For four straight seasons, the San Diego Chargers have gotten off to a relatively slow start.
But by the end of each year, the Chargers had bounced back to win the AFC West crown.
“I know they don’t plan it out that way, but for some reason, they play their best football in November and December,” Champ Bailey said.
The Chargers currently sit third in the AFC West standings at 4-5, with an 0-2 record within the division. But the Broncos know they can’t take that record for granted.
“We’re well aware that they haven’t lost a divisional game in November or December since 2005 and there’s a reason for that,” Head Coach Josh McDaniels said. “We’re going to have to play really good football in a lot of phases and we really don’t care what the statistics say, we just know that we’re going to get a great performance from them, too.”
The head coach said he looked at a number of factors to pinpoint why the Chargers have been able to turn their season around so often in recent history.
He said it may come down to penalties, turnovers or special teams not going San Diego’s way in the first half, but the team finding a way to adjust for the second part of the season.
“This team, historically has reversed that and made something that wasn’t necessarily a strength a big positive going down the stretch,” McDaniels said.
But Brian Dawkins, for one, isn’t concerned with what San Diego has done in the past. He is focused on what the Broncos can control on the field, starting this Sunday.
“They are always going to be a good team to me, they are always going to be the team to beat because they won this division for so many years,” he said. “But as far as I am concerned, we are 1-0 in the second half of the season and this is the next game in line. So, it is about what we are going to do as a team.”
Below are some photos from Saturday’s practice.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: San Diego Chargers, Week 11
It`s time for a change. Come on Bronco`s lets kick some arse.
Misery love company so lets bring the dolts down a notch and have them share the basement with us. The Faiders don’t stand a chance in Pittsburgh and the Chefs who know? But if we can pull off a win the AFC W is up for grabs but if we lose it is all over but the memories and bad ones at that.
I know the Chargers have been great late in the season the last four years while we have been awful in the same time span, but I didn’t quite realize that the Chargers haven’t lost a divisional game in November or December since 2005.
That is absolutely a stunning accomplishment.
No wonder what anybody does in the division in September and October, like us always having big winning records, amounts to meaning absolutely nothing in the end….
Hopefully that unbelievable Charger streak comes to an end Monday.
Gray, can we get the injury report on today’s practice? Thanks.
SD after a their bye, SD 33- Denver 23. If Cassle can shred the D Phillis Rivers will have a hay day
Hey if i pick agaist us we might win again
Being superstitious I NEVER pick a winning score, too much like tempting providence.
Like tnalen66 I will go for a San Diego win, hoping that I am wrong. I like being wrong in this context.
Score Denver 19 – San Diego 29
Havn’t gotten onto site in a few days looks like people are staying off MCD for now and half way positive. Big game for MCD and for the team. My main hope is that they play competitive as a team. Keep it close and mabey pull it out reverse some trends.
Team is finaly preaty healthy almost at full stregth. Need defense to get underneath Rivers feet. Move him and the DB’s to stick with there men and not give them extra yardage with stupid penalties.
The O line needs to keep moveing forward as a unit. Move the ball in the running game and limit the offensive turnovers.
That is a full sleight of needs. Preaty much rings true for every game but against a QB like rivers who is gonna create so much especialy late in the play he pulls off too much after the defense has done a good job on the play he pulls stuff out that just puts daggers in the opposeing teams Defense. Gotta have amnesia with that guy go out there and do your jpb for the full 60 minutes.
broncos 27 dolts 24
love me some orange cruch coolaid
guess u were right sndvl. saturday practice. TRB out…
Haha. Wasn’t sure if it was a travel day. The extra day should help.
The guys look loose. Having fun with the jersey switch
That’s a good sign!
Go Broncos!!!
Haha. Wasn’t sure if it was a travel day. The extra day should help.
The guys look loose. Having fun with the jersey switch
That’s a good sign!
Saw a really big construction truck this morning on my way to work. It was HUGE. A monstrosity, painted completely orange. With the name Orange Crush on the front, which is where a bumper should be, if the front end of this thing wasn’t as big as my bonneville! Lol.
