San Diego Chargers (6-5) vs. Denver Broncos (9-2) Week 13 Preview
QualComm Stadium, 1:05
Since the start of the 2015 season one goal has been clear for these San Diego Chargers: “make the playoffs.” After the 1st 3 games of the season and an 0-3 record, things were not looking good for this group of Chargers. To make matters worse, the Chargers week 4 opponent were the Cleveland Browns: Super Bowl champions coached by the legendary Tosh; it appeared this 2015 Charger team would be 0-4. The Chargers played by far their best game of the season to that point defeating the Browns 20-10 and picking up their first win of the season.
The Chargers currently possess a 6-5 record coming off an impressive victory in Jacksonville 20-17 against a Jaguars team that is now 9-2 and picked by this writer to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. The Chargers seem to have fought their way back into the “playoff” picture. The schedule makers have yet another “Giant” standing in the way of the Chargers dreams: The Denver Broncos.”
The Denver Broncos coming off a loss to the New England Patriots enter this week’s game with a 9-2 record leading the AFC West. NFL.com sat down this week with several members of the Chargers to discuss the upcoming game vs the Broncos. Phillip Rivers was asked what he thought about the Broncos and more specifically their talented secondary. Rivers said “They have a great secondary, it’s hard to find any of their defensive backs to single out. SS T.J. Ward is 2nd on their team in tackles, he is always around the ball, he also has 3 INTs, and Ward is an outstanding SS. Their CBs are fast and very confident, Talib and Harris are one of the best CB pair in the league if not the best, even Kayvon Webster their dime CB has 2 INTs it’s going to be tough to find someone open.” Rivers added, “I have a tremendous amount of respect for the Broncos and Peyton Manning, he has been able to do so well for so long that’s what I am striving to become. Let’s face it, right now the Broncos have what we want: the AFC West championship, this year and every year if you want to be the best you have to beat the best.”
The Chargers defensive captain, Eric Weddle, fresh off signing his new contract extension, was asked how he felt the Chargers stacked up defensively against the powerful Broncos air attack. Weddle said, “They’re definitely loaded at WR. Jason and Brandon are going to have their hands full with Thomas, Patterson and Sanders. I have faith in my guys.” Weddle added, “We spent a lot of time during training camp scrimmaging the Broncos, some of those scrimmages got a little out of hand, some jawing those Broncos like to “chirp”, I’m really excited about getting to play them “for real.”
"We need this game, it's put up or shut up time!!!!!" Melvin Ingram