Denver Broncos Defeat San Diego Chargers 34-23

by John Gennaro on Oct 20, 2009 2:14 AM PDT in Chargers News Comment 66 comments

I think that's exactly the game that I wasn't hoping for. The Chargers came out against the Broncos and played very well, but it wasn't enough. So now they'll run off a string of victories against lesser opponents, and they'll probably still be looking in at the playoffs from the outside at the end of the season.

Kyle Orton and Philip Rivers both had outstanding games, but the difference was with pressure. The Broncos blitzed incessantly and had Rivers running all night. They ended up bringing him down 5 times. Orton, on the other hand, had all day to throw and ended up being sacked only once (by Larry English) on a play where he should've thrown the ball away.

The Chargers fumbled the ball four times during the game, but recovered it all but one time. With Brian Dawkins out, the Bolts offense could not be stopped. When he came back in the second half, and with Denver's knack for second-half adjustments, the game was all but over. After taking a 20-17 lead into halftime, the Chargers lost the second half by a score of 17-3. That's not going to cut it.

There were a few positive to come out of the game. Antonio Cromartie had his best game of the year and Kevin Ellison looked like he belonged out there. The defensive line probably had it's best game without Jamal Williams, but they still need help. LaDainian Tomlinson looked good (3.8 YPC) and healthy.

This is the team everyone was hoping to see in 2009. Not only did they show up late, the level of competition has risen so much higher in the AFC West than anybody expected that they probably showed up too late.

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I CAN'T EVEN BRING MYSELF TO WATCH IT ON MY DVR...

I feel like crap right about now.I tried to numb it away with liquor and pot but I feel like it’s still all a dream.Shit this was the first time I missed watching a game in almost 4 years…..FUCK…..sorry john I am super fucked up and super pissed off.My wife called me at work crying that we lost and it made me feel hoRrible,but my son took it like a champ and said"we will win next time ok papi"…so that was a little pick me up….I’m rambling now….ok fellas good to say whats up to yous guys,but I’ll check in later to share my thoughts a little more clear headed….I liked your article johnny boy……GO BOLTS!!!

Chance favors the prepared mind.......

by Gorditoe1 on Oct 20, 2009 3:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This may sound weird

but I really was dissapointed when I read that the Chargers lost. I don’t know a whole lot about football and never saw a complete game but I am a reader of this blog and all the reading about the game got me really fired up! Anyways I’m pretty bummed right now but since I’m an optimistic type of person I hope the Chargers can somehow find a way to get into the playoffs. How? Don’t ask me, I don’t know all that much about football…

by sixpakfrombelgium on Oct 20, 2009 6:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The answer to that question may be coming in a post this afternoon….

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

by John Gennaro on Oct 20, 2009 6:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good luck with that post John

The Division race is over

The wild card?? LOL right ! Let’s just see if we can break .500

I’m good though… We have our split with the Raiders in our pocket, a sweep would be a good goal.

by Trendsearcher on Oct 20, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Being .500 puts you in the Wild Card right now.

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 20, 2009 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sure .500 right now

… But not in December. I would think 10 & 6 would be the minimum record, with a few teams at that level of success; and then they start with all the tie breakers.

No way does .500 get you a wildcard. I think last year was the first time 8-8 took a division.

by Trendsearcher on Oct 20, 2009 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not taking a side here

But .500 has won wild card spots a few times. The New York Giants did it in 2006. The Minnesota Vikings and St. Louis Rams both did it in 2004.

And winning the division last year at 8-8 almost happened twice. If AZ hadn’t pulled out their OT win over the Cowboys with a blocked punt touchdown they would have won their division with 8-8. If the Broncos had waited a week to start Cutler in his first in 2006 they might have beat the Seahawks (Cutler threw a pick-6 in that game and lost by 3 points) and Seattle would have won the division with 8-8.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 20, 2009 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Cleveland won their division at 8-8 in the 80s.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Oct 20, 2009 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

1985

Take that Trendsearcher :-P

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 21, 2009 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Once every 20 years?

And we had our 8 & 8 last year? Pretty long odds.

Let’s pray for rain and see which event happens first.

by Trendsearcher on Oct 21, 2009 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now you're getting it

We’ve got to wait and see.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 21, 2009 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Playoffs

Look at the standings. There is a ton of teams at 3-3 right now tat are all going to be fighting for a playoff spot. That is where the Chargers are if they beat KC next week. The Jets and Cincy just lost their best defensive players (like the Chargers). We already beat Miami. Jacksonville and the Texans will beat each ther up and have Indy in their division. etc. etc. etc. The Broncos are known for hot starts and then they fade.
I would have loved to have won that game but it ain’t the end of the season.

by flounder2 on Oct 20, 2009 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions 3 recs

Rec'd

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

by John Gennaro on Oct 20, 2009 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

16 games in a season

You hit the nail on the head.

by Dude52089 on Oct 20, 2009 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with most of what you're saying

except the part about the Broncos. Those were the Broncos you knew, the Mike Shanahan Broncos. These Broncos aren’t going to fade, and they’re not going away

by true believer on Oct 20, 2009 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The broncos probably won't fade

But its not like it can’t happen.

by Dude52089 on Oct 20, 2009 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

San Diego is a second half of the season team

I fully expect you guys to get motivated now. I know everyone said that you guys would be motivated for this monday night game and all, but I had my doubts. But now I GUARANTEE you guys will be fired up. The Chargers may be many things, but they are not losers and they are not quitters.

I fully expect to see you guys in the playoffs. You just got to get your lines working better on Off and Def. That’s really all that’s missing IMO.

Good luck to you all, stay healthy, and I’ll see ya in Denver in a couple weeks!

"Change is inevitable - except from vending machines."

by EastCoastBronco on Oct 20, 2009 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're just being nice.

by SJO on Oct 21, 2009 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Some nice quotes in there...

I don’t know a whole lot about football and never saw a complete game

I am a reader of this blog and all the reading about the game got me really fired up!

by SJO on Oct 21, 2009 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

whoa

I’m tripping out on those block quotes man. I’m getting sleepy…

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 21, 2009 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m really curious how that happens. Are people just clicking the block quotes button ten times or what?

by Richard Wade on Oct 21, 2009 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm let's see.

I’m tripping out on those block quotes man. I’m getting sleepy…

I’m really curious how that happens. Are people just clicking the block quotes button ten times or what?

by SJO on Oct 22, 2009 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nope

I selected the " button before and after each sentence, instead of highlighting each sentence and then hitting the " button.

by SJO on Oct 22, 2009 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see.

by Richard Wade on Oct 22, 2009 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Im just so disgusted with the D-line and O-line and special Teams I dont know what to say. im had do like Gorditoe1 and take a few more to the head not even sex with the wife cheared me up. What in the hell is Norv calling in the red zone i mean really was I the only one that saw sproles go in on 3rd and 3 and think what the hell is he doing in there it cant be a run but wait it was a run and a damn power run up the middle with lil ass sproles not LT or a tolbert or anybody with a lil bit of weight that could punch it in but lil sproles who knowing he is a fast scat back didnt even try to break it to the outside no he wants to show im big to and and try and pound it but didnt move the line at all, hell the o-line didnt move the line at all.and in the final minutes we are trying to kick 50+ yrd feild goals! Damn couldnt we have at least left with our dignity Norv. Now on top of having to deal with all these damn Cowbroad fans (i live in dallas) I got a bunch of bronco fans at the job I have to listnen to talk shit I cant even say much back because we got out played and dominated. I hate Tuesdays!

by 40.OZ on Oct 20, 2009 6:43 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That wasn’t a power run. It was the same play that worked against the Raiders and failed against the Ravens. They spread the defense out with 4 WRs and then tried to surprise them with Sproles up the middle. Since the run didn’t work the first two times, they were trying to trick the defense into thinking pass.

Technically, that’s on Rivers. He should’ve seen the 5 man rush and audibled.

