Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles had a big day against the Chargers Sunday. Broncos DL Vonnie Holliday, below right, said the players-only meeting last week helped Denver regain its focus and play a complete game.
Some observations from Sunday's game involving the Broncos' next opponent: the Kansas City Chiefs, who visited San Diego where they were pummeled 43-14.
1) The Chiefs' defense is as bad as advertised. San Diego QB Philip Rivers was just as methodical and effective against the Chiefs as he was against the Broncos. Rivers hit 21-of-28 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns. The Chiefs appear vulnerable to the deep ball especially. Rivers connected on a 53-yarder to WR Malcom Floyd that fell a yard short of a third TD pass. Rivers also just missed on other throws for long bombs.
2) Kansas City RB Jamaal Charles could prove worth the risk of letting the disgruntled Larry Johnson go. The second-year running back out of Texas is a threat as a runner and receiver. Charles had 14 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown and added three receptions for 54 yards. He's a serious threat to make a big play with a run of 31 yards and a catch that went for 49 more.
3) The Chiefs ranked 28th in passing defense going into Sunday's game. That ranked may go up now that Kansas City is allowed 258.4 yards a game. The Chiefs' rushing defense totals are not much better; Kansas City ranked 27th before Sunday's loss. The Chiefs now are allowing 134.5 yards a game rushing. The Broncos should be able to take advantage of the Chiefs' defense if they can continue the kind of balanced attack they used in Thursday night's 26-6 victory over the New York Giants.
NEW DEFENSIVE LOOK: The Broncos added a new twist to its defense against the Giants Thursday night. Denver had four defensive linemen and five backs to counter the Eli Manning passing game. DL Vonnie Holliday and CB Ty Law saw a lot of action in the new look.
“We were trying to do a combination of sending some pressure at [Eli Manning] a little bit, but we wanted to create some tight coverage with the safeties behind him," Broncos Coach Josh McDaniels said. "We didn’t want to let him stand back there and get into a rhythm, stand in the pocket and feel comfortable and then pick-and-chose his receivers. I thought that our guys did a pretty good job of being competitive. Our guys did a nice job of executing the game plan. I don’t think he got into a rhythm as the game wore on, and that was our plan going into it.”
MORE ON THE PLAYERS-ONLY MEETING: Safety Brian Dawkins received a lot of the credit for calling a players-only meeting two days before the Thanksgiving night game. And the talk seemed to clear the air for the Broncos players.
“We had a big team discussion last week about accountability and going out and laying it all on the line and playing smart football for 60 minutes," Holliday said. "That was what we preached from the beginning, and I wasn’t even here in March, but I know that was what we were preaching. So it was good to get back in the win column and we’ve got to build on this.”
One player who was there in March -- WR Brandon Marshall -- said the Broncos had a better focus against the Giants and hopes it carries on to Sunday;s game in Kansas City.
“Honestly, I think it’s best for us as a team to worry about today’s game only," Marshall said. "Back on March 17th when we first got together we said we wanted to play great ball in the beginning (of the season), but our season starts after Thanksgiving. So it was great for our team to go out and play well.”
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