Denver Broncos-San Diego Chargers: A Win Means Everything

It doesn't get any more clutch than this game right here.

Denver at 8-7 needs to win in order to make the playoffs. Riding a three-game winning streak, the San Diego Chargers are hungry for a win to finish off one of the greatest finishes in NFL history.

On Thursday it was reported that San Diego linebacker Matt Wilhelm doesn't like Jay Cutler saying, "Jay Cutler is a punk. I'm just not a big fan of his." Do the comments add fuel to the fire?

The answer is yes. In my opinion I think Cutler is a great person and a role model. If anyone is a punk it's Philip Rivers after the way he's yelled at fans and at the opposing team. Wilhelm on the year has 50 tackles and an interception.

On Sunday Denver was treated to their seventh loss of the year, courtesy of the Buffalo Bills. The final score was 30-23. Cutler showed why he is in the Pro Bowl, throwing for 359 yards. Of those yards, 129 went to pro bowler Brandon Marshall.

Denver had 181 yards on the ground, which is a good sign. Two more running backs went out for the season. P.J. Pope left in the first half and Selvin Young was hurt throughout the game. Denver is now down to Tatum Bell, Cory Boyd, and Alex Haynes.

San Diego won big over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week to stay alive in the AFC West hunt.

Injury Report

Denver

RB Selvin Young, IR
RB P.J. Pope, IR
WR Brandon Stokley, Questionable
G Chris Kuper, Probable
LB D.J. Williams, Probable
S Marlon McCree, Probable

San Diego

WR Malcom Floyd, Doubtful


San Diego is healthy at the right time and Denver's running back situation is something to be concerned about. It almost seems like a cursed position, with seven having gone out for the season so far.

Denver will have to rely heavily on Cutler to get the job done.


Game Predictions

Denver

QB Jay Cutler—28-41, 419 yards, 4 td, 2 int
WR Brandon Marshall—9 catches, 167 yards, 2 td
TE Tony Scheffler—4 catches, 88 yards, 1 td
DE Elvis Dumervil—1 sack, 3 tackles
LB Jamie Winborn—11 tackles
CB Dre Bly—1 int, 5 tackles

San Diego

QB Philip Rivers—24-33, 285 yards, 3 td, 1 int
RB Darren Sproles—11 rushes, 67 yards, 1 td, 7 catches, 81 yards, 1 td
WR Vincent Jackson—5 catches, 101 yards, 1 td
LB Shaun Phillips—1 sack, 7 tackles
CB Antonio Cromartie—1 int, 6 tackles
S Eric Weddle—12 tackles


Final Score

Denver 37  San Diego 34


Denver is 4-3 on the road this year. This game means everything to Denver and they can't ruin it after they had a three-game lead with only three games left in the year. This game should come down to who has the ball last and who wants the game more.

It's the final game of the year and it will be the Sunday night game on NBC.