ESPN.com presents AFC West Bill Williamson http://espn.go.comnull 60 en-us Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:52:01 webmaster@espn.go.com http://assets.espn.go.com/i/espn/teamlogos/lrg/trans/espn_dotcom_black.gif 110 110
DENVER -- The San Diego Chargers were in control before the game even started Sunday against the desperate but still cocksure Denver Broncos.

As they did a month ago in San Diego, the Broncos huddled near where the Chargers were warming up. Some Denver players were facing the Chargers and pointing. It appeared as though no San Diego player even noticed the Broncos’ bait job. The Chargers were far more interested in stretching their muscles than their tongues.

On Oct.19, the Chargers were incensed when Denver pulled the same trick on their home field. A shoving match ensued before the Broncos went on to beat the Chargers and take a commanding 3.5-game lead over San Diego in the AFC West.

A lot has changed since then.

“That stuff wasn’t going to work this time,” said San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman, who was said Denver’s display last month was disrespectful. “We weren’t interested in any of that stuff [Sunday]. We were interested in winning the football game.”

Denver coach Josh McDaniels also got involved in the pregame chatter. He exchanged trash talk (which he told the San Diego Union Tribune that Chargers players started) with some San Diego linebackers. After the game, Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips called McDaniels “a little cocky [rear end].”

The Broncos had nothing Sunday -- not even effective pregame bravado.

The Chargers completed an amazing month in the division by plastering the Broncos 32-3 on their home field. Denver was completely outclassed by the Chargers, who appear to be the team they were expected to be in the preseason.

“We had it working today,” San Diego safety Eric Weddle said. “We knew what we were playing for.”

The Chargers were playing for power in the AFC West. And they got it. San Diego is 7-3 and leads Denver (6-4) by a game with six to go. The Chargers have an easier schedule down the stretch than the stumbling Broncos, who have to regroup and play host to the New York Giants on Thursday night. San Diego, which is in the hunt to earn a playoff bye, has two games remaining against teams with winning records.

The Chargers are poised to win their fourth straight division title. If they do, it will be the third straight year in which they came from behind to do so. San Diego started 5-5 in 2007 before winning its final six games. Last year, the Chargers became the first team to start 4-8 and make the playoffs as they won their final four games and Denver lost its final three games.

“Same old Chargers,” Weddle said.”This year, we’re starting early.”

The Broncos joined the 2003 Vikings as teams that won their first six games and then lost their next four games. The Vikings finished 9-7 and out of the playoffs that year. No NFL team has ever had a 3.5-game division lead and not made the playoffs.

In no way do the Broncos resemble the team of the first six weeks. The Broncos, who were given a spark by an injured Kyle Orton in the second quarter, were careless on offense (they lost two fumbles in San Diego territory, one coming in the end zone) and are worn down on defense. Denver had no pass rush against the Chargers and was riddled again on the ground as San Diego had 203 yards rushing.

“The plays that we were making when we were 6-0 we are no longer making,” Denver defensive end Vonnie Holliday said. “We have to regroup.”

The Chargers entered the game knowing they had the Broncos where they wanted them.

“We knew if we played the way we are capable, that we’re a better football team,” Weddle said. “We showed them that today.”

From the pregame warm-ups forward.

Rivers light up Denver again: After the loss last month, San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers was back to his dominant self against the Broncos. He has won six of his last eight meetings against Denver.

According to ESPN Stats and Information, Rivers has completed at least 60 percent of his pass attempts against Denver in the past eight games. In his past six games against Denver, Rivers has 12 touchdown passes and one interception.

Rivers was a tidy 17-of-22 for 145 yards against Denver. He had one touchdown pass and no interceptions. He made every play he needed to as the Chargers cruised after taking a 13-0 lead at the half. Rivers completed 13-of-14 passes in the first half.

