***MNF IN THE SWAMP - WEEK 1 -DOUBLE HEADER PT 2. - LAC @ DEN***
***SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ DENVER BRONCOS***
An extremely interesting AFC Wild West matchup headlines the second game of the week 1 MNF double header. The newly resident Los Angeles Chargers head into Denver to take on the Broncos, a team and enviorment that always seems to be tough. This division is already off to a juicy start as the KC Chiefs did the unthinkable by upsetting the Super Bowl Champion Patriots on the road and the Oakland Raiders went into Tennessee and dominated a solid Titans team. It took until the final couple weeks of the season to determine the division winner and I feel as though this season will be no different.
The last couple of years, my "darkhorse" team going into the season has consistently been the Chargers, and every season they catch the injury bug like I've never seen before and go nowhere fast. Seriously though, last season's injuries that the Chargers suffered right out the gate was unreal. They lost key starters on both sides of the ball consistently throughout the season and the amount they racked up when it was all said and done was incredible. The injury reaper seems to still be lurking as both their 1st and 2nd draft picks are already hurt this offseason, shocker. Despite all this bad luck, they STILL managed to be in so many close games last season, losing them in the final moments of the 4th quarter. That is mainly because of their veteran QB Phillip Rivers, who in my eyes is a warrior and much better than people outside of Chargers fans give him credit for. Before his career is done, I hope he gets to play in the Super Bowl, I feel like he deserves one. Any way, when healthy, the Chargers are STACKED with talent on both sides of the ball. They are seriously loaded with weapons on offense. Even with their first round pick Clemson WR Mike Williams being out, they have Keenan Allen returning who I believe is poised for a big year if he can stay on the field. Along with him Rivers has a big target in WR Tyrell Williams, the speedster WR Travis Benjamin, his favorite target veteran TE Antonio Gates along with what seems to be a worthy eventual replacement for Gates in the TD machine Sophomore TE Hunter Henry. Not to mention another promising youngetser in RB Melvin Gordon who really had a breakout season last year as a Sophomore. That all being said, these high octane Bolts will need all the firepower they can get tonight in Denver as the Broncos boast one of the most stout defenses in the NFL, especially at home on prime time MNF. However, the Bronco defense will be without LB Shane Ray, who is a key piece because he is opposite Denver's best LB, Super Bowl 50 MVP, Von Miller. Ray's absence should allow LAC to focus on blocking and slowing down Miller as best they can. Denver also recently let go of one of their longtime defensive leaders in Safety TJ Ward due to his age and avoid paying him. It was a sudden and ugly breakup between the two and the Tampa Bay Bucs quickly picked up the veteran. Needless to say, the Broncos are willing to gamble on a youngster back there and that could leave them vulnerable here tonight in the passing game.
Lastly, let's not forget the HUGE factor that Denver's Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips is now in LA coaching the Rams, and we all saw what that defense did yesterday. Phillips was the key to the Broncos Super Bowl victory two seasons ago and being the first season without him, and down a couple key pieces, this defense may take a step back or two, at least for tonight against a potent offense like the Chargers should have. On the other side of things the Chargers defense has potential to be one of the best units in the league in my opinion. Again, assuming everyone stays healthy, this team has a ton of talent in every level of the defense. DE Joey Bosa took the league by storm during the second half of last season proving that he was worth the wait, and now pairing with Melvin Ingram to form a deadly bookend pass rush of their own, young Bronco QB Trevor Semian could be in some trouble tonight. Add DT's Brandon Mebane & Corey Liuget in the middle of this D-Line oooh baby! Trevor Semian is a solid young QB for Denver, I like him. He personally reminds me a lot of Tony Romo. I think he will continue to perform well but the Broncos as a whole will get off to a slow start in this one. He is facing a feisty group in the backend to throw against. LAC CB Jason Verrett is a shutdown corner if healthy and with fellow CB Casey Hayward they form one of the best tandems in the league. I guess it is no secret that I am pretty high on this team once again this year. Barring any injuries I think they are the sneaky pick to win the AFC West, even with how well both KC and Oakland looked in week 1. Offensive Coordinator Ken Wisenhunt and Defensive Coordinator Gus Bradley form one hell of a supporting coaching staff for rookie Head Coach Anthony Lynn. It has been awhile since the Bolts won in Denver, I think the new Head Coach breaks that ice tonight in an upset! CHARGERS+3
