Why the Chargers defeat of the Broncos will not define their season

To steal from ESPN.com columnist Bill Simmons, who stole the line from Quentin Tarantino, yes, 41-3 is a lot of points to win by, but let’s not all start sucking each other’s popsicles yet.

This is not, I repeat, not the big momentum changing game everyone’s calling it. I keep hearing commentators looking ahead at the schedule, seeing the Oakland Raiders, a bye week, then the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings, and deciding the team can be 5-3 (It’s 2-3 now) by the end of that stretch. I really don’t think so.

Take a closer look at the Broncos. Even without the injuries, Denver has the worst rushing defense in the league. The worst! They made LaMont Jordan look like an All-Pro. So let’s not give Head Coach Norv Turner too much credit for calling a lot of running plays, when he has the most talented running backs (and arguably the best run blocking offensive line) in the NFL facing the worst running defense. The victory also depended on some particularly fortuitous fumbles – one that stopped a Broncos drive on the 9-yard line, and another off a kickoff that was returned for a Chargers TD. plus, the Broncos started the game without their best offensive player (Javon Walker) and their best defensive player (Champ Bailey) played hurt. Their starting center (Tom Nalen) played with a an upper arm injury much of the game, and they’re thin at that position, due to a pre-season injury to Ben Hamilton.

Now let’s look ahead. The Raiders are actually a decent team (as distinct from “good”). They’re 2-2, and should be 3-1, if Denver Head Coach Mike Shanahan hadn’t pulled that cheesey-but-legal trick time out on the long field goal at the end of regulation in week 2. They have a top-10 offense, if you can believe it, and the defense has regressed, but has a lot of talent. The Oakland quarterback appears to be a rejuvenated Daunte Culpepper, who before his devastating ligament injury, was really good. Is he all the way back? No idea. But my point is this not a bad team. The Chargers have lost to worse ones (Kansas City Chiefs anyone?). The Texans also are showing signs of life. They’re defensive line has been making trouble for people, and Quarterback Matt Schaub is a huge upgrade over David Carr. If the Texans’ star wide receiver Andre Johnson is back for that game, the Chargers defensive backs will be working hard all game. The Vikings, well, the Vikings are bad. But if at the end of that stretch, the Chargers are 4-4, or even 3-5, don’t be surprised. This is a talented team, but Norv Turner and Ted Cottrell are still calling the shots.