The Denver Broncos 2018 season is essentially over. The playoffs are out of the question. There will likely be all new coaches on the sidelines in 2019. The franchise is in flux in all areas on and off the field. The no-shows could potentially be well over 10,000 fans staying away from Mile High Stadium. So, what is there to play for against the Los Angeles Chargers in the season finale?
On the latest @MileHighReport Radio Podcast, as the #Broncos reach the end of a historically bad season (just how historic), @AdamMalnati16 and I also look at the upcoming game vs the #Chargers and the future of the franchise for #BroncosCountry. https://t.co/cwC3PdhGlS
— Ian St. Clair (@IanStClair) December 27, 2018
When Ian St. Clair and I sat down to discuss the Broncos Christmas Eve debacle against the Oakland Raiders on the MHR Radio Podcast, we also looked ahead to the last gasp of Denver’s 2018. Clearly, the one thing that fans can agree on is that Vance Joseph, et. al will be looking for work elsewhere, but some of the players still have some of their own history to play for.
Unfortunately for Phillip Lindsay, his chance at the rookie rushing record for undrafted free agents fell short by just under 100 yards. This would have been a huge moment for the team, but ended up being a disappointing end to his stunning rookie season.
Lindsay is not the only rookie who was chasing records in 2018. Bradley Chubb is just three sacks short of the rookie sack record. Those three sacks are likely out of reach for Chubb. Had he been able to grab a sack or two heading into this game, the record would have been much more attainable. If he can find a way to snag three sacks, the Defensive Rookie of the Year award could also be within reach. Not likely, but worth watching for.
Aside from the rookies, Von Miller is also chasing a little history. After surpassing Simon Fletcher for the most sacks in franchise history, Miller sits just two sacks shy of 100. Should he get there he will become the 4th fastest player to triple-digit sacks in NFL history. That is a possibility, and would be a nice feather in his cap for his career.
If both Chubb and Miller can reach their milestones that would be five sacks. If Denver can get to Philip Rivers five times, the Broncos might even pull out a win. No matter your opinion on whether they should win or not, watching those two players get those records would be a great way to end the season.
There are reasons to watch the Broncos play the Chargers in the season finale. There are reasons to show up at the stadium if you have tickets. It may not be the season we hoped for, but it could be an end to the season that Broncos Country needs right now.