It was shocking and awesome!
I’m not superstitious or anything, but I do have a sense of irony, and that was definitely a sign!!!!
I’ve pretty much been on the fence about the uniform change. Afterall, we did WIN 2 SUPERBOWLS IN OUR CURRENT UNIS! However, maybe a simple uniform change is EXACTLY what we need to regain our Home Field Edge. Count me in. Where’s that petition?!?
Go Broncos!!!
Doh! Sorry for the double post. iPod and weak wifi. Lol
So Brandon Marshall and his antics! A few of my Bears buddies thought the incident was kind of funny. It definitely wasn’t taunting! And these two could have probably set records together!
We can each make our own case for Cutler and Marshall. Like em or hate em. Or like one and not the other… Haha. J/K
It is what it is! Tho, it’s only a matter of time til they ALL come back to Denver for a game. Wonder if they’ll be motivated for that one…
Go Orange, Go Broncos!!!
Sndvl,
Yea thats the way i saw it too. but when people went on the marshall bash on the other blog. Thought it best to stay out of it. What he did on the sideline was “boneheaded” but I found it funny as well. Just two friends messing with each other but theres a time and place for everything. Marshall addressed what it was all about in an article i read on NFL.com. Cutler to Marshall coulda been legendary but o well. TRB out..
Cutler and Marshall are both punks, plain and simple, I can think of anything that describes them any better in one word, punks. They acted like punks and got sent on their way because of it, glad that they are punking it out somewhere else. And that much punk pretty much kills any amount of talent. Only difference between the two, Cutler may grow out of it, Marshall not so much. But they are both rich punks so they are laughing at us now. Punks! LOL.
LAST DAY FOR SCORE PREDICTIONS, no picks on game day.
It’s definitely going to be difficult to have to wait an extra day to find out if we can hang in there this season with a win or just about fold this season’s hopes with a loss and start playing with next year in mind.
That’s pretty much the size of this game, call it big, call it gargantuan, call it a must win, whatever you call it this one is just about for all the season’s marbles.
I know this is what football is all about and that to play games like these is what we all look forward to, the problem I have is that we placed ourselves in the dire situation we are in playing this all meaningful game but with still 6 games to play after this one. That’s way too early to have deciding games to me, it’s like enjoying a shortened season, not getting your money’s worth. Of course, we win and the excitement can go on, but we lose and it will feel like we got hit by a ton of bricks leaving me with grasping at straws in search of any remaining hope, and that would be way too early in the season for that to happen, I dont like it.
Funny thing is early this season I was thinking a slow start could be a good thing to maybe make us finish strong since we have had fast starts the last few years only to squander our chances in the second half of the season, but I didn’t imagine that slow a start, one that has us at a 3-6 record looking ahead at a game on the road at the best team in our division to make or break our season. This is way too early for all this kind of finality to be sort of in front of us now. For that reason alone I will never ever let myself think that a slow start might be a good thing, LOL. I know now that a slow start has the potential to kill you before the league even heats up, and that my friend is not something I will ever have any pleasure experiencing. Luckily, since the early seventies I can count seasons I have watched like these on both hands and still have a couple fingers left, but that’s actually what makes it that much harder to stomach, not being used to the cellar is like the ultimate punishment to just get a whiff of it.
Hey, I have been positive happy go lucky about our team all week, so I guess the reality of the task at hand has finally gotten to me, and since this is not game day yet, I figure it would be a better day to let my creeping bad thoughts surface than tomorrow. Promise I will be all cheered up and ready to go tomorrow, and hopefuly our team will too, because I am in no mood to be grasping at straws any time soon.
GO BRONCOS!!!
The NFL network just has this headline that today is Statement Sunday, I think they can extend it to Monday because I can’t think of a better way to describe our game Monday than it is a statement game, for either team, at least for our division.
The following script would have me chugging the Kool-Aid from straight from the jug.
