After that Charger lightning storm Sunday afternoon that had Broncos rearing and running for cover, the fans in orange and blue have every right to start making plans for a January trip to Mexico. However, looking at the Broncos playoff chances based on the overall record and AFC standings at this point in the season there is still plenty of hope for more games after the season finale at home against the Chiefs.
If you have actually been watching the rise and fall of the 2009 edition of the Broncos it looks like local sports fans will be turning their attention to the Nuggets and Avs after recovering from an extended New Year’s weekend. Since the bye week the Denver defense has been in an early gift giving mode handing over yardage, penalties and TDs. It seems the once number one ranked D couldn’t even stop Hawk’s Buffs now days. The offense is just as generous with turnovers, penalties, questionable play calling and opening lanes to the QB. The aggressiveness, passion and focus on execution seem to have gone the way of the Canadian geese.
If you are a glass is half full kind of person and think the guys can right the ship there is still hope. The Broncos are only one game behind the Chargers in the AFC West after splitting the season’s head-to-head match-ups and currently hold a slight edge in the tiebreaker (2-2 vs 2-3 against common opponents). It will take more effort from the Broncos over the last six games than will be needed from the Chargers given their respective schedules. Not only do the good guys have to go back to work with only three days to make much needed repairs, but will be hosting a Giants team coming off an overtime win against Atlanta which put an end to their own four game losing streak. Here’s the breakdown.
BRONCOS | CHARGERS |
---|---|
Giants (6-4) | Chiefs (3-7) |
at Chiefs (3-7) | at Browns (1-9) |
at Colts (10-0) | at Cowboys (7-3) |
Raiders (3-7) | Bengals (7-3) |
at Eagles (6-4) | at Titans (3-6) |
Chiefs (3-7) | Redskins (3-7) |
There is opportunity for the Broncos to overtake the Chargers in the division, but they will need to take care of business and get a little help from other teams.
I’ve been hearing talk about how pathetic the Broncos are for blowing a 3 1/2 game lead after starting the season 6-0, but few are giving the Chargers credit for turning it around. Other than the Saints and Colts which are NFL royalty at 10-0, no other team is as hot as the Bolts. They have won their last five in a row after starting the season 2-3. There is no other NFL team, outside of the two undefeated clubs, that can match that streak. There are only five teams with a 4-1 record over that stretch, but eleven other teams (including the Broncos) that have gone 1-4 over the same period with the poor Browns notching a NFL worst 0-5.
Bottom line is that the Broncos have a decent remaining schedule and enough time to turn it around to take back the AFC West lead, but it has to start this weekend at home against a vulnerable Giants team. The hometown team is a conundrum. Let’s hope McKid doesn’t think trading the Pats for Junior Seau before Turkey Day is the solution.