off Monday against the 2-2 San Diego Chargers. Before the pre season began, the Chargers were the favorites as possible Super Bowl contenders yet they find themselves staring down a 3.5 game deficit behind the Broncos should they lose tonight. Which favorite will reign victorious?
1) First rate Defense – Broncos are most noted for their defense(they’ve only given up 43 points.) With Denver ranked first in the league for their D, only way the Chargers will be able to get their offense going is throw an air assault. Broncos up the ante to clinch the win tonight if they can keep the Chargers under 4 yards per carries.
2) Born Ultimatum – Its undisputed that the Chargers are one of the most talented teams in the league yet again with offensive weapons LaDainian Tomlinson, Darren Spooles, Antonio Gates, Shawne Merriman and Chris Chambers to name a few. However the Broncos have weapons of mass destruction of their own in Knowshon Moreno and Brandon Marshall that can threaten the Chargers on the run if they don’t come alive and take what back their Super Bowl favorite status instead of riding this sense of entitlement that they don’t have to play hard.
3) Coach Wonder – Already a nominee for the Coach of the Year Award, Josh McDaniels the 33 year old boy wonder and rookie coach is bringing it “to another level.” He has single handedly whipped the Broncos into shape with a take charge, can do attitude and an opponent driven focus that has his team and those outside the Broncos organization singing his praises.
4) Battle of the Quarterbacks — Philip Rivers, the glue of the team, has all but carried the Chargers. Since his arrival he’s been 35-17 and has led the Chargers to the postseason all four years. Can his 4-0 Monday Night Football record carry San Diego past Denver tonight? Kyle Orton is emerging into a league of his own with over 1000 yards and 7DS total and a reputation for making big plays down the stretch. He’s known for looking to find his go to guy, Brandon Marshall open in the end zone.
Broncos have validated themselves as contenders with wins over juggernauts like the Patriots and move to the stage of proving that they have the longevity to stay on top. It wasn’t until the second half of the season, the Broncos experienced a meltdown – the same meltdown that helped save the Chargers from a disastrous season and left them at 8-8. If Chargers can keep Broncos off Rivers and light a fire under LT on the drive, tonight might mark the end of the undefeated Broncos.
Winner : San Diego Chargers