1. Broncos beat the the San Diego Chargers on Monday night in San Diego.
2. Broncos return to the Mile-Hi city and Stomp the Rams.
3. Broncos go into Arrowhead Stadium with a chance to turn the season to .500 and pull it off.
Obviously this season has produced a lot of negativity from the fans, and rightly so. Maybe it was the injuries? Maybe it was lack of heart? Maybe it was lack of discipline or just plain lack of luck to finish the close ones?
Whatever it is, the last performance against KC showed measurable and notable improvement at our greatest weakness. The O-line and the RB position. Knowshon Moreno had huge running lanes provided by the O-line. Orton had all day to throw the ball due to the superior pass blocking by the O-line. As Clady has gotten stronger and better week by week so will Ryan Harris provided he can remain healthy.
I also liked the addition of LB Joe Mays and saw a guy that can smack the opposing player right in the mouth. This may not be the most popular statement, however it is my opinion and I have seen it with my own eyes way to much. Robert Ayers must remain on the bench!!! Ayers does not do a good job at outside run contain and gets sealed inside on a regular basis allowing the opposing team to gain big yardage running the ball outside. Since his injury the Broncos have played outside contain well and turned plays back inside and allowed the persuit to do its job. In a nut shell I feel the Williams, Mays, Haggen and Hunter give the Broncos the best production at LB position.
I also appreciated seeing more consistent use of one RB (Knowshon Moreno). He is finally healthy and it is important to have one back who can develop a rythm because he gets a great feel for the offensive line. I still wish Moreno would just get down hill and use the juke less unless he is one on one with a player. That is his style and it will not change, so as long as he can produce 100 yard games I will take it.
It was a different team playing after the bye week. Whatever soul searching they did during the time off, whatever John Elway said to motivate them, I just hope that carries into 7 more consecutive wins, starting with the San Diego Chargers. I am realistic and understand that 7 wins in a row will be really difficult especially because we have to play 3 division opponents in their backyard. San Diego will be ready, Arrowhead will be really difficult, and then going into the Black hole against the nation. Is it impossible? No, but there is no margin for error. 1 more loss and the season is all but finished.
This is not the path any of us would suggest taking to make the playoffs, however if it happens, what a hell of a story it would make. If it happens Broncomania would be in full force and give us some hope for the future. Anything can happen if you believe, however it is up to the players to believe and produce the winning result on the field. All we can do as fans as support them week in and week out. Even if I get mad at them I still have never missed a game in 31 years of being a fan. GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!
Obviously DJ and Mays inside and Hunter and Haggan outside was the best LB alignement we’ve had this year last week. That being said we need to find a way to use Ayers to our advantage, hopefully he is not a first round pick for no reason. Since he is coming back from injuries I would bring him back in slowly and insert him in there on plays like 3rd and long as we definitely need more pass rushing no matter how well Haggan did last week. What I would do then is have Ayers and Haggan outside and DJ and Mays inside, sitting Hunter out, because I don’t think we should relegate Mays to special team, the guy is ready for full time D.
So far the betting odds are holding true in our division games, KC favorite against Arizona is up 14-3 at the half, and Pittsburgh favorite against the Raiders is up at the half 21-3. I see both those scores holding and KC taking back 1st place with 6-4. We better hope the betting odds of SD being favorite won’t be on the money tomorrow like they seem to be today….
SD-35
DEN-17
hopefully we win like last week when i picked us to lose lol. i just dont think this is a good match up with the top ranked D in the league
Ok, I’m all Kool Aided up and ready to spread the good word of why the Broncos win Monday night.
First of all, the fact that the Chargers have not lost a divisional game in Nov or Dec since 1806 is amazing, but it is a streak that will end monday night. Although the Chargers are; rested from their bye, playing at home, and supposed to automatically be winning divisional games this time of year, I feel they will be over confident with a victory and not show up. Their offense and defense both have a great overall rankings, but who cares? Their defense is not giving up yards and points because their special teams is giving it up for them. The offense is often playing from behind so of course they put up big numbers. Look at Cassel playing down against the Broncos prevent D, he put up big numbers that meant absolute sqwat.