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

by John Gennaro on Oct 20, 2009 7:00 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I heard an interview with Jeremy Clary on 1090 and that’s what he said. He admitted to not making the seam for Sproles to get through. But my question is why use the same play over and over when it was blown out against the Ravens? Is that all Norv has in his genius playbook? Where’s the creativity? All Eagles players said was that they didn’t see any of the plays that the Raiders ran in their loss. THE UNEXPECTED! Norv is not capable of mixing it up.

by slimsocal678 on Oct 20, 2009 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It would’ve worked against Baltimore, but Mruczkowski and Dombrowski blew it. Mooch and Vasquez played better, but Denver just made a good play.

You can’t run the unexpected on every play. The Eagles didn’t lose because of creativity. They lost because their offensive line is a joke.

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

by John Gennaro on Oct 20, 2009 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Ok you’re right. You can’t run unexpected every play. Can you name a few last night that they ran in crucial situations that’s out of Chargers character?

by slimsocal678 on Oct 20, 2009 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Double screen to Tolbert

normally we screen to the RB, rivers faked to sproles then went to tolbert, got a pretty good gain out of it.

by Dude52089 on Oct 20, 2009 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Screen left to Gates. Beautiful play.

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

by John Gennaro on Oct 20, 2009 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think they've run that with Hester there before as well

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 20, 2009 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

was it just me...

or was Tomlinson going down after very little contact? Maybe I am just being too critical, but it seemed like he was getting tackled after some random body part would touch him. I have long been (and still am to a degree) an LT apologist, but I think a better back would have broken some longer runs. PLZ, nerds of BFTB, rewatch the game tape and correct me.

by BORTZ on Oct 20, 2009 8:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah LT was going down at first contact most of the time.

He was effective last night but it just kills me to watch him now since I have been so spoiled over the last seven years. He’s a once in a life time back and the chargers were never able to capitalize on having him.

by Steve (Grey Suit) on Oct 20, 2009 8:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

LT is bound to join the an elite group of RBs to never win shit. Say hi to Dickerson, Barry Sanders, and the Murderer for me.

by BORTZ on Oct 20, 2009 8:25 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

He’s never been one to break a ton of tackles. However, his balance has gotten worse with age.

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

by John Gennaro on Oct 20, 2009 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the balance is gone

On a power to the right side in the first half, he tripped over dielman’s feet. Then again, Sproles isn’t doing a whole lot better and his balance is fine.

I think we miss Hardwick more than just about anyone

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Oct 20, 2009 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed on LT

That’s the one part of his game that is missing, but its not a must-have to be good, it’s just a must-have to be great.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 20, 2009 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

he can't block either

even the announcers in the pittsburgh game mentioned that sproles was doing a better job blocking than lt. lt didn’t block worth a da&%, people just ran right over him. And, if we ran more of a “west coast offense” a lot of quick slants, crossing routes, etc. it would help against the blitz. But, no good ole norvy kept trying to go deep when the line couldn’t buy time for rivers to throw. I also saw a few times where if lt had bounced it outside he would have picked up yards, but he kept trying to go up the gut. The line would be all stacked up with no outside containment because they were covering the receivers but he would plunge right into the center of the line and get one yard. I don’t know if lt is washed up or just doesn’t care anymore. After all he was reprimanded last year for questioning the play calling and then the situation with aj in the off season. I think lt has an attitude problem, and I don’t blame him. We need new management ( GM and HC). But, I’ll be surprised if dean does anything. It looks like the players ain’t buyin into norvs philosophy.

by irishlad on Oct 20, 2009 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tomlinson did look good

as far as falling forward…I didn’t see him get stopped flat often…he was always gaining yards. Overall I thought he was looking pretty good and should have been utilized more in the game (more screens for him, dump-offs, etc).

"Precipitation, which side are you on?
Are you on the rise? Are you falling down?
Let me know, Come on let's go, yeah
Got some if you need it!" -EV

by sadaraine on Oct 20, 2009 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

PLZ, nerds of BFTB, rewatch the game tape and correct me.

Nice request! I think he’s too used to getting tackled at the line of scrimmage he just goes down at first contact so he can jump forward for that extra 1/2 yard.

by SJO on Oct 21, 2009 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice post and good game last night.

Pretty exciting back and forth duel.

