Had San Diego not let him walk a few years ago, Drew Brees could still be playing in the AFC West. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Last night on Monday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees broke Dan Marino‘s NFL passing record of 5,084 yards in a single season — a record which had stood for twenty-seven years.  After a nine-yard touchdown pass to Darren Sproles in the fourth quarter, Brees hit 5,087 yards on the season.

Brees and Sproles were teammates with the Chargers during the 2005 season, and Sproles was part of a three-headed backfield that included LaDainian Tomlinson, Sproles and Michael Turner.  All three backs have since found homes in new cities.

Contributing to the Jets, Saints and Falcons respectively, Tomlinson, Sproles and Turner have rushed for a combined 1,955 yards and 12 touchdowns this season — totaling 3,230 yards from scrimmage and scoring 20 total touchdowns.

As a team, the Chargers have rushed for 1,713 yards this season and 15 touchdowns.  Backs Ryan Matthews, Mike Tolbert and Jacob Hester have taken the places of Tomlinson, Turner and Sproles, but their productivity has not matched that of their predecessors.

Meanwhile, Brees’ successor in San Diego — Phillip Rivers — is having a poor season, throwing a career-high nineteen interceptions.  Rivers’ team has been eliminated from the playoffs.  Brees’ Saints appear to be one of the only teams capable of taking on the high-powered Packers in the NFC Playoffs, and could be bound for their second Super Bowl appearance in three seasons.

1. New Orleans Saints (2-0)

Good teams come back from behind on the road and cause turnovers in the red-zone. The Saints managed both of these things. New Orleans isn’t just trying to repeat what worked last year, this time around they’re trying to establish the run game early and not have to put the world on Drew Brees’ shoulders (not like he can’t handle it though). So far, it’s working.

2. Green Bay Packers (2-0)

I can’t tell what is more impressive, the Packers offense or defense. Some might say the defense is the most startling, but Green Bay blew out the Bills without really utilizing Greg Jennings (much to my fantasy dismay).

3. Houston Texans (2 -0)

The Texans are proving to the world that they are a complete team. A week after they rode Arian Foster for a win, they relied not only on Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson to bring them back from a 17 point deficit, but their defense as well. Mario Williams is proving why he was the first overall pick of the 2006 draft, gathering up 3 sacks against the Redskins (4 on the year).

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0)

No one expected the Steelers to start out with two wins. What no one also expected was for that defense to that devastating. For the second consecutive week the Steelers shutdown a pro-bowl running back (Michael Turner and Chris Johnson). Despite how terrible both Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch have been, they have still managed to win. It’s scary to think what will happen when Big Ben comes back.

5. Miami Dolphins (2-0)

The Dolphins have won their last two games because of their defense. They absolutely embarrassed Brett Favre on Sunday. The Dolphins secondary was on a mission to make sure that Favre’s interception record will never be broken. Don’t buy into the Jet’s hype, the Dolphins actually have  a chance to win their division this year.

6. Indianapolis Colts (1-1)

I’m not sure whether I should give credit to the great Colts team or the terrible Giant’s offensive play calling. The Colts were absolutely demolished by Arian Foster, so wouldn’t you think that establishing the run game would be a priority? For God sakes the Giants have Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. No wonder why Jacob’s threw his helmet against the wall on Sunday night. Not to take away anything from the Colts though, their offense was clicking on all cylinders Sunday night. Denver has a reason to worry.

7. New York Jets (1-1)

The Jets decisively beat the Patriots at home, but now they’ll have to tackle the Dolphins without Darrelle Revis. Jets fans better hope Antonio Cromartie can repeat his performance on Sunday. Mark Sanchez looked really good, but Miami’s secondary is a whole hell of a lot better than the young Patriots one.

8. New England Patriots (1-1)

The Jets exposed a chink in the Patriots armor, namely Deon Butler. Butler looked terrible out there and he’ll need to step it up if the Pats have any hope for the playoffs this year.

9. Atlanta Falcons (1-1)

That’s the Matt Ryan we know. The Falcon’s secondary didn’t look too bad either, but I’m not sure whether that’s their own doing or Derek Anderson‘s.  The Falcon’s look like a wildcard contender this year, but they’ll need to fix that atrocious run defense if the plan on going anywhere.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)

Call me crazy, but the Buccaneers have been playing like a top 10 team. What makes a good team?

