Breaking down the Broncos and Chargers - AFC West - ESPN

Thanks to a mailbag question from Adam Tyer of San Diego, I thought I’d breakdown the Broncos and Chargers as they head into a pivotal AFC West game Monday night in San Diego.

The Broncos are 5-0 and lead San Diego (2-2) by 2.5 games. This isn’t a must-win for the Chargers, who always seem to play well when they have to, but it is close. The Chargers have games against Kansas City and Oakland after facing the Broncos, so they can get well in a hurry.

But it won’t be easy. Denver's 5-0 start is not a fluke. The team is much improved. Tyer wanted to know what I thought of Denver and San Diego by position. So, I rated the teams based mostly on 2009 performance. Here's who I think has the advantage at each position.

over 2 years ago John Gennaro 22 comments 0 recs |

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whoa they are serious now...

Hart is released

" A finger or two in the air shows how much we care"

by ChargersWitch on Oct 14, 2009 9:33 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

I don't see that anywhere

link?

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Oct 14, 2009 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions

Check the fan shots

KA just tweeted it

A kid who has a unicorn ranch in his room cannot call other people weird. Yes, we know about "Rancho Unicorno."

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 14, 2009 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Also Romen Oben and 619

A kid who has a unicorn ranch in his room cannot call other people weird. Yes, we know about "Rancho Unicorno."

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 14, 2009 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions

Here we go

via matto619 Link We signed Ian Scott

A kid who has a unicorn ranch in his room cannot call other people weird. Yes, we know about "Rancho Unicorno."

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 14, 2009 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions

Where

is the official press release? I also haven’t seen any transactions.

Sigs are for attention whores.

by Hacker on Oct 14, 2009 9:54 AM PDT reply actions

Roman Oben's & Acee's twitter

both say he has been released. No other info right now.

by murpho on Oct 14, 2009 10:07 AM PDT reply actions

Why can't people realize

That Denver’s 5-0 start can be a fluke AND they can be much improved. They are not mutually exclusive.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 14, 2009 10:43 AM PDT reply actions 4 recs

^this. They’re significantly better, but not as good as their record suggests.

Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken

by Richard Wade on Oct 14, 2009 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Agreed.

They are better, but anyone who watches their games sees the amazing number of lucky plays they get. Balls tipped into the air and caught by receivers instead of intercepted, holding penalties negated because the opposing defense committed some ticky-tack foul, hall of fame quarterbacks missing wide open receivers, etc.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Oct 14, 2009 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Most decent teams

in the NFL have at least a handful of games each season that are decided by a touchdown or less. If you win the majority of these games you are a play off team, if you lose the majority you sit home for the post season.

While I agree that Denver could easily be 2-3 right now, you could play that game with most teams in the NFL. There are some who would suggest that the Chargers could have lost week one to the Raiders (and be 1-3 right now).

I am not convinced that the Broncos are an elite team, but they are getting it done where it counts, on the scoreboard.

by JeromeB on Oct 14, 2009 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I don't think we're saying they should be a 2-3 team

But given the closeness of 3 of their games and some fortunate luck they have received, you would expect a team of their caliber to lose 1 of those. Which is why I said that they can be good and have 5-0 be a fluke.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 14, 2009 11:57 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I agree with you

I was just pointing out that you could go through most teams schedules and point to games that they were lucky to win (or could have lost). The NFL has a lot of close games each week. One crazy bounce or great play or bad call by an official can make the differance in many of the games.

by JeromeB on Oct 15, 2009 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions

You will find out Monday Night how wrong you are.

I see the Charger players have the same delusional beliefs you fine people do. In four days the Denver Broncos will “TAKE IT”.

Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.

by Tim Lynch on Oct 15, 2009 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Take what?

A group picture at the Q? I heard those are really good. I don’t see how what we have are delusional beliefs we are at least admitting the broncos are improved. I don’t think, as well as others, that they are a 5-0 team.

by Dude52089 on Oct 15, 2009 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Duly noted.

A kid who has a unicorn ranch in his room cannot call other people weird. Yes, we know about "Rancho Unicorno."

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 15, 2009 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Fine, I'm wrong, you're right

The Broncos suck. You dragged it out of me. Can’t believe I even thought they were good at all. You’ve helped me see the light.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 15, 2009 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions

uh oh, this can't be good

Zappa’s dislike of all things Chargers is only matched by Wonko’s disgust in all things Broncos.

… I’ll get the popcorn.

by Leukadian on Oct 15, 2009 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Didn't you read Zappa's post?

He’s anti-Broncos because he didn’t agree with our sentiment that they are much improved.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 15, 2009 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions

its just beginners luck...

" A finger or two in the air shows how much we care"

by ChargersWitch on Oct 14, 2009 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions

This game is a definate must win

At 5-0 the Donks have the inside track at best record. We have to assume the Broncos can equal or better the Charger division record….

And the remaining head to head match up is in Denver.

Loose this game and the Chargers become dependant on some remote possibility like going 4-0 and Denver going 0-4 at the end of the season. Lighting rarely strikes twice – this home game is a MUST win.

by Trendsearcher on Oct 15, 2009 11:14 AM PDT reply actions

Hate Seeing Any Intelligent Debate...

flowing from a Bill Wiliamson post. He is an empty skull regurgitating (and sapping of thought and reason) all the thoughts and information that fly his way. I find him objectionable in more ways than I can count. Any debate linked to an article bylined “Bill Williamson” is coincidental.

semi Healthy Chargers will beat the Broncos. The Wide Receivers and Linebackers that BW denigrates make the big plays that make the difference.

by Hoot1969 on Oct 15, 2009 6:29 PM PDT reply actions