Peyton Manning stalks the Broncos sidelines in front of his offensive line. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)
A good Wednesday evening to all of you Denver Broncos fans in the Mile High City and around the world. Tonight, The Denver Post launches the Broncos Insider newsletter, giving you the best news and updates from us and others around the NFL…
Denver’s key vs. Chargers? Keep Philip Rivers off the field
In this week’s Broncos Mailbag, Mike Klis offers up the Broncos’ biggest weakness going into Sunday’s playoff game against San Diego. And what Denver needs to do to stop Philip Rivers.
The Chargers CAN’T LOSE against the Broncos
Jim Trotter at MMQB says something has changed in Philip Rivers. He’s “flourished in a new quick-passing attack after six years of seven-step drops and vertical passes under Norv Turner,” Trotter writes. And Peyton Manning has a pedestrian record against San Diego. It all spells trouble for Denver.
Peyton Manning is all pain and no gain
What can Peyton Manning add to his legacy this weekend against the Chargers? And what can he lose? A lot more of the latter than the former, says Robert Mays at Grantland.
Stat of the Day: Slower quarterback releases in the playoffs
Peyton Manning ranks No. 1 in the NFL in pass release time. It’s a telling statistic — especially in the playoffs.
Philip Rivers leaves the field in Denver after the Chargers beat the Broncos on Dec. 12. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)
Philip Rivers is more ready for a super bolo
“If we win on Sunday, it’s because Philip Rivers (ticked) us off by wearing what’s ours,” said Steve Weil, the grandson of the Denver legend Papa Jack Weil, the first person to commercially sell bolo ties. “He’s riled us up. This is our deal, not theirs!” Benjamin Hochman explains.
Broncos have the 2nd-best odds of winning the Super Bowl
Football Outsiders, using their weighted, math-heavy DVOA ratings, give the Broncos at 19.6 percent chance of winning it all. That’s 5.0 percent behind Seattle. And Denver is a lot closer to New England.
The Chargers have a blueprint to beat the Broncos
They’ve used it twice already, both times with success. They won once. The Broncos have to tear up that blueprint, writes Patrick Saunders.
Peyton Manning. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)
Las Vegas has the Broncos a clear favorite
The Broncos are from -9 to -10 point favorites over San Diego on Sunday. And the over/under odds say this game will be a high-scoring scorcher.
Time for the defense to step up
If the Broncos are to step past San Diego into the AFC championship game, the Denver defense must make plays, write Patrick Saunders.
Knowshon being Knowshon
NFL.com collects a highlight reel video of Knowshon Moreno’s best moments from this season.
Von Miller to have knee surgery in Florida
He is expected to miss a big chunk of time.
NFL assigns controversial referee to Broncos
Clete Blakeman is well-known in New England and Carolina after a contested ending earlier this season. In the wrong way. He’ll work Sunday’s Broncos-Chargers game.
The Broncos’ Sylvester Williams (92), Robert Ayers (91) and Terrance Knighton (94) take down San Diego’s Danny Woodhead. (Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post)
SCOUT THE ENEMY CAMP
Quotable
“I think it gives you confidence when you know you CAN win. … It’s going to be hard. They’re a one-seed for a reason. This is a heck of a team,” said Philip Rivers.
Chargers out for practice
From UT San Diego: “Center Nick Hardwick, right tackle D.J. Fluker, running back Ryan Mathews, wide receiver Eddie Royal and safety Eric Weddle all rested on the first preparation day for Sunday’s Divisional Round game in Denver. The only surprise on the list was Weddle, a likely rest day for the Pro Bowler. Most of the five are expected to face the Broncos. None have been publicly ruled out.”
UT San Diego’s Tom Krasovic:
“It’s hard to overstate what (Ryan) Mathews’ stretch runs contribute, especially the backside runs behind the 6-foot-9 [King] Dunlap. Aside from its direct gains, a good stretch tames the blind-side pass rush, opens up other runs that set up like stretches (a speciality of Danny Woodhead’s) and de-starches defenders.”
Why the Chargers are not afraid
According to SB Nation blog “Bolts from the Blue”: Turnover management (Chargers before December this season … 0.93 takeaways per game vs. 2.0 TPG in December and January), King Dunlap, and the absence of Von Miller.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock is making another bet
… with the mayor of the opposing team’s city. This time, it’s Hancock and Denver’s best green chili vs. mayor Tom Gloria and some San Diego Mexican food… far tamer than what we would have liked, and certainly less entertaining than the payout last year with the Broncos’ loss to the Ravens (Ray Lewis Dance, anyone?)
The Chargers are hot
And they know it, reports UT San Diego. As many of you have probably read by now, “a six and one have met five times in the Divisional Round over the past five years. The six, despite being on the road, has won four of the five. The most recent games between a six and one took place following the 2010 season when the Packers upset the Falcons and Jets upset the Patriots on the same weekend. The Packers went on to win the Super Bowl.”
BUT…
UT San Diego Chargers columnist Kevin Acee notes: “That was a fantastic win by the Chargers. There is no taking away from that. If the Broncos were invincible, they would have converted more third downs, tackled Ryan Mathews more (or sooner) and won that game. They didn’t. Problem is, they remember that.”
Like what you see? Did we miss something? Tweet us comments, tips, thoughts, and relevant green chili recipes to @PostBroncos or email sports@denverpost.com. This letter is edited by The Denver Post’s Nick Groke and Daniel Petty.