I drafted LdT in my fantasy league and have to agree that it sucks seeing Father Time catch up to such a great back. I had to watch it happen with Terrell Davis because of injuries and know how much is sucks watching a legend slow down.

Rivers is impressive … guy just keeps his team in it. Fun game last night with the three special team returns.

Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.

by Nate Timmons on Oct 20, 2009 9:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

wow

the game was tough to watch as I remember what they had last several years. But I don’t think we have to go into several years of rebuilding mode. Just look at Denver. They were ready to completely rehaul the ship. Got rid of underachievers, cancers, overpaid, aging, etc. They were not afraid to make big changes. This starts from the ownership, GM, then down to coaching. Pat Bowlen (name?) got humiliated by us end of last season and made a decisive call to overhaul this team. Starting with firing a hall of fame caliber coach in Shanahan. Do you see the Spanos making this kind of call? Do they say AJ/Norv experiment is over and it didn’t work? They will probably see the season out but at the end of the day, I really don’t see that happening.

by slimsocal678 on Oct 20, 2009 9:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You spelled it right

Say what you will about Bowlen…he’s a classy owner with gargantuan cahones.

"Precipitation, which side are you on?
Are you on the rise? Are you falling down?
Let me know, Come on let's go, yeah
Got some if you need it!" -EV

by sadaraine on Oct 20, 2009 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Positives and Negatives

My morning thoughts:
Malcom Floyd was awesome in the 1st half. I am kinda wondering why there wasn’t more balls to him after that, except that one on 3rd and long into double coverage. Same with Mike Tolbert. 2 touches, two huge gains (coulda done without the fumble though). If Denver wasn’t going to cover him, he should have gotten more balls.
I think the playcalling is really stale. When was the last time we saw more than 1 running play in a set of downs? 1st down is either run or play action pass. If there is a run on 1st down there is never one on second down, and unless it is 3rd and one there is never a 3rd down run (excluding goal-line). Teams that want to establish the run will run again if they are stopped for no gain on 1st. Those 1 and 2 yard runs in the 1st half are the big gainers in the 4th.

by flounder2 on Oct 20, 2009 9:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

DAMN IT

Isn't it enough to know that I ruined a pony making a gift for you? ◔ヮ◔
Uncommon Sportsman :: Absurdity in play

by Axion on Oct 20, 2009 9:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Woke up to a huge hangover from lastnight n one thing came to mind...

We’re tied w/ the RAIDERS! and they beat Philadelphia!!! OHMGEEE!!!! Ugh… what else is there to do?….

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

by ChargersWitch on Oct 20, 2009 9:52 AM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Nope

.5 better then the raiders, thank you bye week.

by Dude52089 on Oct 20, 2009 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The sky is falling

How many times are we going to hear that.

-2 weeks to prepare and we still struggle in the red zone. Ugh.

-2 home losses already.

-Opposing TE’s =Kellen Winslow Sr. I know Burnett went down and Coop is struggling with a knee injury. But damn, Tony Sheffler? Really? I don’t know who KC’s TE is but I’m 90% sure he is going to have a good game against us.

-Can we hire a “consultant” like the Redskins then have him call plays 2 weeks later?

-We can hope for a Wild Card but no guarantees we can make it in. Patriots 11-5 last year and didn’t make it.

"It's all part of the plan." Jeff Moorad and The Joker in the Dark Knight.

"Dwight Howard couldn't score 40 points in a game if he was going against Yi Jianlian's chair." Bill Simmons chat 5/20

"I don't feel this team can beat us four times," Mo Williams 5/21

by L Magico on Oct 20, 2009 10:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

To be optimistic here

Look at our schedule for the rest of the season,
@KC
Oak
@NYG
Phi
@Den
KC
@Cle
@Dal
Cin
@Ten
Wash

Your toughest 3 games are against the giants philly and Denver, lets say we lose all those but win out. that means we are 10-6. I can easily make a case for beating the giants and beating philly. So the best i see our team being, is 12-4 which isn’t likely. I see more around 10-6 and 11-5 with the schedule we have. Now the team needs to play like they want to win or we won’t see anything, but it isn’t far fetched to say the least.

