critical injuries that could make it difficult for them to pull the upset.

Brandon Flowers, who has been a very pleasant surprise after signing a one-year deal with the Chargers in the off-season, will miss the game because of a concussion. Rookie Jason Verrett is unlikely to play because of a shoulder injury (UPDATE: He is playing after all) . San Diego defensive coordinator John Pagano has a better recent history than most with finding schemes to frustrate Peyton, but without his top two cornerbacks, it’s gonna be a tall task.

One recent bright spot for the Chargers is the emergence of Tiny Darren doppelganger Branden Oliver. After back-to-back 100-yard rushing games, Oliver was held to 67 yards on the ground Sunday, though still on 4.5 per carry. With Donaldperhaps we’ll get a football game in the second half.

The first two Broncos drives ended with Peyton touchdown passes, the first to Emmanuel Sanders and the second to Wes Welker. The grister was initially ruled just short of the goal line but that was quickly overturned. Replays showed he hit the pylon with the ball, anyway. This was only interrupted by a missed 51-yard field goal attempt by Phil Dawson.

The teams traded possessions, which means the San Francisco defense finally got a stop. The Niners had a 2nd and 18 from their own 5 when Colin Kaepernick found Stevie Johnson up the seam for 31 yards. A long pass interference penalty on Bradley Roby got them to the Denver 25. After Anquan Boldin made an amazing catch to