Philip Rivers has cornered the market on just about every significant statistic but one this season.
The Chargers quarterback leads the league with 2,944 passing yards, is tied for the first with 19 touchdown passes and stands in fifth place with a 65.3 percent completion rate.
Still, he hasn’t been able to lead his team to more than four wins in nine games, placing San Diego just one game ahead of Denver in the AFC West standings.
But the Chargers’ history is more relevant than their 2010 record to Brian Dawkins. San Diego has won the division the past four years, and the team has posted a 20-4 record after Week 10 in those seasons.
“They are always going to be a good team to me,” Dawkins said. “They are always going to be the team to beat because they won this division for so many years.”
In three of those four seasons, Rivers has earned a Pro Bowl nod to go along with a division crown. Defensive Coordinator Don Martindale knows Rivers particularly well, having studied the opposing quarterback as a member of the Raiders coaching staff for four years before coming to Denver.
Martindale compared Rivers to Super Bowl Champions Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and another signal-caller many pundits consider to be the best to ever play the position.
“He might be playing better than all of them,” Martindale said. “He sort of reminds you, with his quick release, of (Dan) Marino.”
One of the attributes that makes Rivers so effective serves as a microcosm of his team’s success taking the division. He fights until the end.
“He is a quarterback that is not going to give up on a play,” Dawkins said. “He is going to fight that thing to the last second to hold the ball and try to get rid of it. He is a tremendous competitor.”
Malcom Floyd and Legadu Nanee, Rivers’ top two wide receivers this season, have missed a combined seven games, but Rivers has continued to put up his numbers. He can thank a member of the NFL’s most recent All-Decade team for that.
Despite missing San Diego’s game in Houston last week, tight end Antonio Gates is still tied for the league lead with nine touchdown receptions. Along with Rivers, he’s been the constant keeping the wheels turning in his team’s passing game.
“That individual in himself is a huge luxury for a quarterback to have, a safe haven to be able to throw to that cat any time,” Dawkins said. “He catches pretty much anything that is in his area, and he is just one of those guys — he is a different tight end, he really is.”
San Diego is coming off of a bye week that gave Gates more time to rest the injured foot that kept him out of the game against the Texans. While Gates’ status is uncertain, Martindale said the Broncos are preparing to face him.
With or without Gates, Denver faces a tough matchup against one of the NFL’s most prolific passers in Rivers. Champ Bailey is another Broncos defender who complimented the opposing quarterback, but he said past experience could provide the formula to defeat him.
“We’ve been able to disrupt him a little bit, get in the pocket and get him off the spot sometimes,” Bailey said. “I think that’s the key to beating him — you have to rattle him in some kind of way and hopefully we can get that done.”
BRONCOS BRING BACK BROWN
After being waived by the Carolina Panthers, running back Andre Brown is back in orange and blue. He was signed to the practice squad on Thursday, as the team had a vacant spot available.
Andre’ Goodman (hip) did not practice on Thursday, while Robert Ayers (foot) and Darcel McBath (ankle) were limited in practice.
For the Chargers, TE Antonio Gates (foot-toe) and RB Ryan Matthews (ankle) did not practice. S Steve Gregory (shoulder), DE Travis Johnson (shoulder), WR Legadu Nanee (hamstring) and TE Kris Wilson (back) were limited in practice. WR Malcom Floyd (hamstring), K Nate Kaeding (right groin) and LB Brandon Siler fully participated in practice.
-Gabe Hiatt, DenverBroncos.com
Below are pictures from Thursday’s practice:
Tags: 2010, Antonio Gates, Brian Dawkins, Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos, Don Martindale, Philip Rivers
No respect coming from me, he may be a decent QB but he is a punk!
respect???
ha thats a joke right?
hate rivers & always will!
Well I guess we can respect him but still not like him. That’s what a division rivalry is all about.
Can’t wait for Monday!
If he was on our team we would love him, just like we did Romanowski or Cutler by example, haha.
I know we discriminate based on shirt color lol
punk.
I will respect what he does,but do NOT respect him as a man!!!!!!!!!!!!
CRYBABY!!!!!!!!!!
Glad to see TT win Rookie of the week.
Congrats to Tebow.
Since this award was fan voted it shows Tebow has got way more fans than N-E’s Gronkowski who had an awesome game last week in beating the Steelers with three TD receptions. And not just Bronco fans, all the Gator nation fans probably took the time to vote for him too. Most popular rookie ever?
