Chargers vs. Broncos Preview: Can Philip Rivers Break San Diego's Losing Streak to Denver Tonight?

By Josh Wilson
San Diego Chargers Philip Rivers
San Diego Chargers Philip Rivers  (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

NFL Thursday Night Football Week 15 match features the San Diego Chargers vs. Denver Broncos at the Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Dec. 12, 2013. The Chargers, who has six wins and seven losses, is looking to break tonight the losing streak against the Broncos, who leads the league with 11 wins and 2 losses.

Going into Week 15 of 2013 NFL regular season, the league's No. 3 overall offense team Chargers are placed at 3rd spot in AFC West division. San Diego's quarterback Philip Rivers has led his team to the No. 4 passing team, averaging 288.7 yards per game, with 3,882 total yards and 26 pass touchdowns.

While possessing a strong offense, the Chargers have not been able to stay afloat as they've lost 7-of-13 games. On the defense side, the team based in Southern California is ranked fourth highest in pass yards and yards yielded per game. Their rush defense is also lagging behind at 19th place in the league.

With these below average defense stats, San Diego will have a rough Thursday Night Football in Denver unless the lineman can force Broncos' quarterback Peyton Manning out of his comfort zone in the pocket. Even then, the Chargers must bring down the No. 1 quarterback before he makes his plays.

The Broncos is currently placed 1st in AFC West. Manning has led the No. 1 overall offense team (points, yards, pass yards) with 45 pass touchdowns at 4,522 yards as Demaryius Thomas (1,149 yards), Eric Decker (1,088 yards), Wes Welker, and Julius Thomas all have more than eight touchdowns so far. Moreover, running back Knowshon Moreno has added to the team's overall offense with 10 touchdowns at 920 rush yards.

The Chargers will be playing against the stronger Broncos in both offense and defense. From a statistical point of view, Denver will make tonight the fifth win streak against San Diego without missing a heart beat.

However, anything goes on the field. The Charger still have a chance tonight as the Broncos have made critical mistakes as seen in the Week 12 game against the New England Patriots, in which they allowed the Tom Brady-led Patriots to make an unlikely comeback from being 7-21 to a 34-31 overtime win. Broncos' second-leading receiver Walker will sit out because of the concussion he sustained in a Week 14 win over the Tennessee Titans, according to NFL.com.

While much fanfare are placed on the records that Manning and his team will break, Manning has remained focused on the wins and losses, especially after the 29-28 loss against the Indianapolis Colts.

"And you don't think twice about [the records]", Manning said, according to ABC News Denver Channel. "You've got to do your job to get your team into the end zone, whatever that is. That's how I've always approached it."

After tonight's game, the Chargers will go on to play against Oakland Raiders and Broncos against Houston Texans next weekend.

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