Round Two: Chargers and Broncos Fight for First in the AFC West

It’s amazing when a team one year erases a four-game lead in as many weeks to get to into the playoffs and win the AFC West. But it’s unheard of when a team does it two years in a row as the San Diego Chargers (6-3) look to recreate their Super Charger Power and obliterate another four-game lead in as many weeks over the Denver Broncos.

The question I ask myself, is whether it’s the Broncos fault for losing their lead, or the Chargers for battling back with their backs against the wall?

Many would say in 2009 it was the Broncos slip-up that caused their demise. With only having to win one game out of the last three, Denver gets beat badly at Carolina, loses a heart-breaking loss to Buffalo at home, and then loses to the Chargers in the final game for all the marbles.

After starting the season 6-0, the Broncos (6-3) cooled off after their bye week and lost their next three. The Broncos last three games resulted in double-digit loses. Their defense has been unable to contain the run, and disappeared at times while the offense has gone on ice.

It doesn’t get any better for the Broncos as Kyle Orton has been ruled out against the Chargers. That means Chris Simms will take the helm. With a second chance for redemption it will be nice to see how the Broncos face adversity along with first-year Head Coach Josh McDaniels.

In order for the Broncos to beat the Chargers this weekend, they must play to their biggest strength being in the homely confines of Invesco Field. To keep the fans in the game, the Broncos must keep the game close. That means the duo of backs, rookie Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalther, are going to need to be effective in the running and short passing game for Simms. And with the offense struggling, the defense is going to have to play like it did in the first six weeks and special teams are going to have to be spectacular as they were Monday night against the Chargers.

To get back to the question, the Chargers have played and battled tough opponents, and have come out victorious, so they are just as responsible for the huge climb

The Chargers know all too well about the Bronco rivalry, which I feel gives them the biggest advantage of all. The similarity in this game to last year’s battle, as far as divisional and playoff implications go, is remarkable. All of the stars on the Chargers, including coaching staff, have the experience in playing in this type of game against the Broncos, and the Broncos bring many fresh-young new faces to this crucial game.

Without the Broncos starting quarterback Kyle Orton out, the Chargers seem to be the heavy favorite, and as long as they win the turnover battle and keep the Broncos away from easy points the Chargers should have no problem with the Broncos come Sunday. 

It will be an electrifying game at Invesco Field as each team looks to whether the storm and dictate the tempo of the game.  

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