This Chargers team is also missing some key personnel, while the Broncos are almost fully healthy. The Broncos seem to be loose and still having fun while San Diego will be playing under a great amount of stress because of the pressure to keep the streak alive, the fear of being in the division cellar with a loss, and having this all be witnessed on national TV.
The Broncos really don’t have anything to lose. If they go out and play like they did last week with passion, precision, and with a joy of playing the game, the Chargers won’t know what hit them. I have feared the Chargers for a long time. That fear is dead. The Broncos outmatch them in every position except tight end and maybe QB (sorry Kyle but the dude is good!)
The streak ends
I hope!
I predict a Broncos victory 24-20. Lets build on the victory against KC. Let the way the Broncos played last Sunday be a sign of things to come and not an anomoly.
I LOVE ME SOME DENVER BRONCOS…
All right! Glad to have an extra day to savor 49 over KC – !! And so looking forward to Monday Night. Already have the VCR set… (for posterity. Bet your burrow I will be watching live. 6 AM work time on Tues? Bah, who needs sleep?!)
Just c
I really have absolutely no idea what will happen tomorrow so I will just guess for the Broncos to win.
Broncos 27
Chargers 24
KEEP THIS DRIVE ALIVE BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!
ILMSDB!
[uh-oh, posting error]
…Just catching up on this week’s blogging… About Champ: What Greatness007 posted made some sense to me. Because he did seem to be playing hard, as some mentioned; but, did get burned. A lot. If what Greatness heard was true – and very cool, man, that you got to be on the sidelines – that Champ was supposed to be playing tighter, but was playing loose coverage of his own volition – that fits, with both his evident effort and his giving up tons of yardage to (the dangerous) Bowe. Hopefully he’ll be more willing to listen to the scheme this time, following our great success – does Brian need to have a talk with him? Heh…
Still LOVING last Sunday!!! God, that was wonderful.
This game – finding our OL is a great strength. And even if Eddie doesn’t play, you can almost count on an ST TD against this team – Thompson or Thomas, some Thom could find this to be their breakout game
Last week, our pass rush proved me wrong by showing, strongly; hopefully, our INT game will exceed my expectations this week, by making a nice impact against Rivers. It would be very hard for Kyle, last-Brandon-standing, and the rest of our pass O to exceed my belief in them, though – huge things, again! I think, with this offensive line, and the run game working, Orton’s excellent play action work, as noted by ESPN, and general awesomeness, will continue. While I can’t quite count on this defense, despite nice play from the LB corps – I’m personally comfortable with Ayers as the #5 guy at the mo – to hold this offense of all O’s under 20, when they’ve been all but incapable of that so far this year – I do think they have enough talent to help us repeat the at-San Diego-win. Denver Broncos 38, San Diego Chargers 34.
Go Kyle Orton!! Go all of our roster!! GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!
Hate to say it but I gotta agree with this report:
http://broncotalk.net/2010/11/19633/broncos-blog/predicting-the-future-broncos-vs-chargers/
We need this game like we need air to breathe…!!!
… Or we die…
Very true bay… Here’s to having some faith!!! GO YOU MIGHTY BRONCOS!!!
…AND LET’S BRING BACK THE ORANGE JERSEYS!!!!
31-24 SD
Nothing like predicting at the 11th hour, huh baylin? A loss too. How’d you come to that conclusion? Kool aid leave a funny taste in yer mouth? Haha.
Don’t know if you got my prediction from another blog or not – but, to repeat – Denver 29 — San Diego 27 … just can’t pick against the Broncos, unless it’s completely obvious … and in this one, there is a chance … I just don’t like Rivers against our pass D – he just tosses it up, knowing exactly where the receivers will be – and the receivers go to the spot, knowing the pass will be there … I know – that’s the way it’s supposed to be done – but even w/ some new receivers, they just seem to always be on the same page … not every QB/Receiver combo can do it, that’s all I’m saying … Orton seems to be really getting the hand of it, thank you very much … good, also, to see the OL starting to gel … can’t wait for tomorrow night … wonder if Rob Lytle was looking forward to Monday Night??? … that’s going to happen to all of us, not knowing how that last Bronco game came out … geez – what an awful thought … just enjoy each and every game, folks, win or lose … don’t take it quite so seriously – just ENJOY!!!!!!!
