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Okay, I’ll admit it. I didn’t see the Broncos winning in Los Angeles this week. Rarely do I participate in MHR’s staff prediction post, but this week I was sure that the wheels were going to come flying off the bus and wipe out everyone in their path. I was wrong.
Despite rancid officiating (are you kidding me with that phantom pass interference call?), questionable coaching (how do you not challenge that 2-point conversion?), and terrible play-calling (what’s with all the passes in the Broncos final possession before the half? How do you not kick the field goal on 4th and 1?), it’s remarkable the Denver Broncos managed to pull this one out of the fire.
When quarterback Case Keenum is allowed to throw past the sticks, great things seem to happen. Broncos need to drop the dink and dunk stuff off at the dump. Can you imagine how different things would look if Denver had been as aggressive all year as they were in the final minutes of Sunday’s game? Completing passes for no gain isn’t good football.
Phillip Lindsay is nothing short of amazing. It scrambles my brain wondering why Bill Musgrave doesn’t keep feeding him the ball. Someone at Dove Valley needs to lock ol’ Bill in a room with game tape of every game from the Broncos 1998 season so he can see what he’s supposed to do with #30. Don’t let him out until he’s watched every second. No snacks. No pee breaks.
Defensively, the Broncos were a mixed bag. Von Miller’s interception was key. Chubb got another sack. However, the theatrics in the secondary are starting to wear on me. Chris Harris Jr. and Justin Simmons throwing tantrums at one another after allowing big plays may make them feel better in the moment, but it leads me to believe that their confusion isn’t an anomaly, but symptomatic of larger issues.
Third time was a charm for the Broncos playing the Chargers in Los Angeles. The first time these teams met was in 1960 and coach Frank Filchock’s Broncos lost, 33-41. Last year, the Broncos embarrassed themselves with their, 0-21, loss. This year? This year the Denver Broncos did something they hadn’t been able to do in 58 seasons of football, beat the Chargers in Los Angeles. Granted, for 55 of those years the Chargers didn’t play in Los Angeles, but who cares? A win is a win and damn it, I’ll take it every day of the week.
HORSE TRACKS
Why it happened: Broncos 23, Chargers 22
In a game with more hair-raising moments and plot twists than a classic Hollywood thriller, the Broncos ensured that the last twist was in their favor to get their first AFC West road win in three years.
Chargers' Keenan Allen gives Broncos no credit for comeback: We dominated
Asked if the Broncos rose up and played well, Keenan Allen said: "No, I don't think they played well at all. We dominated the game. Turnovers, we gave them some points and that's what happened. They suck."
Sunday Night wrap-up: Khalil Mack and the Bears roll the Vikings – ProFootballTalk
The Bears defense was probably going to be good anyway. Their preseason trade for Khalil Mack turned the pressure up a notch, and their performance has followed.
FMIA Week 11—Embedded in New Orleans: The Ritz, the Rout and the Reason the Saints Are Unstoppable – ProFootballTalk
Peter King goes inside the Ritz-Carlton meeting rooms with Sean Payton and Drew Brees as they prepare for Eagles-Saints. Plus more Week 11.
Will Jalen Ramsey be on the trading block after the season? Jaguars sternly deny ESPN report - CBSSports.com
Depending on who you believe, the Jaguars may or may not be trading Jalen Ramsey after the season
Redskins' Alex Smith suffers gruesome injury 33 years to the day after Joe Theismann's broken leg - CBSSports.com
Smith left the field on a stretcher and in an air cast and he was replaced by Colt McCoy
Cowboys vs. Falcons final score, takeaways: Zeke powers Dallas past Atlanta to keep playoff hopes alive - CBSSports.com
The Cowboys are suddenly very much alive in the NFC East after a huge win on Sunday
Jon Gruden and Derek Carr have heated exchange on Raiders sideline - CBSSports.com
Let's check in on the $100 million coach and the $25 million per year QB of the now 2-8 team
Bears vs. Vikings final score, takeaways: Chicago dominates early, Minnesota's late rally falls short - CBSSports.com
The Bears remain the best team in the NFC North with a convincing Sunday-night victory
Phillip Lindsay powers Broncos' offense with first career multi-touchdown game in #DENvsLAC
The Broncos’ running back starred on Sunday, helping Denver get back into the win column.
McManus’ game-winning field goal brings euphoria, redemption to Broncos’ locker room
When Brandon McManus hit the game-winning field goal to beat the Chargers, he showed his resilience and brought the Broncos a feeling that, as Case Keenum put it, was “a high you can’t buy.”
Wadman fake punt, Von pick, Keenum clutch finish help Broncos upset Chargers, 23-22 | 9news.com
CARSON, Calif. – On a warm, sunny Sunday in mid-November at the coziest stadium in the NFL, the Broncos' offense was in a rut.
