One NFL playoff scenario is pretty simple: whomever wins the Broncos-Chargers game next week will be in the playoffs.The AFC West Championship game will be televised for all to see. NBC picked the Broncos-Chargers tilt as their flex game for next Sunday night. Call it what you want: Mediocrity Bowl. The Hochuli Rematch. The AFC Weak. The game will matter.
Earlier today, I took a look at the games that had the best shot at winning the coveted time slot. I believed that the Broncos-Chargers game was the frontrunner, provided that the Chargers finish off the Buccaneers and the Broncos choke at home to the Bills. Both happened, so here we go.
While the stakes are high for this game (who will get to be trampled by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round?), don't think that this will be a well played game by any means. This is a Broncos team that only the New York Mets can relate to. They had a three game lead with three games left in the season and have still screwed it up. The Broncos have been at the top of the division all year long, yet could fail to make the playoffs if they can't win in San Diego.Speaking of San Diego ... what can you say? This team was dead in the water three weeks ago and needed a miracle to get back in this thing. It has happened, so let's see what Norv Turner can do in another big game. Oh, sorry Norval fans. I didn't mean to kill your high.
How badly would Charger fans hate Norv Turner if he couldn't deliver next week? I mean, that game will be played in their house ... which also seems to be where Big Mo' is living right now. The Chargers have the more talented team so they should be favored to win, eh? Good luck.
I only have one more wish: Ed Hochuli has to referee this game. He has to. It was his screw up that made this game as big as it is. If Hochuli made the proper call in the Broncos-Chargers Week 2 meeting, then San Diego would have won this division today. Because of his missed call, Denver is still alive.
By the way, what is the over/under on how many times ESPN will show that Jay Cutler





















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-21-2008 @ 9:16PM
eastbaysd said...
NO HOCHULI!!!
Chargers would like to win fair and square. NO referees and their pre-emptive throwing.
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12-21-2008 @ 9:38PM
Eric said...
Call it the 'mediocrity bowl' if you want but the fact of the matter is the Chargers have overcome some massive set backs this year (losing the best defensive player in the league to an injury, the worst travel schedule in NFL history and having a game stolen from them by Ed Hochuli in week 2) just to have a shot at a playoff birth. Also why would the Colts trample the Chargers in a wild card game? Week 12 last second field goal to win ring any bells?
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12-21-2008 @ 10:14PM
tommy said...
Your so right Eric.......Go Chargers !!!!
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12-21-2008 @ 11:16PM
onthegreenrb said...
Yeah, because the Colts have a history of TRAMPLING the Chargers
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12-29-2008 @ 1:38AM
alex said...
No. the colts do NOT have a history of charger trampling. just no.
12-22-2008 @ 12:06AM
Matt said...
Neither one of these teams deserve to be in the playoffs. The Broncos have had more than their share to overcome also. I heard there dressing a running back from Mullen next week. And as far as the whole Hochuli call, yeah it was a bad call,and the the chargers had all season to overcome it! Can you say "Failed". And anyone who feels either one of these teams could beat the colts I say take off you orange or powderblue glasses.
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12-22-2008 @ 1:53AM
Stephen Lang said...
And yet if they win next Sunday night, they won't have "Failed", can you say "Succeeded".
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12-22-2008 @ 1:05PM
Larry said...
First things first, Chargers have to beat the Broncos.Then they get the Colts at home. Someone has a short memory regarding the Chargers beating the Colts. Last year
the Colts were defeated by the Chargers who went to the AFC Championship. How many Maiining interceptions did Cromartie Have? Who stopped that Colt 13 game winning streak when the went to the super Bowl... The Chargers. I think any knowledgable Colt fan would realize they want the Broncos to win.
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12-22-2008 @ 1:49PM
DM said...
You Colts fans have a short memory. The Chargers have a 9-4 winning record against the Colts, and have always had their number. Who knocked the Colts out of the playoffs last year?The Colts want no part of the Chargers in the playoffs, and they will be the biggest Denver Donkey cheerleaders on Sunday night.
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12-23-2008 @ 12:28AM
ChargerFans said...
Watch and learn son, the Chargers are baaack and will beath Denver, then proceed to knock the Dolts the eff out....
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12-23-2008 @ 1:27AM
tom said...
After SD beats the Broncos at home, they'll beat the Colts at home. Then don't bet your house that they can't beat Tennessee for the third time in a row. Sd matches up very well with them. SD matches up very well with any team that can't pass.
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12-24-2008 @ 11:57AM
courtney said...
In the last 4 years how often did the Colts beat the Chargers? Wake up Author and do your homework before you spout this nonsense.
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12-25-2008 @ 5:20PM
vinny said...
broncos will win this game even though they are sucking... jay cutler will get his payback against rivers... and besides there is no way the chargers will stop bmarsh, and eddie royal
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12-26-2008 @ 4:57AM
Noneck said...
just call this what it is, a game where the winner goes on and the loser goes home. As a Donkey fan it is tuff to watch what has happened all season. Even the bad call by Ed (who is one of the best to ever to blow a whistle) but SD should have stopped them from getting in the endzone, then should have stopped them from getting two. Funny how we forget those parts. You know the parts that really matter.
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12-26-2008 @ 9:35AM
Scott said...
THE COWBOYS NEED TO PICK UP MATT CASSEL!!!!!!!
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12-26-2008 @ 1:27PM
Dora Pudenz said...
I think you all are underestimating the Broncos!!!They have their share of injuries,but when they want it bad enough they are a team who can proove theirselves!Look what they did to the Jets!!They have played better at the away teams&I think they will be out for blood!GO BRONCOS!!!!
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12-27-2008 @ 6:11PM
criizel said...
Dora, when you say the Broncos beat the Jets 34-17, didn`t anyone tell you that the Bolts creamed the Jets 48-29?
GO BOLTS!
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12-28-2008 @ 8:18PM
joy said...
Go Broncos!!
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12-29-2008 @ 2:36AM
BRONCODAN said...
I HOPE THE COLTS KILL THE CHARGERS WHO CAN KISS MY A$$ GO BRONCOS
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12-29-2008 @ 2:40AM
greatr said...
The NFL trembles as the mighty, dreaded 8-8 Chargers survive the weak, weak West. Their team and management are losers. There is not much argument that they have some all pros (those left after management unloaded half the key players) but they are still losers. I'd say get used to it, but Charger fans are already used to it...I know I used to be one of them.
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