Broncos at Chargers Pre-Game Discussion (Week 16)

[CanadianBoltFan]

I mean did we do anything to counter it on Sunday? Did we run a single screen or quick slant all day? This has been an issue all year.

He had his worst game of the year. His injury doesn't help, certainly.

If I'm Denver I start the game blitzing like crazy. We can't stop it.

I was wondering why Ladd wasnt used for long stretches given that he can separate quickly. Seems like a guy you go to quickly to counter the blitz

[jubei]

Yesterday's interception was on QJ. I have never seen a player his size lose a battle like that. It looked like maybe he tripped? But that should have been a catch.

EXACTLY what I thought. I thought about this right after the pass...but Justin shouldnt throw bombs/go routes to qj cuz he has terrible tracking ability for anything he has to turn his head all the way back for. if he has trouble tracking a ball he will have trouble trying to defend the INT. IMO that would have been too difficult for him to catch but at least defend the INT. there shouldnt be any of those routes for him. keep him on shallow crossers or comeback routes where he is not forced to tweak his neck back looking for the ball.

[charger1_sj]

I know we have no offensive firepower this year and Greg Roman hasn't made us miss Joe Lombardi but for Herbert's entire career it has been "if you need 3, he gets you three and if you need 7, he gets you 3." He is like my internet provider-unexpected outages at the most inconvenient times.

I am in the minority but actually Lombardi knew exactly what he was doing. He knew Allen was the only WR that got separation. He knew our O line was garbage.
He replaced the running game with the short passing game to the RB (Eckler). Herbert's best season stat wise came under Lombardi.

In the beginning of the year I knew this smash mouth physical game was not going to work for us. I said so many times. We just don't have the personnel to run
that sort of offense. Sorry to say Roman won't be the answer until Hortiz remakes the roster.

Minter on the other hand is on the right course. We will need some help on that side of the football as well. But we got some younger guys that are going
to be very good. Need to fill in the blanks as we're likely to lose Bosa and Mack in the offseason. Interior has good depth but need some more talent there.

[Boltx]

I was wondering why Ladd wasnt used for long stretches given that he can separate quickly. Seems like a guy you go to quickly to counter the blitz

Maybe not fully healthy?

[Velo]

Mark Schlereth is talking up the Broncos. I'm glad the Chargers are playing on a short week. They can quickly erase the stench of Sunday's game if they beat the Broncos convincingly Thurs. Or maybe they don't.

Told Ya So!!! FOX Sports’ Mark Schlereth on Bo Nix and the 9-5 Broncos | The Rich Eisen Show

[Bolts0503]

Interesting to think the AFC will be somewhat void of playoff "dramatics," other than seeding, the last two Sundays if the Broncos win. I mean whoever number 7 is will be considered one and done though no one will discount the Bengals going to Buffalo or KC..

I always found it odd that Goodell decided to keep the Pats-Chargers, who won 9 games total in 2023, as one of those "flex" games thinking it might be important in week 17. I hate seeing him get things right but the way the Chargers are playing, he hit the nail on the head. Curses!

[Riverwalk]

I mean did we do anything to counter it on Sunday? Did we run a single screen or quick slant all day? This has been an issue all year.

He had his worst game of the year. His injury doesn't help, certainly.

If I'm Denver I start the game blitzing like crazy. We can't stop it.

You made a good point and I’m agreeing with you. I have the same questions when I’m watching the game. Where’s the screens and slants?

[CanadianBoltFan]

I am in the minority but actually Lombardi knew exactly what he was doing. He knew Allen was the only WR that got separation. He knew our O line was garbage.
He replaced the running game with the short passing game to the RB (Eckler). Herbert's best season stat wise came under Lombardi.

In the beginning of the year I knew this smash mouth physical game was not going to work for us. I said so many times. We just don't have the personnel to run
that sort of offense. Sorry to say Roman won't be the answer until Hortiz remakes the roster.

Minter on the other hand is on the right course. We will need some help on that side of the football as well. But we got some younger guys that are going
to be very good. Need to fill in the blanks as we're likely to lose Bosa and Mack in the offseason. Interior has good depth but need some more talent there.

Interesting take.

Herbert did have 5000 yards and 38 TDs under Lombardi. He didnt struggle to get 200 yards passing a game.

Some here will jump to say but but we werent winning. We are 8-6, beating bad teams and losing to good teams. Staley went 9-8 and 10-7 those Lombardi years doing the same thing, beating bad teams and losing to good teams.

The rest of this season will tell how much things have really changed

[AKFlyFisher]

Interesting take.

Herbert did have 5000 yards and 38 TDs under Lombardi. He didnt struggle to get 200 yards passing a game.

Some here will jump to say but but we werent winning. We are 8-6, beating bad teams and losing to good teams. Staley went 9-8 and 10-7 those Lombardi years doing the same thing, beating bad teams and losing to good teams.

The rest of this season will tell how much things have really changed

True. A prime KA, Williams, and Ekeler is vastly superior to QJ and Gus Edwards.

[Boltdiehard]

True. A prime KA, Williams, and Ekeler is vastly superior to QJ and Gus Edwards.

That’s obvious but what did we win with those guys?

[Formula 21]

Nothing we can do to counter a blitz???

If that’s the case, lose out and address it with a NEW OC and QB next year.

Seriously, if Herbert is as smart as everybody says he is, he should have been in Roman’s office first thing this morning and said I’m not leaving until you figure out how to counter the blitz and keep my ass from being taken out in a body bag.

If you saw the presser after the game, Justin did say he needs to get the ball out quicker and it’s not the first time after a bad game he’s said it.

Well, do it or end the season on IR. Your choice Justin.

Apparently Roman has never heard of a hot receiver.

[Velo]

That’s obvious but what did we win with those guys?

The failure to win was due to the atrocious defense. In Herbert's rookie season the Chargers' passing offense was 6th. It was 3rd in both 2021 and 2022. Pair those offenses with this year's defense and it's an elite team. This season's pass offense is 25th.