McManus' FG as time expires lifts Broncos over Chargers
CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Denver had lost six of their last seven going into Sunday's game against Los Angeles, but Chargers coach Anthony Lynn kept warning everyone that the Broncos were dangerous because they had been in most of their games until the final minute.
Chargers — including Rivers — blunder their way to defeat with familiar M.O. - The San Diego Union-Tribune
Favored by a touchdown, the Chargers had 14 penalties, two interceptions and both a fake-punt first-down allowed and a missed PAT Sunday against the Broncos.
Chargers revert to old ways and find a way to lose to the Broncos 23-22 - Los Angeles Times
How embarrassing. How buffoonish. How San Diego of the Chargers.
Keenum Gets Signature Win As A Bronco & 4 Other Things We Learned From Sunday’s Win In L.A. « CBS Denver
The Broncos 23-22 win over the Chargers was quarterback Case Keenum's signature win as a Bronco.
McManus' FG as time expires lifts Broncos over Chargers
Brandon McManus kicked a 34-yard field goal as time expired to give the Denver Broncos a 23-22 win and snap the Los Angeles Chargers' six-game winning streak
Game-winning drive could save Broncos' season - Denver Broncos Blog- ESPN
The Broncos were rewarded for a tough effort on Sunday after falling short multiple times this season against the NFL's elite.
Corey Liuget of Los Angeles Chargers done for season with knee injury
Chargers defensive tackle Corey Liuget will miss the rest of the season after suffering a right knee injury Sunday against the Broncos, coach Anthony Lynn said.
Aaron Rodgers, Mike McCarthy at odds over offense - NFL.com
Speaking on NFL GameDay Morning on Sunday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport said the Packers' record isn't the only reason why Mike McCarthy's future in Green Bay is in jeopardy.
Harbaugh: Lamar Jackson played 'winning football' - NFL.com
Baltimore Ravens rookie Lamar Jackson made his first career start at quarterback Sunday, leading his squad to a 24-21 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Ron Rivera on failed 2-point try: I was going for the win - NFL.com
Ron Rivera's latest on-field gamble came up snake eyes for the Carolina Panthers, but the head coach was confident in his decision-making. "I was going for the win. That's the bottom line."
Vance Joseph on not challenging 2-point try: Get the call right; don’t always put it on us – ProFootballTalk
The Broncos failed to convert a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter of a tight game. They failed to convert only because they failed to challenge the play.
Jon Gruden: I’m glad Derek Carr is our quarterback – ProFootballTalk
Raiders coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr had a heated exchange on the sideline during today's game, but afterward Gruden said it was no big deal.
Source: Colin Kaepernick wants to play – ProFootballTalk
With Washington now needing a backup quarterback and considering the likes of EJ Manuel, T.J. Yates, and Mark Sanchez, some are wondering why Colin Kaepernick has been overlooked, again.
Alex Smith’s leg injury brings back bad memories for Joe Theismann – ProFootballTalk
Former Washington quarterback Joe Theismann was at FedEx Field on Sunday when current Washington quarterback Alex Smith broke his right fibula and tibia. Theismann already had his career-ending injury on his mind before Smith's injury as it happened 33 years ago to the day.
After allowing touchdown, Malcolm Jenkins flipped off Sean Payton – ProFootballTalk
The Eagles were losing badly to Malcolm Jenkins' former team, so after he was beaten for a 37-yard touchdown by Alvin Kamara on fourth-and-seven, the safety gave Saints coach Sean Payton the finger.
Sunday Night wrap-up: Khalil Mack and the Bears roll the Vikings – ProFootballTalk
The Bears defense was probably going to be good anyway. Their preseason trade for Khalil Mack turned the pressure up a notch, and their performance has followed.
FMIA Week 11—Embedded in New Orleans: The Ritz, the Rout and the Reason the Saints Are Unstoppable – ProFootballTalk
Peter King goes inside the Ritz-Carlton meeting rooms with Sean Payton and Drew Brees as they prepare for Eagles-Saints. Plus more Week 11.
Will Jalen Ramsey be on the trading block after the season? Jaguars sternly deny ESPN report - CBSSports.com
Depending on who you believe, the Jaguars may or may not be trading Jalen Ramsey after the season
Redskins' Alex Smith suffers gruesome injury 33 years to the day after Joe Theismann's broken leg - CBSSports.com
Smith left the field on a stretcher and in an air cast and he was replaced by Colt McCoy
Cowboys vs. Falcons final score, takeaways: Zeke powers Dallas past Atlanta to keep playoff hopes alive - CBSSports.com
The Cowboys are suddenly very much alive in the NFC East after a huge win on Sunday
Jon Gruden and Derek Carr have heated exchange on Raiders sideline - CBSSports.com
Let's check in on the $100 million coach and the $25 million per year QB of the now 2-8 team
Bears vs. Vikings final score, takeaways: Chicago dominates early, Minnesota's late rally falls short - CBSSports.com
The Bears remain the best team in the NFC North with a convincing Sunday-night victory