Crazier crap has happened.

by Dude52089 on Oct 20, 2009 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And that's what I keep saying

Crazier crap has happened. No reason to give up now, when they’re still mathematically in it.

by Nohm on Oct 20, 2009 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wish we could play it backwards

Tennessee, Washington and Cincy look so easy right now. By waiting so long to play them, they’ll probably figure something out by then.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 20, 2009 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope that your right

but when I like at the remaining games I see us going 6-5 and finishing 8-8. But things change each week so lets hope for the best.

by JeromeB on Oct 20, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Schedule, shmedule

Dude, we got to worry about KC and thats it.

"It's all part of the plan." Jeff Moorad and The Joker in the Dark Knight.

"Dwight Howard couldn't score 40 points in a game if he was going against Yi Jianlian's chair." Bill Simmons chat 5/20

"I don't feel this team can beat us four times," Mo Williams 5/21

by L Magico on Oct 20, 2009 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How do you know we are playing KC next week?

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 20, 2009 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Thanks smart ass

What I’m sayin is that people get wrapped in seeing a schedule and seeing “winnable” games. Thats BS.

"It's all part of the plan." Jeff Moorad and The Joker in the Dark Knight.

"Dwight Howard couldn't score 40 points in a game if he was going against Yi Jianlian's chair." Bill Simmons chat 5/20

"I don't feel this team can beat us four times," Mo Williams 5/21

by L Magico on Oct 20, 2009 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Terrible joke. I feel bad for laughing.

by Richard Wade on Oct 20, 2009 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just thought it help my point,

I like to look at the schedule and figure out what we should win, but i am a fan of focusing on one game at a time.

by Dude52089 on Oct 20, 2009 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

it’s day after a horrible loss compounding onto Pittsburgh debacle. let us over-react for one day.

by slimsocal678 on Oct 20, 2009 10:56 AM PDT reply actions 4 recs

Recced.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Oct 20, 2009 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Andy overreacted enough for everyone last night.

by Richard Wade on Oct 20, 2009 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Norv has got to go

I am telling you right now, this team will not do anything in the playoffs, if by some miracle they make it. Demote Norv to OC or boot him altogether and get Cowher, Gruden, hell I’d be more pleased with Marty coming back at this point. I hope people realize that AJ getting rid of Marty had nothing to do with Marty underpeforming, it was all about that fact he didn’t like him. How can you put personal feelings above what’s best for the organization that YOU WORK FOR? And then to replace him with someone who has a worse track record. One of two things need to happen. Either the Chargers go on a tear and get hot and run through the playoffs and win the Superbowl, or they continue to lose and then Norv and/or AJ get booted. Now I hear AJ might be trying to move Merriman. Another situation where this guy is doing sh*t based on personal reasons. I’m really starting to have a strong distaste for AJ. Plus, I don’t like cocky guys, and he has that written all over his face and his slick gray hair.

by Bandoogiemanz on Oct 20, 2009 1:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

How can you put personal feelings above what’s best for the organization

Maybe like this?

I’m really starting to have a strong distaste for AJ. Plus, I don’t like cocky guys, and he has that written all over his face and his slick gray hair.

This blog has devolved into UT like, uncerebral blabber

by soulSD on Oct 20, 2009 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs

Re: Trading Merriman

I don’t think he is trying to trade him based on personal reasons, but rather the fact that he has been a mediocre player, a major distraction and his contract expires next year.

This blog has devolved into UT like, uncerebral blabber

by soulSD on Oct 20, 2009 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK... horrible gam

When there is a disconnect between the talent level of a team and ultimate performance, it can be laid on the coaching. Unimaginative plays. Trying things that didn’t work again and again. Lack of fire, except from Philip Rivers who can’t be expected to carry this team on his own. I lay that on the coaching. Man Josh McDaniels seems about as brilliant as they come.

Small detail that really really bugged me. As the team is going out to shake hands, good game and and all that, LT winked at the camera. Any love I had remaining for him evaporated right then. It was like, we lost, we played poorly, but I know y’all still love me.

by Chilango on Oct 20, 2009 5:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs