Week 15

Chargers Preview

Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) at San Diego Chargers (10-3)

Sunday afternoon, the San Diego Chargers will host the Cincinnati Bengals, which looked at the beginning of the year like an easy win, but now will go a long way towards determining who will get a coveted first-round bye in the playoffs. The Bengals got off to a quick start, sweeping all three division foes by playing tough, physical football. The passing game has actually been a weakness for the offense, but the running game behind resurgent Cedric Benson has been surprisingly strong. After winning 7 of 8, the Bengals have now lost two of four, including one against the Raiders, and are falling a bit below the radar now. Here are the key matchups for this game:

Cedric Benson vs Chargers' second level

We know Benson is going to get his yards, as the running game is the strength of the Cincy offense and the weakness of the Chargers’ defense. The key will be whether the second level makes the tackles. Getting S Eric Weddle back on the field could do a lot to help there, as he's the strongest tackler in the secondary. The Chargers secondary has been good at tackling all year, and they will need to keep it up.

Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall vs Philip Rivers & Co.

The Bengals cornerbacks have been incredibly strong and consistent all year. They have done a tremendous job of shutting down every offense they have played. Whether the Chargers offense can move the ball from the start will have a big effect on how the game progresses. If the Chargers have no problem getting downfield and scoring, the Bengals will be forced to abandon the run game, and it could turn quickly into a blowout. If the Bengals defense makes life tough on Rivers, their run game may keep the Chargers offense cold on the sidelines. This game being in San Diego is a big advantage for the Chargers offense, though, and I think they have too many weapons. Cover Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd, and Antonio Gates owns the middle of the field.

Cincinnati Bengals vs Their Emotions

With Chris Henry falling off of his fiancé’s truck and dying this week, the Bengals team is dealing without a lot of emotional stress. How they handle that can't help but impact the game, which will be preceded by a moment of silence. If they harness the emotion, they can use it as a driving force behind an road upset, if they let it gnaw at them, and feel like a football game is nothing compared to the life of a friend (which is the truth) then they could become detached from the game.

--- CLAY SPIEGEL.