The Denver Broncos walked out of Sports Authority Stadium with an eight-point victory, but it didn’t come easy.
Once again, the defense was forced to step up in a big way, dragging the team to victory despite an anemic offensive performance. Trevor Siemian may have thrown for 276 yards, but he barely completed over 50 percent of his passes, and failed to reach the end zone.
Even after a strong first drive, where the Broncos drove 65 yards down the field, Denver bogged down inside the red zone, settling for a field goal.
Kubiak/Siemian got 5 different Broncos involved on that opening drive. Love to see them spreading the wealth. Need TDs not FGs though.
— Casey Light (@lightonhisfeet) October 30, 2016
After that, the Broncos proceeded to put up four consecutive three-and-outs. The only reason Denver entered the second quarter with a 10-7 lead was because Bradley Roby was able to pick off a Philip Rivers‘ pass and take it 49 yards to the house.
What was more concerning, though, was that it could have been worse.
Every drive, it seemed as if Siemian had a pass or two that went in and out of a defender’s hands. If it weren’t for the Chargers’ complete inability to catch the ball, he could have easily finished the day with four or five interceptions.
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/792825025061453824
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/792841433153581056
This is a joke, right? That’s like five should-be INTs. But at least he’s poised, right?
— Michael Jaycox (@MilkyMike) October 30, 2016
Siemian with another pick dropped by the defense. I'll say this about the guy; he's lucky. #Broncos
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) October 30, 2016
And yet somehow, thanks to three interceptions by the Denver defense, the Broncos were up by 11 points with under 10 minutes to go in the fourth quarter.
If the #Broncos defense wasn't this good they'd be the #Browns
— Sean Walsh (@seanwalshsports) October 30, 2016
Do the Broncos need an offense?
— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) October 30, 2016
And then … Siemian’s luck ran out. On a third and 9 from Denver’s own 16-yard line, the Broncos’ quarterback forced a pass into Jordan Norwood. The ball was deflected, launched into the air and caught by San Diego, where it was subsequently returned 24 yards for a Chargers touchdown.
It was about time.
Karma
— Michael Jaycox (@MilkyMike) October 30, 2016
Oh boy…
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) October 30, 2016
Well that was overdue
— Nate Kreckman (@NateKreckman) October 30, 2016
Simply a matter of time. Not his fault there but it always comes around as we say in the gym, ball don't lie. #Broncos
— Josh Dover (@JoshuaDover) October 30, 2016
Can't dodge every bullet. #Broncos #Siemian
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) October 30, 2016
Trevor has been playing with fire all day and it finally caught up with him. Pick 6 for Chargers
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) October 30, 2016
Siemian had about 5 almost interceptions already so the pick six was coming sooner rather than later. #Broncos
— Duvalier Johnson (@DuvalierJohnson) October 30, 2016
Still, the Broncos managed to hold on and beat a good team in the San Diego Chargers, but it was with no thanks to the Denver Broncos passing game — not an unfamiliar statement.
As has been the case quite often over the last 12-plus months, it was the defense that brought home the victory, with three interceptions and a crucial goal-line stand with just over two minutes in the game.
Yes, Siemian had a few impressive completions, most notably a 40-yard bomb to Demaryius Thomas — though, DT probably deserves most of the credit — but for the most part, he was producing more heart attacks than first downs.
Can the Broncos win this way? Sure. They’ve been doing just that all season. But if a couple more of those dropped picks turn into pick-sixes, the season could come tumbling down like a Jenga tower very quickly.
