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Published on 10/15/2009 at Thu Oct 15 09:00.
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First Look: San Diego Chargers

Posted Thu Oct 15th by

San Diego ChargersRecord: 2-2
Streak: Lost 1
Series vs. Denver: Broncos, 53-44-1
Last time: Chargers, 52-21, 2008
The Line: Chargers by 4

Who’s hot: QB Philip Rivers. Every Broncos fans’ least favorite quarterback (at least, before this happened) is the reason the Chargers have two wins at all.  Rivers is literally overcoming his team’s struggles in pass protection and finding ways to keep the Chargers in games.  Perhaps most impressive is the way Rivers has really improved his deep ball this season.  He’s always been a big play threat, but the veteran is among the league’s leaders in big (40+ yards) plays.  Case in point: Rivers has out-thrown Kyle Orton by nine yards — despite playing in one less game.

Who’s not: Everyone else?  We’ll spare that and go with the Chargers’ running game.  San Diego currently ranks last in the league in rushing yards per game, with Ladainian Tomlinson injured (but returning this Monday) and Darren Sproles not finding a lot of room behind an offensive line that has struggled.  The Chargers continually find themselves in a hole as well, which doesn’t help their running woes.

Matchup to watch: WR Brandon Marshall vs. Chargers secondary.  The Chargers released Clinton Hart and plan to use a rotation that includes rookie Kevin Ellison to fill his spot. These guys will have their work cut out for them, as Marshall has come on strong of late and had a lot of success against the Chargers in 2008.  If they try to leave Antonio Cromartie on an island with Marshall again this season, expect a big day from #15.  I expect them to double on Marshall whenever possible, which should open the Broncos’ spread attack.

  • dogheadbrew

    My prediction… Chargers jump out a bit in the first half. Broncos make great half time adjustments and styme the bolts in the second half. Close game, and if Rivers makes a couple huge plays in the second half they win.

    Does anyone know how many points we have given up off turn-overs? I know we have a very nice + in that category, but it seems our D has stopped them or forced a TO right back.

  • Bronconinja

    I'll be the first to say that playing th SD is always scary since they have so much talent. That said. I think its about time SD starts to get scared of Denver. Part of their mystic comes from the blow outs against the Broncos. But we dont have the sama old tired defense as before. It will be a good game but I think McD fully knows what happend last year and wants to make a statement. Im expecting Denvers first 30 pt episode for their offense and I can see Rivers eating a lot of grass being that our pass rush is much improved and SD o-line is really banged up.

  • SantaBarbaraDave

    Just returning the favor for all the Donkos trolls that keep commenting on the Union Tribune Chargers articles…

    30 points? That is a dream when you were only capable of putting up 27 against the Browns in your own house. Do you really think you can do better than that at Qualcomm? PFFT! Meanwhile, allow me to point out that Rivers the miracle maker put up 28 points on the road in Pittsburgh. Chargers outscore Denver, no matter what.

    By the way, pass my thanks on to Eddie Royal for screwing up my first two weeks of fantasy football.

  • stuckinraiderland

    SBDave–
    Your teams' problem is going to be, ironically, that we don't have Cutler any more to get little Philly all worked up. He's awful cute when he's angry, but more important, that's when his prissy butt decides to throw the ball well. This year's Bronco team is almost like a whole new franchise, and I think Mr. Rivers is just going to have a hard time figuring out what to do. Look for him in the third quarter running up and down along the Broncos sideline: “Jay! Jay! Where are you! Quit hiding! I've been saving up all my best insults for you! Jay?…”

  • SantaBarbaraDave

    Just look at the 4th quarter in Pittsburgh and you will realize that Rivers ALWAYS figures out what to do in the end. 28 points in that road game attest to that fact.

    Now, our defense allowed 38, so we lost to Pittsburgh, but as I mentioned before, you guys were only capable of putting up 27 in your own house against Cleveland!

    End of the day, Chargers outscore donkos and win, regardless of how poorly our defense performs.

    By the way, need I remind you that “prissy” Rivers finished up as the #1 rated QB in the league last year? How did Cutler do? How about Orton? LOL

  • jonaster2009

    i think ur forgetting 1 small thing here…..DENVERS DEE THIS IS NOT PITTSBurg….annnnddd u guys got the bulk of ur points in the 4th qtr…..

  • SantaBarbaraDave

    And if you think we are going to have a tougher time against you in our own house than we did playing on the road in Pittsburgh, I encourage you to share what you are smoking. My point was that we scored more in our worst game than you did in your best game. Chargers will outscore the Doncos.

