DENVER -
The NFL is jokingly referred to as the "Not For Long", so it comes as no surprise how quickly things can change. Before the season started, the feeling was a week 11 matchup between the Chargers and Broncos would be inconsequential. In the minds of many, at that point, the Chargers would be running away from the rest of the woefully weak AFC West.
That theory lasted about two weeks.
Blame it on the "Not For Long" theory.
Then, once the Broncos raced out to a 6-0 start and San Diego was scuffling their way to a 2-3 mark, this game tomorrow also seemed inconsequential----though, for drastically different reasons. After all, Denver had a three-and-a-half game lead on San Diego. The assumption was that the Broncos would coast to the Division title and it would be the Chargers battling for a wild card spot.
Did we mention the "Not For Long"?
That perception lasted about three weeks.
That theory was blown out as well when Denver stalled coming out of their bye week and have lost three in a row. Combine that with San Diego's four game winning streak and both teams are 6-3 heading into Sunday's pivotal showdown at Invesco Field at Mile High.
A Denver win would put them one game up over San Diego in the standings but a victory Sunday would ensure a season sweep----meaning the all important tiebreaker edge and ostensibly a two game division lead.
If a sweep is to materialize, it will do so along with the Broncos offense. They have been dormant during the losing streak. In the last three games, the "O" has scored just a combined 24 points. San Diego scored 31 last week.
All signs point to Chris Simms starting for the Broncos at quarterback tomorrow in place of the injured Kyle Orton, who is recovering from a sprained ankle. The injury prevented Orton from practicing on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday but head coach Josh McDaniels did not rule out playing Orton this Sunday.
Playing on Sunday while not practicing during the week is rare. Then again, so is squandering a three-and-a-half game division lead. If Orton has any chance of playing, expect him in there. Otherwise, another loss on Sunday would mean the Broncos wake up on Monday out of the first place for the first time all season.
That theory lasted about two weeks.
Blame it on the "Not For Long" theory.
Then, once the Broncos raced out to a 6-0 start and San Diego was scuffling their way to a 2-3 mark, this game tomorrow also seemed inconsequential----though, for drastically different reasons. After all, Denver had a three-and-a-half game lead on San Diego. The assumption was that the Broncos would coast to the Division title and it would be the Chargers battling for a wild card spot.
Did we mention the "Not For Long"?
That perception lasted about three weeks.
That theory was blown out as well when Denver stalled coming out of their bye week and have lost three in a row. Combine that with San Diego's four game winning streak and both teams are 6-3 heading into Sunday's pivotal showdown at Invesco Field at Mile High.
A Denver win would put them one game up over San Diego in the standings but a victory Sunday would ensure a season sweep----meaning the all important tiebreaker edge and ostensibly a two game division lead.
If a sweep is to materialize, it will do so along with the Broncos offense. They have been dormant during the losing streak. In the last three games, the "O" has scored just a combined 24 points. San Diego scored 31 last week.
All signs point to Chris Simms starting for the Broncos at quarterback tomorrow in place of the injured Kyle Orton, who is recovering from a sprained ankle. The injury prevented Orton from practicing on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday but head coach Josh McDaniels did not rule out playing Orton this Sunday.
Playing on Sunday while not practicing during the week is rare. Then again, so is squandering a three-and-a-half game division lead. If Orton has any chance of playing, expect him in there. Otherwise, another loss on Sunday would mean the Broncos wake up on Monday out of the first place for the first time all season.
