Broncos Outlast Chargers 35-21 on Thursday Night Football

You have to look at the last four days and think that the Broncos chances of getting back to the Super Bowl are high after witnessing them demolish the 49ers on Sunday night 42-17 and racing past the Chargers 35-21 on Thursday Night Football. Denver now stands atop the AFC West with a 6-1 record, and they get a mini-bye here as they will have 10 days off before heading to New England to take on the Patriots on November 2^nd. The Broncos built another big lead at home and at 35-14 early in the 4^th quarter, you felt good about their chances to wrap this one up. There were a few moments in the final quarter that made you worry just a little bit, but Rahim Moore’s interception of Phillip Rivers put that all to rest. It was a solid win for the Broncos, who have looked really good since losing to the Seahawks in overtime in Week 3. Here are my thoughts and observations on the game…..

1)    After punting on their first two drives, Peyton Manning got dialed in and there was no stopping him from that point. His throw to Emmanuel Sanders on a deep post for 38 yards was a great throw and an even better catch by Sanders to go get it. Sanders hauled in the first touchdown in the back of the end zone on a rollout from Manning to make it 7-0. Sanders totaled three touchdowns on the night to go with his 9 receptions for 120 yards. Sanders brings an element to the Broncos that they didn’t have with Eric Decker last year-plus he was cheaper. It is really starting to click with Manning and Sanders.

2)    Manning was his usual magnificent self. He finished 25-35 for 286 yards and 3 touchdowns. After getting fooled a little bit on the first two drives, he came back and was on fire the rest of the way. You can fool Manning a few times, but after a while he will figure it out, and he did.

3)    Demaryius Thomas continues his amazing month of October. He finished with 8 catches for 105 yards. I love the catch and runs that Thomas makes-especially on deep in cuts over the middle. He continues to dominate and his route-running last night was just incredible.

4)    At 7-7, Denver caught a break when the official overturned a fumble by Andre Caldwell on a kick return. The Broncos got possession and on that drive Manning threw a touchdown to Sanders on a go route to make it 14-7 with just 32 seconds left in the half. That was the turning point for me.

5)    Great job by the Broncos to extend their lead in the second half. Manning found Sanders on another sweet play for a short touchdown pass to make it 21-7, and then a big pass to Ronnie Hillman down to the three on a blitz set up a Juwan Thompson touchdown run to make it 28-7. I like the play design with Thompson at fullback in the I formation and just letting him dive over the guard for the touchdown.

6)    Hillman had another big day running the ball, and Montee Ball might not get his job back when he returns from injury. Hillman just seems to hit the hole faster than Ball. Hillman ran for 109 yards on the night. You have to go with the hot hand and right now that is Hillman. Plus, he made some big catch and runs in the passing game.

7)    You knew the Chargers weren’t going to go away quietly, and Phillip Rivers never does in any game against Denver, so to see him hit Antonio Gates on a 4^th and goal touchdown to cut it to 28-14 late in the third wasn’t surprising. Also, the hit Gates again for another touchdown to make it 35-21 midway through the 4^th quarter. Rivers is like a cockroach, you just can’t kill him off.

8)    Once again, the Broncos defense was great for most of the game. Chris Harris’ interception on the first drive of the third quarter set up a Broncos touchdown to make it 21-7. Rahim Moore had a huge interception late in the 4^th quarter with the Broncos up 35-21 and the Chargers threatening to make it a one score game. Moore went up and grabbed it out of the air on a deep ball to make the play. Also, Von Miller was all over Rivers, and he was dominating once again against the run. Brandon Marshall continues to shine in his role as Danny Trevathan’s replacement. Marshall was all over the field last night. Also, the defense completely shut down the running game of San Diego.

9)    The Broncos definitely caught some breaks in this game. They got the official to overturn Caldwell’s fumble, they recovered a fumble by Sanders in the 4^th quarter, and they were the beneficiary of a lot of penalties on the Chargers. You take it when you get it because these things usually even out over the course of the year.

10) I was a little surprised that John Fox elected to try a 53 yard field goal on 4^th and 11 in the 4^th quarter. At 35-21, punt the ball and make San Diego go the length of the field to try and make it a one score game. Instead, Brandon McManus shanked the kick, and the Chargers had the ball with good field position. Thank God for Rahim Moore’s interception on that next drive. I didn’t like the decision by Fox, and I don’t trust McManus at this point. He has missed two field goal, and both were over 50 yards. I am worried about our kicker going forward. 

11) Overall, it was a solid win over a good team, but the Chargers aren't going anywhere, and they will be a different team and a challenge when the Broncos head their in December. At 6-1, the Broncos are flying. Both sides of the ball are getting it done at this point, but it is still a long way to go. As a Broncos fan, you have to just focus on that week and not look too far ahead. Denver now has 10 days to get ready for the Patriots and another Brady-Manning showdown in Foxboro on November 2nd.