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NFL Week 6 - Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers - A First Look

Broncos_chargers_logo_medium

Off to a 5-0 start for the first time in 11 seasons, the Denver Broncos renew their rivalry with the San Diego Chargers (2-2) this week on Monday Night Football. Kickoff at Qualcomm Stadium is set for 5:30 p.m. PDT.

QUICKLY:
  • The Broncos have been one of the NFL's best teams in the second half this year, outscoring opponents 59-7 (+52) while posting a 1,158-501 (+657) advantage in total yardage (includes overtime numbers).
  • Head Coach Josh McDaniels is the sixth rookie head coach in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to begin his coaching career with a 5-0 record.

Star-divide

OFFENSE:
  • Denver has posted five touchdown drives of at least 80 yards this year, including two 90-yard TD drives in last week's 20-17 overtime win against New England. The club covered 98 yards on 12 plays for WR Brandon Marshall's 11-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
  • QB Kyle Orton is 8-1 in his previous nine starts dating back to last year, and his 26-12 (.684) record as a starter ranks third in the NFL among active quarterbacks.
DEFENSE:
  • Led by long-time NFL defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, the Broncos lead the NFL in scoring defense (8.6 ppg.) and are giving up the second fewest yards per game (252.8) in the league. Denver has allowed opponents to convert only 2-of-30 (6.7%) third-down attempts in the second half.
  • CB Champ Bailey, who was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Wk. 4, leads all NFL cornerbacks with 44 interceptions since he entered the league in 1999.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
  • K Matt Prater, who was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September, kicked the first game-winning field goal of his three year career with a 41-yard make in overtime against the Patriots last week.
  • S Darcel McBath, a rookie from Texas Tech, is tied with veteran ILB Mario Haggan for the team lead with five special-teams tackles.

1 recs  |  Comment 55 comments |

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Question regarding the old logo....

What exactly is the bronco riding football player holding in his right hand?

http://www.nflshop.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3536858&cp=3541059.3541061

My apologies if this has already been discussed.

Thanks for the help.

by gras on Oct 14, 2009 9:20 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

I believe...

That its either a toothpick or a piece of straw.

by Thnikkaman on Oct 14, 2009 9:24 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

it’s a phone number from the opponents cheerleader. And he is thinking “yeah, like I would call you…”

by DickVMI on Oct 14, 2009 9:57 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

is that a sly twist of the stache?

Still got your Creedence...

by OutOfYourElement on Oct 14, 2009 10:12 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Because he pulled it off.

And now he’s pulling off the other side.

Hey, its not as bad as the Buccaneer’s original logo – an orange, WINKING George Hamilton with a feather in his hat.

Real intimidating.

Don't argue with fools. It's how they reproduce.

by TheMastermind on Oct 14, 2009 12:04 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

True.

That’s intimidation. If he ripped off his stache with his hands, that’s ballsy….. or dumb. But either way, the opponent is like “crap, I can’t believe we play this madman.”

Bringing Bronco love from 1,112 miles away

by kentuckybronco on Oct 14, 2009 1:08 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

"A man can fail, but he is not a failure until he blames someone else." J. Paul Getty

by SteveAssassin on Oct 15, 2009 8:54 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't know

But he’s got Bill Cowher’s chin.

Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks

by KaptainKirk on Oct 14, 2009 6:41 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

I love the first offensive bullet

We’re actually finishing drives this year, and not settling for field goals. That is a huge part of why we’ve been so successful thus far.

by hai17 on Oct 14, 2009 9:54 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

5 drive of 80 yards.

Just shows that when we need to go almost the whole length of the field to score a TD….we do. All about moving the chains. That is what we need to do Monday. SD can’t stop the run so we need to just run it down their throat and keep their defense on the field as long as possible.

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Oct 14, 2009 10:39 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Umm...

We’ve actually had a LOT of trouble finishing drives this year. McD’s response, against NE, was to throw it when we got close (to Marshall). We NEED to be able to punch it in against good teams to be successful.

by JohnElwayOverdrive on Oct 14, 2009 10:20 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

I'd love to finish more drives with TD's

But finishing with a FG beats finishing with an interception. They’re getting there. The O is clearly coming together. Maybe this will be the week they really come alive.

Don't argue with fools. It's how they reproduce.

by TheMastermind on Oct 14, 2009 12:17 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Wow.

Orton has the 3rd highest winning percentage in the NFL among guys still playing.

How did the MSM miss that?

;-)

by OrangeKnuckleDragger on Oct 14, 2009 10:38 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah

Shocker, huh?

Richard Seymour is a girl.

by pubkeeper on Oct 14, 2009 11:18 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, and those 'experts' over at ESPN have access to Football stats...

that I could only dream of.

Not that this one was really hard to find. Makes you wonder if they really report the actual news, or just the news that fits their pre-determined narrative.

by OrangeKnuckleDragger on Oct 14, 2009 11:29 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Now you're tickin me off

Don’t get me started on these guys doing what they’re supposedly GETTING PAID TO DO!!!

Could you imagine if you got paid to research and comment on the NFL? Talk about a kid in the candy store.

Richard Seymour is a girl.

by pubkeeper on Oct 14, 2009 2:54 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

His winning percentage coming into this year was on par with Rex Grossman

The benefit of an outstanding Bears defense a few years ago. If Cutler had the Bears mid-2000’s defense on his side, we might be talking about how the Broncos might have won last year’s super bowl if only he hadn’t thrown those two interceptions….

Still, Orton did have an 18-12 touchdown to interception ratio last year, with not nearly as good an offense as Cutler had in Denver. And Orton seems to be doing a pretty good job this year, with a great game against NE.

by elwayfan on Oct 14, 2009 11:23 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm hoping to see KO get better each week.

As he gets more comfortable with his offense, I would expect to see continued improvement as the season progresses.

Here’s hoping, eh?

by OrangeKnuckleDragger on Oct 14, 2009 11:31 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

No stretch of the imagination

Easily see that, as he and his kick-@$$ receivers get more and more on the same page.

Richard Seymour is a girl.

by pubkeeper on Oct 14, 2009 2:56 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah yeah...

The old argument that Orton has no talent and was propped up almost entirely by defense is being shown not to hold water.

And we can speculate what would have happened had Cutler stayed in Denver and been playing with the benefit of this year’s defense – but that’s as useful as guessing what would happen if Cutler could magically play for the 1980 Cowboys. Maybe they wouldn’t have lost three straight Championship games. Or maybe Tom Landry wold have stomped on his Fedora when Jay finished all three games with last minute picks in the end zone. Who knows.

But in reality, Orton is so far proving McDaniels right – the kid has the tools and the talent to be coached into a legitimately reliable winner. Let’s hope Orton plays like this consistently.

And so far Cutler is doing fine in Chicago. What’s done is done. We should all wish him well.

Just one mans opinion.

Don't argue with fools. It's how they reproduce.

by TheMastermind on Oct 14, 2009 12:13 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Yes Chicago-Denver Superbowl

... if you have a belief, you will tend to find things that support it. But if you have a prejudice, you’ll move heaven and earth to maintain it. BroncoBear

by 3nS on Oct 14, 2009 12:59 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

sorry.

I’m still rooting for a good draft pick. Chicago can be good next year, if they want to.

by SkinnyPB on Oct 14, 2009 3:38 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wish him well......Uh, NOPE

It is all about CHI draft pick next year. After that I won’t care.

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Oct 14, 2009 10:44 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

You don't get the Bears defense

on a team with a quick strike mentality on offense. As the season progresses, I expect the Broncos to score more points; but that’s because I expect them to convert on more of their drives. This Broncos offense takes away chances for the opposing offense by keeping the ball. And a rested defense that maintains its gap responsibilities, is great in coverage, and pressures the QB, does the rest.

by JeffG on Oct 14, 2009 12:35 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm still waiting to hear anyone repeat

What Troy Aikman said about Orton coming into the game with Dallas. He said and I’m pretty close to quoting him here..

I was at their practice Friday and Kyle Orton was throwing the ball with accuracy and really good velocity . His passes had zip on them and he was hitting all his recievers. He told me that his arm has nver felt this good at any other time in his career.

And yet no one wants to say that or repeat it. Instead we still see people talking about him being a game manager like it was some hack benefitting from a superior system that didnt place too many demands on him.

The truth is the exact OPPOSITE of that idea. We have a quality QB who just put up over 300 yeards in a must pass game that EVERTONE of these idiots said he couldn’t win.

"My team's on the floor"
Gene Hackman - Hoosiers

by AlanC11 on Oct 14, 2009 5:41 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

This game should be a hard fought contest,

with Sandy-Eggo trying to regain their respect after getting totally dominated in the first half of the Steelers game on a Sunday night in Pittsburg. Trade talks a swirling around Qual-Com this week with the mention of Shawn Merriman having lost a step or two, when in all practicality he is still recovering from past injuries. His game face won’t let it be known that he isn’t 100%, but his play on the field has left no doubt about it. Norv Turners passive coaching style much like Herm Edwards’ may have detrimental effects upon his teams performance even with the rally around the team style of Merriman hasn’t had much of an impact yet. A J Smith’s comments a week ago may or may not set a fire under this underachieving team who started out the season ranked 2nd in the nfl, now ranked 16th by PFT. Tomlinson’s running game may be rejuvenated this Monday night as passing lanes are closed off, and let’s not forget what little Sproles did to us on that fateful night in December of last. Gates is always a target and much like Dallas’ Whitten was closed down this probably will be a task that needs special attention. Vince Jackson is on his own with the Champ, as Champ missed 2 posible INT’s last week against the infamous Tom Brady. So what makes Phillip Rivers any better, Champ his played against him several times in the past and fully knows his characteristics of play. Goodman on the other side has done a pretty good job as well, but again got lucky when Brady over threw one receiver who I can’t recollect. If we stop their running or hold it to a minimal then we have a chance to go 6-0 into the bye. Good luck Boys and come out swinging!

by bfree2bronc on Oct 14, 2009 10:50 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Put a stake in its heart

And take control of the division.

TAKE IT

Don't argue with fools. It's how they reproduce.

by TheMastermind on Oct 14, 2009 12:19 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Interesting tweet for Schefter:
Chargers defensive shakeup has begun — team has released veteran safety Clinton Hart, who has started for them the past three seasons.

Bleeding Orange & Blue in The Netherlands

by BroncosNL on Oct 14, 2009 11:08 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

ment FROM schefter, oops.

Bleeding Orange & Blue in The Netherlands

by BroncosNL on Oct 14, 2009 11:08 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

good

Maybe Crapmartie will be next

by _Atwater27 on Oct 14, 2009 6:43 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

SCARY THOUGHTS;

Bronco offense finally coming around and will implement more new wrinkles to confuse the Chargers. Even though they had 14-days to prepare for Broncos it won’t help because not all of our offensive schemes have been implemented and used.

Forcing Rivers out of the pocket with hurry up throws will do the trick to win this game, and keeping the rushing yards under 100 yards. Close game Broncos will prevail for 6 straight wins.

Moreno gets his first 100+ yard game as a rookie! Marshall, Gabney, and Royal total 300 yards combine. Go Broncos

oc60

by oc60 on Oct 14, 2009 1:02 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Hey?!

Was this copied almost directly off of the official team’s site?

by Sayre111589 on Oct 14, 2009 1:19 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Its a press release

Precision in thought, concision in style, decision in life.

by Jeremy Bolander on Oct 14, 2009 6:23 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

DP twitter reporting that Buckhalter

was back at practice today! Hooray! He may still be held out of Monday’s game with bye week after that but this is a good sign. He may be back sooner than we thought.

The commenter formerly known as "Dashiell".

by underdog on Oct 14, 2009 1:43 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Small correction to the logo at the top of the post..

The game is on October 19th, not the 18th. Although I’m fairly certain everyone here knows the game is Monday (regardless of the date), so really not a big deal. :-)

Besides, we’ll beat the Chargers any date, time, and place they want to play. 6 – 0, here we come!!!!

