Denver Broncos Thump San Diego Chargers, Take Reigns of AFC West at 6-0

All you can really say is WOW!!

 

The Denver Broncos are 6-0 for the first time since 1998 and we all know the outcome of that perfect start.

 

The air in Denver is much sweeter today than it was just seven short weeks ago when everyone including the staunchest Bronco fans had already called the season, the new coaching staff, and the once weak defense a failure.

 

This win puts the Broncos not only in a giant lead for the AFC West crown but also among the few elite and unbeaten teams in the NFL.

 

Monday nights game started off in classic Broncos vs. Chargers fashion with the teams trading blows, in fact the Chargers lead at the half 20-17.

 

The first half was about big plays, the Broncos wide receiver returned not one but two punts for touchdowns making him only the 10th player in NFL history to accomplish such a feat the Broncos won by 11 points so there is your big time player of the game.

 

After half the Broncos laid it out for the football world to see, this team is the real deal and defense is the way they get it done.

 

The amazing and growing list of statistics the Broncos defense continues to drop jaws around the game.

 

The Broncos held the Chargers to only three second half points, the Broncos have outscored opponents 76-10 in the second half.

 

Linebacker Elvis Dumervil now leads the NFL with 10 sacks, enough said there.

 

The Broncos in have not allowed a second half third down conversion over a MONTH, that’s right you just read that no second half third down conversions in over a moth giving in only 21 out of 78 attempts.

 

Then as if the bone crushing defense wasn’t enough Bronco QB Kyle Orton played a flawless game going 20-of-29 with 229 yards passing and 2 touchdowns, tucked inside of those stats was a great fourth quarter performance with Orton going 11-of-15  for 146yards and those two touchdowns.

 

With this win the Broncos take a commanding 3.5 game lead over the Chargers and look to be running away with the AFC West, if the Broncos can continue this dominance through the toughest part of their schedule following the bye week the Broncos could be the odds on favorite to win the Super Bowl.

 

We will have to wait and see but for now the Broncos appear to be the story of the season.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

NFL Power Rankings Week 7: Setting the Records Straight

By this point, you should all know how I feel about NFL Power Rankings–they are ridiculous. However, last week was a pretty good success, and some good conversation was generated. It was another great week in the NFL this week, so here is my second set of Power Rankings for this NFL season. Here is how I base my rankings: 1. Record/Win Percentage (6-0>5-0, 5-1>4-1, etc.) I truly feel this to be an important factor when “ranking” then NFL teams. Winning is the most critical aspect to this league, as if that isn’t obvious, and teams who win more should be ranked higher. 2. Opponents beaten (win percentage) Teams will be ranked higher based on their beaten opponents’ win percentage and overall record. 3. Head to head If teams have the same record, regardless of opponents’ win percentage or record, the winning team in a head-to-head matchup is favored in this system. 4. Opinion If all of the other factors are equal between teams, then I base it off of my opinion. This has yet to happen. Enjoy!

Begin Slideshow

NFL Power Rankings Week Seven: Setting the Records Straight

By this point, you should all know how I feel about NFL Power Rankings–they are ridiculous. However, last week was a pretty good success, and some good conversation was generated. It was another great week in the NFL this week, so here is my second set of Power Rankings for this NFL season. Here is how I base my rankings: 1. Record/Win Percentage (6-0>5-0, 5-1>4-1, etc.) I truly feel this to be an important factor when “ranking” then NFL teams. Winning is the most critical aspect to this league, as if that isn’t obvious, and teams who win more should be ranked higher. 2. Opponents beaten (win percentage) Teams will be ranked higher based on their beaten opponents’ win percentage and overall record. 3. Head to head If teams have the same record, regardless of opponents’ win percentage or record, the winning team in a head-to-head matchup is favored in this system. 4. Opinion If all of the other factors are equal between teams, then I base it off of my opinion. This has yet to happen. Enjoy!

Begin Slideshow

Broncos 34, Chargers 23: Unbeaten Denver Looks Royal in AFC West Clash

There simply are not enough game balls to go around. 

