Preview: San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos - Sept. 14, 2008

By Computer Sports

AFC West rivals get it on Sunday in the Mile High city. Denver is 1-0 after it’s 41-14 pasting of what once again appears to be a hapless Raider franchise. While the Chargers dropped a heartbreaker on the games last snap to what looks like a vastly improved Panther squad.

Denver lead by a now healthy and strong after being diagnosed with diabetes , Jay Cutler amassed 441 total yards Monday night. Cutler’s 299 passing yds and 2 Td’s coupled with the suprising play of fill-in wr (for suspended Brandon Marshall) Eddie Royal 9 catches for 100+ yards torched the Raiders early and often. The running game featured a running back by committee approach lead by a re-birth of Michael Pittman.

San Diego got bad news on and off the field this week. Sunday’s late loss coupled with  star line-backer Shawn Merriman’s decision to have season-ended knee surgery, puts a major downer on Week 1. Besides the normal workman like effort of Ladainian Thomlinson (97 rush yards), the Chargers did get an impressive outing from hit or-miss QB Phillip Rivers. His 3td, no int performance  should  give San Diego something to feel good about heading into Denver.

CSS ANALYSIS: AFC West games  are traditionally very close contests, with many being decided by a field goal. That will probably be the case again Sunday. We were not convinced by the preseason hype surrounding San Diego’s Defense, and with the loss of Merriman we have even more doubt. Look for this one to be a scoreboard operators nightmare.

FREE PICK TAKE SAN DIEGO /DENVER OVER 45

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