Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) looks to pass the ball during the first half against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
San Diego Chargers (4-11) at Denver Broncos (11-4)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver – TV: CBS
*TV announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
*Keys to the game: No one will ever accuse Chargers QB Philip Rivers, one of the league’s most fiery competitors, of mailing it in. He’ll keep San Diego mentally engaged for as long as the Chargers make a game of it with an opportunity to deal their bitter rivals a costly defeat with potentially the division title and a first-round bye on the line.
Keeping it a game could prove the issue, however. Denver thoroughly dominated in a 17-3 victory in San Diego in Week 13, manhandling the Chargers’ makeshift offensive line. Since then, Rivers has increasingly relied on RB Danny Woodhead in the underneath passing game to complement San Diego’s meager rushing attack. Woodhead enters with 704 receiving yards, an NFL high among running backs, and is the key to using the Broncos’ aggressive upfield pass rush against them.
Broncos QB Brock Osweiler continues to manage games well, relying on the quick passing game and getting a solid assist from RBs C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman. Osweiler does take a lot of sacks rather than get rid of the ball or risk forcing throws into tight windows, and San Diego’s opportunity lies with creating long passing situations and trying to flip the field via turnovers.
*Matchup to watch – Chargers OLB Melvin Ingram vs. Broncos RT Michael Schofield: Abused by the Bengals’ Carlos Dunlap on Monday night, Schofield must turn around and face one of the league’s hottest pass rushers. Ingram has a sack in four consecutive games and 5.5 overall during that span. Denver has issues all over the offensive line, so it has to be judicious in how much assistance Schofield receives.
*Player spotlight – Chargers WR Malcom Floyd: One of the most popular players in franchise history will hang up his cleats following the game. He needs two touchdown catches to tie John Jefferson (36) for ninth place on the franchise’s all-time list.
*Fast facts: Chargers S Eric Weddle, who was fined $10,000 for watching his daughter perform in the halftime show last week and later put on injured reserve with a groin injury, will not travel with the team. … Broncos QB Peyton Manning is expected to be active this week, but as the second-team quarterback for the first time in his career. Osweiler and Manning have both thrown nine touchdown passes, but Manning has thrown 17 interceptions in nine-plus games compared to Osweiler’s four in six-plus games.
FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
–Out: G Orlando Franklin (concussion)
–Doubtful: T King Dunlap (ankle)
–Questionable: T Chris Hairston (abdomen), WR Javontee Herndon (chest), WR Steve Johnson (groin), C Trevor Robinson (concussion, shoulder), LB Manti Te’o (ankle), CB Jason Verrett (hamstring)
–Probable: LB Jeremiah Attaochu (knee), LB Kyle Emanuel (concussion), CB Patrick Robinson (calf, not injury related)
DENVER BRONCOS
–Questionable: LB Brandon Marshall (ankle), S T.J. Ward (ankle)
–Probable: RB C.J. Anderson (back), S Omar Bolden (hamstring), TE Owen Daniels (both knees, shoulder), LB Todd Davis (shoulder), QB Peyton Manning (foot), LB Lerentee McCray (hamstring), QB Brock Osweiler (left shoulder, left elbow, rib cage), WR Emmanuel Sanders (ankle), S Darian Stewart (hamstring), WR Demaryius Thomas (hamstring), DE Vance Walker (shoulder)
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Broncos’ defensive line will control the line of scrimmage and keep Chargers QB Philip Rivers in fend-for-his-life mode, while counterpart Brock Osweiler manages short fields and Denver locks up the division title.
*Our pick: Broncos 26-21.
