Playoffs? Playoffs? Yes, Playoffs

Watching the Chargers destroy the Broncos 52-21 on Sunday night makes us wonder, are the Bolts really this good or are the Broncos simply this bad?

As philosophical questions go, it's not quite as intriguing as, Del Taco or Taco Bell?

But make no mistake, these Broncos are pathetic. They had a three-game lead over the Chargers in the AFC West with three to play. Now they've just put the finishing touches on an epic collapse that should inspire Cole Hamels to start popping off any day now.

In a way, though, the Broncos should feel thankful. They picked a good day to turn in such a horrible performance. They had plenty of company.

As bad as the Broncos were Sunday, it still wasn't the most embarrassing performance of the day -- and that's just counting the games that meant something. No, that honor goes to America's Team.

So now the Chargers -- at 8-8 -- are in the playoffs as AFC West champions. Which means, when the coach of the year voting is announced, the words "Norv" and "Turner" might show up on the list with a few votes -- much to the delight of THN.

The Minor-League Town Quote o' the Day

"We might not be a playoff team, but we played like one today."

-- Fred Jackson of the Buffalo Bills, the favorite team of San Diegans for 3 hours Sunday afternoon

"Choke Artists"

"For the past two years they've been choke artists."

-- World Series MVP and San Diego boy Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels wasn't talking about the Denver Broncos, but maybe he should have been.

The Broncos are doing a pretty serviceable impression of the New York Mets right now.

With an opportunity to clinch the AFC West with a victory Sunday, the Broncos looked like a bunch of listless second-graders in need of a nap, as they got pounded by the Carolina Panthers 30-10.

Denver has two more games left to tweak and fine-tune its Mets impersonation. And when it's over, there should be little doubt that the Broncos are an amazin' collection of talent.

In other news Sunday, the Chargers managed their second one-point win this season over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The USD Report

The University of San Diego defeated Oregon 64-57 in college basketball action Saturday.

And that's all for this edition of The USD Report.

We hope you enjoyed The USD Report. Join us again next time for The USD Report.

The High School Football Report: Playoff Edition

Week 4 of the high school football playoffs featured four championship games at Qualcomm Stadium.

And that's all for this edition of The High School Football Report.

We hope you enjoyed The High School Football Report.

Join us again next year for The High School Football Report.

The USD Report

The University of San Diego lost to San Diego State 57-46 in college basketball action Saturday.

And that's all for this edition of The USD Report.

Join us again next time for The USD Report.

The High School Football Report: Playoff Edition

Week 3 of the high school football playoffs featured numerous semifinals throughout San Diego County.

And that's all for this edition of The High School Football Report.

We hope you enjoyed The High School Football Report.

Join us again next week for The High School Football Report.

The Minor-League Town Quote o' the Day

"It was desperately needed but it was one win for us. We don't want to make it more than what it is."

-- LaDainian Tomlinson, on the Chargers' 34-7 win over the Raiders on Thursday night