1. Wins? The Bucs are 2-0.
2. A good quarterback? Josh Freeman has been playing great so far
3. A good running back? Cadiliac Williams is back.
4. A capable wide receiver? Mike Williams looks like the steal of the draft.
5. A reliable tight end? Kellen Winslow Jr. is a f@#%ing soldier.
6. A defensive line? The Bucs had 4 sacks against the Panthers
7. An offensive line? Donald Penn is a double threat.
8. A secondary? Does Ronde Barber actually age?
9. Special teams? Michael Spurlock can do it all.

I don’t mean to hype up the Bucs, but they have the pieces of a good team. If Tampa Bay continues to execute properly they could surprise a lot of people this year. However, this article is called the “Tentative Ten” for a reason, the Bucs could easily slide and fall off this list.

Where are the Broncos?

15-20. Denver Broncos (1-1)

One blowout game unfortunately isn’t enough to pop into the top ten. However, if Kyle Orton continues to play like this then Denver could find themselves upsetting some teams. What the Broncos really need to do is fix that run game. It’s easy to rely on the great new third down connection between Orton and Demaryius Thomas, but Knowshon Moreno really needs to step it up.

What I will give Josh McDaniels credit for is that his run game is not like your typical run of the mill hand-off or one-cut system. McDaniels is a fan of bubble screens and dinks to replace your generic hand-offs. This is why Moreno had the second most amount of receiving yards on the team.

What do you think Nation? Any more deserving teams in the Tentative Ten? Air it out!

1. New York Giants

What a defensive line. Chris Canty is injured too. Losing Justin Tuck for the game definitely hurt them but he’ll be back.  The secondary is much better than I thought it would be at four picks so far, Cory Webster is doing great especially while Aaron Ross is hurt. Safety Kenny Phillips is really blossoming as well. Their Blitzing will kill them at times causing them to give up big plays. Their defense is such an anomaly, stout at times but they tend to give up the big play allowing 6.7 yards a rush.

Eli Manning is looking like his brother with the help of the young Mario Manningham and the emerging Steve Smith. They’re passing attack should be even more dangerous when Hakeem Nicks returns. The running game is still there, Brandon Jacobs will eat your family and Ahmad Bradshaw is a great change of pace back. The offense rules that clock averaging 35:28 minutes for T.O.P. The key to this Giants team is let the other team shoot itself in the thigh foot instead of your own. Manning is consistent and the defense has already scored two defensive touchdowns.

Glaring Stat: Everyone was questioning the Giant’s passing personnel while hailing the running game at beginning of the season. Now they average 8.7 yards a pass and only 3.5 yards a rush.

2. New Orleans Saints

Two words, Drew Brees. Wow. If I was a young quarterback in the league (hell, any QB in the league) I would worship study his film last season and this one as well. Brees is averaging 9.8 yards a pass, that is amazing. Brees will also benefit by having Mike Bell (remember him?) run the ball effectively and Reggie Bush is an expensive great change of pace back.

The defense has played well.  The run defense has been very good, this is because most teams are relying on the pass in an attempt to catch up. However their pass defense has stood on it’s on two feet allowing 6.7 yards a pass and nabbing six interceptions. Keep your eye on Malcolm Jenkins, he is a beast of a special teams player.

Glaring Stat: New Orleans has completed 15/26 (57.7%) of their third downs while their opponents have completed 10/30 (30%).

3. Baltimore Ravens

Offense and defense now? The offense ranks second in points and third and yards (that’s what consistency is 2008 Broncos). The defense isn’t as dominant as it has in the past, playing in two straight shootouts in a row. Though Ray Lewis still knows how to kill a man, just ask Darren Sproles. Their run defense is still performing at an elite level only allowing 82 yards, averaging 2.2 yards a carry in their first two games. LaDanian Tomlinson looked like someone ate his lunch on the sideline. However, the secondary has allowed 580 yards through the air, averaging 8.9 yards a pass.

Joe Flacco is quickly becoming the face of the franchise and Willis McGahee might just have a career year. Ray Rice is really disappointing all of his fantasy owners, but Baltimore ranks fourth in rushing yards.

Glaring Stat: The Ravens have completed 14/28 (50%) of their third down, while their opponents have only completed 9/16 (34.6%). This mainly due to Kansas completing 2/10 third downs.

4. Falcons

Matt Ryan is looking amazing, and now he has Roddy White, Michael Turner, and Tony Gonzalez. I know every AFC ‘Wester’ outside of the Chiefs are happy that he’s gone. John Abraham is providing a great pass rush helping the team tally five sacks already, but the loss of rookie DL Peria Jerry will hurt their depth on the line. Linebacker Mike Peterson has forced a fumble in each game played.