The Denver Broncos are off to a 6-0 start after going on the road and defeating the San Diego Chargers 34-23 in a prime time matchup on Monday Night Football.

The Broncos made a huge statement with this win, putting on their most complete performance of the season so far in front of a national audience as they increased their lead in the AFC West to an outstanding 3.5 games.

Enough is enough of this “surprising” tag that has been attached to the Broncos; they are absolutely for real and are playing their best ball this decade.

Monday night’s game went as a lot of Bronco fans expected, as the Chargers were forced into a one-dimensional offense and their inability to run the ball really cost them in the end.

 

Game Recap

First Quarter

After a 92 yard San Diego drive resulted in a short Nate Kaeding field goal, Eddie Royal ignited some fireworks at Qualcomm Stadium.  Royal took the ensuing kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown to give the Broncos a 7-3 lead.

That lead would be short lived as Philip Rivers and the Chargers drove the ball right back down the field again, finishing a 74 yard drive with a three yard touchdown pass from Rivers to wide receiver Vincent Jackson, putting the score at 10-7 in favor of the home team.

Second Quarter

After a long 13 play drive ended in a Matt Prater field goal to start the scoring in the third quarter, the Broncos tied the game at 10 points apiece.

Following the field goal, the Broncos forced the Chargers into a three-and-out, and the Mike Scifres punt was taken 71 yards to the house by Eddie Royal, becoming the first player since Devin Hester in 2007 to return both a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown in the same game.

The Broncos, now nourishing a 17-10 lead, were able to stop the Chargers short of a touchdown on their next drive, and San Diego settled for another Nate Kaeding field goal, this one from 44 yards out.

Denver’s following drive was pitiful, and they were forced into a three-and-out.  Bronco punter Brett Kern made the decision to punt the ball to Darren Sproles, which is never a great idea.  Sproles took the punt all the way to the end zone, giving the Chargers huge momentum heading into halftime with a 20-17 lead.

Third Quarter

Another Nate Kaeding field goal gave the Chargers a six point lead, but the Broncos answered right back.

Following the field goal, Kyle Orton hooked up with Tony Scheffler on a beautiful 19 yard touchdown pass that capped off a nine play, 77 yard drive to give the Broncos the lead for good.

Fourth Quarter

Following an Elvis Dumervil forced fumble that was recovered by Vonnie Holliday, the Broncos had probably the shortest 10 play drive in the league so far this year, going 36 yards in ten plays.  That drive was capped off by a Matt Prater field goal to give the Broncos a 27-23 lead.

Late in the fourth, Orton and the Broncos were on their most important drive of the night and set up for their most important third down conversion of the night, a third-and-goal from five yards out. 

Kyle Orton dropped back to pass and hit Brandon Stokley right at the goal line for a touchdown that put the game out of reach for the San Diego Chargers.

 

Random Game Thoughts

In the intro, I said there were not enough game balls to go around, but having given it some thought, the game ball has to go to Eddie Royal.  The Broncos may not have won without Royal’s two return touchdowns, and neither would my little brother in fantasy.

Royal’s special teams performance was absolutely phenomenal, and he set a Denver Broncos record for return yardage in a game with 230.

Now to those who also deserved a game ball.

Tony Scheffler had his best game as a professional in my opinion.  I’m sure the stat line (six catches, 101 yards, TD) are not the most staggering for his career, but he played extremely well and was the Broncos’ biggest difference maker offensively.

The offensive line was outstanding for the Broncos.  The Chargers had one sack on the night, and it came as Larry English was being pancaked by Ryan Clady.  The only suspect area for this unit was in the running game, where the Broncos were slow to get it going at times.

Denver’s third down defense was at its best on Monday night, holding the Chargers to only two conversions on 11 attempts on the night.  The Broncos gave up a few screen passes in the first half, but in the end, their defense did exactly what I thought they would, and they put the heat on Philip Rivers.

Elvis Dumervil led the Denver defense tonight, recording two sacks and a forced fumble of Philip Rivers.  As a unit, the Broncos had five sacks and were seemingly in Philip Rivers’ face the entire second half.

Switching back to the offensive side of the ball, how good has Kyle Orton been for the Broncos so far this season?  After his performance tonight, he has thrown for 1,465 yards, nine touchdowns, one fluke pick, and he has a rating of 100.1.

Orton is truly playing MVP caliber football through six games this season, and is running Josh McDaniels’ offense better than anybody expected.  His efficiency in the red zone and accuracy have been crucial to the Broncos’ success this season. 

Orton improved to 27-12 as a starting quarterback in this league, and many, including myself, feel he has played at a Pro Bowl level so far this season.

Clearly, this Denver Broncos coaching staff has this team in a good place.  They didn’t listen to the nay-sayers prior to this season (so they claim), but they sure are shutting them up so far. 

Mike Nolan has devised excellent defensive game-plans, and this Broncos team has allowed a league-best 10 points in the second half of football games so far this year.  Through six games, that is absolutely outstanding and the main reason the Broncos have been able to start this season unblemished.

Josh McDaniels has done a superb job of preparing his offensive game plan and planning to his player’s biggest strengths. 

The Broncos are a very efficient team, and if they can continue to play ball like this, they are going to be tough to beat.

The main deficiency for the Broncos tonight was the running game, which actually was not as bad as I thought.  They were still able to gain over 100 yards on the ground, but it seemed at times that they could go nowhere. 

Correll Buckhalter was back for the first time in two weeks, and it appeared as though Knowshon Moreno was primed for a big game going up against a run defense that ranked 27th in the NFL heading into this matchup.

San Diego was able to bottle Moreno up for most of the game and hold him to just over 40 yards rushing. 

 

Final Thoughts

The Broncos could not have scripted a better way to head into their bye week.

They are 6-0 for the first time since Elway lined up under center, and they have been quite a story thus far. The most impressive part?  They are doing it with defense, something nobody anticipated.

Now, the offense is starting to really click, and the Broncos are looking like a more complete team with every game they play.

Still, this team knows it has a lot to improve upon, and they have a lot of time to prepare for their road matchup with the Baltimore Ravens in Week Eight.

The Ravens, like the Chargers, have an explosive passing offense but an even more dangerous running game with Willis McGahee, Ray Rice, and LeRon McClain. 

Denver is sure to have its hands full, but for now, 6-0 feels great, and this team deserves every bit of it.  Enjoy Broncos fans, your team has joined the NFL’s elite this season, even when nobody thought they could do it.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Exorcism: Denver Broncos Bust Ghosts of 2008 in 34-23 Win

The last time the Denver Broncos visited Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, they were on the receiving end of a 52-21 beatdown by the Chargers that cost them the division title and coach Mike Shanahan his job.  It was a defeat that would haunt the Broncos into the 2009 campaign.

Not anymore.

Fittingly, the specter of the Broncos’ epic 2008 collapse disappeared permanently on October 19, a little less than two weeks before Halloween.  If this Broncos team decided to dress up for their last game before October 31, they had to have all dressed as the Ghostbusters after exorcising their demons in their 34-23 dismantling of the San Diego Chargers to move to 6-0 and take a three and half game lead in the AFC West.

This win is even bigger than the win over the Patriots for many reasons, but the fact that this win formally shuts the book on 2008 is huge for this team and its fans. While many of the players on this Broncos team weren’t with the organization last year, they still felt the sting of the collapse when they arrived into town from the people who were there.

The Broncos needed this game to move forward and say that what happened last season will not happen again. They needed to make a statement.  So who were they going to call?

Eddie Royal.

From the moment Royal returned the ensuing kickoff after San Diego scored the first points, notice was served to the Chargers and the rest of the NFL that the Broncos have moved on and refuse to look back.  They were going forward, and they are determined that what happened in 2008 never happens again.

