First place in the AFC West will be on the line when the Denver Broncos (5-1) host the San Diego Chargers (5-2) on Thursday Night Football. The Broncos have dominated the rivalry with Peyton Manning under center, winning four of five games since 2012. The Chargers should feel confident heading into this game, though, knowing that their lone victory in that stretch came last season in Week 15 at Denver on a Thursday night, the first and only home loss that the Broncos suffered in 2013.
‘Thursday Night Football’ live stream: How to watch Chargers vs. Broncos 2014 online
The winner of Thursday night’s Broncos-Chargers battle will move into first place in the AFC West.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
While Manning stole the individual headlines last Sunday with his record-breaking performance, the Broncos made a huge statement as a team with their 42-17 thrashing of the San Francisco 49ers. That win cemented them as the consensus No. 1 squad in the power rankings, and made them the early favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. The Broncos finally have a defense to match their high-powered offense, ranking sixth in scoring defense (20.2) and second in yards per play allowed (4.7). The offense hasn't skipped a beat, either, leading the NFL in points per game (31.5) and red zone touchdown efficiency (79 percent).
The Chargers' five-game win streak came to an end last Sunday in a 23-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Philip Rivers ranks second in Total QBR (86.2) and fourth in passing touchdowns (17) this season, but is coming off his least productive game of the season. He completed a season-worst 55 percent of his passes for 205 yards against the Chiefs, and was just 2-of-9 for 22 yards when pressured. If the Chargers are going to pull off the upset, they need to control the clock and keep the ball away from Denver's explosive offense. San Diego, which owns the fifth-highest time of possession in the league and features a versatile running back in Branden Oliver, might just have the right formula to beat the Broncos on Thursday night.
How to Watch
Where: Sports Authority Field, Denver
When: 8:25 p.m. ET
TV: CBS, NFLN
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
Online streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile | NFL.com
Odds
Denver is an 8-point favorite over San Diego at home, and the over/under is set at 51.5 points, according to OddsShark.
Further Reading
For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report.
To keep up on the Chargers, head over to Bolts From The Blue.
See More:
