The feeling around the Charger locker Room got a little bit darker, following the
Heart-breaking loss to Division Rival Denver Broncos. This win was badly needed fo both sides,
Th Chargers, who cant seem to catch on to their own momentum, and The Denver Broncos,
who needed to stay an opposed threat to the Chiefs who were leading the Division with both
teams going into this game.
This Game started off as good as you would have like to have any Division Game,
With the Broncos jumping out on an early 7-0 lead on The Bolts with the first Drive. In comes Th
San Diego Offense with the Absence of Keenan Allen(out 3 weeks with a Broken Jaw). Inserted
in his #1 spot was veteran Malcolm Floyd who was determined to make himself an opposed
threat to the Broncos. The 1st play of the 1st series for the chargers is one that they wish they
could've had back. Floyd ran a great route while Rivers Speared the Skin to him, The Route
was cut short By Jennings who picked off Rivers and Ran the ball back for a pick 6.
14-0[Broncos] This would finally awaken the Chargers offense. Coming out on the 2nd
Series, Rivers was persistant in exposing the lack coverage in the Seams of the field targeting
Antonio Gates who would work the Broncos Cover 2. "Either Underneath or Over the Top,
Gatesy knew what to adjust to." -Philip Rivers. With the ball on the 3 yard line,. the bolts would
punch it in for six via Ryan Mathews.
14-7[Broncos] As Manning does so effortlessly comes right back at the bolts defense
poised calmly and just was moving the ball with the ease of Short routes and often middle
driven passes, that were expoliting the speed of the linebackers to slot receivers. A Crucial 3rd
down stop to the Broncos caused them to kick a field goal increasing their lead to 10.
17-7[Broncos] With 3 mins left in the 1st half The Bolts came back swinging in the
form of screen passes and the run Game by Mathews & Woodhead. on 3rd and 3 Rivers hit a
wide open Dominik Hixon who would gain 25 yards opening up plenty options in the redzone.
With 30 secs left and all timeouts the Chargers had plenty of time to score. They tried in the
form of The run game and was stuffed. Screen Pass, Failed. So in the situations that Rivers has
been so many times before, He went to his bread and Butter, Antonio Gates. Rivers and Gates
would connect on a back shoulder sideline catch enabling Gates to Get his tippy toes in for the
score that was later reviewed and upheld. Making it 17-14[Broncos] at the Half.
The 3rd Quarter all the getting to know one another was thrown out of the window,
as the Broncos attempted to keep their foot on the neck of the Chargers coming out constantly
converting on 3rd down after 3rd down. The Bolts defense looked winded and out of sync
constantly switchin assignments as Manning worked the Audible as only he can. The Broncos
would score quick once again making it a 10 point game.[24-14] with 10 minutes left in the
game, The chargers KNEW they had to strike quick and hold off the Broncos Offense in which
that was a struggle within itself. Rivers mad sure that he managed the clock efficiently as he
connected with slant passes and out routes to his receivers prompting them to get out of
bounds. After a flurry of passes the chargers were at the 2 yd line and punched it in for the
score now, now making this a 1 possession broncos lead[24-21].
Enter the final Quarter.... With all the intensity on the field there still was yet one
more quarter to be played in which Manning had his sights set on controlling the clock as he
called many run plays. Even calling a couple QB options in which gave the Chargers the break
and opportunity they needed for a big stop, forcing the Broncos to finally punt the ball for the
1st time in the game. 4+ minutes on the clock, and The chargers had the ball ready to
capitalize on the Big play of the Defense. Rivers was Methodical in the play calling ranging
from Play Actions, to runs, to pitches to draw passes, mixing it up in a slew of plays that the
Broncos D was not seeing earlier in the Game. Connecting with Floyd in a big 3rd down The
Chargers we in complete control and went back to Floyd again for the score and 28-24 lead
over their Division Rivals.
30 secs and all timeout remaing for the Broncos and That was more than enough
time for Manning. The Chargers were attempting to play it safe and not letting any deep threats
get over the top but completely did not consider underneath. as Manning converted countless
1st downs. moving the ball very effectively. The Chargers we seeing their lead was in
Jeaporady. With 4 secs left and 15 yrds to go The Chargers did something un thinkable...They
did not pressure Manning at all, instead determined not to give up any room they had the
entire defense in different zones, which in theory was working in this situation...That is until the
block running back would sneak out to the sideline catch a floating screen and punch it in for
the Score and the win as he dodged a game Saving tackle by Brent Grimes.
THE AFTERMATH
Frustration was filled in th Chargers locker room, as they fought extremely hard for
the victory and jsu couldnt hold on to it. Now sitting a 2-5 with 9 games left, they're faced with a
seemly impossible task winning out. "We cant afford another loss, maybe 1 but thats too close
for comfort so lets say none." Said Coach Johnson when asked about the remaining schedule.
With tough games coming upon them Against the Lions, who they've been keeping an eye one.
And the Superbowl Champion Minnesota Vikings, Who in which Coach Johnson is very
Familiar with as he still remembers That he lost to the exact team in a Super Bowl in a
different leage,"I still got a bad taste in my mouth from that loss, So from here on out every
game is the Superbowl as we make a push to turn things around." The Chargers look very
talented on Paper, but this is the reason why the game is played. Coach: "I dont understand
how we're ranked a top 5-10 defense, when we cant get off the field on 3rd down and just look
out of sync. There are gonna be some drastic changes before next game" We'll see what
happens as the Chargers look to maybe have bolted out.
-AP San Diego Union-Tribune