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The short week means the Denver Broncos coaching staff and players are already focused in completely on Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers. After getting surprised and beaten by the Chargers on Thursday Night Football in 2013, John Fox isn't taking any chances of that crap happening again in 2014.
When asked about preparing for this game, Fox responded, "As soon as we looked at the schedule, how we handle it, mindset, all the things you try to look at and improve year-to-year, I think we’ll see how it goes this time around and I think we’ll do a better job as coaches and, in turn, I think our players will respond."
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He isn't too concerned about last season, however, as the mindset of any coach or player is to focus on what is in front of you and not on what happened in the past.
"No, we don’t live in the past, as I’ve mentioned many times," Fox responded to questions about last season's home defeat to the Chargers, "If you spend too much time looking in the rearview mirror, you crash, not looking ahead. So we’ve already addressed this long before right now, just preparation and I think we’ve got a good plan, we’ll see how we execute it, that’s the challenge every week."
Of course, there is always a potential for a big letdown if the Broncos drop this game at home, but the past also shows that this team is able to continue on to an AFC West title in spite of it.
Asked if he was concerned about a letdown, Fox proved to be more than vulnerable to the idea of a letdown game saying, "They’re all big and emotional to me. I think it’s what it is. It’s on the schedule. They have to respond to it as well, and they have to travel, so we’ll have no excuses. It’s kind of what it is, and we’ll make it work and treat it like any other work week."
One last tidbit from yesterday's interviews came from a question about the Broncos showing some rugged toughness facing those NFC West teams that the media believes to be the greatest thing since sliced bread. Fox showed some impressive character when he responded with, "I think I’m not going to poo-poo our division. We had three teams in the playoffs a year ago, much like the one you’re talking about. So we’re way too early in the season, not even to halftime yet. We’re just going to keep trying to improve each week and see where those chips fall at the end at the end of the race. So right now our focus is just on getting better every week, every day."
That's right. I may hate the other AFC West teams, but they are mine to hate. I don't hate any time I haven't subconsciously respected at some point in my life. The Raiders of late 80s/early 90s and early 2000s, the Chargers from the early 80s and again in the late 2000s and the Chiefs on and off from the 90s to now. This is the AFC West. The most storied division in AFC History.
Oh, the Seahawks? No. Never.
Horse Tracks
Manning breaks NFL record for career passing touchdowns; Week 7 | The MMQB
Hyperbole after the Broncos QB broke the NFL career touchdown mark? Nope. Presenting the numbers that show Manning is better in Denver than he was in Indy. Plus a look at the legit Lions, the sliding Seahawks and the rest of Week 7.
This date in Broncos history | DenverBroncos.com
October 20th, 2002 Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe set a team record 214-yards receiving on 12 receptions.
Fox, Broncos already onto Chargers | DenverBroncos.com
Head Coach John Fox on this week's quick turnaround and what the defense is doing well.
Miller credits interior d-line | DenverBroncos.com
Linebacker Von Miller talks about how his teammates are helping him get to quarterbacks.
Ware explains his fake spin move | DenverBroncos.com
DeMarcus Ware talks about how he finished Sunday's game with three sacks and getting ready for San Diego.
MMBM Week 7: Peyton Manning is truly humbled - SBNation.com
Peyton Manning ought to be a shamed of himself and suspended. (Warning: Satire!)
Tom Brady calls Peyton Manning's record 'incredible' - SBNation.com
Tom Brady sent a congratulatory text message to Peyton Manning on Sunday night and spoke highly of the "incredible" record set by the Broncos QB.
3 Broncos Up, 3 Down: Week 7 - Scout.com
After drubbing a banged up Niners team on Sunday Night Football, the Broncos emerged at 5-1 and alone atop the AFC West standings.
Is Hillman Playing Ball Out Of A Job? - Scout.com
In his first 2 career starts, Ronnie Hillman has racked up more than 200 total yards and 2 TDs. Has he played Montee Ball, the incumbent starter, out of a job?
The Denver Broncos are clearly the NFL's best team right now | Shutdown Corner
Peyton Manning gets the big, bold headlines from Sunday night's game, but the fine print should include that the Denver Broncos officially established themselves as the best team in the NFL at this point in the season.
Denver Broncos ready for quick turnaround - ESPN
The Denver Broncos began their abbreviated practice week with only two new injuries to report as they opened their preparations for Thursday night's game against the San Diego Chargers.
NFL.com: 'Maybe [the Falcons] is the gig Nick Saban jumps at' - SBNation.com
Saban seems set at Alabama for the time being, but the Falcons might be smart to seek someone similar to him. Maybe someone like the coach at Florida State.
C.J. Spiller out for season; Fred Jackson out up to four weeks - Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills' offensive backfield was decimated by injury on Sunday. C.J. Spiller is reportedly done for the year, and with Fred Jackson also out at least one game, Boobie Dixon and Bryce Brown will take over the Bills' running game workload.
The Saints' problems are because of a failure to protect Drew Brees | The MMQB
Sloppy defensive play and poor pass protection. Even after a bye week to get things right, the Saints repeated the same mistakes as their season continues to slip away.
Jameis Winston expected to enter NFL Draft, according to report - SBNation.com
Amid two investigations, the Florida State quarterback will reportedly go pro after the season.
RG3 in the mix at QB for Washington next Monday - SBNation.com
Colt McCoy may have wrestled the placeholder job away from Kirk Cousins, but it's possible Griffin could be ready to go the next time Washington takes the field.