per play. That’s a major failure when you consider New Orleans ranked fifth in the league this year in third down conversions and second in yards per third down play.

Harris left with a lower leg issue during the third quarter of the Broncos’ 24-17 win. He’s scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, but team officials are already voicing concern that the injury could be serious, according to ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold.

Harris is the team’s most versatile cover man -- he played more snaps during the regular season than any other Broncos defender and is tied for the team lead in interceptions.

After being held in check all game, the Chargers offense finally awoke in the final quarter, roaring back from a 17-0 deficit to pull within one score with just under four minutes remaining. But thanks to Denver’s clock-chewing final march, they did not see the ball again.

San Diego gave the heavily-favored Broncos all they wanted, though, and Kyle Montgomery at Mile High Report knows they’ll have to execute better if they hope to capture a league title.

Manning gave credit to the play-calling and said that the team worked hard for the win -- and that he plans to take some time to enjoy it.

“We’ll enjoy this one,” Manning said. “You’re supposed to enjoy these wins. They’re hard to come by.”

Nobody in San Diego is complaining.

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A heavy winter coat can be really fun. It will keep you warm, you can pretend to be Batman on the sidelines, or when life gets a little too hard to accept you can hide within it’s comforting, non-judgmental walls.

Rivers will remain in this cocoon until he’s needed. Then Commissioner Weatherbee will shine the bolo signal from the top of the highest building in San Diego and he’ll emerge once again, ready to battle.

It’s a monster day of conference title games, given the quarterback star power in the AFC and the piping hot rivalry that’s developed in the NFC West.

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos, 3 p.m. ET

It’s likely a signal to his offensive line to kill a hard count and start the actual cadence, but that doesn’t mean we’re not taking notice. Even (you guessed it) Omaha is abuzz with the attention.

Peyton is a little busy, but we’ll say a hearty “You’re welcome” on his behalf.

When you’re famous for throwing fits on the field and your team is down 17-0, the defense tends to take notice. Case in point:

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• Beast Quake: The greatest TD run in NFL playoff history

Nobody on the San Diego Chargers was able to tackle Eric Decker. However, he was able to tackle himself.

With Denver up 14-0, a punt from San Diego’s Mike Scifres hit Decker in the midst of a few Chargers, but he slipped every would-be tackler in his way getting into the open field:

What’s the sound of one hand clapping?

Now, what’s the sound of two of Philip Rivers hands clapping?

In a way, playing the first game of the season at Lincoln Financial Field has been good luck for every team besides the Eagles. In 2013, the San Diego Chargers were the lucky team. They beat Philadelphia, 33-30, back in Week 2 and went on to win nine games and sneak into the postseason.

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Mathews was listed as questionable coming into the weekend and raised eyebrows when he departed from his typical mid-week schedule by missing practice on Friday. A sprained ankle has plagued him for several weeks, though it has yet to cost him any playing time.

Welker missed that game with a concussion and was held out of the final two regular season games as a precaution. He had just three catches for 21 yards in the two teams’ first meeting in Week 10.

Clay Wendler [8:06 PM]:

Stephen White [7:56 PM]:

Game Date/Time and Location: Sunday, Jan. 12, 4:40 p.m. ET at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver

TV: CBS