To: sea_biscuit who wrote (13236 ) 11/5/1998 5:52:00 PM From: one_less Respond to of 67261
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Denver 24, San Diego 7 Match-Up by Kevin McFeeley (from The Sports Network) The San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos meet for the first time this season, and the Broncos have won four of the past five meetings. The Broncos took the last meeting, 38-3, at Mile High Stadium. Denver is seeking its 21st straight regular-season win at home. Mike Shanahan has lost just twice in Denver (29-2) since taking over the head coaching job. Denver is the first 8-0 team since 1991, and of the nine 8-0 teams since 1970, seven have advanced to the Super Bowl. The San Diego Chargers are coming off their bye week, but they had been playing well before the break. Quarterback Ryan Leaf has completed 98-of-216 attempts for 1,170 yards, two touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season. Running back Natrone Means has had a terrific season, carrying 187 times for 800 yards and five touchdowns. Means needs two more rushing touchdowns to pass Marion Butts for third place on the team's all-time book. Receiver Brian Still has caught 33 passes for 436 yards and one score. San Diego is averaging 266 yards per game. Kicker John Carney has scored 55 points this season. The Chargers own a minus-10 give/take mark. San Diego's defense leads the league by allowing 250 yards per game. The defense allows an NFL-best 3.25 yards per first down play. Norman Hand leads the team with five sacks this season. Rodney Harrison paces the unit with two interceptions. Denver is looking to move out to an 9-0 for the first in team history. The Broncos' offense has averaged 396.3 yards per contest, and that figure paces the AFC. Quarterback John Elway has completed 93-of-154 passes for 1,289 yards and nine touchdowns. Elway has a 98.6 passer rating this season, and he needs just 42 passing yards to reach 50,000 for his career. Running back Terrell Davis has rushed for 100 yards in 12 of his last 16 games. Davis leads the NFL with 1,150 yards and has scored an NFL-best 14 touchdowns on 202 carries. Davis needs three touchdowns to pass Floyd Little (54) for the Broncos career lead in touchdowns. Receiver Rod Smith paces the team with 38 catches for 512 yards and three touchdowns. Smith and tight end Shannon Sharpe have combined for five touchdowns in the past four games. The Broncos have a plus-four turnover ratio. Kicker Jason Elam has scored 63 points this season, including his record-tying, 63-yard field goal against Jacksonville. The Denver defense has allowed 319 yards per contest this season. Bill Romanowski leads the team with 5.5 sacks, and Ray Crockett has two interceptions. Punter Tom Rouen has a 47.6-yard-per-punt average this season, and that leads the league. The Broncos have the league's top-rated ground game at 172.9 yards per outing. Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Denver 24, San Diego 7