4 Bold Predictions for Denver Broncos' Week 8 Matchup

The Week 8 Thursday Night Football game will feature the Denver Broncos (5-1) hosting their division foe, the San Diego Chargers. (5-2)

The Thursday night games this season haven't been the most exciting in terms of intrigue or competition, but Thursday's game is sure to break both of those patterns. 

The Broncos and the Chargers have a long and heated rivalry that dates back many decades; the AFC West rivals always bring their A-game when playing each other. 

In addition, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers are easily two of the most prolific NFL quarterbacks of the past decade. During Manning's long tenure with the Indianapolis Colts, his two greatest foes in the AFC were the Tom Brady-led New England Patriots and the Chargers, led by the outspoken Rivers. 

If the history doesn't intrigue you, let's remember that these two teams are both playing great football and that this is a huge game in determining control of the AFC West. The Chargers are coming off a Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, while the Broncos are coming off a decisive home win over the San Francisco 49ers. In this game, we saw Manning surpass Brett Favre's record of 508 career passing touchdowns. 

Momentum may be in Denver's favor, but San Diego is looking for redemption. Divisional matchups are always intense in the NFL; throw a chip on one of the team's shoulders, and we're looking at must-watch football!

Here are four bold predictions for Thursday's AFC West showdown at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. 

1. Branden Oliver Will Rush for Over 100 Yards and Two Touchdowns

Michael Zito/Associated Press

The Chargers are far from the best team in the NFL on paper, yet they've been winning games thanks to their ability to run the ball and control the clock. They've run the ball 206 times, sixth most in the league, and have done so successfully with four different running backs. 

Last week, rookie running back Branden Oliver, the only healthy option right now for the Chargers, received only 15 carries. San Diego lost the time of possession battle and, subsequently, the game. The Chargers are going to be ultra-committed to returning to the ground game in Week 8. Expect Oliver to handle the rock at least 20 times. 

2. Peyton Manning Will Throw Only Two Touchdowns

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Coming off a huge game last week where Manning and the Denver offense rolled, I see this week as a small fall back to reality. Sure, the offense is still plenty prolific, yet I think we will see much more of a rushing attack out of the gate. 

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman will struggle to gain ground against a stout San Diego run defense, and Manning will be forced to throw in quite a few 3rd-and-long situations.

3. Philip Rivers Will Get Sacked Five Times

The Chargers offensive line has done a very decent job at protecting their veteran quarterback this season; through seven games, Rivers has been dropped only 11 times. 

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

This week, however, Rivers is going to be in for a rude awakening. Led by defensive end DeMarcus Ware and outside linebacker Von Miller, the Denver Broncos are tied for third best in the league with 21 sacks on opposing quarterbacks. 

I think we'll see the Denver defense load the box early and often tonight, leading to a field day for Ware, Miller and Co. 

4. The Chargers Will Win 27-21

I am predicting that the Chargers win a fairly defensive game on Thursday night. Both offenses will struggle early, and both punters will see a lot of first-half work. Ultimately, the Chargers' hunger for a victory, their success in running the ball and their ability to control the clock will be the difference-maker. 

San Diego knows that the best way to defend Peyton Manning is to keep him on the sideline. In an eerily similar situation to last year's San Diego at Denver matchup, (which resulted in a 27-20 San Diego victory) the Chargers will leave Denver, Colorado, with a win, successfully stopping Manning and the Denver offense as they try to run the two-minute drill and score the go-ahead touchdown at the end of the fourth quarter. 

All stats courtesy of NFL.com.