NFL Denver BroncosSan Diego Chargers

Predicting the Final Score of Chargers vs. Broncos

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By @edpvideo

Denver Broncos defense

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

It doesn’t get any better than this matchup. The San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos are two of the hottest teams in the league who just happen to be battling it out for the top spot in the AFC West. The only thing separating them at the moment is the fact Denver has played one less game, having an early season bye week.

On offense, both teams are amazingly similar and near the top of the league in scoring offense. Denver, in fact, is No. 1 in points per game with 31.5. San Diego comes in at No. 9, posting 26.3 per game. How they score is even more similar, with both teams having a huge split between passing and rushing TDs. Denver has thrown for 19 touchdowns while only rushing for four. San Diego boasts nearly the same numbers, throwing for 17 scores and rushing for three.

On the ground, both teams are rather pedestrian, averaging under 100 yards per game. Denver ranks 25th with 95.2 yards per game, while San Diego ranks 29th with 89.3. Neither team offers a difference maker on the ground with their leading rushers averaging less than 65 yards per game.

On the defensive side of the ball, San Diego is stingier when it comes to scoring defense, ranking third while giving up only 16.3 points per game. Denver ranks sixth and gives up 20.2 points per game. The teams are almost identical in passing yards allowed and touchdowns per game. There’s nothing suggesting either team holds an edge on defense against the pass, which is each teams’ offensive strong suit.

Comparing quarterbacks, Philip Rivers is actually keeping pace with Peyton Manning across the board statistically. Rivers has thrown for 1,961 yards, completing 67.4 percent of his passes with 17 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Manning has thrown for 1,848 yards, completing 68.7 percent of his passes for 19 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Rivers has a QB rating of 113 and Manning’s is 118.2. Eerily similar.

Statistically, only one category tilts in favor of one team over the other — quarterback sacks. Denver holds a huge advantage by posting 21 sacks to only eight by the Chargers. Since Denver has played only six games, that is an impressive 3.5 sacks per game while San Diego averages 1.3 per game. Considering each team lives and dies by throwing the ball, defensive pressure on the quarterback could be the X factor. No pressure on Manning could lead to a long day for the Charger defense. Add home-field advantage for Denver and I see the Broncos staying atop the AFC West by taking this game in an offensive showcase, 35-21.

Paul Kakert covers the Chicago Bears and the NFL for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @edpvideo, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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