Glaring Stat: The stat that rears its ugly head is that the defense has allowed 240 rushing yards already for an average of 5.1 yards a carry. Back to the drawing board Mike Smith.

5. Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson has put his name for MVP consideration. Brett Favre doesn’t really have to do all that much out there now but when he does Percy Harvin makes it easier. If it wasn’t for Peterson the offense would struggle beyond belief seeing how they’ve only converted eight first downs.

The defense is playing at an extremely effective level. The have a great turnover differential of +4, being three picks and a fumble forced by Jared Allen.

Glaring Stat: Extremely balanced team offensively and defensively. Offense averages 5.4 yards a carry, defense allows 4.o, offense averages 5.6 yards a pass, defense allows 5.5 yards a pass.

6. New York Jets

The defense is the glue that holds this team together. Mark Sanchez is turning into a fine young quarterback but should be thankful for running backs like Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. The offense isn’t anything special but it gets the job done and at an average of 33:58 of T.O.P they give the defense enough rest keep performing.

Glaring Stat: The Jets have gotten to the quarterback two times so far. Expect this to change when Calvin Pace comes back from his suspension.

7. Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning hasn’t lost a step,  Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark have already had huge games which have ensured Indianapolis the win. The running game is very lack luster, they need Donald Brown to earn his keep. This T.O.P game they’ve been playing is amazing… amazing that they’re 2-0 at 24:24 minutes average a game. Peyton can’t continue to pull miracles, the run game needs to be established.

Dwight Freeney (two of the team’s three sacks) is still a monster at the pass rush which really helps their secondary. The main problem with the defense is that they can’t keep the offense off the field past third down. If they don’t step it up on third down then the offense can’t do what it does best… let Peyton Manning throw the ball.

Glaring Stat: The Colts defense has not earned their keep on third down, allowing 21/36 (58.3%) conversions.

8. San Fransisco 49ers

Mike Singletary seems to know what he’s doing. Singletary is also a very scary man, making Vernon Davis and Michael ‘I’m so greedy’ Crabtree cry. It’s as if the players their hearts out because they know the fury that awaits them on the sideline. When Frank Gore is healthy he is one of the best running backs in the league and he will make Shaun Hill’s life a whole lot easier.

The defense is the heart of the team. Patrick Willis just hurts people, plain and simple. Their run defense is one of the best only allowing 106 yards so far. If the 49ers continue playing with this tenacity then they will stomp all over their division and in turn put Singletary as a strong candidate for coach of the year.

Glaring Stat: Patrick Willis says “Get off the field!” If you’ve played the 49ers this season then third down usually means your time is up. Only eight times has the defense allowed a third down conversion 8/28 (28.5%). The percentage as low as it is isn’t even the impressive part. Yes the Ravens have only allowed nine but out of 16, not 28.

What the 49ers don’t have that the Ravens do is an offense. The 49ers offense will put the defense back on the field but then three plays later the offense is right back out for another chance. Due to the defense the T.O.P is 33:04 minutes average a game.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers

Their defense really struggled without Troy Polamalu, if he’s not out there they don’t have a chance at make a deep post season run. Fortunately for them he should be out in a few weeks. I don’t like ranking a team higher than a team that just beat them but Jeff Reid really screwed the pooch for the Steelers.

It’s obvious that Ben Roethlisberger has no time in the pocket. I wasn’t really expecting the Steelers to draft an offensive linemen for him due to being last in the first round, and the fact that they nearly always take the best possible player regardless of the position. Unless Big Ben starts getting adequate protection upfront I don’t expect seeing the Steelers come February again. Also, expect to see Willie Parker released at the end of the season, he is way to expensive to keep when Rashard Mendenhall is starting to become effective.

Glaring Stat: The Steelers are usually a team that is on the positive side of the turnover differential but without Polamalu they stand at negative three.

10. Dallas Cowboys

So what if they lost to the Giants? It was a very close and amazing game. Tony Romo struggled but it just gives more reason why he’s not one of the elite quarterbacks in the league. The main problem with this team is the coaching, Wade Phillips is highly incompetent and is wasting the fresh talent on the team. Example one,  Felix Jones. Jones was one of the three backs out of Arkansas last year and probably the best. If it wasn’t for an injury he would of had a much more explosive year than he already did. If I was Wade I would try as hard as I can to get the ball in his hands in any way possible.

