C.J. Anderson named AFC’s Offensive Player of the Week

The Broncos need to continue to improve each week, and that can only happen if you treat each opponent as if they’re the undefeated New England Patriots.

This a very important game for the Denver Broncos in their hunt for not only their fifth consecutive AFC West title, but homefield advantage as well.

After they dominated the Green Bay Packers, they followed up with a road loss to an inferior Indianapolis Colts team.

Given the increased emphasis on under-center formations since Osweiler took the reins from Peyton Manning, the success might not be a coincidence. In Manning’s case, people want blowouts and aren’t satisfied with a win. After struggling with injuries early in the season, Anderson has rushed for 316 yards and three touchdowns in the five games since the bye, averaging 6.32 yards per carry in that span. Having only played a handful of National Football League games, mainly in the preseason, many question the young quarterback’s inexperience.

Osweiler looks to lead Denver to a third straight victory Sunday when it visits the San Diego Chargers.

The Chargers do nearly nothing well this year, except throw the football. This may mean that the team will have to overuse Philip Rivers, which won’t be good news at all. He is down two starting wide receivers, yet finds a way to put up yards and points nearly every week. The way the Broncos have frustrated Rivers in the past is to generate pressure and get in his face as often as possible. Both losses featured a stagnant and mistake-prone Jets offense and overall underwhelming performances.

But where the strong showings on defense were a luxury before, they are a necessity now. Rivers will shred them if they do.

Neither snow nor cold nor New England Patriot could stop Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson on Sunday night. Yes, some of that can be blamed on his torn plantar fascia, but with no idea when he’ll be ready to play, and five weeks to go in the regular season, it’s fair to assume that Kubiak has given some thought to rolling with Osweiler for the rest of 2015. However, the 39-year-old quarterback said that he is still unsure if he will be able to make the trip to San Diego for their upcoming game against the Chargers, and added that he has not talked to coach Gary Kubiak about a timetable. What we haven’t seen is a Lombardi Trophy, and at this point, that’s all that matters. Although the ball traveled rather easily by air, the Jets run-defense was incredible, allowing only 12 yards on 9 attempts. I guess we’ll never know.

San Diego used a first-round pick on Melvin Gordon, but it hasn’t translated on the field.

With the Broncos down 22-0 and the game seemingly out of reach, Osweiler made the most of his time throwing for 146 yards and one touchdown.

-Right tackle Louis Vasquez did not practice Wednesday because of a groin injury.

However, will the Broncos be comfortable using Osweiler during a postseason run?

“I’m not surprised at all”, said receiver Bubba Caldwell, who caught the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.