Washinton Postgame

Denver would have won against Washington if Kyle Orton hadn't gotten hurt. It's as simple as that. With Orton possibly out against San Diego in a game with playoff ramifications, Denver fans might start to see his true value to the team. If Franken-Simms starts against San Diego, the Broncos will lose.

Just like last year, the Denver Broncos are fading just as the Chargers begin their mid-season ascent of the rankings. And frankly, the Chargers are playing some awesome football right now. Even with a healthy Orton, it might be incredibly difficult for Denver to win this game.

Football success tends to rely on a few basic postulates:
1) Teams must have the luck to have a majority of players stay healthy for a preponderance of the season.
2) Teams must have a locker room full of players who are willing to let team victory transcend individual ego.
3) Teams must peak at the right time.

If Orton can't play for more than a game, then the Broncos will fall victim to postulate 1. They seem to be fairly solid on postulate 2, which is surprising given all the off season criticisms of the team. As for postulate 3, Denver might have peaked too soon this season, and will unfortunately face a Chargers team that is starting to put things together and fields more talent than Denver. The Chargers were a wreck the first time Denver played them, but they seem to have coalesced around the stellar play of Rivers, LT is making plays, and their defense is keeping games close.

I would love to be wrong, but I think San Diego will take this one. Of course, McDaniels and the rest have surprised me this year, and it's just possible that Denver will utilize their home-field advantage and the superior arm strength of Franken-Simms to keep the Chargers off the field. The Denver defense can definitely hold the Chargers to a mid-20's output but only if they're not exhausted in the second half. If I were an arm-chair coach, I would use the following offensive recipe. Early deep passes to Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, and Scheffler to stretch the field; intermixed with heavy doses of a power running game and a few short passes to burn the clock. If Denver can dominate time of possession, then they have a chance to win this game. If Franken-Simms and the rest put up three-and-outs all game then the defense will give way and the Chargers will win.