Chargers Broncos Spread
September 13, 2008
-Brad Marchetti
Denver looked mighty good last week on Monday Night Football but, they now face a motivated division rival with loads of talent in San Diego. The San Diego Chargers vs Denver Broncos game will mark the return of superstar Denver WR Brandon Marshall who could impact this game against a slightly above-average Chargers secondary. The NFL betting odds for this rivalry game favor the Chargers on the road at modest -3.5 chalk in San Diego Chargers vs Denver Broncos.
I hate to say what is on the tip of every sharp handicapper tongue but, another San Diego’s slow start is likely to happen again. Shawn Merriman’s knee will hold back the team’s most explosive element of their defense. With the star Merriman at 60-70% Denver, seems to have found another nimble running back in Selvin Young, and he will face a suspect Chargers run defense that allowed 4.9 YPC against Carolina in the opener. Denver QB Jay Cutler, has looked excellent in the early going and, this week he will have back #1 target Brandon Marshall. Marshall will line up against Chargers stud CB Antonio Cromartie who had 10 INT’s a year ago. The Broncos have another added weapon this season in WR Eddie Royal (4.35 40-speed) opposite of Marshall. Jay Cutler, had this to say of the duo “We anticipated B-Marsh getting a lot of double coverage up top, and now you can’t, because Eddie is on the other side. I’ve had a good feel for Eddie, and I’ve been throwing it his way more and more.” San Diego owned the Broncos last season allowing only 6 points total in their two meetings.
With Chargers QB Phillip Rivers, still recovering from a knee injury, L.T will see the ball often against Denver. L.T is still an animal but this season he will not have the best backup in the NFL behind him Michael Turner. Vincent Jackson, Chris Chambers and Antonio Gates are a physical trio that can make this offense explosive. Rivers is not 100% yet but this rivalry will have his adrenaline pumping. Rivers had this to say about an incident from last year between Denver QB Jay Cutler. “I’m not going to get into it through you guys, through the media, all week long, I’m just not going to do it. I’m going to talk football about Denver and see what kind of team they are as I get to prepare for them and go play the game. Whatever happened to me is gone. It’s eight months ago and I’m going to move forward.” Rivers looked awfully sharp last week when he posted a 125.1 passer rating in a losing effort against Carolina at home. The NFL betting odds OVER\UNDER for the San Diego Chargers vs Denver Broncos is at 46 points.
San Diego has a Superbowl talent team but, the jury is still out on Chargers head coach Norv Turner. The Broncos will have to cope with a short week and some question marks on their O-line.
San Diego Chargers vs Denver Broncos NFL Betting Odds Facts:
The Chargers are 19-7-3 ATS in their last 29 vs. AFC West.
The Chargers have won 50 games since 2004
Over is 11-1-1 in Broncos last 13 home games.