I wouldn’t even like Rivers if he was a Bronco! He makes Cutler look like the most mature person you’ll ever meet! If he could ever keep his fat mouth shut he’d have a lot more fans.
Cutler and Marshall playing against eachother tonight, kind of weird for us, starting now on the NFLN.
With all their QB’s injuries the Dolphins signed Tom Brandstater to their PS.
Marshall just threw the ball after a catch at Cutler’s face on the sideline and got penalized 15 yards!!!!! And Cutler was back there doing nothing I could tell, what a moron Marshall is, I am so glad he is in Miami, he is three times more immature than Jay if that’s even possible…. And I thought the two were best pals in Denver, what a joke!
Hey Bay and all you bronco fans been a while since i have been on the site havn’t realy had time.UGH But still checkin in and am glad the mood has changed if only for this week.
Kinda feel this is like a make or break game for MCD I am no longer a coolaid drinker when it comes to him. But I am an ever faithful coolaid drinker when it comes to the squad.
good to see team is almost back to full strength especialy on D.
Looking forward to the game have cleared the schedual so I don’t have to record it have a few friends coming over and am genuinely looking forward to the game.
Seeing this graphic up on the screen about cutler and marshall. While I don’t agree with MCD running them out of town they realy arn’t character guys and I don’t mind that they are gone and with the acception of mobility Orton realy isn’t that big a step down and would much rather have LLoyd than BM not sure if he is a better reciever faster and doesn’t drop as many balls. But his character and humility is light years away than Bm ever will be.
Always hate seeing x broncos I am such a homer. LOL
well bay will definatly post a score but I wouldn’t have been close either way last week didn’t see that coming.
Well have fun all.
Go bronco Orange.
And Cutler throws an interception. It is the JUJU I tell ya. LMAO
Marshall this year:
55 catches for 652 yards, 11.9 yds average, 1 TD.
Lloyd this year:
48 catches for 968 yds, 20.2 yds average, 6 TD.
The only thing these two have in common is their first names, haha.
If Lloyd stays healthy I think that when this season is done he is going to eclipse quite a few receivers for the most yards in a season. If he keeps his current average per game he will get over 1700 yards. The record is 1848 by Jerry Rice and only three other players have more than 1700, Isaac Bruce, Charley Hennigan and Marvin Harrison.
Bottom line is Lloyd has a legitimate shot at top five most receiving yards in a season all time or better. You heard it here first folks.
I have been thinking about his accomplishments for a few weeks now but wanted to wait if he could keep it up before talking him up like this. The man is unbelievable, a true circus act, has acrobatic catches every week.
To put his numbers in perspective, Marshall’s best season is 1265 yards and he ranks 156th!!! All Lloyd has to do is get 298 yards in seven games to pass Marshall, less than 47 yards per game. Yeah, I really miss you Marshall, LOL.
Sorry TRB, eventually you might be the only one left here who will miss Marshall….
Lloyd so far? WOW! He’s made Orton look spectacular from time to time. I don’t say that to take anything away from Orton, but he’s just what we needed. We are sitting pretty with our receiving depth. Royal is our ‘multi-tool’ (awesome as well) and Gaffney, Thomas and maybe Decker? If our O line can hold up, keep pressure off of Orton and open up some holes for our run game this offence will be almost unstoppable! The obvious question mark is the o-line. I guess we’ll see.
Marshall just pulled his hammy, he will be out for a few weeks. I’m so glad the Broncos have Lloyd, Eddie, and Gaffney.
OK… I’m back down to earth now.
On another note (or bad note), I ran accross this.
The butchering of go* save the queen: By Jeff Beck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUOXrtO62gs&feature=related
The look on McD and Orton’s face is priceless!
(No disrespect from our brothers overseas)
Correction: “No disrespect for our brothers and sisters overseas”.
SD may be a tough team but I will NEVER respect Rivers. He ranks down at the bottom with Cutler as far as class goes. Dislike Cutler, but I HATE Rivers. Can’t wait to see our defense bury his smug face on Monday. I pray this team shows his NO mercy whatsoever. Lil punk is goin’ down!
Ahh, the ol Marshall issue. Dude is gone and thank God. His tasteless attitude outshines his talent which is the saddest thing. Clearly Miami has been no suitable fit for him. Serves him right. I’ll take our new rookie BEAST and Lloyd over Marshall’s ego any day. Marshall was nothing but trouble… he’d score a few TDs but then went and got in trouble. Defeats the whole purpose of having him around.
lol, kinda surprised Tebow won that award. Oh well, kudos to him!! Just an award… Gronkowski will get over it.
