San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos Odds

Opening Line: Chargers -3 / Broncos +3 O/U TBA

Time: 4:15 PM EST Sunday November 22, 2009 on CBS

by Marasoft.com Staff

In a HUGE AFC West game this Sunday the Denver Broncos host the San Diego Chargers. Both teams are 6-3 and the winner of this game will be all alone in 1st place in the division. This is a match up of 2 teams heading in different directions, as the Broncos have lost 3 in a row and the Chargers have won 4 in a row. Last season the Broncos fell apart at the end of the season and handed the AFC West crown to the Chargers and it looks as if history is repeating itself this season, but it is happening in the middle of the season. Besides losing 3 straight Denver may be without starting QB Kyle Orton because of an injury and they have a tougher remaining schedule than the Chargers do, so things are not looking good in the Mile High City.

In their last game the Broncos lost to the Washington Redskins 27-17 while the Chargers had a solid win in beating the Philadelphia Eagles 31-23.

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The Chargers are led by QB Philip Rivers (2,476 yds 16 TD 6 INT) and his main targets are TE Antonio Gates (49 rec 668 yds 2 TD) and WR Vincent Jackson (43 rec 732 yds 7 TD). The Chargers rushing attack is led by LeDainian Tomlinson (385 yds 5 TD). Kyle Orton is questionable for this game with an injured ankle and if he can't go backup Chris Simms (13 yds 1 INT) will get the start. Denver's main targets in the air are WR's Brandon Marshall (49 rec 602 yds 6 TD) and Jabar Gaffney (23 rec 291 yds). The Broncos rushing attack is led by the RB duo of Knowshon Moreno (520 yds 2 TD) and Correll Buckhalter (364 yds 1 TD).

The Chargers finally got some help from their rushing offense in their last win over the Eagles, as LT ran for 96 yards with 1 TD. If the Chargers can run the ball and take pressure off Rivers they will be tough to stop. The Chargers passing offense has been stellar this season averaging 260 yards per game. The Broncos' D ranks 7th in the league, but in their 3-game losing streak they are giving up an average of 28 points per game.

On offense Denver really hopes Orton can go, as backup Chris Simms did nothing in relief in the loss against the Redskins. If Orton can't go Denver may rely more on the rushing offense to move the chains. The Chargers have the league's 14th ranked defense and while they are solid at defending the pass their rushing defense has struggled. However, in their win over the Eagles the Chargers stuffed the run and if they can do that in this game they will be in great shape.

1st place in the AFC West is at stake in this game and if the Broncos continue to play like they have been it will be the Chargers who will win this game.

The Marasoft Pick: Chargers -3