OK, one non-Charger thought. Did you know that Tom Brady is the only QB in the history of the NFL to pass for 350+ yds, 5 or more TDs, 0 interceptions, and better than 85% completions in the same game? Will, last week against the Bears he did it for the 2nd time (1st was in 09 vs. the Titans).
I mentioned in my Week 4 Thoughts post that people were over-blowing the Chargers 5-1 record. Now after 2 straight loses some sportscasters are jumping off the bandwagon, like in this Around the NFL article. Just watched the Broncos game on rewind last night and I'm not that discouraged (that might change if they lose to the Dolphins this week).
Chargers defense played the Broncos tough in the first quarter. They made the Broncos punt in their first two drives...how many times has that happened to Broncos this year? The halftime score was 14-7 Broncos, but mostly because the Chargers were robbed of a turnover (even the instant replay official calling the game said it should have been a fumble) and partially because CB Jason Verrett went out with a shoulder injury. Branden Flowers was already out, so both starting CBs out versus Peyton Manning...not likely that's going to work out well. Manning immediately started picking on replacement Richard Marshall. Marshall was so bad that the Chargers cut him after the game. You have to play pretty lousy to get cut when a team has both starters at your position injured.
Phillip Rivers threw 2 interceptions, but neither one was terrible. On the first, Keenan Allen slipped on the cut. The bad part was that it happened in the opening drive of the 3rd quarter. On the previous drive the Chargers went 13 plays, 84 yards to tie the score at 7-7.The 2nd interception was towards the end of the game down 2 TDs. Rivers was trying to go deep to Malcolm Floyd, but a Bronco safety was over the top. Considering the game situation I can see why Rivers' gambled, but it still wasn't a good decision.
With the Broncos up 28-14 Eric Weddle made a great interception that could have changed the game. The interception was overturned by a tricky-tack holding call on Marcus Gilchrist. I can see why they called it because Gilchrist put a hand on the receivers hip, but he never turned him or impeded his progress.
Lastly, with time left to turn the game around, Broncos up 35-21, Weddle punched the ball out of Emmnauel Saunders hands. Unfortunately, despite several Chargers defenders around the ball, Wes Welker ended up recovering it.
The point is all the breaks went the Broncos way. Are Broncos a better team? Absolutely, so when you lose the turnover battle 2-0 you should get blown out. The Chargers lost handily by 2 TDs, but it wasn't a blowout. Add to that they could have easily had 3 Bronco turnovers and I don't feel like the Chargers were over matched (especially considering 2 starting CBs, and OLB Melvin Ingram were out). It was really encouraging how well the defense played before Verrett went out. Broncos only TD while Verrett was in the game was set up by a great catch by Saunders...and it was well covered.
Unfortunately, Verrett may be out for awhile and Ingram isn't due back anytime soon. Flowers should play against the Dolphins and the Chargers signed ex-Washington CB Richard Crawford. Who knows how soon Crawford can play. The Chargers defense has been a lot better when Flowers and Verrett have been on the field, but Shareece Wright has been serviceable when either of the two has been out. Rookie Chris Davis has been getting playing time and getting better.
The schedule does get tougher late November into December, but if they can beat the Dolphins the Chargers will be on a bye so they should be able to get a few players back from injury for Week 11 including a very realistic return by Ryan Mathews. Branden Oliver made a splash running for 100+ against the Jets and Raiders, but hasn't been able to duplicate that success against the Chiefs or Broncos. Love Oliver and he does have talent, but I'm guessing his success had something to do with the opponent.
If the Chargers are at full strength going into the last five game gauntlet of @Ravens, Patriots, Broncos, @49ers, @ Chiefs, I'll still give this team a decent shot at the playoffs.
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