Well, that was a rather odd, yet entertaining, way to end what was already a helluva exciting game. For those who missed it, here's the run down of the last 1 minute and 14 seconds of the Chargers - Broncos game: (1:14) - After the extra pt attempt by Kaeding, Ian Gold (Broncos) gets flagged for Unnecessary Roughness (15 yard penalty), which was quickly followed by Unsportsman-like Conduct on Da. Williams (Broncos) for telling off a ref. Both penalties combined for 30 yards on the ensuing kickoff. (1:10) - Penalty on B. Hamilton (Broncos) for Illegal Touch Pass (declined). (0:35) - Igor Olshansky (SD) is Disqualified for the game for repeatedly punching Tom Nalen, who, after Plummer spiked the ball, took a cheap shot dive at Olshansky's legs (15 yard penalty). (0:34) - D. Florence (SD) is penalized for Delay of Game (19 yard penalty).
That was definitely a very entertaining finish to the game. That punch was disgraceful, as was the dive to the knees by the Broncos lineman. But aren't we used to that?
This game just further verifies what a cheap, dirty team the Broncos are. Not only was that Nalen move absolute trash, but there was another incident where a Bronco player ripped off the helmet of a Charger player, then tried to poke him in the eye after doing so.
The Elias Sports Bureau probably has the answer. There was a Broncos-Chiefs Monday Night game once where Derrick Thomas was called for three 15-yard penalties on one drive. It was late in the game but I don't recall it being in the final 1:15.
I think Olshansky flipping out was certainly justified, but it nearly cost his team big time. The changes in momentum within the last 1:14 secs was enough to make your head spin. First, the Broncos seemed like they were in an impossible hole after Sapp took that KO out of the endzone and to the 2 yard line (stupid move). Then, after all the penalties, there was suddenly hope for Denver as Jake Plummer set up shop on the 50-yard line with 20-30 seconds to go. That hope was pretty short lived, though, since he ended up getting sacked. I wish we got an explanation from the refs at the end, though. It seemed like Plummer managed to hike the ball just before the clock expired, but the refs ended the game anyway.
I was watching pretty closely, and it appeared the Plummer didn't beat the clock by approximately 1 second.
