Broncos @ Chargers Live Blog 1St Half

Note: Remember I am terrible at quoting the announcers, so I need your help with that.


While this game is for the terrible AFC West, there are some interesting sub plots in the game.
- Phillip Rivers and Jay Cutler have made it known that they don't like each other.
- Norv Turner has the "vote of confidence", but will he be fired if the Chargers don't win this game?
- Mike Shanahan hasn't had the best of luck trying to get in the playoffs lately.
- The Broncos have been devastated by injuries at running back. So who will step up for them?

Black Monday has already started, Browns have already fired GM Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel could be next.

Olberman was making some horrible jokes about the Cowboys and Pacman Jones during the highlights. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised.

Here's the schedule for next weekend...SATURDAY: Ravens @ Dolphins (Tom Hammond/Cris Collinsworth), 4:30 PM; Falcons @ Cardinals (Michaels/Madden), 8 PM (both on NBC)SUNDAY: Eales @ Vikings, 1 PM (Fox); Colts @ Chargers/Broncos, 4:30 PM (CBS)
Courtesy of James Craven

San Diego won the toss, and elected to receive. Sproles returned the ball to the 30. First play is an end around by Vincent Jackson for a first down. Tomlinson runs for a another first down, but the play is called back because of an holding penalty. Rivers throws deep and there will be a pass interference on the Broncos, the Chargers will get the ball on the Broncos ten yard line because of the penalty. Tomlison runs up the middle and gets stuffed. Rivers then gets sacked on the next play setting up an third and long. Rivers throws to Gates but he gets stopped and Nate Kaeding attempts a field goal. The field goal is good 3-0 Chargers.

"The crowd is going to love this because it's obviously defensive pass interference." - Al Michaels (JFein)

Chad Jackson returns the kickoff to the 27 yard line. Cutler throws to Brandon Marshall but Shaun Phillips is right there to make the tackle for the loss of four yards. Cutler then throws to Scheftler for the first down. Cutler attempts a throw to Marshall but it is an incompletion. Daniel Graham makes the catch to make it third and one. Tatum Bell, while not stealing luggage, runs the ball for the first down. Cutler tries a QB draw but is stopped right away. Cutler then throws to Brandon Stockley for another first down. Then Bell takes a toss for an 9 yard gain. Marshall attempts to catch the ball for the first but drops the ball. Bell takes the handoff and runs for the touchdown, then the extra point is no good, 6-6 all.

If these players aren't going to give the name of the college they graduated from (errr, "attended") then just stop with this stupid intros. Tatum Bell gives his high school and Brandon Marshall says "Wide Receiver University". (Mal)

Amen

"Any Denver running brock." - Madden (SSR)

"Jason Elam please pick up the white courtesy phone for an emergency call from Mr. Shannahan". (Mal)

Sproles takes the return out to the 27 yard line. Tomlinson takes the toss and goes nowhere. Rivers throws to Jackson and the Broncos forgot how to tackle on that play. Rivers once again throws to Jackson for a huge 37 yard gain. Rivers then takes the ball for a one yard gain. Tomlinson takes the draw play for a 9 yard gain. Rivers goes up the middle for the first down and then the defense gets penalized for a personnel foul. Tomlinson takes the handoff and takes the ball to the 2 yard line of Denver. Tomlinson takes the handoff and scores the Touchdown, 10-6 Chargers.

Since James Craven was a little off on the playoff announcing teams, JFein was there for the rescue.

Sat 1/3Falcons-Cardinals, 4:30 PM Colts-Broncos/Chargers winner, 8:00 PM Sun 1/4Ravens-Dolphins, 1:00 PM Eagles-Vikings, 4:30 PM

Thanks JFein

Cutler throws to Graham for the first down. Cutler throws to Eddie Royal, but drops the high pass. Bell takes the handoff and only picks up an yard. Cutler throws to Scheftler, but they are short of the first down and are forced to punt.

Sproles returns the punt. Rivers gets all day to throw a 34 yard pass to Antonio Gates. End of 1St quarter.

Madden: "Look at this # 78 here, Ryan Clayton". Ummm, it's Clady, John. He's in your video game, dude. (Mal)

Tomlinson takes the handoff for a 12 yard gain. Tomlinson takes the handoff again for a short gain. Rivers realized the time was running out so he had to take a timeout. Rivers throws to the endzone but over threw his target. Rivers throws to Gates and is short of the first down. The Chargers are going for the first down, and Rivers keeps the ball for the first. Rivers throws to Jacob Hester for a short gain. Rivers rolls out and hits his target for the touchdown, 17-6 Chargers.

"The ball has been placed on the yellow line, which as you know is unofficial." - Al Michaels (JFein)

"4th and less than a link." - Al Michaels (JFein)

Jackson returns the kickoff. Cutler throws to Stockley and the Chargers are flagged on the play. Cutler throws to Royal but the ball goes right threw his hands again. Cutler throws once again to Royal but a chop block against the Broncos sends them back 15 yards. Cutler throws again to Royal but drops the pass again. Cutler throws a screen pass to Bell but he is well short of the first down and the Broncos are forced to punt.

"That's when Brett Favre was hot." - Madden (SSR), I bet the good Dr. didn't take the Jets loss very well.

Sproles takes the punt to the Chargers 42 yard line. Tomlinson takes the handoff for a one yard gain. Rivers throws to Chris Chambers for the first down. The play action is killing the Broncos. Tomlinson takes the handoff but only gains about two yards. Rivers throws to Hester for a 16 yard gain and the first down. Sproles now takes the handoff for a five yard gain. Sproles takes another handoff for a short gain, but a holding penalty against the Chargers sends them backwards. The Chargers once again are penalized, this time for a false start. Rivers then throws to Chambers for an 18 yard catch. The Chargers get the first, by giving Jackson the ball on a reverse. Tomlinson takes the handoff for a two yard gain. Tomlinson breaks tackles and scores the touchdown, 24-6 Chargers with 3:30 left in the half.

"That's a guy that somehow they have to figure out how to keep." - John Madden on Darren Sproles. (JFein)

I think SSR wouldn't mind seeing Sproles in a Seahawks uniform next year.

Jackson returns the kickoff to the 30 yard line. Bell takes the draw for a seven yard gain. Bell takes the ball again and picks up the first down. Bell once again takes the handoff and also takes us to the two minute warning.

Cutler throws to Marshall for the first down. Then Cutler throws to Stokley for another first down. Cutler throws to Scheftler and it looks like he is out of bounds and doesn't get the touchdown. The refs are going to review the play.

"Jay Cutler will break a few fingers in his career." - Al Michaels (SSR)

Yeah and he will throw quite a few interceptions. The call stands and no touchdown. And I was right, Cutler throws an interception to Paul Oliver, the Chargers get the ball at their 20 yard line.

Sproles takes the handoff for a six yard gain. Rivers is forced out of the pocket and he is forced to throw away the ball. Sproles takes the handoff and the Chargers take a timeout for they can position themselves for a field goal. The Chargers jump off sides. Rivers then throws away another pass. The Chargers just run out the clock and the first half comes to an close. 24-6 Chargers.

"When the kicker starts to take his pants off, that means he thinks he's gonna have another shot here somewhere." - John Madden (JFein)

That's what I said on my prom night. Anyways see you guys in the 2Nd half thread.