Chargers seize control of AFC West with 32-3 win at Denver

4:10 p.m. Final: Chargers 32, Broncos 3

It looks like last season in the AFC West — just six games ahead of schedule. The Chargers went into Denver Sunday and punched the Broncos in the mouth to seize control of the division and their playoff hopes.

The bad news is that they lost right tackle Jeromey Clary to what looks like a serious leg injury in the process.

But all signs point to up for the Chargers as they won their fifth straight behind a balanced effort on offense (203 rushing yards, 175 passing yards) and a dominant effort on defense that forced three turnovers and held the Broncos out of the end zone.

With all cylinders clicking and the Broncos in free-fall, the Chargers face what looks like two very winnable games with Kansas City and Cleveland up next on the schedule.

The Broncos, meanwhile have lost four straight and face the Giants and the Colts in two of their next three games.

4:06 p.m. late fourth quarter, Chargers 32-3

Ho-hum. The Chargers scored a garbage time touchdown with Mike Tolbert — and proceeded to have the extra point blocked. There’s less than a minute left — the Broncos are about to be put out of their misery.

3:51 p.m. mid fourth quarter, Chargers 26-3

Another fourth-down conversion for Denver came up short. The Broncos are a beaten team on every level. They won’t win this game, and it doesn’t look like they have it in them to win many more moving forward. After a 6-0 start, Denver looks very much in danger of falling out of the playoff race.

It’s the NFL, and things change quickly as both of these teams have proven time and again. I just wouldn’t put any of my money on Denver’s playoff hopes.

3:40 p.m. early fourth quarter, Chargers 26-3

Hate to see this. Leading by 20 points late in the game, the Chargers lost right tackle Jeromey Clary, who was carted off the field with a leg injury.

An offensive line that struggled for much of the season has come into its own in the last month. It doesn’t look like Clary will be coming back any time soon, likely leaving the Chargers to mix and match on the offensive line yet again.

After the injury, Nate Kaeding kicked a chip shot field goal to increase the lead to 23.

3:30 p.m. early fourth quarter, Chargers 23-3

The Chargers put up three more points after coming up short in the red zone. No matter. It will take a near miracle for the Broncos to get back in this one.

3:20 p.m. end of third quarter, Chargers 20-3

Josh McDaniels is clearly a Bill Belichick disciple. And just like his mentor, he may be facing strong criticism for rolling the dice.

A gambler in the truest since of the word, McDaniels went for it on fourth and five and the Broncos came up short with about five minutes left in the third quarter.

So far, he’s played injured quarterback Kyle Orton, kicked an early onside kick and gone for it on fourth down. It’s no surprise with that kind of decision making that the Broncos have been streaky this season. When you roll the dice enough, the odds are going to catch up with you.

Meanwhile, Ron Rivera hasn’t backed down from bringing pressure just because Chris Simms is out of the game. The Chargers aren’t racking up sacks, but they’ve brought serious heat on Simms and Orton. A blitz forced Orton to throw a bad pass on the failed fourth down attempt.

Denver has found room on the ground — especially with rookie Knowshon Moreno (10 carries for 80 yards). But the Broncos are too far behind at this point to depend on the ground game. The Chargers came in with a better game plan and it shows on the scoreboard.

3:03 p.m. mid third quarter, Chargers 20-3

Trickeration has proven costly for the Broncos. A failed surprise onside kick set the Chargers up at midfield, where Norv Turner went to his own bag of tricks.

A flea-flicker from Philip Rivers to Antonio Gates set the Chargers up at the two, where LaDainian Tomlinson scored his 147th career touchdown.

It was a big gamble on Josh McDaniels’ part. It may cost the Broncos a chance at getting back into the game.

2:55 p.m. mid third quarter, Chargers 13-3

Denver’s on the board after a big Knowshon Moreno run set the Broncos up in field goal range. The Chargers red zone defense stepped up though to force a kick. It looked a lot like last week’s impressive red zone efforts against Philadelphia.

2:45 early third quarter, Chargers 13-0

The Broncos got off to a good start in the second half, getting pressure on Philip Rivers to force a three and out. Now Kyle Orton has a short field to work with to try and get Denver on the scoreboard. This is a big chance for Denver to seize momentum.

2:30 Halftime, Chargers 13-0

Antonio Cromartie just put a quick end to any chance of Broncos momentum at halftime with an impressive interception of Kyle Orton to end the half.

Orton looked really good in the drive that ended with a fumble at the goal line. If he comes out strong in the second half, he can make it a ball game. The Chargers controlled the first half, but the 13-0 score isn’t indicative of a team that has a 3-0 edge in turnovers. A two-possession game, this one is still very much up for grabs.

