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The Denver Broncos were seemingly unstoppable through most of the season, while the Chargers' playoff chances seems to dwindle down the stretch.
It's crazy how things change off just one divisional win.
The Chargers upset the Broncos 27-20 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, and they used that momentum to grab the AFC's final wild card spot. That momentum carried with them through a 27-13 shellacking of the Cincinnati Bengals in the wild card round.
Did Denver fire all their bullets early this year? Can Peyton Manning get his first playoff win as a member of the Broncos? Fair questions, and one San Diego will have to hope Denver isn't up for answering.
Manning struggled in the cold while his heavily favored Broncos were beaten by the Baltimore Ravens en route to a Super Bowl championship. Against teams with intimate knowledge - i.e. division rivals - that kind of intensity increases even more.
Kickoff from Denver is scheduled at 4:40 p.m. ET. Sunday.
San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos
Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver
When: 4:40 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Broadcasters: Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Phil Simms (color)
Odds: Broncos -8
Weather: 41 degrees, rainy, winds WNW 20 m.p.h.
Online stream: None available
Broncos SB Nation site: Mile High Report
Chargers SB Nation site: Bolts From The Blue