"Reality continues to ruin my life." - Calvin (Calvin & Hobbes)

by RockyMtnHigh on Oct 14, 2009 3:27 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm gonna fix that tonight...

My bad.

John Clayton is the head Dean at Fail University (known as F.U. in short)

by Joe Medina on Oct 14, 2009 4:01 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

No worries. :-)

Great logo!

"Reality continues to ruin my life." - Calvin (Calvin & Hobbes)

by RockyMtnHigh on Oct 14, 2009 10:28 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

From what I've seen so far...

Sometime this season I fully expect to see Kyle Orton and this Denver offense, perhaps even on national TV, to blur the definition of “game management” into something that will look like “surgically destroying some hapless NFL defense with drives for touchdowns from any where on the field”. 98 yards anyone? After the Patriot game Tom Brady said that he could tell you the name of nearly every play the broncos ran as they marched up and down the field. He also said that KO hit the proper read every time on every play. Brady had the dubious pleasure of watching another QB run his system as well as he ever has. Those incredible drives did not happen by magic – these guys are getting it. They are knocking on the door to having an offense to match the defence – what Coach McDaniels so charmingly calls ‘complimentary football’.

by oncobronco on Oct 14, 2009 4:40 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

that's what was so awesome

If any team knew how to defend McD it was NE and we still beat them! Of course the opposite should be true too. We knew how to defend against them too.

by trumanj on Oct 14, 2009 4:45 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think we'll see national television...

when we play the Colts later in the year. Bet the suits will make that a Sunday Night game!

Take my advice... I'm not using it!
"If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague."

by BroncTastic on Oct 15, 2009 10:05 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

So, are the teams going retro again? Will we get to see the road version of the mustard and brown?

Where will you be on October 1st, 2009 at 6:45 PM Mountain Time?

by Bob in Boulder on Oct 14, 2009 5:16 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

The road version

Is a white jersy with the brown pants and helmet. .. dont remember if the socks went on the road too.

"My team's on the floor"
Gene Hackman - Hoosiers

by AlanC11 on Oct 14, 2009 5:46 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Damn!

I really wanted to see the mustard tops again….lol

by Whosbob89 on Oct 14, 2009 6:20 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

"Retro"

I actually remember those uniforms. I was 12 years old.

by oncobronco on Oct 14, 2009 5:30 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Anybody else...

Worried at all about this game in SD?

Anytime you have a wounded dog team, which San Diego has to be right now, coming off a bye, its scary. Not that going to 5-1 would be a season killer but this game is HUGE.

Screen plays are still killing us, I hope they bottle up Sproles.

Just saying I’m not feeling super confident going into this week.

by _Atwater27 on Oct 14, 2009 6:42 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

I won’t say worried, but I completely agree with the “San Diego as wounded animal” comparison, as I’ve made it several times this week as well. They will come out fighting.

Because of that, I’m more anxious and curious about the game than nervous. Years past, I’d be very concerned, but now…I want to see how this team responds. So far, they’ve done an amazing job of fighting through a full sixty minutes of a game. The key this week will be weathering the initial rush. If I could script the beginning of the game, I would have Denver take the opening kickoff, get a touchback…then march 80 yards down the field over 6 minutes, eventually scoring on a one yard run. No really big plays, nothing fancy…just methodically keep the SD defense on the field while letting the offense stew and lose some of the initial fire.

"Don't feed the trolls. Remember to be polite. And please show self-restraint in comment length!" -Me, to myself, because I need constant reminding.

by Disco_Stu on Oct 14, 2009 7:49 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

"Reality continues to ruin my life." - Calvin (Calvin & Hobbes)

by RockyMtnHigh on Oct 14, 2009 10:30 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sproles on the screen...

will certainly be tough. If Marion Barber and Tashard Choice can reach the edge on us for some yards, then Sproles can do it.

Hope Nolan gets that drilled into the defensive gameplan.

Take my advice... I'm not using it!
"If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague."

by BroncTastic on Oct 15, 2009 10:07 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

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