What the hell is wrong with the defense? Is Wade aware that he has the best 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL on his team? DeMarcus Ware has yet to register a sack after a 20 sack year. They lost Chris Canty but Igor Olshansky is just as efficient. I don’t expect Dallas to stay up in the top 10 for long. Wade will mess this up and Jerry Jones will send him off at the end of the season. Expect Mike Shanahan to get a call shortly after that happens.

Glaring Stat: Not only has DeMarcus Ware not registered a sack, no one on the entire defense has either.

San Fran above Steelers? 2-0 vs. 1-1. Like I said without Troy Polamalu  the Steelers secondary would have a hard team containing a beast like Vernon Davis and ‘Mr. Consistency’ Issac Bruce. Right now I believe that would be a great game to watch.

Where’s Denver?

15-18. Denver Broncos

If I had to put a number on it I’d say anywhere between 15-18. There are a lot of naysayers out there but the next two games are vital for the team’s confidence going into that brutal stretch. The defense is starting to build and it needs to continue. Moving Elvis Dumervil around was a genius idea by Mike Nolan or whoever instituted it. Nolan has been called a creative defensive coordinator, he needs to keep that up to succeed.

The key to the offense is the Correll Buckhaulter and Knowshon Moreno tandem. If Kyle Orton plays like he did in the last half of the Browns game and keeps minimizing turnovers it could go a long way in having improving the lack luster T.O.P which is averages 29:38 over the past two games. The AFC West is Denver’s to loose, let’s just Josh McDaniels knows what he’s doing.

Glaring Stat: Third down isn’t scary anymore! Denver has only allowed 8/29 conversions (27.5%). Also Denver has been great against the run allowing 2.9 yards a carry.

What do you think Nation? Any more deserving teams in the Tentative Ten? Air it out!

I’ve heard the whispers about the Falcons looking past the Broncos, but really, you think so? A team in Denver that’s owned their division, stomping on both Tampa Bay and New Orleans- they notice us. Jason Elam and Domonique Foxworth would love nothing more than to say, “Tell Shanahan I said, ‘Wassup?’”

Speaking to a dear friend of mine, and one of the few people that I can actually talk to about the Broncos, I brought up the fact that last time I remember Mike Shanahan ditching a promising cornerback it was Deltha O’Neal- when he played Denver he picked off Jake Plummer and basically beasted the entire game- ending a come-back on Monday Night Football. Foxworth’s playing against his home team (he grew up in Denver), and I’m sure he’d love to beat the team that let him slip away.

Foxworth spent a lot of time pairing up against Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal and Brandon Stokley this summer. He knows Cutler’s weaknesses too, you think he hasn’t shared the fact that our young quarterback isn’t sure what a pump-fake is or that he often stares down a receiver to the point of absurdity. Actually anybody with a rewind button could figure that out, but he likely will spread word on why Cutler tends to audible and how based on his eye movement when he’s planning on handing-off? Of course he has.

There will be blood. You bet your sweet ass Atlanta’s going to come out swinging. Denver will come out swinging harder, we lose this game and we’ve lost a lot more than just our hopes for playoff positioning.

Atlanta’s plan coming into the game will be ball control-

I wasn’t at Shanahan’s press conference yesterday, but if I was, I would have asked him why Denver didn’t pursue Michael Turner in free agency this past off-season. I’m willing to bet, if he’d answer honestly, that in his reply there will be the answer to how Denver will focus on stopping him. San Diego let him go for a reason and I don’t think that money was the main factor, Darren Sproles replaced him easily and Sproles ripped Denver but good in Week Two.

Yes, most people are going to tell you shut down Turner and you’ll win. That’s not the case at all, let Turner run for four-hundred yards for all I care, just keep him out of the end-zone. That’s really the key, focus on shutting down Matt Ryan, Mike Jenkins and Roddy White. Let Turner and Jerious Norwood have a field day on our defense, just keepe them from scoring.

Let Dre Bly play bump and run-

It’s the man in his element, fans scream for Bly to be traded/demoted/castrated- but as I said Monday, the man shines brightest without Champ Bailey. That’s because when Champ’s not on the field, Denver allows him to behave as if he is Champ. Put him out on an island, not 15-yards off his man, let him jam his man at the line of scrimmage, let him help that receiver up after he knocks him down.

