Breaking Down Chargers- Broncos

[dragondawg]

The Chargers and Broncos meet for the first time this season and this game in Denver will give the winner sole possession of first place in the AFC West. In addition to playing on their homefield, the Broncos will have the advantage of not having to face a Chargers defense that includes linebacker Shawne Merriman, who is sitting out a suspension.
Here are eight key matchups:

Chargers RBs LaDainian Tomlinson, Michael Turner vs. Broncos OLBs Ian Gold and D.J. Williams
The Matchup: This is perhaps the most important matchup when it comes to establishing AFC West superiority. Tomlinson, left, is the best all-around player in the NFL and nobody realizes it more than Mike Shanahan. Tomlinson is a perfect blend of power, speed and instincts and the Broncos LB duo should be able to come close to handling Tomlinson’s speed, but they will have a difficult time with his power in the second half. Tomlinson is on his way to establishing a new record for touchdowns in a season. Turner is an explosive backup who would start for at least 10 teams. Gold, right, and Williams can both go from sideline to sideline as well as any linebackers in the game. The Broncos rank fifth in fewest yards allowed per rushing attempt while the Chargers are second in rushing yards per game.

Key stats:
Tomlinson -- 932 yards; 4.9 yards per carry; 16 TDs; 44 receptions; 377 yards; 2 TDs.
Turner-- 345 yards; 6.4 ypc; 2 TDs.
Gold-- 50 tackles; 2 pass defensed; 1 forced fumble.
Williams-- 47 tackles, 2 passes defensed.

Edge: Tomlinson and Turner


Chargers QB Philip Rivers vs. Broncos MLB Al Wilson
The Matchup: Chargers bided their time and groomed Rivers brilliantly for the job, and he is rewarding the foresight of general manager A.J. Smith with great leadership and accurate passing. Rivers does not have the best crew of wideouts, but he has a knack for putting the ball where his receivers can catch it and defenders can’t. Wilson may not get the notoriety of Ray Lewis or Brian Urlacher, but he is nearly as good. Wilson has a quick first step, can drop back into coverage and conducts the Broncos defense as if he were Zubin Mehta leading the New York Philharmonic.

Key stats:
Rivers-- 182-of-274 for 2,085 yards, 13 TDs and 3 interceptions.
Wilson -- 67 tackles, 1 sack, 3 passes defensed.

Edge: Even

Broncos RB Tatum Bell vs. Chargers LBs Donnie Edwards and Shaun Phillips
The Matchup: Earlier in the season, Bell was getting some assistance from Mike Bell, but Shanahan left him as an inactive player last week against Oakland. Tatum Bell relies on his quickness at getting off the mark and knows how to read his blockers before accelerating into the open. Edwards, shown tackling Chad Johnson, has great instincts for diagnosing plays while Phillips is a big hitter who tries to put his helmet on the football when he gets the opportunity. The Chargers held Bell to 52 yards on 19 carries in the regular-season finale a year ago -- but Bell punched the ball into the end zone three times.

Key stats:
Bell -- 649 yards, 4.3 ypc, 2 TDs.
Edwards -- 72 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble.
Phillips --32 tackles, 7 sacks, 3 forced fumbles.

Edge: Edwards and Phillips

Broncos QB Jake Plummer vs. Chargers ILB Randall Godfrey
The Matchup: Plummer is in a very difficult position. No matter what he says, he knows he is keeping the seat warm until rookie QB Jay Cutler is ready. That won’t happen until the start of the 2007 season, but how can Plummer play his best football under those circumstances? Even when he does have a clear mind, Plummer tends to make mistakes in crucial situations, and that’s the primary reason Shanahan drafted Cutler last April. Godfrey is a wily veteran who will try to keep Plummer in his sights and not let him get to the outside where he can make plays on the run. Godfrey has had to step up his game due to the suspension of Shawne Merriman. He is not spectacular but he is all business on the field and rarely makes mistakes.

Key stats:
Plummer -- 137-of-248 for 1,595 yards; 10 TD and 10 interceptions.
Godfrey -- 31 tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles.

Edge: Godfrey


Broncos QB Jake Plummer vs. Chargers ILB Randall Godfrey
The Matchup: Plummer is in a very difficult position. No matter what he says, he knows he is keeping the seat warm until rookie QB Jay Cutler is ready. That won’t happen until the start of the 2007 season, but how can Plummer play his best football under those circumstances? Even when he does have a clear mind, Plummer tends to make mistakes in crucial situations, and that’s the primary reason Shanahan drafted Cutler last April. Godfrey is a wily veteran who will try to keep Plummer in his sights and not let him get to the outside where he can make plays on the run. Godfrey has had to step up his game due to the suspension of Shawne Merriman. He is not spectacular but he is all business on the field and rarely makes mistakes.

Key stats:
Plummer -- 137-of-248 for 1,595 yards; 10 TD and 10 interceptions.
Godfrey -- 31 tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles.

