Open Thread: Chargers vs. Broncos

Dec 14, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) is lifted in the air by at San Diego Chargers defensive back Jahleel Addae (37) during fourth quarter action Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Chargers are hosting the Denver Broncos today. This game usually has a sea of orange in the crowd, and I would imagine similar results today. The Chargers have not been pretty at home this season, and a lot of their fans have simply lost interest. They are 3-8, and are almost completely eliminated from playoff contention. It has reached the point where fans are hoping they lose, rather than win & lose draft position. Not all fans have given up hope, but it’s looking bleak. One thing I can assure you of is that the team & the coaches will not be giving up. However, they barely squeezed out a win against Jacksonville last weekend, and are facing a Denver Broncos team that beat the 2nd best team in the league, the New England Patriots, with their back-up quarterback last week.

With the way the Broncos top ranked defense has played this season, and the way the Chargers bottom ranked offensive line has played this season, it is hard to see this the Chargers beating the Broncos, even at home. Both King Dunlap, and D.J. Fluker will not play, according to reports. This does not bode well for the Bolts when you have backups facing some of the most elite pass rushers in the league. Home field advantage doesn’t mean that much when the away team has as many fans as you do in the stands. Furthermore, the Chargers rushing attack is non-existent behind this line. If there is any hope of winning this game, it comes down to Philip Rivers, Danny Woodhead, Malcom Floyd, and Antonio Gates having career games to even have a shot. Stevie Johnson, Ladarius Green, Dontrelle Inman, Javontee Herndon, and Tyrell Williams will also have to step up.

As for the defense, the Chargers have been horrible against the run this season, as expected. But, the Broncos offense has been almost as disappointing. Remember when everyone kept wishing that Manning would have to miss time, and Brock Osweiler would see the field? Well, you got your wish, and he’s already doing much better than Manning has this season. Not to mention, the Chargers secondary has been awful this season. Brandon Flowers has looked like a total amateur for the majority of 2015. Overall, the secondary isn’t the worst in the league, but tends to give up big plays regularly, and at the worst times.

I’m sure a lot of fans bought tickets for the game today, so I am hoping for a valiant performance for them today, so they didn’t spend a bunch of dough to watch their team get embarrassed in their own stadium with a bunch of orange shirts around them heckling.

Bolt Up!.