Unbelievable. Phenomenal. Mind-boggling.
Pick your word, pick your phrase and it probably applies to what the Broncos pulled off Sunday against the Chargers.
A look at some of the key parts of the Broncos win over the Chargers:
First, there was THE DECISION. What kind of coach decides to go for two points with the game on the line like that? A coach who knows his team, a coach who has confidence in his team and most importantly to me, a coach who isn’t afraid to fail. What a great call. I loved it. I absolutely loved it.
Say whatever you want, the fact is that Mike Shanahan got this one right. He had the fortitude to go for it and it paid off.
Second, there was THE FUMBLE. We all know Jay Cutler fumbled the ball. Even Jay Cutler knows he fumbled the ball. But the official called an incomplete pass. That’s what he saw and that’s why he blew the whistle immediately.
For the Chargers to call referee Ed Hochuli to account misses the point. The fact is that every team knows there will be situations like this that come up. If that’s the case, then why isn’t there a more clearly defined rule about what constitutes a pass attempt and what constitutes a fumble? Why does everyone expect officials watching an incredibly fast game to get every call right?
The answer is the officials aren’t expected to get every call right. That is why there is instant replay. If replay can’t fix a situation to make it right, then perhaps the rule needs to be changed so that it can.
Third, there is THE QUARTERBACK. Jay Cutler’s performance was flat-out amazing. He was able to move the offense seemingly at will against a very good defense. He made the plays when he had to. If there had been any question about his ability to become an elite quarterback in the NFL, Sunday’s game should wipe away those doubts.
Not only did Cutler make the plays, he was calm throughout and seemed to enjoy the process. There were times down the stretch when he was smiling, as if to indicate how much fun he was having with the game on the line. You can’t teach that stuff. However you want to define “it,” Cutler has it, and plenty of it.
Fourth, there is THE WIDE RECEIVER. Eighteen catches for Brandon Marshall. Are you serious?! In training camp it was clear that no one on the Broncos could cover him (perhaps Champ can from time-to-time) but I’m starting to think there isn’t anyone in the NFL who can cover him. Time will tell but wow, he can play.
And just when you think Eddie Royal has disappeared, he makes the two catches at the end that put the Broncos over the top.
Fifth, there is PERSPECTIVE. Virtually every player said something to the effect that it’s only one game and there is a long way to go. They need to be saying that because it’s true. It is great to be 2-0 but the Broncos also started 2-0 in 2007. Enough said.
That brings us to THE BOTTOM LINE. The Broncos defeated the Chargers. Did they get some fortunate calls? Yes. Did they survive a below average defensive performance? Yes. Did they get away with one? One could possibly make the case. But none of it matters. The Broncos are 2-0.
Bring on the Saints.
What were your thoughts on the game against the Chargers? Feel free to share.
Enjoy the week and thanks for reading.
Best,
Mike
Tags: 2008, Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos, Jay Cutler, Mike Shanahan, San Diego Chargers
Well said, Mike. Especially THE PERSPECTIVE. I’m very curious what the over/under in Vegas will be for the game against the Saints. 55? More? Neither team is particularly good on defense, and both teams have potent offenses with big-play ability.
Hoping to come out with another win. And I’m hoping that Mile High is rocking next week like it was this week.
It was a bad call but the Chargers still had their chances to stop us. The offense looks great, our o line is doing a great job. Can’t say enough bout Cut, Marsh, Royal, Young, Hall, and Pitt. It was great to stop L.T. but everybody else went off. DefensE was giving me that same sick feeling of last year when we couldn’t stop anyone. Hopefully we can make some adjustments and fix that next week. It was great beating the Chargers!!
GO BRONCOS!!!!
We found a way to pull it out and that’s what great teams do. Of course, we’ve got a lot of improvement to make, but what team at this stage of the season doesn’t. We’re 2-0 and no one else in the AFC West is, so that’s telling. The Saints will provide a stiff challenge but if we can make a few defensive stops, all will be well. I like our chances against Brees and the Saints!
Great win for the Broncos and it was great to beat a team that has owned us for the last couple of seasons but I wish it could have been in a better way. All real fans that understand the NFL will agree there wasnt much either team could have done about the blown call but all we are going to hear is that the home field advantage went a little too far this time around. Hopefully the last game of the season will come down to do or die at thier place for both teams and hopefully we can beat them convincingly without any questions. It will sting for them and I am glad Rivers will have to live with it for the next 103 days. Go Broncos! All Ready!
CARL PAYMAH SUCKS, we traded foxworth and now were stuck with this guy, why? everytime the chargers needed a big paly all they had to do was look paymahs way. they better get someone else in there on nickel or its going to be a long season. i loved everything else but man does that guy blow.
I keep thinking back to last year and how long it took us to score in the double digits. Winning on a two point conversion shows that we can win in a clinch without Elam. The offense is great and everyone keeps saying the Defence needs to get better but what about special teams. Yes Cutler can give us the yards to make it down the field but he shouldn’t HAVE to. We need to get better field position and we need to be able to get the tackle on the return!
