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Time: 2:15 (MDT) Sunday 14th September, 2008
Weather forecast, Sunny and Nice, 73 F
After an impressive first game from our Denver Broncos, confidence is high in Broncos Country. However, the Broncos must now face the team that has been a mental block in the last two seasons. For our Broncos, winning against the Chargers would almost definitely prove we are a better team from the last two years. I could write a whole article on the differences between the current Bronco team, and the one in the last two years, but I think all the differences will show in Sunday’s game.
I think the key to this game, is obviously stopping LaDainian Tomlinson. The reason we’ve struggled so much against the Chargers is because of their running game. He abuses us each time he plays against us, on the ground and in the air. In fact, in week 5 of last season, it was not LT but Michael Turner who ran all over our defense. Obviously, our defensive tackles will need to do a good job of occupying the offensive line, so a linebacker can shoot through and make the tackle. It is also needed for our defensive ends to step up, our DE’s never do anything special against the run, it would be a good idea to play our run stuffing DE’s instead of our pass rushing DE’s. Typically, the Chargers offensive game plan against us is:
- Run at them for the whole of the first half until their defense has worn out.
- Have Rivers then tear them apart with simple passes.
- Gloat like bitches afterwards.
It’s an extremely simple and predictable game plan. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to do anything about it. Shanahan insists on having everyone but Champ and Dre’ play the run, and what usually ends up happening on a play action pass, is a FB or a second TE finding space because everyone else is playing the run. Needless to say, Rivers passes to this FB/TE and ends up beating us for BIG YARDS. Have you considered how different things would be if we could do a half decent job on the ground? Rivers for one, would have to throw the football, and that my fellow Bronco fans, is not a good thing if you are a Chargers fan. Rivers is a product of a good team, the team is not a product of a good Quarterback, basically, Rivers is an average Quarterback and is enjoying success because he is on a good team. Our pass defense doesn‘t mean anything if we can‘t stop the run. There’s also the threat of Antonio Gates which no one should forget about. Unless our defensive line do a better job than in previous years, the final score will be no different than from previous years.
Now, on the offensive side of things, we’ve also had troubles in the past. Fortunately, I am 100% confident most of these problems have been resolved. The Chargers have been pretty effective in recent years, at getting to our Quarterback. Our offensive line however, is much better than the past few years. We may not necessarily have great players, but they work extremely well together. Obviously, we will still have to watch for the edge rushers. The Chargers love bringing extra OLB’s/DB’s against us in a pass rush blitz. Cutler will be seeing blitzes from all angles. You have to consider this though, wherever there’s a blitz, there’s a new passing opportunity. Cutler has an extremely high Football IQ and he should be able to pick up where the best pass is. Plus, there is no way their secondary can cope with our receivers, they should just forget about trying to contain Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal. Of course, as the Broncos, we always have one major weak spot that ends up losing us the game, and I fear in this game, it will be our running game (as well as run defense). Selvin Young is looking more and more like this years Mike Bell, Selvin is a utility player who can do a variety of things, but as a running back, there are doubts over him. Pittman is as slow as George Foster, which leaves Andre Hall to do the lot. We are lucky, because our ZBS allows us to pick and plug anyone, but there are still doubts over our running backs. Luckily, the Chargers defense looked dreadful against the Panthers, so maybe it will carry on being dreadful for us.
One small thing to pick on, Special Teams. It will be hard enough to stop the Chargers as it is, why give them an advantage? It will be extremely important to cover well on Special Teams. Sproles is a good KR/PR, he can take it the distance if we give him half a chance. I’ll also be interested in how Brett Kern does. He looks like a horrible Punter in my opinion. I know it seems stupid to bitch about something as simple as your starting Punter, but in a key game like this, field position can win/lose the game.
Keys to the game for the Chargers:
- Try and get to Cutler or else he will throw all over the defense.
- Establish the run game and continue to wear the opposition out with it.
- Remember that Shanahan has opened up the playbook and is not afraid to try out daring plays.
Keys to the game for the Broncos:
- STOP THE RUN! If the Broncos don't do this, then there's no chance of winning bar a complete meltdown from the Chargers.
- Pass to free up the run, not the other way round. The Broncos passing game is elite.
- Cover well on Special Teams. No use in giving the other team an advantage.
Injuries:
Code:
San Diego Chargers:
Ladainian Tomlinson supposedly has a jammed toe, he will play Sunday, and I strongly suspect that this will be used as an excuse if the Chargers lose.
Merriman is out.
Antonio Gates is probable for the game, meaning, he will play.
Code:
Denver Broncos:
Ryan Torain has a broken elbow.
Louis Green is out with a Hamstring problem.
All in all, both teams have a mostly healthy team. This will set up what surely will be a great game for the neutrals. Still, there can only be one winner, and the tension between the Broncos and the Chargers has heated up so much, you could cook Sirloin Steaks on it. The Broncos will definitely have some hard feelings towards Philip Rivers, a player who grows more annoying with each passing game.
This is the part of the article where I have to predict who will in, and it’s really hard to do so. Yeah, our Broncos were great against the Raiders, but playing against the Raiders is just practice, the Chargers will be the real test. How our team plays today will be their measuring point. It’s all about who plays better defense. My head is telling me the Chargers will win, but my heart is telling me the Broncos will win. It’s too early for negativity though, so I reluctantly predict the Broncos will win in a nerve shattering game. Final score, Denver Broncos 24-23 San Diego Chargers.
Enjoy the game 
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Preview: San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos
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Originally Posted by tboltzcali
