15:00: The Bills have a second-and-6 from their own 32-yard line when play resumes.
Trent Edwards drops back and finds running back Fred Jackson streaking down the right sideline. He makes the catch and reverses field to avoid Broncos defenders. He picks up 65 yards before being taken down by Dre’ Bly at the Denver three-yard line.
13:30: After a one-yard gain on first-and-goal, Edwards hands off to Xavier Omon for the second consecutive play, and he loses a yard after being taken down by Jamie Winborn and Josh Bell. On third-and-goal, Edwards’ pass is complete to Steve Johnson in the end zone. Dre’ Bly made a diving attempt to break it up, and may have gotten a piece of it, but Johnson got the touchdown.
The Rian Lindell extra point puts the Bills back on top of the Broncos, 23-20.
TWO UPDATES: For Buffalo, running back Marshawn Lynch’s return is questionable with a shoulder injury. For Denver, Jay Cutler is now just 17 yards away from breaking the franchise’s single-season passing yard record.
12:47: Selvin Young is back to receive the Buffalo kickoff. He takes it out to the 26-yard line, and the offense takes over.
On first down, Cutler sends Tatum Bell in motion, setting up an empty backfield. He drops back and lets loose a pass down the middle of the field and into the waiting arms of a wide-open Tony Scheffler. It’s a 36-yard reception, setting up a first-and-10 at the Buffalo 38-yard line.
Cutler is in the shotgun, drops back and quickly fires a pass to Eddie Royal, who slides to the ground and makes the reception for another first-down.
UPDATE: With the long pass to Scheffler, Cutler set the Broncos franchise record for single-season passing yards.
11:13: An incomplete pass on first down — Royal slipped — sets up a second-and-10. Cutler hands off to Young, who picks up two yards.
Now it’s third-and-8 for the Broncos at the Buffalo 25-yard line. Cutler is in the shotgun with Tatum Bell to his left. He launches a pass to the back of the end zone, but it’s over the head of a streaking Royal.
11:03: On fourth down, Prater drives home a 43-yard field goal attempt to tie the game. The Broncos and Bills are all knotted up at 23-23.
10:54: After a short kickoff by Prater — trying to keep it away from special teams nightmare Leodis McKelvin — Fred Jackson fields it and takes it 30 yards into Broncos territory.
The Bills are set up to start their drive at the Denver 45.
A girl in a bright orange bikini top was just shown on the big screen — Broncos fans apparently take their cold weather games seriously.
Now play resumes and Edwards fakes a handoff before rolling to his right and finding Josh Reed for a first down at the 29-yard line.
10:20: On first down, it’s play-action from Edwards again, and he completes a pass as he’s hit to Reed again, setting up another first down on the 18-yard line.
9:09: After a 10-yard run by Jackson and a measurement, the Bills have a first-and-goal from the eight-yard line. On first down, Jackson takes the carry eight yards into the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point is good, and Buffalo leads Denver, 30-23.
8:48: The Broncos offense jogs to the line at their own 24. Empty backfield for Cutler, who drops back and is hit as he throws into space. The pass falls incomplete between two Bills defenders.
8:43: Second-and-10, Cutler is in the shotgun with Tatum Bell beside him. He tries to get the ball to Eddie Royal, but the pass is intercepted at about the Denver 25-yard line. There’s a flag on the play, however. Holding on Marcus Stroud — five-yard penalty and automatic first down. Interception negated.
On the next play, Cutler finds Marshall for a 19-yard gain. Tatum Bell follows that up with a three-yard run, then a Cutler pass intended for Brandon Stokley falls incomplete.
That sets up third-and-7, and Cutler finds Royal for 15 yards and the first down.
7:10: On first down, Cutler finds Marshall for eight yards, then follows that up with another connection for 11 yards down to the Buffalo 15-yard line.
