Thursday Night Football Selection: Chargers @ Broncos

Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

*This write-up was produced by experienced bettor and sharp eye, Daniel Laxen*

Chargers @ Broncos -10.5 — O/U 56.5

The way the Broncos are playing offense (since the New England game in particular)  it makes me wonder if anyone can stop them from marching to the Super Bowl. They just score so many points, and at home they are like Seattle — nearly unbeatable. Peyton Manning is on pace to shatter every passing record a quarterback can have in a season. Knowshon Moreno is having a great year running the ball as well. They lose the services of Wes Welker this evening, but Jacob Tamme has picked up where Wes left off. Manning has extreme confidence in him dating back to their stint in Indy. The Broncos lose some, but not enough to hinder the offense all that much.

The Chargers head coach is the former offensive coordinator of the Broncos. The last matchup in this vein was Indy @ Arizona a couple of weeks ago, and the win went to the former coordinator, Bruce Arians. The Chargers have played better defense since bringing in veteran Richard Marshall at cornerback. Since he’s stepped in, their touchdown passes against have dropped and interceptions have risen — four picks in the first nine games as compared with five in the last four.

Phillip Rivers is having a great season in his own right. He’ll go over 4,000 yards early in tonight’s contest. Rivers has 26 TD’s vs. nine picks and has regained his form from a few years ago. They have an excellent rookie in Keenan Allen, who has 902 yards and five TD’s and could potentially eclipse 1,000 yards this evening with his typical effort.

This is essentially a playoff game for the Chargers, so expect them to play for their lives. The Broncos need the home field throughout, so that’s their carrot. The Broncos have failed to break the 30 point mark only TWO times this year. The first time was vs. these very same Chargers.

Peyton Manning has a QB rating of 76.5 in his career vs. San Diego, compared with 94.9 vs. the rest of the league. He’s 4-5 against the SD as well, and his picks outnumber his TD’s. For that reason, I’ll go with the Chargers on the road tonight. They have a chance to upset! Take the points (10.5) with the San Diego Super Chargers. Good Luck!

Kokomo Dan