Orton shows toughness: The question, privately, in the San Diego locker room was why Denver didn’t start Orton. He didn’t start because of a badly sprained ankle. But after backup Chris Simms -- who played poorly in the second half at Washington last week in a loss that may haunt Denver -- was ineffective, Orton was put in with the Broncos down 13-0.

He completed his first three passes and led Denver to the goal line, where rookie running back Knowshon Moreno lost a fumble in the end zone. Had Denver scored there, it would have had all the momentum.

Orton finished the game and was 15-of-29 for 171 yards. The Broncos hope he can play against the Giants.

McDaniels said Orton didn’t start because Simms had all the practice reps last week and Orton wasn’t fully healthy.

“Give Orton credit,” Weddle said. “He showed a lot of toughness and he played pretty well.”

Broncos squabble on the sideline: Denver receiver Brandon Marshall got into Moreno’s face after his fumble at the goal line. Moreno, a rookie, responded by shoving the four-year veteran. Moreno tried to go after Marshall on the sideline and had to be restrained by teammates.

“It was frustrating,” Marshall said. “Those are plays that kind of kill drives and we need to punch it in next time.”

McDaniels downplayed the altercation.

“We’ve got a lot of emotional players on our team,” McDaniels said. “Obviously, we don’t want it make scenes or problems for ourselves on the sideline. There are a lot of things that happen on the sideline that involve emotion.”]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/6958/broncos-bravado-doesnt-work-this-time Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:29:16 EDT 6958 Shawne Merriman said the difference between the Chargers and the Broncos is that the Chargers “apply ourselves better when the pressure is on than they do.”

McDaniels said he isn’t sure how long safety Brian Dawkins will be out with a neck injury. He was hurt in the first half and he did not return. The Broncos host the Giants on Thursday.

Denver was penalized nine times for 65 yards. San Diego was penalized one time for 15 yards.

Denver had zero quarterback hits. Denver had five sacks against San Diego last month.

Denver Josh McDaniels said the reason why No 18 overall pick Robert Ayers was inactive was due to a coach’s decision.

Denver tight end Tony Scheffler had six catches for 101 yards against the Chargers last month. Sunday, he barely played and had one catch.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/6964/post-game-notes-from-denver Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:37:16 EDT 6964 Bruce Gradkowski was named Oakland’s starting quarterback because team officials thought he could give the Raiders a better chance to win than JaMarcus Russell.

So far, so good.

Gradkowski wasn’t great for all of the game, but he threw a big touchdown late in the game to Louis Murphy to give Cincinnati the chance to fumble the ensuing kickoff in the final seconds. It set up a short Sebastian Janikowski field goal and gave the Raiders’ their third win of the season.

This win was unlikely, but the Raiders will take it. They are now 3-7 heading into a Thanksgiving Day trip to Dallas.

Life has been tough for the Raiders and Oakland deserves this dose of good fortune.

Gradkowski is likely not the long-term answer, but he has given the Raiders a renewed energy and a win. Oakland will gladly take both.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/6952/wrap-up-raiders-20-bengals-17 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:03:03 EDT 6952
The last month has showed us anything can happen.

But the firm grip Denver seemed to have on the division a month ago is gone and San Diego is now in control.

The Chargers are 7-3 and have won five straight games. Denver is now 6-4 after losing four straight games and stumbling after a 6-0 start.

It’s incredible to think that Denver was up 3.5 games after it beat San Diego 34-23 on "Monday Night Football" on Oct. 19.

Since then, the Chargers have caught fire and become the complete team everyone expected them to be. Since then, Denver has fallen apart and become the tattered mess everyone expected them to be.

The Chargers completely controlled Denver on Sunday. It was no contest.

There are still six games remaining in the season. A lot can happen. But the Chargers appear to be the better team.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/6944/rapid-reaction-chargers-26-broncos-3 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:00:51 EDT 6944
Unless the sloppy Broncos make a miraculous comeback, the Chargers are going to lead the AFC West. Denver led the Chargers by 3.5 games a month ago. But this would be San Diego’s fifth straight win and it would be Denver’s fourth straight loss after a 6-0 start.