5:42: It’s third-and-10 from the 15 after two incomplete Cutler passes. The first was a quick throw-away to avoid a sack, and the second was just over Marshall’s head in the back of the end zone. Now on third down, Cutler tries to get the ball to Marshall for a touchdown, but it’s intercepted at the goal line by Kawika Mitchell. He returns it to the two-yard line, where Buffalo has a first-and-10.
4:55: Fred Jackson takes two consecutive handoffs — the first picks up five yards, the second is snuffed out by Ebenezer Ekuban and Marcus Thomas for no gain. Now it’s third-and-5 for the Bills at their own 7.
Jackson takes the pitch on third down to the right side, but Nic Clemons is there for the initial stop, blowing up the play after one yard.
The crowd chants, “Eddie! Eddie!” As Brian Moorman is in to punt. The ball takes a Buffalo bounce in front of Royal, and the the Bills down it at the Denver 39-yard line. It’s a 53-yard punt.
2:45: Cutler completes a seven-yard pass to Brandon Stokley on first down, then avoids some defenders on a scramble on second-and-3 to pick up a first down in Buffalo territory. It’s a nine-yard run for the quarterback.
On the next first down, he tries to get the ball to Marshall, but Terrence McGee is there to knock the ball away. Solid coverage by McGee on what looked to be a catch by Marshall inside the 20.
2:01: On the last play before the two minute warning, Cutler is in teh shotgun and tries to find Stokley near the first-down marker. The ball is knocked away, and the Broncos have a third-and-10 from the Buffalo 45-yard line on the other side of the break.
1:56: Cutler is in the shotgun with an empty backfield. Four receivers are out wide. He drops back, dances in the pocket and finds Stokley for the first down. Stokley gets back up and starts sprinting toward the end zone, but the refs say he was down by contact.
Now the ball is at the 32-yard line, first-and-10. Cutler gets it to Marshall for another first down at the 20-yard line. They’re back in the red zone, and the team calls its second timeout of the half.
1:16: Cutler’s pass to Stokley in the middle of the field falls incomplete after a defensive back meets Stokley just as the ball gets there. It looks like he might have an interception, but the ball hits the ground.
On second down, Cutler is in the shotgun again and gets the ball out to Daniel Graham for a five-yard gain. The offense hurries up to the line and Cutler takes the snap in shotgun again before overthrowing Stokley in the back of the end zone.
0:39: It’s now fourth-and-5 at the 15-yard line for the Broncos, down by a touchdown. The offense huddles up, and Cutler is in the shotgun with four receivers out wide. He takes the snap and lofts it to Stokley, who almost comes away with a miraculous catch — but the ball pops out as he hits the ground.
Turnover on downs.
Edwards takes a knee to end the game, and the two teams meet at midfield to shake hands.
The Bills come away with the victory, 30-23.
The loss means the Broncos will head to San Diego next week for a winner-to-the-playoffs, loser-go-home matchup.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Fourth Quarter, Gray Caldwell, Live Blog, Week 16
HAHA^…that was funny
What a frustrating day, I had a bad feeling about this game even when Denver took a 13-0 lead. What a horrible performance especially by the special teams. No NFL team can continually give the opponent field position starting outside of the opponent’s 30-yard line let alone in your own territory on freaking squib kicks. The special teams for Denver is a disaster. What has happened to Matt Prater’s leg? He can no longer even put the ball inside the 10-yard line on kickoffs in the thin air of Denver? Wow.
The running game is in need of a major upgrade this season. Denver needs to be more balanced, throwing so many times in a game is not a recipe for winning football and being able to compete in the playoffs. That said, P.J. Pope looked great until he got hurt, kind of like every decent running back Denver has had this season.
Congratulations to the San Diego Chargers, they did what they had to do to get back in the race (they can also thank the Chiefs for muffing the onside kickoff last week that gave them new life.) I guess karma is coming back to bite the Broncos badly following the Ed Hochuli call. Now, the Broncos after leading the division the entire season, we’ll most likely give it up to the Chargers next week as both teams finish 8-8 as San Diego wins the division by virtue of the better division record.