The Broncos also busted the ghost of their former starting quarterback who threw two interceptions to one touchdown in the blowout at San Diego last season.  This season, his successor who has thrown one interception (and on a desperation heave to boot) in six games threw two touchdowns to zero interceptions.

While the specter of John Elway will always hover above Kyle Orton and future Broncos quarterbacks, Orton has done his share to put skeptical Broncos fans at ease after the trade of Jay Cutler created a division amongst the fan base.

If there was any remaining doubt after the first five games, there can be no more now. The Broncos are well positioned to make the playoffs for the first time sine the 2005 season. The multiple critics and skeptics that wondered if Josh McDaniels would hang on to his job for for more than one season have been silenced.

The Denver Broncos, picked by many to win five games this season, have eclipsed that mark by one and show no signs of stopping now.

After all, this Broncos team ain’t afraid of no ghosts.

 

Follow Kris Burke on Twitter @KBurke02

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Exorcism: Denver Broncos Bust Ghosts of 2008 in 34-23 Win

The last time the Denver Broncos visited Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, they were on the receiving end of a 52-21 beatdown by the Chargers that cost them the division title and coach Mike Shanahan his job.  It was a defeat that would haunt the Broncos into the 2009 campaign.

Not anymore.

Fittingly, the specter of the Broncos’ epic 2008 collapse disappeared permanently on October 19, a little less than two weeks before Halloween.  If this Broncos team decided to dress up for their last game before October 31, they had to have all dressed as the Ghostbusters after exorcising their demons in their 34-23 dismantling of the San Diego Chargers to move to 6-0 and take a three and half game lead in the AFC West.

This win is even bigger than the win over the Patriots for many reasons, but the fact that this win formally shuts the book on 2008 is huge for this team and its fans. While many of the players on this Broncos team weren’t with the organization last year, they still felt the sting of the collapse when they arrived into town from the people who were there.

The Broncos needed this game to move forward and say that what happened last season will not happen again. They needed to make a statement.  So who were they going to call?

Eddie Royal.

From the moment Royal returned the ensuing kickoff after San Diego scored the first points, notice was served to the Chargers and the rest of the NFL that the Broncos have moved on and refuse to look back.  They were going forward, and they are determined that what happened in 2008 never happens again.

The Broncos also busted the ghost of their former starting quarterback who threw two interceptions to one touchdown in the blowout at San Diego last season.  This season, his successor who has thrown one interception (and on a desperation heave to boot) in six games threw two touchdowns to zero interceptions.

While the specter of John Elway will always hover above Kyle Orton and future Broncos quarterbacks, Orton has done his share to put skeptical Broncos fans at ease after the trade of Jay Cutler created a division amongst the fan base.

If there was any remaining doubt after the first five games, there can be no more now. The Broncos are well positioned to make the playoffs for the first time sine the 2005 season. The multiple critics and skeptics that wondered if Josh McDaniels would hang on to his job for for more than one season have been silenced.

The Denver Broncos, picked by many to win five games this season, have eclipsed that mark by one and show no signs of stopping now.

After all, this Broncos team ain’t afraid of no ghosts.

 

Follow Kris Burke on Twitter @KBurke02

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

What Can Lovie Smith Have Been Thinking to Give Up Kyle Orton?

One year removed from his days with the Chicago Bears, where he was seen as worse than the infamous Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton has begun this season with a start that he may have never thought he had in him.

I realize it is only six games into the season, but the change Orton has had is not just improvement, it is a complete and utter turn around.

Last season, Orton appeared in 15 games and threw 12 interceptions, the season prior he only appeared in three games, and still threw for two interceptions. Then, in his worst season of all, four years ago, Orton threw 13 interceptions in 15 games and had a measly 59.7 passer rating in those appearances.

Now in his first six games, Orton has thrown for nine touchdowns and just one interception. His passer rating is over 100 on the year in his six starts.