2:20 p.m. late second quarter, Chargers 13-0

The Chargers just caught a break. Knowshon Moreno scored a touchdown, but it was ruled a fumble on the field when the ball popped out as he crossed the goal line. As is so often the case, officials ruled the replay inconclusive and confirmed the fumble call on the field.

Instead of cutting the lead to 13-7 behind a 3-for-3 Kyle Orton drive, the Broncos are still scoreless and the Chargers have the ball.

The NFL should reconsider it’s replay standards — there’s really no reason for a play that is so obviously a touchdown to be ruled otherwise because of a “conclusive evidence” standard. Let the officials call it as they see it on the replay regardless of the call on the field.

2:16 p.m. mid second quarter, Chargers 13-0

Josh McDaniels is gambling with his quarterback’s health. Denver was so inept on offense with Chris Simms leading the charge, the Broncos coach has put his injured starter into the game.

Very risky play. Will be interesting to see if Ron Rivera keep up the blitz scheme.

2:14 p.m. mid second quarter, Chargers 13-0

Another possession, another score for San Diego. It’s a field goal for the second drive in a row as the ground game continues to struggle. Tomlinson — Nine rushes for 13 yards outside of his 21-yarder.

2:09 p.m. mid second quarter, Chargers 10-0

Hobbled quarterback Kyle Orton is warming up on the sidelines for Denver. Josh McDaniels may have already given up on Chris Simms. Can’t really blame him.

2:03 p.m. Early second quarter, Chargers 10-0

Pressure pressure pressure. Ron Rivera smells blood and is putting together the most aggressive blitz scheme we’ve seen from the Chargers all season. Eric Weddle and Shaun Phillps just forced a bad Chris Simms pass with a blind side blitz on third down.

If the Broncos can’t figure out how to pass the ball, it will be tough to find running room for Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter.

1:56 p.m. Early second quarter, Chargers, 10-0

The Chargers moved the ball well again on their second possession, but got bogged down on the ground as Denver held in the red zone to force a field goal. Outside of LaDainian Tomlinson’s 21-yard run, he’s logged nine yards on six carries. Not too good.

It looks like another long day on the ground for the league’s worst rushing attack. It’s a good thing for the Chargers that Philip Rivers (8-of-9) is on point.

1:40 p.m. Late first quarter, Chargers, 7-0

The Broncos offense is in dire straits. Their second possession yielded two penalties and a sack before a punt. Chris Simms looks lost. Look for Ron Rivera’s defense to keep the pressure on the rusty quarterback.

1:30 p.m. Mid first quarter, Chargers 7-0

This is not the same Denver defense that got the Broncos off to a 6-0 start. Philip Rivers just moved the ball with ease down the field to find Legedu Naanee for the first score of the game.

There was no pressure from linebacker Elvis Dumervil, who leads the NFL’s second best sack attack. There was plenty of room in a secondary that boasts Pro Bowl regulars Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey.

It’s a good start and a statement from the Chargers, who looked in trouble before Denver turned the ball over on the opening drive. Now they need to figure out how to slow down the Denver running game.

1:25 p.m. Early first quarter, 0-0

There’s a Chris Chambers sighting. He just set up the Chiefs for the game-winning field goal against Pittsburgh with a big catch in overtime, making, in essence, his biggest play of the season for San Diego.

If San Diego ends up battling for the Wild Card, the Steelers upset could play a big factor.

1:22 p.m. Early first quarter, 0-0

Shaun Phillips said he was excited about the rare chance to attack the blind side against a lefty quarterback. He just showed why.

On Chris Simms’ first pass attempt of the day, Phillips came around the edge and forced a fumble to give San Diego the ball. It’s an ominous start for the Broncos backup that hasn’t started a game since 2006.

1:18 p.m. Early first quarter, 0-0

Kyle Orton is on the sidelines and the Broncos are running at will. With seven runs in seven plays, Denver coach Josh McDaniels clearly doesn’t have much faith in backup Chris Simms.

Too bad for the Chargers, they can’t stop the run as Denver is moving deep into Chargers territory.

1:14 p.m. Pregame

So NFL contractual obligations took CBS viewers away from K.C.- Pittsburgh in overtime, which will have a big impact on the loser of this game. The Steelers are 6-3 and would have a leg up in the Wild Card race over the Chargers-Broncos loser.

It’s a rare case of both Chargers and Broncos fans pulling for Kansas City.

They’re all big at this point, but today’s Chargers-Broncos tilt feels just a little bit bigger. Last time they met, the Broncos won on Monday Night and took a three-game lead in the AFC West. Now both teams sit at 6-3 and first place is at stake.

Check back in with sports editor Jason Owens at game time (1:15 p.m. PDT) for live updates and analysis of today’s crucial division matchup.

Tags: Chargers-Broncos, SDNN, SWRNN

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 4:41 pm and is filed under Chargers, Sports, Sports News . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.