San Diego – It was a picture not seen much the past couple seasons.
There was Jake Plummer on the sideline Saturday afternoon wearing a Broncos cap backward. The day was over at halftime for the leader of the Broncos’ offense.
Let the Bradlee Van Pelt and Scout Team Dreamers show begin.
In a game that had no playoff implications, the Broncos spent the second half of a rainy New Year’s Eve giving themselves and fans a glimpse of the future. All eyes were glued to Van Pelt, the former Colorado State star, as he and several Broncos youngsters played out the final 30 minutes of a 23-7 victory over the Chargers.
After eluding the subject much of the week, Broncos coach Mike Shana- han gave hints some the starters would be rested as the game progressed. Denver, which rested four starters because of injuries, also inserted backup tailback Ron Dayne, tight end Wesley Duke, receivers Charlie Adams, Todd Devoe and David Terrell, defensive end John Engelberger, linebacker Patrick Chukwurah, cornerback Curome Cox and safety Sam Brandon in the second half.
“It was really a best-case scenario,” Brandon said. “We won, we stayed healthy and a lot of young guys came in and showed we can take care of business. We all stepped up and got the job done.”
The Broncos earned the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs last weekend against the Raiders and will host a second-round playoff game Jan. 14 or 15 at Invesco Field at Mile High. While Saturday’s game was about finishing the season healthy, it also was about taking inventory.
Shanahan said he liked what he saw, especially from Van Pelt, who played extensively for the first time Saturday. Van Pelt completed just 2-of-8 passes for 7 yards in rainy conditions but gained 41 yards on 10 carries.
“He did a great job,” Shanahan said.
Said Van Pelt: “I was just glad to go out there and get some playing time. It was good to get it over with.”
Denver led 14-7 at the half when Plummer and several other starters became bench jockeys. Long drives, thanks to the running of Van Pelt, and big defensive plays – such as a fourth-quarter interception by Cox – enabled the blend of Denver starters and dreamers to score nine unanswered points and complete a rout of the Chargers, who played their starters throughout the game. San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer said all week he wanted to finish the season with double-figure wins.
But thanks to the rag-tag Denver scout team, Schottenheimer was left stuck in mediocrity at 9-7.
“It was fun to be part of this,” said Terrell, who was active for the first time this season. “We showed them what the scout team could do. We showed that Denver has some pretty good backups, too.”
For Terrell and the rest of Denver’s younger players, Saturday was their “Super Bowl,” as Terrell put it.
“We went all-out,” said Terrell, who had no receptions. “When you’re not playing and you get your chance, you take it. You go and get it done.”
For players such as Van Pelt and Duke, the game was an extension of their scout team practices.
“Except there were a lot of people watching us,” said Duke, who had an impressive 21-yard catch that helped set up Denver’s first touchdown. “You never know what’s going to happen in the playoffs. Maybe we have to play again in a couple of weeks.
“If that happens, at least we all know that we can go in there and get the job done.”
That comforting fact may be the biggest victory of the day for Denver.
Scout team stars
A look at the contributions of some of the Broncos’ younger players in a 23-7 victory Saturday over the Chargers:
S Sam Brandon: Had four tackles and recovered a fumble at the Chargers’ 1-yard line, setting up a touchdown.
DB Curome Cox: Had a 48-yard interception return in the fourth quarter to stop a Chargers’ drive and set up Denver’s final touchdown.
TE Wesley Duke: Had a 21-yard catch in the second quarter to set up Denver’s first touchdown.
QB Bradlee Van Pelt: Completed just 2-of-8 passes but ran the ball 10 times for 41 yards and led the offense as Denver outscored the Chargers 9-0 in the second half.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
