Maybe it’s just me, but it’s always been my perception that comebacks like this start because the team with the big lead lays back and essentially allows it to happen. In other words, garbage time that suddenly stops being garbage time.
That’s not to diminish big comebacks, but to offer up the suggestion that they didn’t “wake up” late in the game so much as the Broncos simply thought it was over already. It’s a natural thing, coasting after building a seemingly insurmountable lead.
Surprisingly given how much I dislike the Denver Broncos and their QB “The Forehead”, I am not overly upset with the loss.
A trend that has to be fixed next year is the slow starts… every game it seems they do not wake up until the second half and/or just play too conservatively.
The Broncos didn’t coast, Harris left injured and Rivers took advantage of Jammer a little bit.
A little bit? That is being extremely generous to Jammer. Denver has to be seriously worried about defending the pass this week. I’ve got nothing against Jammer - he’s a solid veteran who had a pretty nice career (if not exactly worthy of the #5 overall pick), but he just can’t play anymore. Allen tore him apart - Denver has to find a way to keep that from happening against New England if they want to go to the Super Bowl.
I can see that. Broncs were stuffing the run fairly well and all but took away the pass 1st half.
2nd half, starting with last play of 1st half actually (the int), Denver messed up on 2 or 3 scoring opps. Combine some D mistakes and the corners/DBs getting burned by speedy/sneaky WRs, add in the Bolts are actually usually pretty good against Denver, and there was the comeback chance.
Different dynamics for the Pats. Should be a nailbiter weekend for both confs.
Do the Patriots have any receivers that are as good as Keenan Allen?
Edelman is good, as is Amendola. Not sure what KT offers, and the tight ends are nothing special these days.
We could look at it as Harris’ injury evening out the loss of Gronk. Even so, the Broncos still have a solid defense and too many tools on offense to lose, assuming they don’t blow it.
The Pats don’t have to worry about replacing individual players, since their system isn’t built around individuals. They’ll use a system each week that depends on who they have available and on matchups. So, they don’t need to force it to receivers who can’t get open if they can bang it up the middle, like they showed last week. Don’t think they haven’t noticed how well Rivers did working over Jammer and Bailey last week, btw.
I like the Pats’ adaptability too. They’re a great team. But I think the Broncos are better equipped to stop the run and likelier to score a ton of points. I bet this week the Pats will rely more on their passing game, but it just isn’t what it used to be. I could be wrong, but I think the Pats will be out-gunned.
I’m sure they have lots of it on tape.
I see what you did there. 
Seriously though, markdash, no, the Patriots don’t have anyone as good as Keenan Allen; which is why, if I had to bet, I’d put money on the Broncos. I think they’re just plain better than New England these days (though I would’ve gone the other way if Gronk and Hernandez were not injured and/or terrifying murderers). But if the Patriots are to win, they’re gonna run it up the gut and abuse the part of the Denver secondary that’s not Ro-Cro or Bailey. It won’t take someone as good as Allen to destroy Jammer - it’ll just take enough guys out in the pattern to keep the Broncos from giving Jammer help.
Shoot it still hurts :mad:
It’s like losing an old girlfriend, but I know she’ll be back next September for another go around 
If the wind hadn’t of blown that missed field goal off center for the Chargers and if that pass in the fourth quarter from Rivers to Gates had of been more on target we would’ve seen a tied over time game for sure.
Good by old friends of the San Diego Chargers … I promised myself not to say the words next year … oh no I said it :o
And if Succop hadn’t shanked a game-winning field goal you never would have seen the playoffs to begin with. Sometimes you have to be happy with what you get.
Guess who’s back?
Super Chargers could go all the way to the super bowl in Arizona next year …
They just won the California Super Bowl against the 49er’s Saturday night 38-35 in OT
Now all they have to do to get a playoff spot is beat the KC Chiefs in KC next Sunday the 28th
Pittsburg looks like the first playoff game …
I hope we get another chance at the patriots in New England (again)
The Jets beat Pittsburgh and almost beat the patriots yesterday and the Chargers beat the Jets really bad.
Never give up …
I’m cheering for it! All they have to do is win consecutive road games against Kansas City, Pittsburgh, New England, and Denver, and then beat Seattle (or whoever) in the Super Bowl. No problem 
For the purposes of this post I’ll ignore that they’ve already lost at home to KC, Den, and NE this year
Those were just training exercises … 
lifelong Charger fan here…
I like your optimism Mr. Quatro!
I wouldn’t mind seeing the Chargers make the playoffs, if only because it keeps the Ratbirds out. Anything that makes that happen is something I am in favor of. Of course, that means that the Bolts are coming to Pittsburgh next weekend after my Steelers put a hurting on the Bengals. Good luck with that.
Alex Smith is out for the game with a lacerated spleen.