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The Denver Broncos can tie the San Diego Chargers for first place in the AFC West with a win Monday night in San Diego, but Peyton Manning hasn’t had a lot of success vs. the Bolts in his career.
Manning has thrown 12 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in seven games in the regular season vs. San Diego. Manning’s minus-4 touchdown-interception differential is tied with Cleveland for the worst in his career.
Including two playoffs games (San Diego won both), Manning was 4-5 against the Chargers as a Colt. He is 1-5 in his last six meetings against the Chargers.
Most of Manning’s woes against San Diego have come in two games. In a 2007 game, Manning threw six interceptions and two touchdowns. In 2010, Manning threw four interceptions and two touchdowns in a loss.
In his seven other games against San Diego, Manning has thrown 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Manning’s passer rating of 72.5 in seven regular-season games against the Chargers is his lowest against any opponent.
Manning has thrown six touchdown passes in his past two games with Denver and he hasn’t thrown an interception in the past 15 quarters, however. The Broncos’ offense is the AFC’s best in the red zone, having scored touchdowns on 66.7 percent of its trips inside the opponents’ 20.
But one problem is the Broncos’ defense isn’t getting off the field. Only the Jets, Bills and Raiders have a worse third-down efficiency than Denver’s 46.7 percent rate. The Broncos have the AFC’s best first-down defense, making their third-down struggles more glaring.
The Chargers have won four of the last five, five of the last eight and nine of the last 12 against the Broncos. The Bolts have also won four of the last six played in San Diego.
For the year, the Chargers rank 23rd in total offense (334.8 yards per game), 19th in passing (231.4 ypg), 16th in rushing (103.4 ypg) and 13th in points (24.8).
The Broncos rank ninth in total offense (390.0 ypg), fifth in passing (288.8 ypg), 17th in rushing (101.2 ypg) and ninth in points (27.0)
Defensively, the Bolts rank 11th in total defense (334.0 ypg), 20th in passing (260.0 ypg), fifth in rushing (74.0 ypg) and 11th in points allowed (20.4). Denver ranks 13th in total defense (335.2 ypg), 11th in passing (215.0 ypg), 21st in rushing (120.2 ypg) and 19th in points allowed (22.8).
VEGASSPORTSBETTING ODDS: Chargers -1 (47)
Chargers lead Broncos by one game in AFC West. … Manning has won 11 of 15 Monday starts, with 96.3 passer rating. … Last week, Manning registered 66th career 300-yard passing game, most in NFL history. .. Broncos wasted Manning’s 345-yard, three-touchdown performance in loss to Patriots. …
San Diego’s Philip Rivers is 7-3 on Monday nights, with 17 touchdowns, 105.2 passer rating. … Chargers have won nine of last 12 in series, but Broncos have won two of last three in San Diego. … Although this is first matchup against Manning since he signed with Broncos, Chargers have had QB’s number since 2005, going 5-1 against him while he was with Indianapolis. Chargers eliminated Manning’s Colts from playoffs in 2007 and ’08. …
San Diego 5-4 overall against Manning since 1998, when he was No. 1 draft pick overall and Chargers took Ryan Leaf No. 2. … Denver had as many playoff wins last season, one, as Chargers have in last four seasons. Chargers missed playoffs last two seasons. …
San Diego coach Norv Turner is 110-115-1 in regular season in stops with Washington, Oakland and San Diego. … Chargers appear ready to take training wheels off RB Ryan Mathews after limiting his carries last two games in punishment for fumbling at Atlanta 4-yard line in 27-3 loss to Falcons three weeks ago.
VEGAS TRENDS: Favorite is 7-2-2 ATS in their last 11 meetings. Broncos are 2-8-2 ATS in their last 12 meetings. Road team is 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.
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