Oh, yes … I checked this morning, and every team the Broncos have played this year, except SF, has a winning record to this point … puts things into a little perspective …
Gameday.
Sux that this game has fantasy implications for me too. I don’t want it to be about that at all.
Is it Monday yet? haha I can’t wait for tonight, go get some work done! I hope eddie can go, he is probably my favorite Bronco receiver.
We’re past the eleventh hour now, LOL, ALL SCORE PREDICTIONS ARE IN, no picks on game day. Good luck to every one and more specifically to our Broncos. GO BRONCOS!!!!
Baylin I can’t believe your prediction =( you truly make me sad
Start out hot, preferrably with a special teams play, that’ll get the Chargers thinking about their biggest weakness and might snowball into other problems. A stupid turnover by Denver early, or Rivers on fire early, could spell doom quickly.
LMAO, it’s a contest man, it has nothing to do with a fan thing, I like winning, haha.
And we have 12 picks for a SD win and 19 for a Bronco win, so I’m not alone…
Game Day Baby!!! WOOHOO! I can’t wait for this work day to be over and the game to start!
Happy Monday to Broncos Country!
Go Broncos!
To make you feel a little better though: All week long the line was SD favorite by 10 points, but so much money went on the Broncos that yesterday they brought the line down to 9 points, so I still put my money on the Broncos with my 7 points loss prediction, and if we win I will be a Mile High, literally.
It seems as if Young might very well be released by Fisher and the Titans after what transpired yesterday, imagine what’s that’s going to be like for a low ranked team without a legitimate QB like the Bills to be able to get their hands on him, like Christmas came early, because unless I’m wrong the team with the worse record would have a shot at claiming him first and if they pass, then the second worse etc…
Actually the pecking order is Carolina first, and even so they got Claussen I don’t see how they wouldn’t go for Young since all their QB’s are hurt. Then it’s Detroit and they have Stafford, but the guy can’t stay healthy, then Cinci, Palmer has been the man who has actually gotten them nowhere, then Buffalo with no QB to speak of and if they somehow pass on him SF would be there with some interest with Alex being a bust and is Troy the answer, then the Vikings where Favre can’t get it done and is almost done and Tavaris has never got it done.
Talk about winning the lottery for one of those team at this time of the season, if Young is out there available it’s gonna be wild. I think it will happen.
Of course we would never be interested since we already have a Young type QB in Tebow, but I’m just watching anything football now to be able to endure the wait until tonight’s game, man it’s going to be a long day.
What about Seymour decking Big Ben down and being ejected? That’s gonna cost him some big bucks, Ben seemed kind of shocked but he didn’t dare react since he is already the vilain, what goes around comes around.
And what about that helmet hit by Samuels dislodging the ball last night against the Giants, at least I think it was him, man that’s going to be expensive too…
What’s up crazy bay this day is just dragging. So if we don’t win tonight i still think we should keep playing Orton and then maybe give Tebow the last 2 or 3 games. But we won’t have to worry about it cause we will take this one. It seems like when you put on a Raider uniform you lose all sense or class.
Yeah, I’m not going to be able to focus on anything today. I’m already antsy about tonight.
I’m not so sure the Titans would release Young though, Bay. Their owner Bud Adams has always seemed to be more on Young’s side than Fisher’s side. If anything I could see this getting Fisher fired at the end of the year.
Speaking of Vince Young, how does that 2006 QB draft class look now? Young, Leinart, Cutler… I don’t think any one of those three is ever going to grow up and reach their full potential. It looked like a great class of quarterbacks back then, but they’ve all been somewhat of a disappointment. They are just three spoiled little kids getting paid millions of dollars.