  • jonaster2009

    this is Mcd's era now and the san diego “chumpers” were Shanny's nightmare …not Mcd's and he will easily rise to the challenge and swat the chumpers down

  • http://www.sell-sport.com/ nfljerseys

    I wonder if San Diego can perform well enough defensively to hand the Broncos their first loss of the year.

  • jonaster2009

    i am trying to figure out how u guys ur worst day u scores 28….we have scored  27 pts on our best u guys 28 , 23 is ur worst…..and u guys have the softer schedule…we got indy and new england….ur defense is soft…20 to the raiders?and wheres ur ground game?…..its all passing and lousy defense……

    ________________________________

  • Name

    in the past the chumpers had some dee and a running game…this yr no dee and the ground game is practically non-existent….in the past we had no dee couldn't stop the run or the pass…..and we always tried to pass way too much ….this yr we are smarter and have SOME dee….i believe u guys will be one dimensional……..

  • http://twitter.com/jexstrum jonathan eckstrom

    u guys gave up 20 to the raiders in ur house and could only score 24 with ur high powered offense……..thats our common opponent this yr….u played them at home …we played them on the road….in fact let me say this …u guys will probably not score more than 24 …i figure like 13-17…..and we get 20-27….I can hardly wait ……

  • McgarnagleDB

    Against our Defense prepare to have a new worst game. Please don't fill up on nachos and beer. I want you to save your appetite for some late night Crow on Monday. This season Kyle Orton has proven he finds ways to do whatever it takes to win football games as well. Notice how we're 5-0. This trend won't end for us in Qualcom. The Chargers will put up a good fight but they're in too much of sad shape right now and it won't be good enough. I actually expect their running game to pose an early challenge until we adjust. The Broncos are playing like a well oiled machine this year and you'll find this out for yourself really soon. We have our own strong evidence because we shutout the Patriots in the 2nd half so we'll see how much Rivers can be a factor late in the agme.

  • montanacharger

    Except you got rid of the crybaby Cutler and we kept a pro, who just might make you eat your words. And could you leave the jester socks at home and go back to “Help me, I'm drowning” orange?

  • SantaBarbaraDave

    Your post was difficult to read, but I forgive you because I realize you live in a low-oxygen atmosphere and I have seen documentaries about how that affects NASA scientists, so it has obviously affected your ability to formulate a coherent sentence.

    Let me break it down for you…Your best game, you scored 27. Everyone who saw it will agree that our road game in Pittsburgh was the worst performance in years, but we still scored 28. Based on that, even if you have your best game and we have our worst, score ends up 28-27, Chargers win.

    Yes, we allowed 20 points to the Raiders. Did you see that game? If you did, you will realize that both teams came out very strong with a statement to make, and both teams are still recovering from the injuries.

    Agree with you that our offense is all passing and defense is hurting, but my contention is that it will be enough to beat the doncos in our house.

    I don't see where you get the idea that we have the softer schedule. Through the season we will both play the exact same opponents, but we have already played Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Your schedule has surely been softer to this point.

  • McgarnagleDB

    Against our Defense prepare to have a new worst game. Please don't fill up on nachos and beer. I want you to save your appetite for some late night Crow on Monday. This season Kyle Orton has proven he finds ways to do whatever it takes to win football games as well. Notice how we're 5-0. This trend won't end for us in Qualcom. The Chargers will put up a good fight but they're in too much of sad shape right now and it won't be good enough. I actually expect their running game to pose an early challenge until we adjust. The Broncos are playing like a well oiled machine this year and you'll find this out for yourself really soon. We have our own strong evidence because we shutout the Patriots in the 2nd half so we'll see how much Rivers can be a factor late in the agme.

  • montanacharger

    Except you got rid of the crybaby Cutler and we kept a pro, who just might make you eat your words. And could you leave the jester socks at home and go back to “Help me, I'm drowning” orange?

  • SantaBarbaraDave

    Your post was difficult to read, but I forgive you because I realize you live in a low-oxygen atmosphere and I have seen documentaries about how that affects NASA scientists, so it has obviously affected your ability to formulate a coherent sentence.

    Let me break it down for you…Your best game, you scored 27. Everyone who saw it will agree that our road game in Pittsburgh was the worst performance in years, but we still scored 28. Based on that, even if you have your best game and we have our worst, score ends up 28-27, Chargers win.

    Yes, we allowed 20 points to the Raiders. Did you see that game? If you did, you will realize that both teams came out very strong with a statement to make, and both teams are still recovering from the injuries.

    Agree with you that our offense is all passing and defense is hurting, but my contention is that it will be enough to beat the doncos in our house.

    I don't see where you get the idea that we have the softer schedule. Through the season we will both play the exact same opponents, but we have already played Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Your schedule has surely been softer to this point.