Those Denver losses especially against Kansas City and Oakland are coming back to haunt the Broncos big time. That said, Denver blew a huge opportunity to get some playoff experience and build for next year, but in the end there were too many gaffes on special teams and breakdowns all around coupled with injuries and inexperience to get it done. I am hoping for a miracle in San Diego. Denver has won big road games when no one gave them a chance against the Falcons and Jets, but I think time has run out on Denver in 2008.
I am completely frustrated. What does a fan for over 30 years say? I cannot believe this team has taken the mile hi magic and turned it into dust. I am completely in shock, pissed off and wonder what excuses will be utilized this time. 4th and 5, let me repeat 4th and 5 with one timeout remaining and Jay cutler goes for the end zone. WTF!!!! Get the first down, call time-out and we go into OT. Instead we will be taking our sorry behinds to SD to get embaressed on national TV. I am just sick. But then again they have been winning their game on the road.
If anyone calls me a fair weather fan, I’m going to tell you to “f” off. I am a person that has been cheering for this team far longer than some of you. I am sick of being the fan that has to explain why my team looses week in and week out.
Oh, Let’s see we started off Hot and then turned cold. Why? because we lost yet, another running back.
At least the offense could of tied up the game. Dammit, why did Jay go for the end zone instead of 5 yards needed for the 1st. He was in-accurate all game long.
Guys, even with a win in SD, we are doomed. 9-7= too many inconsistency’s. Don’t even think this team can play under pressure, cause they have not shown me this thus far that they are capable of winning “the Big game”. Look at Carolina. San Diego demolished the Bucs and we barely beat them. Another thing, we didn’t really beat SD, the refs caused SD to loose. They are coming on strong and we have lost our luster. Still too inconsistent to win. In San Diego we will be licking our wounds.
Shannahan, If this game is lost, I suggest you start to find two new defensive tackle, I’m positive this is the only area we must get better at. Maybe two D tackles will resurect a dead defense.
well well this is ganna be tough to win in san diego but we put ourselves in this situation so we will see how we show up that day. as a die hard bronco fan i dont think were ganna win but i hope they prove me wrong GO BRONCOS
I am sure you all know far more about football than I do.
Can anyone explain to me why we changed a winning team to bring back the more experienced players and they let us down.
Should we be using the younger players at all times?
Finally, we have played our best games when most under pressure, and now we are effectively entering the play off’s a week early with must win games from now on. We will now find out who deserves to be in this team and who doesn’t.
THIS SUCKS!!!!!!!!
Let’s not bash the Broncos, we still have one more game, and we haven’t lost it yet! We may be the underdogs going into San Diego, But we have beat them once, and i can’t wait to do it again. Let’s go Broncos!
One playoff victory for shanahan since Elway left.
Two Playoffs since his retirement….
Slowik is horrible…
Jarvis Moss is a total bust
John Engleberger gets pancaked at least once a game.
Cutler is great but its like a one man show.
Offensive game calling in first period after the first score was horrible.
Going for the field goal was stupid in cold weather and gave up field position in the first half.
They have no chance against the Chargers sorry people, good luck to all of those believers. I thought they learned a lesson after losing to the niners two years ago but this takes the cake. I am tired of this crap….
If this team can’t capitalize on a 13 point lead, at home, against the bills, what makes anyone think they can beat the dolts in San Diego?
Particularly when crybaby rivers and the rest of the chargers have been crying ALL season about how they were “robbed” by Ed Hochuli? They will be out for blood and this team — which has blown two chances in two weeks to make next week’s game moot — can’t stop anybody from putting up 30+ points.
For those of you who have faith that the season’s not over, congratulations, I hope you’re right. But every indication is that we’re due for a repeat of last year: that a**hole rivers talking smack and acting like the a$$ he is as the dolts end the Denver season.
