VS 
Well, that was…something.
I actually made my wife promise to not let me watch the game live. I know that sounds crappy as a fan, but I couldn’t handle it. I did DVR it so I could go back and review highlights (or lowlights as it was) and I get text alerts from our friends at ESPN with scoring updates.
All I can say is, I am pretty happy with my decision to not watch it. Here is my take on what happened and even though I thought we would lose, I am still bummed.
The Broncos were throttled 21 – 52 Sunday, and for the first time during the entire 2008 season they were not in the division lead. Unfortunately, that was the worst time to give that lead up as now the Chargers are the AFC West champions and will move on to face the Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs and the 8 – 8 Broncos get to go home.
Positives
Tatum Bell looked great. 8 rushes for 86 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had 4 receptions for 31 yards.
The offensive line played a wonderful game again, and was the major and most consistent bright spot for the team the entire year.
Unfortunately, that about does it.
Negatives
Some might argue that Cutler had a good game with 351 yards and a touchdown. I would argue that despite the dropped passes, the 2 interceptions meant more than anything else.
It is tough to blame the players on defense, although they were badly outplayed in individual match ups. I feel that Champ Bailey and D.J. Williams were not at 100% and really shouldn’t have been in there, but I have to give them props for the effort and example they set. Our defense was just badly out of position and I blame the defensive coordinator for that. The 10 yard cushion crap has to go, especially with bump and run corners like we have.
Turnovers again. The score was so out of hand it may not have mattered anyhow, but it did not help. 2 interceptions and a fumble (luckily not lost) is just the capper to a season long trend.
Oh and Denver gave up 289 yards and 5 touchdowns rushing, yeah…that is not good.
Injuries
No major injuries, but there is a whole lot o’ healing in store for the whole team now
Miscellaneous Thoughts
I am not surprised that Denver lost but I am surprised that they were blown out of the water. Call it karma or payback or whatever you like, I call it a team playing well at the right time doing what they had to in order to win against a team that has lost its identity and confidence playing terrible football at the worst possible time.
Add to that the fact that Shanahan announced after the game that defensive coordinator Bob Slowik will be back next year and I am just numb and speechless. Denver had possibly its worst defense in club history this year…and next year I just don’t know how much better it will be if nothing changes.
Player(s) of the Game
Offense: Tatum Bell deserves this. Only being back in the league for a few weeks, he had his best game with 117 total yards and 2 scores.
Defense: Seriously, nobody deserves it. Champ played well and had the most tackles…that is not a good thing by the way. Winborn played decent as well but overall, the defense was not there.
Coming up Next Week
Denver plans for the future. I will blog again after Shanahan’s press conference tomorrow, to discuss the 2009 schedule and also a season recap. Thanks to those that visit, hope your team makes some noise in the playoffs! (unless it is San Diego, you people can just go away)
December 30, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I have to side with you on the Tatum Bell critique, but as for Champ Bailey….I thought he was getting burned all night. Long passes to Gates and Vincent Jackson were all under coverage of Bailey. I would have to assume that he is still suffering from a groin injury. Gates has decent speed as does Jackson, but they are far from corner burners. I like the fire that Cutler showed some fire but a bit too much at times. I think I caught him cursing out his receivers on two occasions. DB’s on the other side see that and in the end it doesn’t help. QB is a position where remained calm under fire is a must…I think his anger led to some forced throws which ultimately became the teams down fall. The defense…well, they have never been a bright spot all season. I think the firing of Shanahan was a horrible move. There is not one coach who would have been in position to get into the playoffs with 7 running backs on IR and a plethora of other injuries on the defense. Keeping that team in the hunt was genius on his part. Good news for the Chargers, bad news for the league.
I’m out.