The Denver Broncos gave the San Diego Chargers the greatest gift a team could ask for. A playoff spot. It has been well documented in the last few weeks about the Broncos three-game lead and their failure to win at least one of them to lock up the division and get in to the playoffs. The Chargers were virtually playing for pride when they set out after notching a record of 4-8. They kept winning and the Broncos kept losing. The AFC west title was neatly gift wrapped for the bolts. How did San Diego thank them? By beating the red-hot Indianapolis Colts led by league MVP Peyton Manning. Now all of the sudden this 8-8 football has a chance to get into the AFC championship. Are you kidding? A 500 record team has a ligitemate shot to win the Superbowl! What a gift indeed by the Broncs.
Throughout all this generosity by the Denver Broncos, who do you think is the most upset by this? The New England Patriots. Their first time missing the playoffs since 2001 and they finished with an 11-5 record. Matt Casel handled the shadow of Tom Brady exceptionally well, but now they are watching an 8-8 team charge through the playoffs. It should have been the 9-7 Broncos hosting Indy and at least the pats could feel better knowing a team with a winning record got in, but that's not the case. New England are now just watching the playoffs from home just like the 8-8 and 7-9 teams around the league that just couldn't quite get themselves in. So a late Merry Christmas to the San Diego Chargers, hopefully they appreciate the magnitude of the present Denver left for them under their tree.
Keywords: Denver Broncos, Playoffs, San Diego Chargers, Super Bowl
Comments
I don't see that the Broncos gave the Chargers a gift. Yeah, I could mention the gift Denver received from Ed Hochuli but I will focus attention outside of that.
The Broncos were largely a fraudulent team in 2008. Evidence of this? Look at their record Against The Spread. Despite what those outside the gambling community think, it does give one a greater insight into how a team is rather than just straight-up win-loss record. Denver was an absolutely horrible 0-8 ATS at Home!!! What can you take from this? On closer inspection they had a bunch of very close wins and some bad losses. Additionally, the Broncos were 4-12 ATS overall. I can't ever remember a playoff contender with such a poor record against the spread. The Broncos won five games by four points or fewer. Generally, teams that squeak by like that see their fortunes run out eventually.
For much of the season the Chargers were on the other end - losing several games by close margins. Six losses were in the closing moments and they lost two others by a touchdown or less.
No question the Chargers were in a good spot in a relatively poor AFC West. But for Patriots fans to complain about their plight, well...San Diego beat New England this year 30-10 so their argument kinda gets shut down there. Considering Tom Brady's injury they did a remarkable job finishing 11-5, but that's the way it goes when having to fall back to tie-breakers.
Perhaps if there was a big outcry the NFL could resort to conference standings like they did during the 9-game strike-shortened season of 1982?
In response to David's comment, I think you are missing the point of the post. He's talking about how the Broncos blew a three game lead over the final weeks NOT about how they were the better team. I don't think there is any way possible to not say what Denver did was a gift to San Diego. All they had to do was win one of those last three and they were in. Instead they lost three straight and gave the Chargers a second chance. Yes, the Chargers earned their way into the playoffs, but a Broncos win would have secured a playoff spot no matter if San Diego won their last three or not. That's the point of the article.
And I also think you can't factor in ATS when you argue what team is better. The Detroit Lions, who reasonably could have been underdogs all year, could have went 16-0 ATS while going 0-16 in the NFL. I know this isn't possible, as even the worst team in the NFL is usally favorited at least once, but it could happen if they were underdogs every game, and covered the spread but did not win the actual game. I think that deflates that arguement pretty quick.