The San Diego Chargers easily beat the Denver Broncos 35-14 Monday night after reeling off 35 unanswered points. After three consecutive wins, they’re playoff contenders at 5-5 in the AFC West, one game back of the division-leading Kansas City Chiefs (6-4). The Chargers finished each of the last three seasons with an impressive winning streak, so what’s to stop them from making the NFL playoffs?
The biggest hurdle is yet to come. The Chargers face Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday. The Colts are having a down year at 6-4, yet are still tied for first in the AFC South with Jacksonville. Following Indianapolis, the Chargers host the Chiefs and Oakland Raiders (5-5). Those will act as grudge matches after losing to both teams on the road earlier in the season.
Then, San Diego has a soft ending to the schedule with the San Francisco 49ers (3-7), Cincinnati Bengals (2-8) and the Broncos (3-7). The Chargers won the last six games in 2007, last four in 2008, and last 11 in 2009. They know how to finish strong so they have to feel confident to close out the season.
On top of that, the somewhat unreliable Phillip Rivers is on his game. He is one of three Chargers quarterbacks in history to throw four touchdown passes in consecutive games, which came in San Diego’s last two games. The other two quarterbacks are Drew Brees and Dan Fouts. Still, there are seven teams in the AFC with a better record and the Chargers need to be more consistent. Can you remember the last time they won a road playoff game? Neither can I. It may be a similar tale this year.
Indianapolis Colts – San Diego Chargers Moneyline Odds (provided by Titan Bet)
Colts: 3/5
Chargers: 5/4