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Audibles at the Line: Divisional Round - FootballOutsiders.com
I think the biggest issue with this game compared to what we would have expected going in is the performance of the Denver pass rush compared to the San Diego offensive line. The whole right side of the line didn't practice all week and I think they're clearly not playing at 100%. They're getting destroyed, and Rivers isn't getting time to throw, and while that's not the only reason the San Diego offense is completely shut down, it's a big part of it.
Clutch Encounters: Divisional Round - Scott Kacsmar
Once Denver started the drive with a false start, a run for minus-2 yards and a low drop by Demaryius Thomas to set up third-and-17, it seemed likely Rivers was getting that ball back with Allen getting a chance to play the Jones role. But Manning stepped up under pressure and found a wide open Julius Thomas for a 21-yard gain on a great catch. That was huge, but another third down was needed later. Manning went right back to the tight end for nine yards on third-and-6. The Chargers needed a miracle at that point, but Denver converted one more third down with a run to ice the game. Denver also put away the Chargers in San Diego this season with a similar four-minute drive.
The Chargers and The End. - Annie Heilbrunn
Players hugged each other tonight in the locker room, proud of one another, brothers in the fight. They may have lost to the Broncos in the divisional playoff game (and it stinks, and they will tell you it stinks, and nothing makes it not stink) but they also love one another and know they were in it, together, until the end.
2013 Offensive Line Rankings - Khaled Elsayed
Quite the turnaround. Perhaps even more impressively was that they did it despite a gluttony of injuries that included having to switch D.J. Fluker to left tackle. A shame for the rookie who was so good on the right side and so much worse on the left. The transition is coming along a lot quicker than expected.
ReFo: Chargers @ Broncos, Divisional Round - Ben Stockwell
Improved play from their defense has been one of the drivers for the Chargers’ late season surge, but they almost universally reverted to their form that dogged them for the first three months of the season. Of the defenders on the field for more than 30 snaps, only Jahleel Addae (+3.0), Richard Marshall (+0.3) and Bront Bird (+0.3) earned positive grades.
NFL Divisional Wrap-up - Bill Barnwell
When Moreno picked up five yards on the subsequent third-and-1, the Broncos had their victory. After a game of giving opportunities away, the Broncos finally held on to theirs when they needed to.