Is Denver the favorite to the win the super bowl?
Capping off the final week of NFL Thursday action on CBS this season, we saw a big AFC West showdown with the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers. San Diego suffered multiple injuries prior to the game, with their secondary virtually depleted and running back Donald Brown out due to a concussion. The Chargers came out initially giving Peyton Manning and his offense some troubles in the first quarter with a few 3-and-outs.
While many were hoping the game would remain close, it was pretty evident Denver would figure out San Diego’s defensive schemes. Even with Philip Rivers trying to stir up his team before the game saying Mile High is his favorite stadium on the road to play, Denver was just too much for them handle past the 3rd quarter. Before halftime, however, both teams would use multiple no huddles including an entire series where Phillip Rivers had the Broncos defense gasping for air, before capping off an 84-yard drive with a short pass to Keenan Allen. Peyton would put his imprint on the game before halftime connecting with Emmanuel Sanders for two touchdowns.
Following halftime, that trend would continue following a Rivers INT, to set the Broncos in really good field position. Peyton and Sanders would connect one more time on a series of no huddles to take a commanding two possession lead. Denver’s run-game balanced their offense throughout the game, highlighted by Ronnie Hillman’s 109 yards and Demaryius Thomas having a quiet 105 yards behind Emanuel’s 3 touchdowns.
San Diego made one last late surge to make it a one possession game, but another Rivers INT sealed their fate. Denver now improves to an AFC best 6-1 record and is tied with the Dallas Cowboys for best overall record in the NFL. They now get to rest the next 9 days for a Gillette Stadium Sunday afternoon match-up against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots – while the Chargers look to stay in the playoff hunt against Miami.