Look for nine men in the box-

Don’t know if you caught it last week watching any other games, but it’s trending right now in the NFL. Screw eight, let’s get nine men in the box. With Bailey back in the lineup and allowing Bly to man-up on his wide receiver we can put a man like Wesley Woodyard over a tight end and take our chances.

What this will do, is limit Ryan- he’s 149 of 250 and averaging just 7.9 yards per pass. Guess what nine men in a box will do? It’ll clog that eight-yard range that Ryan can throw in. Another thing that that 7.9 average says is that the pass calls have been very conservative and that the Falcons’ coaches are opting for safe, confidence building passes for the young quarterback. Press Bailey and Bly spread nine men through the middle and we can increase the total times Ryan’s been put on his butt this season (12). We’ve just seen Brady Quinn last week, same theory here, younger quarterback with worse receivers.

Atlanta’s defense is liberal-

At least at giving up yardage, they’re ranked 22nd in passing yards and 21st in rushing yards. However, they’re 9th in points allowed. If Cutler can keep gun slinging with laser precision Denver will run away with this game, defense or no defense. Allow Peyton Hillis to spell Cutler’s passes and we’ve got a ball game. Denver is second in the NFL for total offense by the way and yes, great defense wins championships, but a great offense will definitely get you to the playoffs.

Four receiver, one running back-

Q- Pop quiz fantasy football hotshot, you’ve got Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Tony Scheffler, Brandon Stokley and Hillis lining up as Cutler takes the shotgun formation. What do you do?

A- Hold the hell on, this is going to be interesting.

Now as an added bonus, what would you do if Darrell Jackson or Chad Jackson were to march onto the field instead of Hillis? Maybe you’d just crap your pants. I’m not sure…

What about you nation? What did we miss? Look forward to hearing from everyone in the comments!

It’s Smack Talk Week at BroncoTalk, celebrating the inefficiencies and inferior qualities of everything non-Broncos in the AFC West.

Just a quick reminder – this is all in the name of good, clean fun – no personal, individual attacks on each other and you can have at it in the comments.

Today I’m breaking down the San Diego Chargers, giving you five reasons – in no particular order – why they are pretty much the trash of the National Football League.  Enjoy!

Look at all the trophies – The Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, and, more recently, the Denver Broncos all have a bit of bling to boast in their trophy cases.  The Lombardi Trophy is proudly displayed in each city, a mark of championship teams past, and proud symbol for each organization’s history.  For all the wins the San Diego Chargers have earned in the past few years, it means NOTHING – I repeat, NOTHING – compared to a hard-earned NFL Championship.

Tainted supplements my ass – Suspended for four games after a tainted supplement left you testing positive for steriods, eh Shawne Merriman? Last season, the photo comparison on the right gained notoriety, showing how athletic Merriman is without chemical enhancements. The results were noticed on the field too – the video has been taken down, but we showed the brutal block that Jaguars tiny RB Maurice Jones-Drew executed against Merriman that left his ass on the floor. Let’s see how well you do for a few seasons, “supplement” free, before we anoint you the next Lawrence Taylor.

UPDATE: Apparently the top photo was doctored (actually the body of Jamal Williams).  Still, just look at the neck (not photoshopped).  And the working YouTube can be found here.

Grouchy, grouchy, grouchy – Are there bigger crybabies in the NFL? Every time they lose, all you see are pictures like this – Ladainian Tomlinson giving his quarterback an odd, frustrated look. Way to facilitate team unity, LDT. Even your own fans (see sig) are tired of your whiny antics.

A Team to Win Now – Time is running out, Chargers fans. Last year San Diego decided to keep Michael Turner on their roster, believing it was a team ready to “win now.” Well they didn’t. They were rumored to have declined a first round pick, and Turner is now elsewhere. Because they wanted to “win now.” Meanwhile, they overcompensated to pull off a trade for Chris Chambers last season the day of the trade deadline, giving up a 2nd round pick. Because they wanted to “win now.” Well, “now” is over, that season has gone and past, and the Chargers have to be left thinking that if they don’t make a run this season, their chance to win their first Lombardi trophy is likely over. They have an overrated QB, a getting-older RB coming off injury, and an offensive line that didn’t show enough consistency to make me believe they can get the job done.

In conclusion, winning a Super Bowl is tough enough… most teams most overcome injury, weather, bad luck, and, of course, the best opponents in the NFL to taste the Lombardi trophy. Unfortunately for the San Diego Chargers, most teams don’t have to overcome this as well:

Norv Turner. Enough said.