NFL Week 8 Preview: San Diego Chargers vs. Denver Broncos
By Andrew Dill
Jan 12, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas (80) runs the ball against the San Diego Chargers during the 2013 AFC divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Denver defeated San Diego 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Honestly, most of the games on Thursday Night Football have been snooze fests. This game however, could change that. The San Diego Chargers (5-2) come to the Mile High City to take on the AFC West leading Denver Broncos (5-1). San Diego is coming off a 23-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs while Denver pummeled the San Francisco 49ers, 42-17.
What: NFL Week 8 Preview: San Diego Chargers (5-2) vs. Denver Broncos (6-1)
When: Thursday, October 23rd
Where: Sports Authority Field (Denver, Colorado)
Time: 8:25 PM EST, 6:25 PM MST
TV: CBS/NFL Network
Peyton Manning continues to break records, doing so Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers. Manning completed 22-of-26 passes for 318 yards, including four touchdown passes — needing three to surpass Brett Favre‘s all-time touchdown record of 509. Manning did that and then some, collecting touchdown pass number 510 as Denver improved to 5-1 on the young season.
While Peyton Manning continues to dominate from the quarterback position, the running game of the Denver Broncos continues to improve. Denver’s backs consisting of Ronnie Hillman, Juwan Thompson, and C.J. Anderson combined for 113 yards on the ground, providing a nice one-two punch with the aerial attack. Hillman recorded two rushing touchdowns Sunday night, surpassing Montee Ball (1) for the team lead.
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The San Diego Chargers have proven they are a legitimate contender in the AFC. San Diego won five-straight games; including a victory over the Seattle Seahawks, until Kansas City stunned them on the road. The success of the Chargers this season can largely be attributed to quarterback Phillip Rivers.
Rivers currently ranks third in the National Football League in passing yards with 1,961, while sitting at number five in terms of completion percentage (67.4%). Rivers however will have his hands full with a revamped Denver defense that completely blew up San Francisco’s line this past Sunday night.
Denver combined for six sacks against Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick, including three from DeMarcus Ware and two from Von Miller. Those two on opposite sides of the ball can create havoc for any offensive line. Not to mention other key pass rushers such as Quanterius Smith, Malik Jackson, and Derek Wolfe.
This game will be interesting, considering both teams are playing on short weeks so fatigue and injury could play a factor. Nonetheless, this Thursday Night Football game should be more competitive the one’s we have previously seen.