I keep thinking back to last year and how long it took us to score in the double digits. And now we are a scoring machine! Winning on a two point conversion shows that we can win in a clinch without Elam. The offense is great and everyone keeps saying the Defence needs to get better but what about special teams. Yes Cutler can give us the yards to make it down the field but he shouldn’t HAVE to. We need to get better field position and we need to be able to get the tackle on the return!
I did not get to see most of the game where I live in North Dakota, but I was able to watch the game from the drive where the pick was thrown. Even that drive was amazing – they were just marching at will. The interception just added to the drama of a very entertaining game and one that will make all Bronco fans proud of the team fighting adversity and getting a HUGE W over the Chargers. I wish the team lots of luck against the Saints this weekend.
Go Broncos!
Jack Williams should be our nickelback he has great speed and is better in coverage then paymah
I’ve been saying this ever since they won.
Look, if I was a die hard San Diego fan (which I would rather eat my young) I would be more upset that the Broncos went up 21 – 3 by the end of the 2nd qtr. I would be equally upset that it was the Broncos that let my team back in the game not the Chargers. Lastly, although the call was sure to seal the victory for the Chargers, you still couldn’t stop a 3rd and 10 for a touchdown and then a 2 pt. conversion.
Face it Rivers you cry baby little B*tch! Cutler out played you and it kills you! Don’t worry though you’ll get to see him again…….
He’s #6 if you forgot!
Hey good luck with Favre this week, we need to get you a win so we sent a 75 year old quarterback your way. Take the training wheels off and try to get that 1st seasonal win, you can do it LOL!
What’s up with the new football. Jay dropped the ball three times Sunday when no defender was even near him. He certainly didn’t have this problem last year. I also don’t understand why the Broncos traded Foxworth. I thought he was a much better cover guy than Paymah. Paymah was killing us Sunday.
It’s wonderful how it all turned out. My concer is the play calling on the two occasions where we were deep in the Red Zone. #1. Second and three on the four yard line. We pass. Intercepted. #2, Second and goal on the one yard line, we pass, Cutler fumbled. Then we got a LUCKY call from the Ref.
The point is, on both occasions the proper call was to run the ball. All day we had made short yardage when needed. Once for a TD and on two other plays for first downs. I give enormus credit to the players for their efforts and results, but for the exception of the guttsy call for two points, I question some of the play calls.
I said it at the trade and I will say it again, Foxworth was a decent cover two corner but he really sucked at man-to-man. I agree Karl (not Carl) Paymah does not seem better. But the Foxworth trade was a no brainer, good job Goodman/Shanahan.
I really love the young oline. They will get better at run blocking. Remember that Clady and Harris were all-americans in a pro style pass blocking offense. Wiegmann and Kuper are really grading out high also.
Now the bad news;
I thought Boss Bailey had a pretty steady game, all things considered, but IMO Jamie Winborn could have had the same. D.J. was also solid, though he wasn’t the impact player we’re hoping for. D.J. will be fine, however. Nate Webster disappeared for long stretches during the game. Again, your MLB cannot make alot of plays when the offense is throwing the ball all over the field, but Webster just didn’t seem to be visiable. I have always liked Webster’s energy and what he brings on the field in spurts. The question is, can he do it week in, week out. I think he is a better special team player.
I also trust what Champ and DJ said in camp, “Niko reads offense’s really well and puts us in great position”.
Hey Slowik, since you play the better player, try Niko.
Hey Bilrob, we passed on those two plays because that was whow we were having the most success against the chargers. Both of those plays were bad on cutlers part (he should have never thrown in that direction on the play with the interception) and he knows it. BUT he’s head over heels better than last year and he will continue to improve.
I agree about Paymah. It got to a point I didn’t even have to look after a first down or a touchdown I just knew it was Paymah who just got burned.
I was SOOOO wrong about Paymah and Foxworth. I thought we made the right decision, and we obviously didn’t. Paymah looks lost, turns his hips on the WR’s first step and never gets back in position.
Foxworth didn’t look that great to me in preseason, but he wasn’t totally lost on every play…this is lame.
I think if we pursue Lavar Arrington and put him in the middle or a Takeo Spikes also we will have a solid middle linebacker for this season like a Al Wilson Also we would benefit better in the running game if we sign that Battle kid thats on Kansas City practice squad he a hidden gem at running back and hes a one cut and go back with alot of strength and allusiveness… hes a career back …. Sorry Nate Webster you make some plays but your not a nfl linebacker your just a gut that never reached his potential cause he was not tough against the run and you get lost in the past coverage and when the play is almost over you have no hustle… thats not how Al played or any other bronco great linebacker or any other NFL greats…. and the d line you should be one of the best in the league if you have the type of corners we have back the we need more COVERAGE SACK!!!! Also Calvin Lowry THATS NOT HOW YOU PLAY SAFETY AGAINST THE RUN OR THE PASS you have talent but you play like its not a game but its only for a paycheck thats how you play…. SO DENVER am from Texas and i am a huge bronco fan Dont let me down