Surely, his numbers could go downhill as the season progresses, but the fact that Orton has been able to consistently put up these solid numbers as well as that the Denver Broncos are a rejuvenated football team behind the play of rookies such as Knowshon Moreno, a defense featuring eight new starters, and a new head coach Josh McDaniels.

Sure, the Broncos traded away potential superstar QB Jay Cutler, for a barely NFL-proved QB, but it seems like it is paying off.

Not only did they get a more consistent Kyle Orton, but they also received two first round draft picks and a third round draft pick, to add even more to the talented roster.

While Lovie Smith may be happy with Jay Cutler and the new offensive look the Bears have, you have to wonder about Orton. Is the dramatic change because of McDaniels coaching as opposed to Smith? Did Orton just become a better player? Are the Broncos simply a better suited team for Orton?

Obviously, it would appear that the answer to all of these questions is yes, even though it’s a little too early to tell.

But, I’m sure McDaniels is thrilled.

This article was first featured on http://thesportsage.blogspot.com/ .

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

What Can Lovie Smith Have Been Thinking to Give Up Kyle Orton?

One year removed from his days with the Chicago Bears, where he was seen as worse than the infamous Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton has begun this season with a start that he may have never thought he had in him.

I realize it is only six games into the season, but the change Orton has had is not just improvement, it is a complete and utter turn around.

Last season, Orton appeared in 15 games and threw 12 interceptions, the season prior he only appeared in three games, and still threw for two interceptions. Then, in his worst season of all, four years ago, Orton threw 13 interceptions in 15 games and had a measly 59.7 passer rating in those appearances.

Now in his first six games, Orton has thrown for nine touchdowns and just one interception. His passer rating is over 100 on the year in his six starts.

Surely, his numbers could go downhill as the season progresses, but the fact that Orton has been able to consistently put up these solid numbers as well as that the Denver Broncos are a rejuvenated football team behind the play of rookies such as Knowshon Moreno, a defense featuring eight new starters, and a new head coach Josh McDaniels.

Sure, the Broncos traded away potential superstar QB Jay Cutler, for a barely NFL-proved QB, but it seems like it is paying off.

Not only did they get a more consistent Kyle Orton, but they also received two first round draft picks and a third round draft pick, to add even more to the talented roster.

While Lovie Smith may be happy with Jay Cutler and the new offensive look the Bears have, you have to wonder about Orton. Is the dramatic change because of McDaniels coaching as opposed to Smith? Did Orton just become a better player? Are the Broncos simply a better suited team for Orton?

Obviously, it would appear that the answer to all of these questions is yes, even though it’s a little too early to tell.

But, I’m sure McDaniels is thrilled.

This article was first featured on http://thesportsage.blogspot.com/ .

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Maybe It’s The Air…

You know, by now, that I’m a DEVOUT San Diego Charger fan.

I don’t bleed on game days – I crackle.

But boy, am I a believer…in this year’s Denver Broncos.

You heard right. It’s NOT a typo.

I cannot believe that;

a) Mike Shanahan got fired (I thought that was greatest of good luck for my Bolts);

b) McDaniels talked his way into the job (I fully expected to see Bill Cowher’s jaw firmly set on the Mile High sideline for another decade or so);

c) He then ticked off his “franchise” quarterback so badly that he forced a trade to Chicago (and got a HAUL of draft picks for him)

d) and THEN ticked “superreceiver” Brandon Marshall (the man is a MOOSE) off – AND THEN forced him to knuckle under…

e) and, finally, all McDaniels did (to put the icing on the cake) was to get a whole collection of…well, not misfits, but not much in the way of star power (from Orton to Elvis Dumervil) to buy into what he was selling – which brought the Broncos to 6-0.

Holy cow.

Just for future reference, and to follow up on my last article; crow DOES taste a lot like chicken – and this time, it’s served with a heaping helping of cow-patty fries on the side.

Take me back five weeks.

Now tell me—or anyone else who knows ANYTHING about NFL football – and tell me that THE DENVER BRONCOS WILL NOT ALLOW A POINT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER THROUGH THEIR FIRST SIX GAMES. You know what my answer would be (and it would have been delivered at top volume).

