Can the Broncos’ unorthodox success continue? Or perhaps a better question might be can the Chargers’ slow unraveling continue? This week, Denver and their unpredictable, Tebow led offense heads to San Diego to face a Chargers team that’s reeling from its own self-destruction. Can the Broncos find a way to be less mediocre than the Chargers? Looks like it may be up to the defense, because if they can stymie Rivers and the Chargers offense, they may just have a chance to outlast them. At least, that’s what our Madden 12 sim had to say:
Week 12: Denver 30, San Diego 17 -
The Chargers opened the first quarter with a solid drive that marched right down the field and got into the endzone with a 9 yard run. The Broncos got the ball and found a way to rumble close enough for a 55 yard field goal. With the ball back in their possession, the Chargers couldn’t get much done, and had to punt to end the first.
The Broncos took their chance and quickly drove down the field, capping their drive with a 19 yard TD pass to Decker.
The Chargers looked like they might respond in kind, but the Denver D put the clamps down in the red zone, and so San Diego had to settle for a 21 yard field goal. With plenty of time and all of their time outs left, Denver tried to get into position to score before the half. Unfortunately, Tebow’s erratic passing resulted with an INT, and the Chargers took advantage of the short field and punched in a 6 yard rushing TD before time expired.
Denver got the second half kick off, and while they ground out a good chunk of yards, they couldn’t really get anywhere and had to punt. The Chargers did the same, and the third quarter boiled down to several punts and drives that never gained any momentum. However, the Broncos finally got something going late in the quarter, and as the fourth quarter opened, Tebow hit Decker for a 5 yard TD. The Broncos were in business, but the Chargers have talent and plenty of time to score, but Bailey, for the second week in a row, jumped a route, picked off the ball, and ran it back 38 yards for a TD.
Suddenly Denver is playing with a cushy lead, and the Chargers are playing catch-up. They tried to close the gap with a 53 yard field goal, which they missed. Denver didn’t do much, but were able to get a 54 yard field goal of their own. The Chargers tried to get something going, but with little time left, were forced to go for it on fourth down and couldn’t convert. The Broncos ran the clock and ended the game with a 32 yard field goal.
Tebow didn’t have any rushing yards this game (I know, how likely is that?), but he had a decent game passing the ball. He went 12 of 25 for 172 yards, 2 TDs and an INT. McGahee got what he could on the ground, coming up with 54 key yards in the end. Decker was the prime target for Tebow this game with 5 catches for 65 yards and 2 TDs. But ultimately it was the Denver D that made the difference. They harassed Rivers all game, got three sacks on him, and picked him off once for a TD. That was what made the difference in the game, and with Denver’s D playing well, it could indeed make all the difference come Sunday. I know Broncos fans would be thankful if that were the case.
