Broncos Blow Game To Chargers and Week 15 Picks

What a disappointing effort and outcome for the Broncos on Thursday Night Football against the Chargers. Denver's 27-20 loss was a bad one because Denver fell to 11-3, but it opened the door for New England to get homefield advantage again, and it gave KC a shot at the AFC West once again. The bottom line in this game is that the Chargers executed and Denver didn't. You can make all the excuses you want-trust me I will- but San Diego was the better team tonight. Denver now has 10 days to regroup, get healthy and get ready for the Texans in Houston on Sunday 12/22. Here are my quick thoughts and observations about the game....

1) Denver's defense continues to struggle, and they made way too many mental mistakes. Kayvon Webster continues to get beat once again, and Philip Rivers had too much time to make the Broncos pay on third downs. SD converted most of their third downs, and that was the story of the game. Ryan Matthews had a big day on the ground, and the Chargers controlled the time of possession. Like I said earlier, Denver's defense is too suspect right now and the Chargers took advantage.

2) Denver got called for two penalties involving 12 men on the field, and Nate Irving lined up in the neutral zone on a punt attempt which gave SD a key first down and ate up more clock in the 3rd quarter. Just inexcusable all around.

3) I said Denver's offense was due for a bad day, and they indeed had a bad night. Four straight possessions ended in punts from the second quarter to the third quarter. They just didn't seem in sync and they couldn't run the ball at all.

4) San Diego scored a touchdown right before the half and right after the half to turn a 10-10 game into a 24-10 game. Usually when that happens, the team that gave up those points has a hard time winning.

5) It was a bad loss by the Broncos but it isn't the end of the world. Denver is still 11-3 and has already clinched a playoff berth. They still have the tiebreaker over KC due to their season sweep. On Sunday night after Denver routed the Titans, everyone had them as the #1 seed and the team to beat in the AFC. By Friday morning, all I heard was how this game was going to kill the Broncos chances at a Super Bowl run, and everyone was talking about how the Pats will get the #1 seed, how Cincy would beat Denver in the playoffs, and how KC will now win the AFC West. Stop it please! Everyone slow down. There is still a lot of football left and a lot will be decided between now and the end of Week 17.

6) By the way if all these experts want to jump off the Denver bandwagon for the playoffs, that is fine by me. I wouldn't want to play Denver if the Broncos are considered a longshot or underdog to make it to the Super Bowl.

7) At 11-3, Denver heads to Houston to take on the Texans next Sunday (12/22) at 100pm EST. Hopefully, the Broncos will regroup and get healthy for the final two games of the year. Also, root for Miami against the Pats and the Raiders against the Chiefs this week.

Last Week's Record: 6-9-1
Overall Record: 102-97-11
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

ATLANTA (-5) over Washington: Too much drama in Washington for me.

TAMPA BAY (+6) over San Francisco: Home dogs have been live this year. Interesting game but watch out for the Bucs.

Arizona (-2) over TENNESSEE: The Cards are still on the bubble of the playoff picture, but they are trotting along and keeping pace.

New Orleans (-6) over ST.LOUIS: Although they are on the road, at least it is in a dome for the Saints.

Seattle (-7) over NY GIANTS: The only way the Giants have a chance is if the Seahawks totally fuck this game up.

CLEVELAND (+1) over Chicago: Bears go back to Jay Cutler, which means the Browns defense will get after it.

INDY (-5) over Houston: The Colts haven't played well in over a month. They right the ship this week.

JACKSONVILLE (+2) over Buffalo: Break up the Jags! They are the second best team in the AFC South right now.

New England (-1) ove Miami: No Gronk, no problem for the Pats. Look for a classic statement game from Brady this week.

MINNESOTA (+6) over Philly: The Vikings are still playing hard, and they will keep this one close. It still feels like it is going to be Philly at Dallas for the NFC East title on SNF in Week 17.

CAROLINA (-9) over New York Jets: Geno Smith on the road against a good defense? No thanks.

OAKLAND (+6) over Kansas City: The Chiefs will win, but the Raiders will keep it close until the end.

Green Bay (+7) over DALLAS: No Aaron Rodgers, but this line seems a little too high. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Packers actually win this game. You just can't trust the Cowboys.

PITTSBURGH (+3) over Cincy: Everyone loves the Bengals to come out of the AFC right now. Pittsburgh won't go down without a fight.

DETROIT (-4) over Baltimore: Tough game for the Ravens, and I just don't think they can handle the Lions in the dome. Take the Lions to get to 8-6.