The Broncos look outclassed.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/6938/chargers-are-running-away-with-the-division-lead Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:32:34 EDT 6938
Keeping up with recent tradition, this game has been chippy. There have been three 15-yard penalties in the game. Yes, folks, these two teams do not like each other.

Denver has been called for five penalties.

San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers, a noted Bronco killer, has completed 13 of 14 passes for 108 yards.

San Diego receiver Vincent Jackson has had some success against Champ Bailey in the first half. He has four catches for 56 yards.

Denver safety Brian Dawkins left the game in the second quarter with a neck injury. He is questionable to return.

San Diego defensive lineman Luis Castillo left the game with a calf injury.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/6933/halftime-notes-from-denver-6 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:40:35 EDT 6933 Kyle Orton is playing -- and playing well.

He looks gimpy, but Orton completed his first three passes of the game for 58 yards. His return (and Denver’s return to competition in the game) was spoiled when rookie Knowshon Moreno fumbled at the goal line. San Diego recovered and scored a touchdown. Instead of Denver coming within one score of San Diego, the Chargers have a 13-0 halftime lead.

The good news for Denver is that Orton looks good. He took over for Chris Simms.  Simms was ineffective. He completed two of four passes for 10 yards and he lost a fumble.

Moreno and Denver receiver Brandon Marshall were yelling at each other after Moreno’s fumble.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/6925/orton-is-playing Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:30:25 EDT 6925 Kyle Orton is warming up on the sideline and it looks like he is going to play in Denver's next possession. San Diego is leading 10-0 in the second quarter.

Chris Simms has completed 2 of 4 passes for 10 yards. He also lost a fumble. Orton has a badly sprained ankle and he did not practice all week.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/6918/orton-looks-like-hes-coming-in Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:10:38 EDT 6918
 

• Chris Chambers continued to be a bright light for the Chiefs in his third game with the team. He had four catches for 119 yards. He has been a major sparkplug for the Chiefs since they claimed him off waivers from San Diego.
• Lance Long had two catches for 37 yards. He has looked good since being promoted from the practice squad last month.
• New Kansas City starting tight end Leonard Pope caught a 21-yard touchdown pass.
• Matt Cassel wasn’t fancy for the Chiefs, but the quarterback played his typical smart game. He completed 15 of 30 passes for 248 yards. He threw two touchdown passes and he wasn’t intercepted.
• Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles had 58 yards on 17 carries. But he set the tone early with a 97-yard kickoff return to open the game.

Kansas City linebacker Andy Studebaker likely earned himself future playing time with two interceptions and four tackles in his NFL start. He was playing for the injured Mike Vrabel.

The Chiefs have won back-to-back games for the first time since September, 2007.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/6914/chiefs-notes-3 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:53:22 EDT 6914 Kansas City Chiefs were born on Sunday.

This game shows the Chiefs have some life in them and the program is headed in the right direction. Beating the defending Super Bowl champions is a big deal for the Chiefs.

This wasn’t some fluky game. The Chiefs earned this win in overtime. The Kansas City defense played well and the offense came alive when it needed to.

A lot has gone wrong for the Chiefs, but they are showing life under Haley, whose tough love approach may be getting through to the players.

The Chiefs, who are now 3-7 after back-to-back wins over Oakland and Pittsburgh, have dealt with adversity off the field in addition to a slow learning curve on it. Last week, Dwayne Bowe, the team’s top receiver, was suspended four games by the NFL for using performance enhancing substances last week. That development came on the heels of the team’s divorce with running back Larry Johnson.

Life hasn’t been easy for the Chiefs, but this win gives the team hope.

The Chiefs, who still need help on both sides of the ball, may not start being competitive on a weekly basis until next week. But it will happen. And when it does Sunday’s win over Pittsburgh will be remembered as the beginning of the process.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/6909/wrap-up-chiefs-27-steelers-ot Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:41:43 EDT 6909