Week 6 Game Recap: Denver vs San Diego

Thursday night’s game between the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos, saw another installment of the NFL’s colour rush game day kit. Denver, who would be without head coach Gary Kubiak due to health implications, were lead by special team’s coordinator Joe DeCamillis. Denver were coming off a resounding loss to the Atlanta Falcons and San Diego last week, once again were unable to finish in the last minutes against Oakland.

San Diego’s quarterback, Phillip Rivers, did not waste any time picking his way down the length of field. Linking up with five of his receivers on the opening 75-yard drive. Rivers locked in with rookie tight end Hunter Henry for a 5-yard touchdown to put the home team up in a commanding fashion.

Coming off a shoulder injury, Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian could not quite find the traction needed to answer back to the fast starting Chargers. Lasting only six plays and punting the ball away for the chargers to start inside their own 10-yard line. We then saw Rivers picking apart the Denver defense driving to the 19-yard line where they would be forced to take three points from a Josh Lambo field goal from 37 yards. Denver again found it difficult to keep the chains rolling, but a Chargers muffed punt and a Broncos recovery saw them take over once again. At the Chargers 11 yard line Denver could only manage a 37 yard field goal which would leave the score going into half time at 10-3 in favor of the boys in blue.

The Broncos were having difficulty moving the ball, and the Rivers lead offense certainly wasn’t having any troubles against the Broncos pass rush, throwing for 126 yards over four offensive drives. In comparison the Broncos only managed 49 offensive passing yards over the four offensive drives they completed.

The second half again started out with a Denver three and out, on the opening drive leaving the Chargers with good field position at their own 42yard line. Rivers again moving his offense inside the Broncos 5 yard line where they would settle for another Lambo field goal. The Broncos second drive was quickly halted by Linebacker Kory Toomer who recovered his own forced fumble which would then set up another Chargers field goal. Kicking a third straight field goal in the third quarter the Chargers would enter the final quarter 19-3.

Denver’s first drive of the fourth quarter would end in two points for San Diego. Right tackle Russell Okung was called for holding inside five yards of their own goal line forcing a safety on the Broncos offence. San Diego were unable to capitalize from the punt due to returner Kenny Wiggins fumbling the ball off the catch, allowing for another Denver recovery at the San Diego 49yard line. Siemian would then piece together a 49yard scoring drive, finding Brandon Fowler who bumped off tacklers to find his way in for a five-yard touchdown, with 8:13 left in the quarter. Kicker Bradley McManus would add three points from 46 yards inside two minutes, an onside kick recovery would allow one final Hail Mary for Siemian but unable to meet the end zone. The pass was batted down which would finally see the Chargers execute and complete a game where it was not lost within the final two minutes of the game.

An interesting game from the Chargers perspective, they finally managed to close out a game in the final quarter, yet did let the Broncos back in at the end. Joey Bosa looks to be emerging as a true force, constantly providing exemplary pass rushing pressure, and forcing Siemian into difficult positions. Melvin Gordon was also held out of the end zone for the first time this season, but did have a good day on the ground, exploiting a Denver defense that has been struggling against opposing running backs. Things are looking up for this Chargers team moving forward.

The Broncos struggled offensively this entire game, Siemian did not look like an NFL starter and constantly missed throws or made bad reads. The Broncos also killed their offensive drives on costly penalties, one particularly in the fourth quarter cost them a rushing touchdown for CJ Anderson. Whilst the Broncos defense is still playing at a high level, this team needs the running game to be established in order to find success. The play calling should have involved more running plays, in order to take the pressure of Siemian, and allow this Broncos defense more time on the sidelines. A worrying game from a Denver perspective, but hopefully they can amend some of these costly mistakes, and fix the discipline