The San Diego Chargers are trying to salvage their season when they play the Denver Broncos on the road. The Chargers were touted as Super Bowl contenders, but they have been poor in all aspects of their game. The Denver Broncos had problems of their own but have been fortunate enough to break even with a 2-2 record. The oddsmakers at Bodog have the Denver Broncos as +1 home underdogs.
Last week the Broncos played the Colts tough for the first half of their game before stumbling in the second half to lose 20-38 against Indianapolis as +10 chalk. The San Diego Chargers were expected to blow out the Kansas City Chiefs as -13 favorites, but they were trounced in a 16-30 loss.
The Chargers would be wise in this game to go after a Broncos defense that has been very vulnerable against the run. Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson gouged the Denver defense for 291 total yards and 7 touchdowns last year. The Chargers have struggled in the passing game but will have a mismatch with TE Antonio Gates vs Denver linebackers. Online betting giant Sportsbook.com has the San Diego Chargers +1 road underdogs.
Denver is still running the ball with their usual efficiency averaging 5 yards per carry and that should open up the pass for QB Jay Cutler who has been playing on a sore ankle. The Broncos will have to score often as the Chargers scored at will on them last year for 83 points in two games. One achilles heel for the Broncos could be RT Erik Pears who could be exposed by San Diego’s strong pass rush.
The Chargers are a desperate team, but can they win in a hostile environment in Denver? Have the Broncos been lucky, or are they the front runners of the AFC West?
