cutlerfan
12-20-2007, 09:22 AM
Divisional rivals close out the 'Monday Night Football' schedule
By Scouts Inc
Thursday, December 20, 2007
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/scouting?gameId=271224024
Why To Watch
Forget the records these teams bring into the final Monday night game of the season, becuase this is an intense divisional rivlary no matter what and both teams are sure to play hard on this stage. Denver may be the most underachieving team of 2007 but the Broncos do have a gifted quarterback in Jay Cutler, who is capable of big passing plays but also makes some mistakes. And Denver will remain committed to the run no matter who is playing running back. San Diego is a very dangerous team heading into the playoffs with a dominating running game behind LaDainian Tomlinson and a defense that is attacking offenses much more in recent weeks. Will the Chargers force Cutler into mistakes? Will LT run wild against a suspect Denver run defense? Will the Broncos show some pride on Monday night? This game is a nice way to spend Christmas Eve.
When the Broncos have the ball
Rushing: The players change but Denver's formula for success in the running game never does. The Broncos are getting good production from their running back duo of Selvin Young and Travis Henry despite an offensive line that has really struggled with injuries and continuity. This is a one-cut run game that relies on zone blocking concepts and drives defenses crazy by chop-blocking defenders and cutting their legs out from under them.
San Diego's run defense starts with massive NT Jamal Williams, who controls the inside gaps and he can eat up two to three blockers on ever play. Williams is a nightmare matchup for the Denver C Chris Myers and the Broncos will have a tough time running inside. San Diego will also utilize some interior stunts and zone blitzes designed to confuse blocking assignments, but the Chargers need to tackle better and attack the hole before the back gets to the second level, something they have not done well on a weekly basis this season
Passing: Cutler continues to show all the physical tools necessary to be an elite quarterback but he still does not show enough consistency on a weekly basis. He has a big arm and he has so much confidence in his ability to put the ball into tight spots that he will take chances and force throws that he shouldn't. This offense is much better when the running game is going well and Cutler faces third-and-short situations that don't call for a lot of gambling to move the chains. WR Brandon Marshall and TE Tony Scheffler are the main targets but the Broncos don't spread the field quite as much as they would like to.
San Diego has improved its overall coverages in the second half of the season and if the Chargers' pass rush is effective they will make a lot of plays in the secondary as they do a nice job of reading the quarterback's eyes and jumping routes. Keep an eye on CB Antonio Cromartie, who has 10 interceptions through 14 games. Look for the chargers to blitz a lot and play man-to-man schemes on the back end, which means Cutler could make some big throws down the field if he has time to throw.
When the Chargers have the ball
Rushing: The good news for the Chargers is that they are facing a terrible Denver run defense that can't stop anyone without overloading the box. The Broncos like to bring SS John Lynch into the box to help the linebackers, but that leaves them with a single safety over the top and single coverage on the edges by the corners. Denver is undersized in the middle and the lack of a big guy to plug the "A" gaps puts a lot of pressure on the linebackers to step up and fill, and they are also forced to make a lot of tackles on the second level because the defensive linemen to not protect them well enough.
That is a perfect recipe for disaster against Tomlinson and the Chargers. They will establish the run early and give LT a lot of touches to get him into the flow and take pressure off QB Phillip Rivers. San Diego misses FB Lorenzo Neal and his ability to lead on iso plays, but the Chargers will still run a lot of inside power plays designed to bounce to the outside and take advantage of LT's speed and elusiveness on the perimeter. That will put a lot of pressure on the Denver linebackers.
Passing: While the Charges are throwing the ball less because of Rivers' up-and-down performances they are at least starting to incorporate WRs Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson on the perimeter rather than depending on TE Antonio Gates as their main threat in the passing game. Gates is still the go-to guy, though, and moves around the formation and is often in motion in order to get him into the best possible matchups. Tomlinson is also an underrated weapon in the passing game with his ability to make defenders miss in space on screens and dump-offs.
Rivers will get good pass protection from his offensive line, but the Broncos have a decent pass rush off the edge. Denver struggles to cover athletic tight ends, though, and that is exactly what Gates is. The Broncos will likely cover San Diego's wideouts man-to-man with CBs Champ Bailey and Dre Bly, leaving them free to use some bracket coverages and press schemes by the linebackers and safeties. Still, Rivers should be able to exploit the deep middle of the Broncos defense.
Special Teams
San Diego probably has the edge here, primarily because return specialist Darren Sproles is so explosive and capable of big plays at any time. Chargers PK Nate Kaeding has a stronger leg than Denver's Jason Elam but both are consistent and dependable. The punting game probably also favors the Chargers because veteran Mike Scifres not only has a strong leg, but he is also an excellent directional punter. The Broncos also lack great production on their cover units, while the Chargers have good young players covering kicks and punts. San Diego should win the field position battle.
