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Chargers Look To Play Spoiler For Broncos In Season Finale

By Danny Cox

The Denver Broncos got into the playoffs after an overtime victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football. There is still a lot at stake in the season finale though, and they can't just expect the San Diego Chargers to lay down and let them win.

San Diego would love nothing more than to hurt the Broncos by defeating them in the last game of the season and knocking them down a peg or two in the AFC seeding.

Season Record

With a 4-11 record, the Chargers are going to end up in the cellar of the AFC West no matter what happens in the final week of the season. This has not been the season that fans, players, coaches, or anyone thought the Bolts would have. A lot will need to change in the offseason, and actually, some of it has already begun.

San Diego Chargers on Offense

Obviously, Philip Rivers is the offense of the Chargers. He's having another really good season with over 4,500 yards passing and 27 touchdowns compared to only 12 interceptions. The biggest problem is that he can't stay upright and has an offensive line that has allowed him to be sacked 37 times this season.

Keenan Allen (725 yards) and Danny Woodhead (704 yards) are Rivers' primary targets, and they're used quite often since there isn't much of a running game. Rookie running back Melvin Gordon has all the talent needed to be a star, and he will be, but it's just not his time yet.

San Diego Chargers on Defense

Safety Eric Weddle would be the one that Brock Osweiler and the Broncos need to watch out for, but he was just placed on Injured Reserve this week. The Chargers have only nine interceptions on the season and the Broncos should be able to exploit their pass defense.

What could become a problem is the pass rush of the Chargers, who have a couple big-time defenders on the line and in the linebacking corps.

San Diego Chargers' Players to Watch

Offensively, it's Danny Woodhead that the Broncos need to keep their eyes on throughout the game. He is small and fast and very talented, as he's always been. Coming out of the backfield, he can catch a screen pass and be gone before anyone even realizes he has the football.

On defense, linebacker Melvin Ingram is the leader and overall chief for the Chargers on defense. He has 9.5 sacks on the season and has forced three fumbles. He's an absolute ballhawk and very hard to defend, so the Broncos will need to make sure that one or two are watching him at all times.

Outlook

The San Diego Chargers aren't a bad team and have a lot of talent, but they are far from being a great team that can be competitive in the AFC. Brock Osweiler and the Denver Broncos should be able to easily handle them in Week 17 and end the regular season on a high note.

Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

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