Lonestar
12-01-2009, 06:32 PM
By The Denver Post
Posted: 12/01/2009 01:00:00 AM MST
Chargers coach Norv Turner (Denver Post file photo)Five weeks remain in the NFL's regular season, but for Broncos fans, there are two schedules worth monitoring.
With the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders out of the AFC West title picture, Denver can focus on overcoming a single team en route to an automatic playoff berth: the San Diego Chargers.
The Broncos stayed close in the AFC West race by defeating the New York Giants 26-6 in Denver on Thanksgiving. But the Chargers remained a game ahead in the division by routing Kansas City 43-14 on Sunday.
The Chargers, though, have a slight edge in the strength of remaining schedules. Their opponents are a combined 25-30 (.455 winning percentage). The Broncos' opponents are 27-28 (.491).
This weekend, the Broncos and Chargers play struggling teams on the road. San Diego travels to Cleveland to play the Browns (1-10). The Broncos go to Kansas City to play the Chiefs (3-8). The Chiefs usually provide a tough road game for Denver.
Denver and San Diego have tough road games in Week 14. The Chargers play the Dallas Cowboys (8-3), and the Broncos meet the Indianapolis Colts (11-0).
Week 15 is perhaps the Broncos' best chance at gaining ground on San Diego. That's when they host the Raiders (3-8), the same week San Diego plays the surging Cincinnati Bengals (8-3).
AFC WEST STANDINGS
With remaining schedule:
Team ... W ... L ... PF ... PA
SAN DIEGO ... 8 ... 3 ... 312 ... 219
Schedule: at Cleveland (1-10), at Dallas (8-3), Cincinnati (8-3), at Tennessee (5-6), Washington (3-8)
Remaining opponents' record: 25-30 (.455)
DENVER ... 7 ... 4 ... 196 ... 189
Schedule: at Kansas City (3-8), at Indianapolis (11-0), Oakland (3-8), at Philadelphia (7-4), Kansas City (3-8)
Remaining opponents' record: 27-28 (.491)
KANSAS CITY ... 3 ... 8 ... 183 ... 282
OAKLAND ... 3 ... 8 ... 115 ... 258
http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13895575
Posted: 12/01/2009 01:00:00 AM MST
Chargers coach Norv Turner (Denver Post file photo)Five weeks remain in the NFL's regular season, but for Broncos fans, there are two schedules worth monitoring.
With the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders out of the AFC West title picture, Denver can focus on overcoming a single team en route to an automatic playoff berth: the San Diego Chargers.
The Broncos stayed close in the AFC West race by defeating the New York Giants 26-6 in Denver on Thanksgiving. But the Chargers remained a game ahead in the division by routing Kansas City 43-14 on Sunday.
The Chargers, though, have a slight edge in the strength of remaining schedules. Their opponents are a combined 25-30 (.455 winning percentage). The Broncos' opponents are 27-28 (.491).
This weekend, the Broncos and Chargers play struggling teams on the road. San Diego travels to Cleveland to play the Browns (1-10). The Broncos go to Kansas City to play the Chiefs (3-8). The Chiefs usually provide a tough road game for Denver.
Denver and San Diego have tough road games in Week 14. The Chargers play the Dallas Cowboys (8-3), and the Broncos meet the Indianapolis Colts (11-0).
Week 15 is perhaps the Broncos' best chance at gaining ground on San Diego. That's when they host the Raiders (3-8), the same week San Diego plays the surging Cincinnati Bengals (8-3).
AFC WEST STANDINGS
With remaining schedule:
Team ... W ... L ... PF ... PA
SAN DIEGO ... 8 ... 3 ... 312 ... 219
Schedule: at Cleveland (1-10), at Dallas (8-3), Cincinnati (8-3), at Tennessee (5-6), Washington (3-8)
Remaining opponents' record: 25-30 (.455)
DENVER ... 7 ... 4 ... 196 ... 189
Schedule: at Kansas City (3-8), at Indianapolis (11-0), Oakland (3-8), at Philadelphia (7-4), Kansas City (3-8)
Remaining opponents' record: 27-28 (.491)
KANSAS CITY ... 3 ... 8 ... 183 ... 282
OAKLAND ... 3 ... 8 ... 115 ... 258
http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13895575