THE STORY: The doubters have stopped doubting and the haters have stopped hating – for now. So the question remains: How far can Tim Tebow take the Denver Broncos? Perhaps the most polarizing figure in NFL history and the Broncos will continue their pursuit of the AFC West title with a road game against the reeling San Diego Chargers on Sunday. There is no question about whose team it is after the Broncos waived quarterback Kyle Orton on Tuesday. Tebow’s 20-yard touchdown run capped a 95-yard drive with 58 seconds left to lift the Broncos to a 17-13 victory over the Jets last Thursday for their fourth win in five games since he took over as starter. San Diego has lost five straight for the first time since starting 0-5 in 2003 following its 31-20 setback at Chicago last week. The Chargers’ last win was a 29-24 victory over Denver on Oct. 9, when Tebow provided a glimpse of things to come when he nearly rallied the Broncos in the second half after taking over for Orton.
TV: CBS, 4:15 p.m. ET. LINE: Chargers -6, O/U 43.5
ABOUT THE BRONCOS (5-5): Denver’s pass rush has turned up the heat on opposing quarterbacks. Defensive end Elvis Dumervil has at least one-half sack in three straight games and linebacker Von Miller leads NFL rookies with 9.5 sacks. They have combined for seven in the last three games. Running back Willis McGahee had only 18 yards on12 carries against the Jets, but should be stronger against the Chargers with three extra days’ rest. Denver trails Oakland by one game.
ABOUT THE CHARGERS (4-6): Philip Rivers played better with 280 yards and two touchdowns, but two late interceptions sealed San Diego’s fate against Chicago. Rivers leads the NFL with a career-high 17 interceptions. Time is running out for the Chargers, who trail the Raiders by two games in the AFC West. San Diego will have to continue to play solid run defense against Tebow and the Broncos. The Chargers held the Bears to 93 yards on the ground after allowing a season-high 191 to Oakland the previous week.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Rivers is 9-2 against Denver as a starter with 19 touchdowns and six interceptions, including one of each in Week 5.
2. San Diego has won four straight and five of the last six meetings.
3. Denver has won three in a row on the road after going 1-11 in its previous 12.
PREDICTION: Broncos 24, Chargers 21 (OT). Tebow scores the tying touchdown with less than a minute left in regulation and moves Matt Prater into position for a 38-yard field goal in overtime.
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