Bleacher Report - Articles by EndZoner

Controversy Atop the AFC West

EndZoner — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:44:49 -0400

The Denver Broncos came away with a controversial win against divisional rival San Diego Chargers. The 39-38 victory was highlighted by 942 total yards for the two teams and a 103-yard kick return by Darren Sproles.

The game was not decided until the final play and had some controversy. In the first quarter, Chris Chambers clearly catches the ball and is down before the ball comes out and Denver recovers. The replay viewing equipment was inoperable, so the play could not be reviewed and most likely overturned.

The equipment was repaired and was needed later in the game, but to no avail. Denver was behind 38-31 and driving. They faced a 2nd-and-goal from the one-yard line with less than two minutes left.

Jay Cutler dropped back to pass and clearly fumbled the ball, with a San Diego player falling on it. Referee Ed Hochuli had a clear view of the action and called an incomplete pass. Blowing both the whistle and the call at the same time, changing the outcome of the game.

He reviewed the play and had to explain himself. The new and correct call is a fumble. But, the whistle had blown so the defender could not recover it. The ball is dead at the 10-yard line and Denver retains possession. Denver scored the touchdown and the two-point conversion, giving them the lead and the win.

I know, the San Diego defense still had a chance to stop Denver. But why should they need to stop them again. Such a blunder by one that the NFL front office idolizes cost a team a game.

San Diego would have had possession of the ball at their own 10-yard line. 1st-and-10 with 1:10 on the clock and the defense only has two timeouts to stop the clock. All the Chargers needed to do is get a first down and run the clock. Instead, they are winless and tied in the cellar with the Chiefs.

We Have a Brand New Game to Play

EndZoner — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:17:03 -0400

The Raiders played a very forgettable game last Monday. And forgetting that game is what they need to do. Don't look back. Just look forward. And another divisional foe is who we have to look forward to. Kansas City, MO is the place to be this Sunday morning.

As loud as anywhere in the league, Arrowhead Stadium has been a house of horrors for the Raiders through the years. Although they did taste victory in last season's visit. The Chiefs have bragging rights in the all-time series with the Silver and Black. They are the only original AFL franchise that can stake that claim.

There are things that we need to do this week. First and foremost, this team needs to keep their faith in each other and do their jobs. Keep your composure. Minimize mistakes.

When the offense has the ball, we want to play keep away. Run, run and run more. The longer we keep the KC defense on the field, the better our chances. To do that we need to convert on third down. Third and short and third and long. Third down conversions save an offense.

It is absolutely imperative that we come out and do our best to neutralize this crowd. We need to commit no stupid penalties. No false starts with the crowd noise. The o-line needs to set the tone by finishing their blocks.

Play to the whistle and minimize mistakes. Jamarcus needs to take control of the tempo of this offense. If the defense is huffing and puffing, they cannot make fight off blocks and make tackles.

When the defense is on the field, we need to know our jobs and do them. Get pressure to the QB. Huard needs to get a LOT dirtier than Cutler did. The corners need to shut down the outside.

Please no Tony Gonzalez highlight show, either. Contain Larry Johnson. Just as important as the 3rd down conversion is for the offense, the third down stop is for the defense. Stop them on third and go rest on the sideline.

Special teams need to step up. Kickoff returns past the 25. Form a good wedge and get JLH out in space where his speed kills. Maybe JLH can break one. Solid coverage on punts. On your return blocking, don't hit him if you can read his name. Good crisp longsnaps from Condo.

Overall, what this team needs to do is keep their heads about them and play solid football. Block. Tackle. Execute. These teams combine for a total of 15 straight losses, so something has to give us hope. Most of all, this team needs to come out and play their game. Do what they do best and keep the Chiefs' losing streak alive.

Raiders-Broncos: It Comes Down to Matchups

EndZoner — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:51:58 -0400

When the two teams take the field Monday night, the game is a series of matchups between individual players and groups of players. Me against him, us against them. There are some matchups that can be important and can lead into problems or opportunities.

1. At the LT position, Denver is starting a rookie.

Ryan Clady came from a very successful program at Boise State. Boise is in a weaker conference, and he has not had much experience against some of the best in college football, week in and week out. How will his first NFL game be?

Can he play well off the "smurf turf?" Can we exploit that with a fast rush with Burgess and maybe Kalimba Edwards? Hit Cutler a few times and see what happens there. Get two picks like last time?

2. Raiders' O-line against Denver's D-line.

Can we get the running game going? Last year, we were very successful. We ran for 175 yards and literally ran Sam Adams out of the league. Can we grind them down over the course of four quarters?

We better not get any false-start penalties at home. The running game will make the strong safety bite on play action, and Zack Miller can have a big game.

3. Special teams can be huge in any game.

Especially if mistakes are made. Fumbles change field position. Can we force one? Please, no fumbles by us. With both of our kickers having been hurt, my biggest concern there is the timing on the FG kicks. Can JLH break one? Long snappers can and will win or lose a game. They no longer have Jason Elam kicking.

4. Raiders D-line against their O-line.

We all know how their offense works. Can we continue to stop it? Hopefully Rickey Brown at SAM can fill out the partnership in the Law Firm. They need to stay in their discipline and make tackles. We have greatly improved the tackling in the secondary, so hopefully that will prevent those big explosions.

5. J-Russell against Denver's DBs.

Their corners are top shelf and can clamp on receivers. McCree is fast enough to pick off a deep pass if the QB does not look him off. J-Russ needs to be able to read their defenses and make good audibles.

Walker and newly acquired Ashley Lelie know this team, and that can he a huge asset. Mainly, J-Russ needs to make good decisions.

6. Our young, skill-positions players against Denver's defense.

Besides J-Russ making good decisions, D-Mac needs to be sure to play well. Minimize mistakes. No turnovers. J-Russ needs to keep his composure if things start to go bad.

7. Our DBs against Cutler.

He is a young QB that has had his ups and downs. We need to keep him down. We got two picks in both of the games last season. Three of the four were by linebackers dropping back into coverage, so we had him confused last year.

Brandon Marshall is suspended, so their WR corps is thin. They are starting Eddie Royal, a rookie WR. Will he make a mistake?

I am so ready for next week's game. Let's all go out there and enjoy a Raiders win.