The Broncos showed that they are capable of putting up points and coming away with a win during Monday night’s trouncing of the Oakland Raiders.
“It sure was a good way to start,” Head Coach Mike Shanahan said about the team winning its first game. “Any time you start on Monday night in the AFC West against the Raiders and you get a big win… But it’s short lived because we have to get ready for San Diego.”
Denver will get to see if they can continue its early season success as the rival San Diego Chargers, AFC West champs the past two years, come to INVESCO Field at Mile High. Sunday is a statement game for the Broncos who have lost their previous four regular season games to the Chargers.
Photo: Eric Lars Bakke
Quarterback Jay Cutler said just as you can’t jump to conclusions based on the first game of the season, you can’t read too much into the two team’s recent history.
“It’s another game,” Cutler said. “It’s another game for us, another division game. Last year is over with. They’re 0-1. They’re going to come in here ready to give us their best shot. They’re a talented offensively and defensively. It’s a shorter week for us, so we’ve got to get ready.”
“Anytime you play a division team, especially this early, you want to get off to a good start,” Cutler continued. “Obviously we got off to a good one on Monday, but this is going to be another test for us.”
The Chargers come to town fresh off their last-second loss to the Carolina Panthers and a few days after learning that their Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman will miss the rest of the season.
Photo: Eric Lars Bakke
“Any time you lose a great player its tough, but it’s the nature of the game,” Shanahan said.
Shanahan said the loss of Merriman makes it a little easier to game plan for the Chargers, but in the National Football League you have to expect that other players are going to step up and fill the void.
“Any time you lose a Pro Bowl player — Is it easier? Sure it is, but does that mean another guy can’t come in and play extremely well like Casey Wiegmann has done for us?” Shanahan asked. “That’s the nature of the National Football League. Every team has depth. You know they thought enough of their back-up to award him with a new contract so they have a lot of confidence in him as well.”
The Chargers were a top defense a season ago and while the loss of Merriman certainly doesn’t help, they have the potential to be a top defensive team once again this season.
“I think with him they’re a great defense, without him they’re still going to be a very good defense,” Cutler said. “He’s obviously a playmaker, and they know it. Without him, they don’t have that same presence coming off the edge. But they have guys that can fill in. They’ve got Phillips on that side. They’ve got the two middle backers. Their front three are the best. They’re still going to be very good.”
The Chargers will be minus one of their stars with Merriman out, meanwhile the Broncos will be adding one with wide receiver Brandon Marshall rejoining the lineup after serving a one-game suspension.
Photo: Eric Lars Bakke
“Well it’s always good to have your starters,” Shanahan said. “If you lose a key guy it’s always tough. When you lose great players, it’s tough to play at the level that you like to play at, but it’s going to happen. We talked about these things during the off season that through the season it’s going to happen to starters and back ups the great teams are able to play at a certain level when they lose some of those guys. That’s why I was pleased when we lost Brandon on how we stepped up as a unit offensively, defensively and special teams.”
After the Broncos win against Oakland some are annointing Denver early season favorites but Cutler said he believes it is way too early to call the Broncos contenders this season.
“It’s the second game – I think everyone is a contender right now,” Cutler said. “You don’t know who’s going to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.”
A win against San Diego on Sunday would go a long way in adding some separation.
“It’s going to tell a lot, clearly,” Cutler said. “Going against them, they’re the best in the AFC West and have been for the last couple years. They’ve definitely owned us at their place and at our place. It’s going to be a big test for us.”
-Jake Grilley, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Jake Grilley, Jay Cutler, Mike Shanahan, San Diego Chargers
I can’t wait! Cutler has all of his weapons firing on all cylinders, and the defense looks like it can get more pressure up front than in years past. If we play our game, we are going to be tough to beat this year.
here’s to Al Wilson, one of the best if not the best MLB to ever wear the orange and blue.
back to the game, besides merriman being out, looks like LT, gates, mcneil, and cromartie wont be 100% for sunday.. i liked our chances before this now im seriously pumped for sunday to come
lynch4prez,
Well said… in a way I am glad no one signed Al, it would have been hard to see him in any other uniform. Let kick some Charger arse!!!!
I know this wont happen but Mike should give al a chance though its too late in the season and in his career but i have the upmost respect for Al Wilson he was the best MLB in broncos history and i hope there is no hard feelings between the organizatoin and him because i would really like to see him here in the comunity. Now this game is going to be the most important game for Denver in the first half of the season if denver can pull out a win maybe embarass the chargers a little i think this team will prove to everyone they are legit.
We certainly have the firepower to compete with sd this year. It appears we are better against the run. If we can get an early lead I think we can control the game. This is a big win for us.
Lets start Kenny Peterson at the DE to go against Chargers Massive OT McNeil. I think we have been dominated on the DLine, the trenches are where games are won, we need to match there physical play.
Sorry to See my favorite Linebacker of all time have to retire. You like to see a guy leave the game on their terms instead of because they have to. Wilson #56 you are the man!! You wil forever be remembered as one of the great ones.
As for San Diego. When we beat the Chargers this weekend, I’m sure the media will make an excuse and say, “oh, but Merriman was not playing”.
I for one am stoked about the offense this season. Let’s just hope they don’t become to arrogant. I for one do not understand how anyone would not be afraid of the Royal/Marshall duo. Royal runs routes like a machine. So shifty, so fast. Opposing Defenses! Be afraid, be very afraid. Please stay healthy guys and here’s to wishing you a season full of success!!! Go Broncos!!!
dont just beat the chargers, crush them so there is no excuses. i want them to feel the way we did last year.
Traditionally, when we get the lead early in the game, we dictate to the opponent and force them out of their game plan. This is especially true when we have a prolific signal-caller (such as Jay Cutler) and an opportunistic defense (a big lead for the Broncos forces their opponents to get out of their game plan, thus enabling Champ to jump routes and get pick sixes). Regardless of what the national media will say, if we play Bronco football to the extent shown in the Monday nighter at Oakland, we’ll win and improve to 2-0.
I know everyone is excited and all after the win last monday. But remember the charger string started after we had a 24-7 lead in the third quarter two years ago. I think we can beat them but it only matters if we win even if its by one. A big lead can just as easy go away as the chargers lost last week on the last play. Its to early to say what will happen. But be proud of what this team did last monday, but they have not won anything yet. One game does not make a season but it sure is a better start than the past two years. Do like the team does and respect, play the game, and then, if they win, then gloat. It is still up to the broncos to prove that the san diego chargers do not have their number. Go Broncos!!!!!!!!!!