Edge: Godfrey

Chargers TE Antonio Gates vs. Broncos SS Nick Ferguson
The Matchup: The powerful Gates is the Chargers' most dangerous receiver and an outstanding red-zone weapon who can also go down the seam and make a big play. Gates gets off the line quickly and can run by the linebackers into the secondary and then use his big body to wall off defenders and make the catch. Ferguson is a smart player who will have problems matching up with Gates. Ferguson, 5-11 and 201 pounds, simply does not have the strength to control the 6-4, 260-pound Gates. This could be a huge edge for the Chargers if the game is on the line in the final minutes.

Key stat:
Gates -- 39 receptions for 475 yards, 4 TDs.
Ferguson --32 tackles, 3 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble.

Edge: Gates

Broncos WR Javon Walker vs. Chargers CB Quentin Jammer
The Matchup: The Broncos needed a big-play wideout, and Walker has given them the ability to strike from anywhere. His three-TD performance in Week Nine against the Steelers demonstrated the Walker was at the top of his game. He will need to be if he is going to be successful against Jammer. The physical corner will press Walker early on and make him earn every catch. Jammer can get burned because he will take chances, but if he can play with a physical edge early in the game, he could take Walker out of his game.

Key stats:
Walker -- 41 receptions for 731 yards; 6 TDs.
Jammer -- 43 tackles, 2 interceptions, 4 passes defensed.

Edge: Even

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan vs. Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer
The Matchup: Shanahan is perhaps the best strategist in the business while Schottenheimer is an outstanding teacher and motivator. Shanahan excels at putting his best talent on the field at key moments in the game and putting his players in a position to succeed. He is only limited by the mistakes his quarterback makes far too frequently. Schottenheimer has a reputation as a stubborn run-oriented general, but he has given Rivers the opportunity to throw with greater frequency over the last four games and he has been rewarded..

Edge: Shanahan, slightly

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15612258...pt_NFL_matchup

[When Lightning Strikes]

looks like most of the edge's are going san diego's way.

[WoodMan]

No mention of all pro CB Champ Bailey, former all pro John Lynch (who will have a huge role in stopping the run), Jason Elam, or home field advantage. Not a very thorough write up I guess. Denver 20 - Sandy eggo 17

[RMANCIL]

Walker will be the key if the Broncos can get him or Smith the ball on a regular bases we could have a shoot out if not it maybe a very long game for the Bronco faithful.

It has been years since the Bronco faithful have seen a muti headed offensive attack like the Bolts trot out with Rivers ,LT ,Gates and company.

Reminds me of the Elway years with Sharpe and Terrell Davis.

[Smiling Assassin27]

and that walker-jammer assessment is dead wrong. you can't get physical with walker because he's too big. this matchup is all walker, IMO.

[Mile High Shack]

walker against Jammer is even?

wow

[Killericon]

Broncos WR Javon Walker vs. Chargers CB Quentin Jammer
The Matchup: The Broncos needed a big-play wideout, and Walker has given them the ability to strike from anywhere. His three-TD performance in Week Nine against the Steelers demonstrated the Walker was at the top of his game. He will need to be if he is going to be successful against Jammer. The physical corner will press Walker early on and make him earn every catch. Jammer can get burned because he will take chances, but if he can play with a physical edge early in the game, he could take Walker out of his game.

Key stats:
Walker -- 41 receptions for 731 yards; 6 TDs.
Jammer -- 43 tackles, 2 interceptions, 4 passes defensed.

Edge: Even

I call bull****.

[Rulon Velvet Jones]

I'd bet Jammer wrote that.

Scouts Inc. on ESPN Insider has the Broncos with the edge and a 23-20 prediction. The give credit to SD for a better QB, RB, DL and ST. Rest goes to Denver.

[elsid13]

Ok that is one of the worse "analysis" I ever seen. The game will come down to whether the SD defense front 3 can penetrate the zone block lanes, and disrupt the cutback lanes. If they cannot do that and have to have the LBs and Safeties sell out to stop the run, Plummer will able to Play action and get to the edge, which give Denver a great passing advantage against the SD secondary.

[cmhargrove]

Anyone taking bets on Tatum being active this game

What about Kyle Johnson vs. whichever poor linnebacker tries to cover him for the quick TD pass?

I think the Broncos tight ends might have a good game too. It wouldn't surprise me if our tight end production was as good as SD's this game. That play action last week was on the money on the last drive.

Finallly, Jammer as good as Walker my a$$. If Plummer gets the ball to Walker, he has proven he can beat anyone's starter. This question really has nothing to do with Walker because when he gets the ball, and he will, he makes things happpen. It's just up to Jake to get it there.

I hope they bring the safety blitz back and let Lynch whack Rivers again. It was a rude welcome to the NFL last year, but I would like to see it again.

[cmhargrove]

Which BB are these Chargers fans coming from I'm not one for butting in, but I would really like to visit them on Monday and return some of their hospitality.