Have faith Bronco Country…
GO BRONCOS in San Diego!!!! Take ‘em down!!! haha
Yeah, I don’t know what Jeff Beck was thinking on that one, saw it live, it’s like he thought he could pull off a Hendrix national anthem at Woodstock or something but he totally bombed. However he is one of the greatest guitarist of all time and I saw him at the House of Blues in New Orleans about 10 years ago and it was flat out phenomenal.
I know. Jeff Beck is an awesome guitar player. I play guitar as well and I get a little nervous playing in front of twenty people. I couldn’t fathom playing in front of millions. One goof can mess up the whole riff. I felt bad for him, though. He even grinned at himself at the end. That’s all you can do at that point.
Just like one goof can mess up a whole football game.
No goofs on Monday Night!
Go Broncos!
I hope McD don’t holler at them and tell them “we own you”,like he did last year,we lost 32-3.
Maybe J.Williams will be jacked up to play against his old team.I think it will be a shootout,with a lot of passing yards,hopefully it will be a good game.We only got one shot to be on Primetime and show the world what were made of,at SD on MNF……of all games that would be the only one televised nationally,I hope they do us proud,and if we do lose,at least keep it close,and fight till the very end.GO BRONCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BFE
Haha Bay…
I was thinking about that the other day and thinking what the most receiving yards in the NFL are! I knew that Lloyd would probably come out to be at least top 10 in the NFL in most receiving yards! I would love for him to get as many as he can! He is a great athlete and a great role model who doesn’t stir anything up or cause any problems!!! I just wished that now hopefully one game he can get more receptions in a game than Marshall (21) but I know that won’t happen because we were desperate last year and had to get the ball to Marshall every play! Now I feel comfortable with throwing to any of our receivers!!
I really wished Bay Bay would’ve came up with that TD catch this past game right before Moreno got the TD. The ball hit off of his fingertips and would’ve been a sick TD!! I hope he can get a TD or two in this game against the Chargers!!
Also congrats to my boy Tebow!! I really figured that he would’ve won with all of the fans out there that love him with Gator Nation and Bronco Country combined!!! I really think he is going to be the answer for us later on!! He has extreme talent!! The pass that he threw wasn’t a easy pass to throw and he had a small window to throw into Larsen!! Also, he didn’t break under pressure when the opportunity came to throw the ball!! He’s 1 for 1 with 1 TD!! I love those numbers!!
It is very crucial to get a win in San Diego on Monday! Like usual, all of the analysts have us losing!! We have to come out and play lights out just like this past weekend!! The AFC WEST is ours for the taking if we really want it!!
I LOVE ME SOME BRONCOS COUNTRY!!!
This is one game I look forward to see. I think they worry more about our offense. With the improved OL and Knowshown showing his ability to make plays, plus an already potent pass offense, they should be more worried about the Broncos.
But we’ve undermined teams (Jags and Raiders) and got whooped. So we must be fully prepared. Last season, Doom’s pressure got us that first win. We need to replicate last sunday.
Hey, I just saw something strange that I figured I should share with you guys!!
Apparently it still hasn’t announced a winner for the rookie of the week! I went on nfl.com to see if they had a video or something about saying that Tebow won and the ballot still came up for me to vote?? Didn’t know if this was the same for you guys! Just letting you know!
The Broncos re-signed running back Andre Brown to their practice squad.
Krieger has an article in the DP about fans rallying for the orange and he talks to Ellis, and the end result to me is that this switch to orange will indeed happen listening to what Ellis has to say, the only question being when will they make the decision, which really doesn’t matter as long as they make it by March 1st, the deadline to inform the NFL of the jersey color switch so we can wear orange starting with the 2012 season. It will be navy next year no matter what so everyone is clear on that.
I just watched the “antics” of B-Marsh in the highlights from last night’s game. I am so glad we got rid of him due to his immature nature. I will respect his skills as a receiver but as a competitor and a person, not so much. If you haven’t seen it you should go check it out.
Cutler – Punk
Marshall – Punk
Rivers – Super Punk if he wore a uniform with a cape it would have a SP on the front of it. Not saying he is a super hero just a super punk!
But our D has to respect his skills and competitive nature, so they don’t get burned.
As for me, no respect for him as a man either.
Pro Bowl voting. i know were on the bottom but we have a lot of good players so Vote and Vote often
Yo Bay my score for this week……
Broncos – 36
Chargers – 38
I hope I’m wrong and we end up on the plus side of the shoot out.
