San Diego Chargers Look Mediocre Against Lowly Denver Broncos

The Chargers won their final game, but the same ugly issues that have plagued them all year remain unresolved at the end of the season.

If the two fumbles made by San Diego RB Ryan Mathews had not both been recovered by the Chargers, the game could have turned out very differently. Otherwise, Mathews had a great game and showed signs of what San Diego hoped he would be. He rushed for 120 yards and had three touchdowns. Of course, this came against the second worst rushing defense in the league, so perhaps, it's not that impressive.

The Chargers could not adapt to the Denver blitz. Wait, what? Are you kidding me? The Broncos had 18 sacks all year but five today. That’s a 416 percent increase in this one game. Apparently, Denver studied the film and learned how the Raiders destroyed the Chargers this year.  Norv, have you ever heard of a screen pass?

The Chargers special teams woes continued. Punter Mike Scifres couldn't keep his punts out of the end zone most of the day. To top it off, he had a snap go right through his hands, but still managed to recover the football and get the punt off for before getting what would have been his sixth punt blocked. Only his last punt was any good, going out of bounds at the Bronco eight yard line.

Fortunately, San Diego played the hapless Broncos, because any team with an ounce of talent would have beaten the Chargers today. The Chargers failed again to put an inferior team out of its misery, allowing the Broncos to crawl back into the game when they were down and out.

After the Chargers scored midway through the fourth quarter to take a 33-14 lead, Denver rookie Cassius Vaughn returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. After a three-and-out by San Diego, Denver marched down the field again mostly on the legs of Tim Tebow. When Tebow ran it in with 26 seconds to play, Denver had pulled to within five at 33-28.

Denver then lined up for the onside kick and recovered it when Malcolm Floyd dropped the ball after seemingly grabbing it cleanly with both hands. Regardless, the Broncos recovered the ball and had a chance to win the game with 26 seconds to play.

Two tipped passes in the end zone barley saved the game for the Chargers, who may have done better by letting the Broncos come down with one and moving up in the draft. But that remains to be seen.

Once again, injuries took their toll on key players, as Vincent Jackson went out early with a sprained ankle and Darren Sproles came up limping late. For a game that meant absolutely nothing, it was, at least exciting until the final whistle.

The game had a bittersweet taste to it. While the Chargers won, Oakland also defeated Kansas City. Had the Chargers taken care of business last week, they would be gearing up for their fifth AFC West Championship in a row. Instead, they will be making golf reservations.