Anyone know the Chargers BB address?

[Lev Vyvanse]

Originally Posted by dragondawg

The Chargers and Broncos meet for the first time this season and this game in Denver will give the winner sole possession of first place in the AFC West. In addition to playing on their homefield, the Broncos will have the advantage of not having to face a Chargers defense that includes linebacker Shawne Merriman, who is sitting out a suspension.
Here are eight key matchups:


Chargers QB Philip Rivers vs. Broncos MLB Al Wilson
The Matchup: Chargers bided their time and groomed Rivers brilliantly for the job, and he is rewarding the foresight of general manager A.J. Smith with great leadership and accurate passing. Rivers does not have the best crew of wideouts, but he has a knack for putting the ball where his receivers can catch it and defenders can’t. Wilson may not get the notoriety of Ray Lewis or Brian Urlacher, but he is nearly as good. Wilson has a quick first step, can drop back into coverage and conducts the Broncos defense as if he were Zubin Mehta leading the New York Philharmonic.

Key stats:
Rivers-- 182-of-274 for 2,085 yards, 13 TDs and 3 interceptions.
Wilson -- 67 tackles, 1 sack, 3 passes defensed.

Edge: Even

Why would a matchup be Rivers vs Wilson? Thats just retarded.

[azbroncfan]

Originally Posted by killericon

I call bull****.

Game plan last couple years was to get Lelie on Jammer one on one and Lelie would win. Just think what JW will do if they leave Jammer one on one which I highly doubt they would do.

[When Lightning Strikes]

Come on over Monday morning....lets have a chat...

www.Bolttalk.com

[Kaylore]

Anyone who thinks Jammer is better than Walker is retarded. The only person who can stop Walker is Jake Plummer.

[Dandaman]

Originally Posted by RMANCIL

[COLOR="
It has been years since the Bronco faithful have seen a muti headed offensive attack like the Bolts trot out with Rivers ,LT ,Gates and company.

Really? I remember them playing a multi headed (including one very large head) offensive attack in the Colts a couple weeks ago.

daniel

[Dandaman]

--

[ludo21]

Originally Posted by Mile High Shack

walker against Jammer is even?

wow

i stopped reading after that as well.....

Also, Gates V. Fergy

Has this guy seen us line up vs. TE's? Since Brandon is out, responisibilty will be on DJ and Gold more so than Fergy.

[400HZ]

That's retarded. Jammer isn't even the one who will be lining up on Walker.

[BroncoInSkinland]

Originally Posted by When Lightning Strikes

Come on over Monday morning....lets have a chat...

www.Bolttalk.com

they put out a calling all cars on the Mane over there. Claim they have us rattled trying to decide if they are Football geniuses or Trolls.

[Xenos]

Jammer takes chances? hahaha
He never takes chances. It's one of the reasons he almost never gets burned. He doesn't have Champ's physical skills to bait a QB. Instead, he just ends up blanketing his receivers, and tries to keep them in front of him, which forces the QB to throw it the other side. Walker might end up getting a lot of short yardage gains though.

[theAPAOps5]

Originally Posted by Xenos

Jammer takes chances? hahaha
He never takes chances. It's one of the reasons he almost never gets burned. He doesn't have Champ's physical skills to bait a QB. Instead, he just ends up blanketing his receivers, and tries to keep them in front of him, which forces the QB to throw it the other side. Walker might end up getting a lot of short yardage gains though.

Didn't Jammer have Ocho Cinco last week. Yeah he did an immaculate job keeping track of him. Walker > Jammer by far.

[2KBack]

the only matchup I see that could be made is the LBers VS, the RB. There are too many factors when it comes to the others. Jammer won;t always line up against walker (though he should if they are smart), MLB vs the QB? I don't get that one. Then the Gates vs Fergie is way off. I would guess that Cox will play in the big nickle and cover the TE, hell Champ might even cover gates for stretches.

[400HZ]

Originally Posted by ApaOps5

Didn't Jammer have Ocho Cinco last week. Yeah he did an immaculate job keeping track of him. Walker > Jammer by far.

Jammer covers the receiver who lines up on the righthand side of the field. If that's Rod, he'll cover Rod. If that's Javon, he'll cover Javon.

Most of these Jammer bashing posts are ridiculous, and it's brutaly obvious that many of the people flaming him have never watched him play. Jammer is number 23. He's not numbers 25, 27, 20, or 48.

[theAPAOps5]

Originally Posted by 400HZ

Jammer covers the receiver who lines up on the righthand side of the field. If that's Rod, he'll cover Rod. If that's Javon, he'll cover Javon.

Most of these Jammer bashing posts are ridiculous, and it's brutaly obvious that many of the people flaming him have never watched him play. Jammer is number 23. He's not numbers 25, 27, 20, or 48.

Oh don't get upset one day Jammer may be up there with the likes of lets say Deltha O'neil or maybe even Ty Law. I will give him that respect