Broncos visit the San Diego Chargers Game Day Thread and Poll

[homeless simpson]

I imagine all the times he says "we'll review the film tomorrow" after losses, he's doing exactly that in the corner of the room, while the players watch the game film. That's his way of connecting/communicating with his players without saying a word. It has a more emotional impact that changes football players lives not just on the field but off it. It's "look how much I'm hurting because of what you guys do".

[Formula 21]

DEN-SD grades: Chargers rookies shine in low-scoring win

The highest-graded players and biggest takeaways from San Diego’s Thursday win over the Denver Broncos.
Michael Renner | 14 hours ago
(Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

(Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

San Diego Chargers 21, Denver Broncos 13

Here are the top-graded players and biggest takeaways from the Chargers’ 21-13 win over the Broncos:

Denver Broncos

Quarterback grade: Trevor Siemian, 40.5

The book is out on Siemian

Teams are figuring out the Denver quarterback: Force him to throw deep. And chances are he still won’t. Even with the Broncos behind late in the game and needing multiple scores, Siemian still refused to throw anything other than underneath routes. On the day he completed only one of his nine attempts targeted 10-plus yards down the field. Those are abysmal numbers and the Chargers exploited it by squatting on underneath routes and giving Siemian nowhere to go.

Top offensive grades:

C Matt Paradis, 79.9
RB C.J. Anderson, 77.5
TE John Phillps, 74.4
FB Andy Janovich, 70.5
RB Devontae Booker, 70.5

Disappearing act for Thomas

One would think that, with 53 passing dropbacks, the Broncos’ highest-paid receiver would be featured heavily and put up some legit numbers. Instead he did the exact opposite and actively hurt the Broncos on his 10 targets. He had a crucial drop midway through the third quarter that could have turned into a first down, and the Broncos would be forced to punt two plays later. Then he had the (for all intents and purposes) game-ending fumble with 3:35 left in the fourth quarter. It was Thomas’ fourth drop and second fumble on the year in what’s been a lackluster start to his season.

Top defensive grades:

ILB Brandon Marshall, 87.4
OLB Von Miller, 84.3
CB Bradley Roby, 77.9
DT Sylvester Williams, 76.7
OLB Shaq Barrett, 76.4

Defense makes stops when it counts

It was an interesting night for the Denver defense. At times they struggled to get off the field as San Diego went on several long drives. But when it came down to needing to make a stop in the red zone, they were able to buckle down and get the top. After the Chargers’ opening drive, they made it to the red zone on four more occasions, yet Denver held them to field goals each time and allowed just 19 points. Von Miller and Brandon Marshall led the way on defense, particularly against the run where they combined for eight run stops. Bradley Roby had his first two pass breakups of the year. The Broncos were able to pressure Philip Rivers on 38 percent of his dropbacks, but were only able to convert that into one sack on the night.

vonnie

San Diego Chargers

Quarterback grade: Philip Rivers 67.9

Rivers calm under pressure

Philip Rivers wasn’t extremely productive, but he did have a mistake-free game in terms of turnover-worthy plays. He had some inaccurate throws and on passes outside the numbers and 10-plus yards downfield, he was just 1-for-5 for 18 yards. Rivers was actually at his best when he was under pressure. On his nine targeted throws, he completed eight of them including the Chargers’ lone touchdown of the game.

Top offensive grades:

T King Dunlap, 78.4
TE Hunter Henry, 73.1
T Joe Barksdale, 71.7
HB Melvin Gordon, 68.1
QB Philip Rivers, 67.9

Offense scores just enough in win

On several occasions the Chargers sustained long drives only to stall and have to settle for short field goals. Left guard Orlando Franklin threw Broncos’ DL Jared Crick to the ground on one play that helped spring HB Melvin Gordon for a 48-yard run, but otherwise the Chargers’ running game was largely ineffective. Gordon’s long run went for more yards than his 26 other carries combined (46) and he averaged less than 1.8 yards per carry on those 26 runs. Not a single Chargers player finished with an above-average run-blocking grade. While Hunter Henry struggled as a run-blocker, he had a solid game receiving, with six catches for 83 yards, both career-highs, and a touchdown for the third consecutive week.

wisconsinhole

Top defensive grades:

ILB Jatavis Brown, 85.5
ILB Korey Toomer, 84.6
OLB Melvin Ingram, 82.2
DE Joey Bosa, 82.0
NT Brandon Mebane, 80.7

San Diego rookies make big impact

This isn’t your 2015 Chargers run defense or anything close to resembling it. San Diego finally has the horses up front to not only limit a run game, but stop it in its tracks. Outside of a few runs late in the game, the Broncos running backs had nowhere to go for most of the game. A big reason for their defensive success was the rookie duo of Joey Bosa and Jatavis Brown. Brown had a huge sack and forced fumble down the stretch while Bosa was consistently applying pressure throughout the game with five hurries and a hit.

PFF Game-Ball Winner: Chargers linebacker Jatavis Brown

[TTK]

Let's be honest, that punt after the safety caught the Bolts and Wiggins by surprise. Normally the ball is kicked as high and deep as possible. I hate to keep mentioning what Hardwick said on the radio broadcast, but I think he's right. The Denver Special Teams Coach was the acting HC last night and he got to call what he wanted. Kubiak may very well have not made the same call.

Hank Bauer also said you don't put linemen out there on a free kick (you put hands team guys out there) and that was a blunder by our rookie special teams coach.

[Mister Hoarse]

Hank Bauer also said you don't put linemen out there on a free kick (you put hands team guys out there) and that was a blunder by our rookie special teams coach.

That is exactly true. Where were the hands guys on that kick? This is High School level football 101.

[TTK]

That is exactly true. Where were the hands guys on that kick? This is High School level football 101.

Apparently we must be hiring Junior High football coaches!

[Boltx]

Did this win save McCoy's job for 2017?

[Mister Hoarse]

Did this win save McCoy's job for 2017?

Do not harsh my buzz, young man!

[6025]

Hank Bauer also said you don't put linemen out there on a free kick (you put hands team guys out there) and that was a blunder by our rookie special teams coach.

Yup, I said during the GDT there's no way you can blame Wiggins. The coaches were caught off guard.

[Boltster]

That is exactly true. Where were the hands guys on that kick? This is High School level football 101.

Possibly massaging McCoy's sack.

[Mister Hoarse]

Gonna enjoy my Sunday now that we have Scocked The World!

[TTK]

[TTK]

Victory Speech: