AFC West showdown: Broncos vs. Chargers

It’s hard to believe that it is gameday it is but these Thursday night games roll around very quickly especially after a Sunday night game.  The Broncos face yet another tough test as they face off against the division rival San Diego Chargers.  Every division game carries extra importance, but that is especially true when you are facing off against one of the best teams in the league.   A win would put the Broncos in great position to win the division and secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.  The Broncos players have said all week that they will come out ready to play after facing a short week.  They were faced with the exact same situation last year and laid an egg against this same Chargers team. 

Keys to Victory

Denver Broncos

To win this one the Broncos will have to come ready to play as they are facing another great opponent.  It seems like I say that every week but the Broncos really do play tough team after tough team.  While it is hard right now these tough tests could really benefit this team down the road and especially come playoff time.  I think the fact that the Broncos get this game at home should be a big plus for them.  The chargers have also suffered quite a few injuries that will hurt their chances in this game. 

Denver Broncos

One key to this game will be the Broncos run defense.  The chargers will look to control the ball to keep Peyton Manning on the sidelines for as long as possible.  This was the strategy they used last year to beat the Broncos, and they have used this strategy this season to beat teams like Seattle.  The Broncos defense has to stop the run to force the Chargers to make big throws on third and long.  Although stopping the pass could be easier said than done.  Philip Rivers has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL this season and is playing at an elite level.  Denver will have it’s hands full with the Chargers offense in this one.  Look for Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware to try to get pressure on Rivers early to try to make him uncomfortable in the pocket. 

The pressure will also be on the Broncos secondary as they will have to try to slow down the pass catching weapons that Philip Rivers has to throw to.  They will have their hands full with players like Keenan Allen, Antonio Gates, and Eddie Royal.  I look for Chris Harris to have another great game.  Last week against the 49ers he was aggressive at the point of attack, coming up and making some pick time stops on quick screens to receivers.  He has been phenomenal coming off of his ACL surgery and is looking like an even better player than the one we saw last year.  Between Harris and Aqib Talib the Broncos have one of the best cornerback duos in the league.  Look for these two players to have a huge game, and expect one of them to make a game changing play in this one. 

Denver Broncos

Offensively the Broncos just have to keep things rolling.  Over the last two weeks the Broncos offense has looked like it has found a rhythm.  The running game has been the most impressive part of the offense so far in the last few games.  Early on I was concerned about the running game but Ronnie Hillman and Juwan Thompson have made some big plays in the running game over the last few weeks.  Hillman has shown great explosiveness to the hole and has shown the kind of burst that you like to see from running backs.  If the offensive line can create decent holes for him against the Chargers he could have some big gains on the ground.  I am looking for Hillman to have a major impact in the passing game this week.  It looks like each week he is getting more comfortable in this offense, and I think he will have a big impact in the passing game. 

Denver Broncos

I am looking for the Broncos passing game to have a big game as the Chargers will be without several key players in the secondary.  Cornerback Brandon Flowers has already been ruled out with a concussion, and rookie corner Jason Verrett is questionable as well.  If Verrett is unable to play in this one, the Chargers secondary could be in for a very long day.  When I watch chargers game Verrett already appears to be their top cover corner, and losing him would be a major blow to the Chargers.  Look for Peyton Manning to test the secondary early and often in this one.  One player who should continue his recent success is Demaryius Thomas.  Thomas has been on an absolute terror lately, and this should be an opportunity for him to continue his recent dominance. 

Prediction

These Thursday night games are very hard to predict as you really can never tell which team is going to come out ready to play.  It is also hard to gameplan when you only have three days to prepare for the upcoming game.  I think that these teams will both show up ready to play in this one, as I am sure they understand the significance in terms of the division standing.  In the end I think the injuries that the Chargers are facing on defense will be to much for them to overcome.  I expect Peyton Manning to have a big day against a weakened Chargers secondary.  However, I expect Philip Rivers and the Chargers to put up quite a fight in this one.  They are a very talented team and will be able to stay with the Broncos for most of the game.  In the end I think the Broncos having this game at home will be the biggest difference. 

Final Score- Broncos 34 Chargers 27

History in the Making: Broncos vs. 49ers Preview

Week 7: Broncos vs. 49ers

The pursuit of 509 is nearing the end for Peyton Manning.  With three more touchdown passes Peyton Manning will pass Brett Farve for the most touchdown passes in league history.  The atmosphere in the stadium should be electric for this one as the crowd anticipates history being made.  However, this game is about more than Peyton Manning getting his record.  The Broncos need to get a win on Sunday as they are entering one of the most difficult stretches of their schedule.  In the next three weeks the Broncos face three playoff teams from last year, and most likely three teams that will be playoff teams this year as well.  If the Broncos can get a win on Sunday, they will set themselves up nicely over the next three weeks.  The schedule thus far has not been easy, as the Broncos will face teams that won ten games or more in 7 of their first 8 games.  The Broncos need to win on Sunday and protect home field advantage.

