FCBolt
12-22-2008, 10:59 PM
AFC West evening news and notes (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcwest/0-3-1167/AFC-West-evening-news-and-notes.html)
December 22, 2008 10:56 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
If Denver losses Sunday night at San Diego, it will join the 2003 Vikings as the only teams in NFL history to blow a three-game lead in the division. The Vikings' demise was a four-game losing streak in the middle of the season while Denver's downfall would be three straight losses to end the season.
Denver coach Mike Shanahan said cornerback Champ Bailey (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=1758) will be ready to play Sunday. Bailey returned against Buffalo after missing seven games with a torn groin but he had to leave the game twice.
The San Diego weather forecast calls for the temperature to be in the high 40s Sunday night for the AFC West showdown.
According to ESPN's Stats & Information, the game in San Diego will be the fourth time that a playoff spot will be decided on the field on the final week. The last time it occurred was in 1991 when the Jets beat the Dolphins. The last time a division crown was decided on the field on the final day was 1988 when Seattle beat Oakland to win the AFC West.
If San Diego wins the division, it will become the first 8-8 team to win a division crown since the 1985 Browns. That team is the only 8-8 team ever to win a division.
If the Chargers win, they will be the first team that was 4-8 after 12 games to go to the playoffs.
Denver has now put 16 players on the injured reserve this season. In contrast, San Diego has placed four players on the injured reserve.
San Diego coach Norv Turner said receiver Malcolm Floyd (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=7630) is doubtful to play Sunday with a collapsed lung. He didn't play at Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Turner said Monday he was planning to call Bills' coach Dick Jauron. The Bills ' win at Denver on Sunday setup the winner-take-all game.
The Broncos' reaction after losing to the Bills? "Everyone is disgusted," according to Shanahan.
Shanahan said San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5529) deserves to be in the Pro Bowl, "no question about it." Rivers is the first alternate to the game.
Denver quarterback Jay Cutler (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9597) is one of the three AFC quarterbacks. Rivers will likely go to Hawaii. Jets' quarterback Brett Favre (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=112) was selected. Yet, he rarely goes to the game.
December 22, 2008 10:56 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
If Denver losses Sunday night at San Diego, it will join the 2003 Vikings as the only teams in NFL history to blow a three-game lead in the division. The Vikings' demise was a four-game losing streak in the middle of the season while Denver's downfall would be three straight losses to end the season.
Denver coach Mike Shanahan said cornerback Champ Bailey (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=1758) will be ready to play Sunday. Bailey returned against Buffalo after missing seven games with a torn groin but he had to leave the game twice.
The San Diego weather forecast calls for the temperature to be in the high 40s Sunday night for the AFC West showdown.
According to ESPN's Stats & Information, the game in San Diego will be the fourth time that a playoff spot will be decided on the field on the final week. The last time it occurred was in 1991 when the Jets beat the Dolphins. The last time a division crown was decided on the field on the final day was 1988 when Seattle beat Oakland to win the AFC West.
If San Diego wins the division, it will become the first 8-8 team to win a division crown since the 1985 Browns. That team is the only 8-8 team ever to win a division.
If the Chargers win, they will be the first team that was 4-8 after 12 games to go to the playoffs.
Denver has now put 16 players on the injured reserve this season. In contrast, San Diego has placed four players on the injured reserve.
San Diego coach Norv Turner said receiver Malcolm Floyd (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=7630) is doubtful to play Sunday with a collapsed lung. He didn't play at Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Turner said Monday he was planning to call Bills' coach Dick Jauron. The Bills ' win at Denver on Sunday setup the winner-take-all game.
The Broncos' reaction after losing to the Bills? "Everyone is disgusted," according to Shanahan.
Shanahan said San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5529) deserves to be in the Pro Bowl, "no question about it." Rivers is the first alternate to the game.
Denver quarterback Jay Cutler (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9597) is one of the three AFC quarterbacks. Rivers will likely go to Hawaii. Jets' quarterback Brett Favre (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=112) was selected. Yet, he rarely goes to the game.