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.
By Scouts Inc
Thursday, December 20, 2007
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/scouting?gameId=271224024
Why To Watch
Forget the records these teams bring into the final Monday night game of the season, becuase this is an intense divisional rivlary no matter what and both teams are sure to play hard on this stage. Denver may be the most underachieving team of 2007 but the Broncos do have a gifted quarterback in Jay Cutler, who is capable of big passing plays but also makes some mistakes. And Denver will remain committed to the run no matter who is playing running back. San Diego is a very dangerous team heading into the playoffs with a dominating running game behind LaDainian Tomlinson and a defense that is attacking offenses much more in recent weeks. Will the Chargers force Cutler into mistakes? Will LT run wild against a suspect Denver run defense? Will the Broncos show some pride on Monday night? This game is a nice way to spend Christmas Eve.
When the Broncos have the ball
Rushing: The players change but Denver's formula for success in the running game never does. The Broncos are getting good production from their running back duo of Selvin Young and Travis Henry despite an offensive line that has really struggled with injuries and continuity. This is a one-cut run game that relies on zone blocking concepts and drives defenses crazy by chop-blocking defenders and cutting their legs out from under them.
San Diego's run defense starts with massive NT Jamal Williams, who controls the inside gaps and he can eat up two to three blockers on ever play. Williams is a nightmare matchup for the Denver C Chris Myers and the Broncos will have a tough time running inside. San Diego will also utilize some interior stunts and zone blitzes designed to confuse blocking assignments, but the Chargers need to tackle better and attack the hole before the back gets to the second level, something they have not done well on a weekly basis this season
Passing: Cutler continues to show all the physical tools necessary to be an elite quarterback but he still does not show enough consistency on a weekly basis. He has a big arm and he has so much confidence in his ability to put the ball into tight spots that he will take chances and force throws that he shouldn't. This offense is much better when the running game is going well and Cutler faces third-and-short situations that don't call for a lot of gambling to move the chains. WR Brandon Marshall and TE Tony Scheffler are the main targets but the Broncos don't spread the field quite as much as they would like to.
San Diego has improved its overall coverages in the second half of the season and if the Chargers' pass rush is effective they will make a lot of plays in the secondary as they do a nice job of reading the quarterback's eyes and jumping routes. Keep an eye on CB Antonio Cromartie, who has 10 interceptions through 14 games. Look for the chargers to blitz a lot and play man-to-man schemes on the back end, which means Cutler could make some big throws down the field if he has time to throw.
When the Chargers have the ball
Rushing: The good news for the Chargers is that they are facing a terrible Denver run defense that can't stop anyone without overloading the box. The Broncos like to bring SS John Lynch into the box to help the linebackers, but that leaves them with a single safety over the top and single coverage on the edges by the corners. Denver is undersized in the middle and the lack of a big guy to plug the "A" gaps puts a lot of pressure on the linebackers to step up and fill, and they are also forced to make a lot of tackles on the second level because the defensive linemen to not protect them well enough.
That is a perfect recipe for disaster against Tomlinson and the Chargers. They will establish the run early and give LT a lot of touches to get him into the flow and take pressure off QB Phillip Rivers. San Diego misses FB Lorenzo Neal and his ability to lead on iso plays, but the Chargers will still run a lot of inside power plays designed to bounce to the outside and take advantage of LT's speed and elusiveness on the perimeter. That will put a lot of pressure on the Denver linebackers.
Passing: While the Charges are throwing the ball less because of Rivers' up-and-down performances they are at least starting to incorporate WRs Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson on the perimeter rather than depending on TE Antonio Gates as their main threat in the passing game. Gates is still the go-to guy, though, and moves around the formation and is often in motion in order to get him into the best possible matchups. Tomlinson is also an underrated weapon in the passing game with his ability to make defenders miss in space on screens and dump-offs.
Rivers will get good pass protection from his offensive line, but the Broncos have a decent pass rush off the edge. Denver struggles to cover athletic tight ends, though, and that is exactly what Gates is. The Broncos will likely cover San Diego's wideouts man-to-man with CBs Champ Bailey and Dre Bly, leaving them free to use some bracket coverages and press schemes by the linebackers and safeties. Still, Rivers should be able to exploit the deep middle of the Broncos defense.
Special Teams
San Diego probably has the edge here, primarily because return specialist Darren Sproles is so explosive and capable of big plays at any time. Chargers PK Nate Kaeding has a stronger leg than Denver's Jason Elam but both are consistent and dependable. The punting game probably also favors the Chargers because veteran Mike Scifres not only has a strong leg, but he is also an excellent directional punter. The Broncos also lack great production on their cover units, while the Chargers have good young players covering kicks and punts. San Diego should win the field position battle.
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.