Denver Broncos

Keys to Victory

For the Broncos to win they are going to need to exploit the weaknesses of the 49ers defense.  This defense is one of the best in the NFL but there are areas of the field where they can be beat.  Most notably in the middle of the field where the 49ers will be without All Pro middle linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis.  This is a huge loss for the 49ers as these two players shut down the run and also patrol the middle against the passing game.  The Denver Broncos should look for Julius Thomas early and often.   He is a mismatch even against some of the best players in the game, and when he is being checked by an untested rookie, that spells trouble for the defense.  Julius should continue his torrid 2014 pace and add to his touchdown total on Sunday night.  I think he will make more of an impact running down the seams in this game.  So far he has been more of a red zone threat, but I expect the Broncos to let him run down the middle of the field and look for him to make some big plays in this game.  Another receiver that should make a big impact in this game is Emmanuel Sanders. He has been dynamic up to this point but has yet to score in a Denver Broncos uniform.  I think that this is the game where he changes that.  I think the Broncos will challenge the 49ers deep and Sanders is the player that has the ability to take the top off of the defense.  Look for Peyton Manning to look his way early to stretch the defense, and open up underneath routes for players like Wes Welker.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos should also look to test the front seven of the 49ers with the running game.  Not having two of the best linebackers in the game is going to affect any team and the Broncos need to at least try to run against the 49ers.  Last week the team was able to effectively run the ball and have good balance in the game.  Are the Broncos going to be a run first team? No, but  that is not how this team is built anyway.   This team was built to air the ball out, but having the ability to run the ball against five man fronts will be very important to the Broncos going forward.  I thought Ronnie Hillman was effective last week as he showed a good burst to and through the hole.  The Broncos need to work at getting him going early to keep the defense honest.  I would also look for the Broncos to look for Hillman in the running game as he is very good with the ball in his hands after his catch.  If the Broncos are able to show that they can run the ball when challenged to do so by the 49ers they should maintain a good offensive rhythm.  I think Denver's offense will struggle at times in this game, but the loss of Bowman and Willis might be too much for the  the San Francisco defense to overcome.

Denver Broncos

Defensively Denver is going to have it's hands full with Colin Kaepernick and all of the weapons on the 49ers offense.  Kaepernick is one of the most dynamic athletes in the NFL and he just happens to play at the most important position in the NFL.  He is a rare physical specimen who can beat a defense running or throwing the ball.  He is the key to slowing down this offense.  The Denver pass rush has to get to Kaepernick quickly and make sure that he is not able to escape the pocket to make big plays with his feet.  The edge rushers for the Broncos need to make sure that they do not get to far up the field and create running lanes for Kaepernick to take advantage of.  If the Broncos can keep him in the pocket then they can force him to make big throws.  With Aqib Talib and Chris Harris on the outside the Broncos should be able to lock down the receivers of the 49ers.  The way to beat Kaepernick is to force him to use his arm to beat you.  Now he does have a cannon of an arm he is not a quarterback who is going to move through his progressions until he finds an open receiver.  He typically makes two reads and if he doesn't have an open receiver he will take off.  He usually has one deep route and one underneath route that he reads.  If the Broncos can keep him in the pocket and take away his two options he will be in a lot of trouble.

Denver Broncos

If the defense is able to do that then they will be able to force Kaepernick into mistakes.  When he doesn't have an open receiver in his first two reads and he can't run he tends to make bad decisions with the football.  He will try to force throws and make something out of nothing.  The Broncos have to jump on these mistakes and make sure they take the ball away when they are given the opportunity.  Look for Aqib Talib to make a play or two in this game as he has been close to an interception in almost every game.  Last week he sealed the game with a pick six and it wouldn't be surprising to see him make another big play in this one.

Ultimately I expect this to be a hard fought game that is close throughout.  The 49ers will be one of the best teams the Broncos will face all year and they should be a very good test for the Broncos.  In the end I think the loss of Willis for the game will be a huge blow to the 49ers defense.  It will allow the Broncos to make enough plays to win the game.  This should be a huge statement win for the Broncos as a team, and a historic day for quarterback Peyton Manning.

Prediction

Denver Broncos 27, San Francisco 49ers 24

Peyton Manning 509 touchdowns (record breaking touchdown caught by Demaryius Thomas)