How Did the Broncos Blow This?

Two weeks ago, the Chargers seemed to be buried and left for dead. The Broncos had produced back-to-back wins improving to 8-5, winning at the Jets and at home against the Chiefs. The Chargers were the inverse — 5-8 following losses to three of the better teams in football, the Steelers, Colts, and Falcons. All Denver had to do was win at Carolina (no easy task) or at home against Buffalo on Sunday to clinch the AFC West and take the Chargers out of the picture. Instead, they blew a 13-0 lead and lost to the Bills. Jay Cutler threw up monster yardage numbers once again, but when it came down to it, he threw the goalline interception to kill the drive like he has done so many times this season. Of course the weak Broncos defense didn’t help matters by folding in the second half, but the Broncos still blew it.

Now we have a showdown on Sunday night next weekend (NBC chose it as the flex game) with the AFC West title on the line. The Broncos are 8-7, Chargers are 7-8. Amazingly enough, after the whole season of close losses and disappointment, the Chargers might actually make it into the playoffs. In fact, with a three game winning streak to their credit, they’ll be the favorites. Furthermore, a second look at the Chargers’ schedule shows that five of the teams to whom they lost have won at least 10 games this year. Even losing at Buffalo and at New Orleans aren’t ugly. And now the ending to the week two battle in Denver blown by Ed Hochuli can be avenged by the Chargers. Perhaps sweet revenge will be paid off. Denver, oh Denver, how ever did you blow this?