Ya, I was surprised when I saw Beck playing at Wimbley stadium. bazarre. And he`s one of the best guitar players ever.
Bay you remember a lot more football than I do but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a non starting rookie garner the attention that Tebow has. Understandalbe considering he could be the greatest college football player of all time.
Interesting take on putting this week-end division games in perspective by Klis:
Here’s the best case of the realistic scenarios Sunday/Monday: Arizona beats Kansas City, which might be still reeling from Todd Haley’s bad sportsmanship. Oakland gets thumped at Pittsburgh. The Broncos beat San Diego on Monday night.
Here’s how the AFC West standings would look then:
Kansas City … 5-5
Oakland …….. 5-5
Broncos …….. 4-6
San Diego ….. 4-6
At that point, the Broncos odds of winning the division might be as good as 50-50. But again, that’s best case for the Broncos.
Here’s how most people are betting the weekend will go: The Chiefs at home beat Arizona; Oakland loses at Pittsburgh; the Chargers beat the Broncos.
Here’s how the AFC West race would look if chalk prevails:
Kansas City … 6-4
San Diego ….. 5-5
Oakland …….. 5-5
Broncos …….. 3-7
In this scenario, the Broncos’ season would be on life support. They would havve win at minimumfive of their last six games, including all three division games _ at KC, at Oakland, and in the season finale against the Chargers at Invesco Field, and hope 8-8 wins the division.
Not much arguing about all this on this end.
Does this make it a must win game yet? Where is Mike Rice when you need his expert opinion, LOL.
At this point I’m just happy that we’re still somehow in the playoff conversation. Somtimes we have the Chargers number and someitmes they have ours. We’ve won our first meeting with them the last two seasons so let’s hope to keep that streak alive. If we can pull it off we’ll be going with a full head of steam. If not, then we’ll be totally deflated. Statistically not a must win game but talking in terms of momentum and taking into consideration the work we have ahead of us after it, I’d call it a must win.
I would say this is a must win game. Not only does it help keep KC and the R8Rs in reach, I feel it will also be a fatal blow to San Diego if the Broncos come into their house and beat them on MNF to pull ahead of them in the divisional standings. I hope Jamal Williams sits on Rivers face at some point in the game
I dont think anyone will run away with the division, and obviously we need to win our division games. But it doesnt matter who we beat, we just have to win 4 of the next 5, in some order. If that happens, we are 7-7 with two home games remaining. The leader may have only 5 losses at that time, but most likely six. So we would have a chance.
Chargers – Winnable
Rams – Should win
Chiefs – Winnable
Cardinals – Winnable
Raiders – Winnable
Obviously in the dictionary, winnable should equal losable. So ya, its a tossup, but not dead in the water. Cmon guys, one at a time.
Obviously the one I’m scared of is the Rams now, if it’s on the “should win” fan list it’s never a good premonition, it could be a trap game of sort.
But I’m actually worried about this one at SD first, LOL.
Anyway, we need to take it step by step, we will be playing for our first winning streak this year on Monday since we haven’t won two in a row yet!
Gotta respect rivers, the guys a great QB. whether u like him or not, numbers don’t lie. Hate to say it but he might even be underrated. He has done just about everything right from a QB standpoint this year, the W’s just haven’t fallen their way. I he has a great game as usual we will probably lose, with or without gates(gates would make a huge difference however). I say we lose Broncos lose 31 – 20. TRB out…
I usually have the faith, but this is our toughest game for the rest of the season. If we win, we’ve got a real chance of doing something great. I really like our squad and momentum is everything.
But I suspect we will commit too many turnovers and penalties to beat Rivers.
Lose 27-13
UK has the faith. Just not this week (think we’ll win 4 in row after though!)
Bay, To be realistic I think chalk doe`s play out. I hope I`m wrong. I am looking forward to MNF. It`s going to be a good game I think.
If we play a clean mistake free game, we may have a shot at winning this game. No turnovers, no personal fouls and no holding penalty`s on both side of the ball we should be ok. If this plays out we `ll be in the game come the 4th qaurter.
Well as bad as I hate to pick against us,I’m gonna pick SD to win 34-24,now I have to go lick the dogs arse to get this bad taste outta my mouth,aaaaaaaaaargh!!!!!!!!
It’s 5:00 so I can go get a cold beer to wash the taste of the dogs arse outta my mouth.LOL.
BFE
LMAO. Sick BFE. But your still my bro.