Week 15 of the NFL season kicks off tonight as the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos (11-2) host the San Diego Chargers (6-7). Ian Eagle, Trent Green and sideline reporter Scott Kaplan will have all the action from Sports Authority Field beginning at 8 PM Eastern. For a preview of the game, Trent Green filed this report:
The Incredible Orange Scoring Machine
What more can you say about Peyton Manning? He’s playing at an incredible level right now, but what’s amazing about him is not only that he’s done this for a long period of time, but the fact that he’s just two years removed from missing a whole season due to neck surgery. His complete understanding of the mental and physical part of playing the quarterback position in the NFL is outstanding. The physical part has, admittedly, dropped off a bit, but not much to make a big difference. In his second year in Denver, you can see the comfort level increasing between Peyton and his targets and vice versa as they feel at ease in the system they’re running, how he runs it and how he does things.
Stopping the Incredible Orange Scoring Machine
Wes Welker’s concussion issue is a real concern. If he’s not able to go in the playoffs, that’s a huge weapon taken out of Manning’s arsenal. He’s already out for tonight, but if I was the Broncos, I’d sit him the rest of the regular season. Let him have a full month off. Assuming they get a first-round bye, that’d be a full four weeks without contact and would allow him to be be fresh for the postseason.
A Charger change will do you good
Philip Rivers has benefited from the changes at the top for San Diego this year, with head coach Mike McCoy and offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt coming in. The new blood has re-energized things. Obviously Rivers had some good years under the old regime, but he seems fired up this year and it seems the Chargers are moving in a good direction. While mathematically the Chargers can stay alive even if they lose tonight, it seems like this is every bit a must-win for San Diego. The combination of things that would have to take place for an 8-8 Chargers team to make the playoffs seem daunting, but a win tonight and they’re in great shape with home games against Oakland and Kansas City in Weeks 16 and 17. Remember, the Chargers already won at Arrowhead a few weeks ago.
– Trent Green
Former NFL quarterback Trent Green is the analyst for Thursday Night Football on WestwoodOne. Tonight, he’ll be alongside Ian Eagle for the call as the San Diego Chargers visit the Denver Broncos. Coverage begins at 8 PM Eastern on WestwoodOne.
