NFL Week 15 Picks: Will Your Team Win?

Nov 23, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) fires the crowd up against the St. Louis Rams during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos (10-3) vs. San Diego Chargers (8-5), 4:05 Sunday

Our guest for this game is Peter Thompson from Bolt Beat.

What’s the key to this game?

Peter: The key to the Chargers winning this game is generating a consistent pass rush, and getting to Peyton Manning. If the Chargers can get Manning off his mark throughout the game, they could get Manning to throw INT’s, or they could force fumbles. We have seen Manning fall apart under pressure before, like in his return to Indianapolis. However, the key is to keep doing it all game, and not just in the first half, like the Jets did earlier this season. They allowed him to get back into a rhythm. The pass rush unit MUST come to play 60 minutes.

Who is the impact player to watch?

Peter: Melvin Ingram. Ingram had possibly the best game of his career last week against the Patriots. The pressure he brought was enough to rattle Tom Brady, who usually has ice running through his veins. He was off of his game, and it showed. We saw Super Mel get into Andy Dalton’s head in the wild card round of the playoffs last year, so we know he can do it. With a tight AFC wild-card race, the Chargers will be in playoff mode, and Melvin Ingram is the catalyst to getting pressure on Manning. Also, having the home field advantage should change things up, as this is the last home game of the season.

Final score prediction and why?

Peter: 31-24 San Diego.

The Chargers had a bad set of circumstances heading into Denver the first time. They had just played two back-to-back divisional opponents, who had come off of bye weeks. Traveling cross-country to play their third divisional opponent in a row (with only four days “rest”) was a tall task. They were riddled with injury, and the Broncos put them to sleep, as expected.

This time, the Chargers defense is healthy, and Ryan Mathews will be on the field. Last week, they managed to keep the best team in the AFC’s offense on their heels, despite a dirty performance from the Patriots. This was after having their punter taken out in the first half, and fighting an uphill battle of field position, as their kicker was punting for them. If the Chargers can get the offense going, score first, get to Manning, and Ryan Mathews exceeds 100 yards… they will win this game. It will come down to the wire. Manning will have one last opportunity to drive the ball up-field in the final minutes, but he will come up short.