In the end, the Chargers had the most talent and the worst coaching. The Chiefs had to deal with the worst injuries and a dysfunctional front office, the Raiders made the stupidest moves and had the dumbest approach, while the Broncos had the best coaching and the caught the most breaks.
Result: Denver wins the AFC West, err, “Worst” Division by default and will play sacrificial lamb in the upcoming NFL play-offs. Let’s be straight: The Broncos backed into these play-offs, they didn’t earn it, it was a gift and all of that. The critics can say what they want because it’s all true. Teams that go 8-8 don’t belong in the play-offs.
At least we can boast that this Broncos team overachieved. They were not the most talented team in the division. They weren’t looked upon as a play-off contender entering the season. Denver still has all sorts of holes to fill via the draft and free agency in what will be a critical (and normal) off season before they’ll be any sort of threat to make it to the Super Bowl.
Then there’s the Tim Tebow question. After a gawd-awful performance against Kansas City, the only real question about Tebow is can a single off season transform him into an NFL quarterback. He certainly didn’t look the part the last two games. He brings a lot to the table that you can’t teach. He’s also very poor in most of the things you CAN.
Now, if Tebow decides that becoming a competent passer is more important than opening hospitals in the Philippines, or hosting Saturday Night Live or any number of the countless other off season distractions available, and commits to spending ALL of this off season learning the position and becoming a more accurate passer instead of cranking up the Tebow PR machine, then he COULD become the quarterback that Denver needs moving forward. On the other hand, if Tebow’s agent has the say, and we see #15 on the MTV awards, and at every single charity function ever invented, doing book tours and all that, then the Broncos need to draft another quarterback in April – along with impact players at safety, defensive tackle and running back – and start looking in a different direction. At his current level of play, Tebow can’t be a part time student of the position this off season and make the improvements he HAS TO make. He’s got three months to show us his intentions. We’ll know in April if the Broncos have seen enough and think he’s going to be THE guy or not. I have my doubts right now.
It could be worse. We could be Raider fans. All the Raiders had to do was win a home game against the Chargers and they would have been division champs the right way. Alas, they gagged, too. Oakland made the big personnel play in the middle of the season, trading two first round picks for washed up Carson Palmer. It blew up on them. A team with a glut of first round draft picks should be better than 8-8. They shouldn’t lead the league in penalties – again – and shouldn’t have a rookie head coach boasting about how they are going to bully other teams. Coach Hue Jackson’s flamboyant style may have won him an admirer in the late Al Davis, but bravado can take you just so far. Smart, tough football beats thug football every time. As usual, the Raiders were their own worst enemies all season, and it cost them. When will someone in Oakland wake the heck up?
San Diego did the Broncos a monumental favor by beating the Raiders in the finale, but they didn’t do their fans any favors if the win allows Norv Turner to keep his job. Charger fan has to be sick of wearing the “underachiever” label, but it fits like a glove. Turner is a lousy head coach, and this is the second straight season the division’s most talented team will be sitting out the play-offs. San Diego management has GOT to fire Turner…yesterday.
Kansas City was hit early with key injuries, and then panicked and dumped their head coach. They may have found a new one in Romeo Crennel, but they’re wrong if they think Kyle Orton is the answer at QB. Incredibly average Kyle will lead them to an 8-8 record next season if he’s their starter. Then again, that could win this division.
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