NFL Betting: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos

NFL / Andy Richmond / 20 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

Philip Rivers is in frightening form

"Defensively the Broncos have been finding life tough recently and against a Chargers side that has rattled up 76 points in their last three outings, life is about to get tougher."

The Broncos have been found out and Andy Richmond can seen nothing but a win for the travelling side

San Diego's chances for a fourth consecutive AFC West title looked slim, at best, following their home loss to Denver last month. However, they are undefeated since and are right back in the hunt for the divisional crown while the Broncos are falling fast since their 6-0 start.

San Diego look to win their fifth straight and move into sole possession of first place in the AFC West on Sunday when they face a slumping Denver team that could be without its starting quarterback Kyle Orton. Losing him for even a week or two would be a massive loss, with the team riding a three-game skid, including one defeat to lowly Washington. The Broncos are not running the ball well. It could be just like last season, when Denver flopped in the second half and the Chargers came on to win the AFC West.

Defensively the Broncos have been finding life tough recently and against a Chargers side that has rattled up 76 points in their last three outings, life is about to get tougher. Denver defensive co-ordinator Mike Nolan must restore his group's confidence here and get them to find their early season form.

To illustrate the problems they face, look at these numbers from the Chargers' offence last week: QB Philip Rivers threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles; San Diego also mustered 119 rushing yards behind a strong LaDainian Tomlinson performance, breathing life into a facet of the Chargers offence that had been struggling. And that could be key against a Broncos defence that allowed the Redskins' Ladell Betts 114 rushing yards last week.

The potential absence of QB Kyle Orton, he is listed as questionable after injuring his ankle against the Redskins last week. Orton passed for 193 yards in the first half of that game. After he left with the injury, backup Chris Simms could only complete three of 13 passes for 13 yards.

The Broncos have been found out now and they don't throw the ball well enough to balance their run offence. Once sides have worked that out they load up against the run and force the Denver offence to throw. The Chargers do throw it well. Philip Rivers is on fire. I look for him to come into Denver and keep it up.

Recommendation: Momentum is with the Chargers - 1pt win at [1.73] or better