I would have sent you, with a firm slap on the back of the head, to see your therapist to deal with your delusions, and I would have FIRMLY asserted that not ONE Bronco game would have been worth watching.

(Heck, I would have taken ANY bet that said the ‘Cos would be OH-AND-SIX – not the reverse)

Au contraire, I guess. They’ve ALL been worth watching – GOOD, SOLID, WELL-COACHED TEAM FOOTBALL – and I’d be out a BUNDLE of money.

I am looking forward more to Broncos-Steelers, two weeks hence, than any of the games remaining on the Chargers’ sked.

Don’t get me wrong. I lived through the Rolf Benirschke (who? look him up) years in San Diego – so NOTHING is going to shake me as the northernmost representative of the Bolts’ fan club roster – but I am a believer.

Josh McDaniels seems to be the next installment of the hot young coaches sweeping the nation – kind of reminds me of a quieter Jon Gruden – and anyone who can’t acknowledge that needs a therapist to deal with their denial issues.

Don’t get me wrong – I ain’t seeing John Elway here – but man, will the Broncos be making some noise come the real cold-weather games.

Championship? I still don’t think so – there’s just too much in the way – but the pride is back in Denver, and it’s at the expense of a little of mine.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Maybe It’s The Air…

You know, by now, that I’m a DEVOUT San Diego Charger fan.

I don’t bleed on game days – I crackle.

But boy, am I a believer…in this year’s Denver Broncos.

You heard right. It’s NOT a typo.

I cannot believe that;

a) Mike Shanahan got fired (I thought that was greatest of good luck for my Bolts);

b) McDaniels talked his way into the job (I fully expected to see Bill Cowher’s jaw firmly set on the Mile High sideline for another decade or so);

c) He then ticked off his “franchise” quarterback so badly that he forced a trade to Chicago (and got a HAUL of draft picks for him)

d) and THEN ticked “superreceiver” Brandon Marshall (the man is a MOOSE) off – AND THEN forced him to knuckle under…

e) and, finally, all McDaniels did (to put the icing on the cake) was to get a whole collection of…well, not misfits, but not much in the way of star power (from Orton to Elvis Dumervil) to buy into what he was selling – which brought the Broncos to 6-0.

Holy cow.

Just for future reference, and to follow up on my last article; crow DOES taste a lot like chicken – and this time, it’s served with a heaping helping of cow-patty fries on the side.

Take me back five weeks.

Now tell me—or anyone else who knows ANYTHING about NFL football – and tell me that THE DENVER BRONCOS WILL NOT ALLOW A POINT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER THROUGH THEIR FIRST SIX GAMES. You know what my answer would be (and it would have been delivered at top volume).

I would have sent you, with a firm slap on the back of the head, to see your therapist to deal with your delusions, and I would have FIRMLY asserted that not ONE Bronco game would have been worth watching.

(Heck, I would have taken ANY bet that said the ‘Cos would be OH-AND-SIX – not the reverse)

Au contraire, I guess. They’ve ALL been worth watching – GOOD, SOLID, WELL-COACHED TEAM FOOTBALL – and I’d be out a BUNDLE of money.

I am looking forward more to Broncos-Steelers, two weeks hence, than any of the games remaining on the Chargers’ sked.

Don’t get me wrong. I lived through the Rolf Benirschke (who? look him up) years in San Diego – so NOTHING is going to shake me as the northernmost representative of the Bolts’ fan club roster – but I am a believer.

Josh McDaniels seems to be the next installment of the hot young coaches sweeping the nation – kind of reminds me of a quieter Jon Gruden – and anyone who can’t acknowledge that needs a therapist to deal with their denial issues.

Don’t get me wrong – I ain’t seeing John Elway here – but man, will the Broncos be making some noise come the real cold-weather games.

Championship? I still don’t think so – there’s just too much in the way – but the pride is back in Denver, and it’s at the expense of a little of mine.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

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