“The biggest thing that we have been talking about throughout the year was keep on trying to play a complete game . . . I think this was our most complete game,” emphasized Nov Turner following the San Diego Chargers 32-3 rout of the disintegrating Denver Broncos.

Prior to the game, as reported by the Union Tribune, Denver Broncos Head Coach Josh McDaniels went up to the Chargers linebackers and shouted, “We own you!” Apparently someone forgot to tell McDaniels that if the Broncos own the Chargers line-backing core, Denver was six payments behind with a rising interest rate and they just got foreclosed on.

Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips said, “When [McDaniels] gets on the field and makes a play we will start worrying about him. All he did was just fire us up!”

McDaniels started Chris Simms at quarterback in place of Kyle Orton who missed most of the week’s practice with an injured ankle. On the first seven plays Simms handed the ball off and Denver moved the ball down to the Chargers 17-yard line. Then Phillips sacked Simms and forced a fumble on the first pass play. Stephen Cooper recovered the ball for the Chargers.

Phillips talked about playing against Simms. “I was dreaming of it. I was loving it! That is why I was able to get that sack early. I don’t get the blind side of the quarterback too much since I have been in the league. I wish every quarterback that we played were left-handed.”

The Chargers then when on the attack with the most balanced offensive play calling they have shown all season. Quickly LaDainian Tomlinson ripped off a big 21-yard run and Philip Rivers found Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd for big pass plays. The drive was capped off by a 2-yard touchdown reception by Legedu Naanee, giving the Chargers their second opening drive touchdown in four games.

On the Chargers next two possessions Nate Kaeding kicked a 28-yard and 47-yard field goals.

Down 13-0 McDaniels replaced Simms with Orton. Quickly Orton found Brandon Marshall and Jabar Gaffney for two big pass plays driving the Broncos down to the Chargers 4-yard line. On a run play Knowshon Moreno fumbled the ball as he we attempting to extend the ball over the plane of the end zone. Steve Gregory recovered the ball for the Chargers in the end zone for a touchback.

The real deciding moment came early in the 3^rd quarter when McDaniels called for an on-side kick following a field goal that had made the score 13-3. Naanee landed on the ball on the Bronco’s 41-yard line. Following the game Philips said, “The on-side kick was honestly stupid, but it worked out in or favor . . . I bet [McDaniels] is kicking himself in the butt for that one.”

Turner decided pull out his own trick play by calling a double reverse. The play had Tomlinson throwing back to Rivers who found Antonio Gates wide open down the field. Gates took the ball down to the 3-yard line. Two play later Tomlinson rushed for his 147th career-rushing touchdown. The Chargers led 20-3.

With such a large deficit McDaniels was forced to attempt several fourth down conversions. This ultimately continued to give the Chargers great field position. Resulting in two more Kaeding field goals and rushing a touchdown by Mike Tolbert with 0:34 to go in the game. Kaeding’s extra point was blocked bringing the final score to 32-3.

With the win the Chargers now have sole possession of first place. Following the game Shawn Merriman said, “We are going to keep this thing moving forward.” To keep going forward the Chargers must now focus on the Kansas City Chiefs who surprisingly beat the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday.

The Kansas City game will include pre-game festivities where the Chargers will be introducing their 50 Greatest Players. However, in order to see the ceremony you will likely need to be at the game because over 7,000 seats remain un-sold and the game will likely be blacked out for local viewers.

Click on the article link below for more information on the 50-Great Chargers:

Chargers Announce All-Time Greatest Chargers

In addition to the Kansas City game, the Chargers will be introducing their 50 Greatest Players at the Chargers Block Party.

Click on the article link below for information about the Block Party:

The Chargers Block Party