Three game lead with three games to play — and now, that this next game even matters is an absolute disgrace.
Denver fans expect and deserve better than this.
I honestly believe we lost a lot of our swagger on offense when Hillis went down. He was a powerful back that ran with a purpose and our offense started to take on his personality. Even though PJ Pope looked alright until he got hurt, the coaching staff lost all confidence in our running game when Hillis went down and we became a one dimensional team. We are doomed without a running game and the pressure shouldn’t always be put on Jay’s shoulders to win.
The defense needs to step up. DJ should be playing MLB with Woodyard playing where DJ normally plays. We need to find a good defensive cord. and stick with that person because changing every year is going to help. If the D cannot get pressure on the QB, the opposing team is going to put up a ton of yards and points. Denver needs to concentrate on defense this upcoming offseason.
Just like all of you, I am frustrated. I live in San Diego and us Bronco fans are going to get abused if we lose this week. I can take the abuse and I’ll always cheer and be a proud fan, but dang I want to see this team step it up defensively next year!!! With a running game, our offense will be fine. Special teams needs attention too. Prater has been disappointing and I don’t understand why he can’t kick the ball deep. What happened to that strong leg everyone talked about?
Winner takes all… no pressure, right?
GO BRONCOS!!!!
The emergence of Peyton Hillis meant the transformation of a mediocre football team into a good, one that could finish off another team. His loss just as quickly put us back down into a bad one. Jay is good, but inaccurate. We cant win without a running game, simple as that
Cutler is actually a very accurate QB, but not today. 23 points should be more than enough points to win any game if we had a good defense, but we don’t. Webster should not be a starter and Woodyard should have remained in at LB.
chuntbuck -
the nay-sayers wouldn’t come out if they had some faith and belief in this team instead of people like you who can’t make up their frickin’ minds. One second you love this team (ONLY when they win) and then you hate this team will all your guts (always when they lose and even sometimes when they win, you still complain).
I’m as frustrated as anyone else around here you have NO idea… but I don’t stoop to the level of being this pathetic and bash this team to no end. You nay-sayers are so blind, you don’t realize what you do. You only love this team when they win and sometimes then you still can’t make up your minds - every damn thing has to be perfect for you when you darn well know NOTHING AND NO ONE WILL EVER BE PERFECT!!!!!!
I’m no better than anyone else, I’m not perfect but I will say my faith in this team is a hell of alot better than all you nay-sayers put together times infiniti. My “overly positive attitude” as you put it is solely because I give a crap about this team, unlike you who can only focus on the negative things. There were alot of positive things in this game for us, we just didn’t bank off it all. Your head is just stuck up your butt too far for you to even notice the positive things they have done all year and that they did in this game. If you have any common sense, you’ll figure out what those positive things were. I shouldn’t have to tell you… you can’t tell me 2 TDs isn’t a positive thing for us, some of the catches that Graham, Marshall, Stokley and Scheffler made were awesome. Some of the run plays by Royal and Young were unbelievable… you probably didn’t even know those things happened cause you’re too caught up in ONLY the negative things. You’re a sad little thing… its pathetic the way you and other nay-sayers look at this team, its always negative.
And I’ll take you up on that bet… I’d bet you a million bucks if I were to walk in that locker room with all my faith and give that team a talkin’ to, they might actually thank me including Shanny. That man is too much of a genius, he knows this team needs to have faith in themselves in order for big things to happen. Faith has alot more to do with winning than you realize.
With my ‘overly positive attitude” that annoys the crap out of all the nay-sayers on here…
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!
It never ceases to amaze the number of negatives that come out only after a loss, the rest of the time you cease to exist. The defense had some issues today, but they made a stop at the end to give the offense a shot. As far as you Cutler haters I would love to say something to you and the rest of the Negatives but you are not worth the time, time to go beat the Norv’s at their home. Go Broncos, Go Cutler, Go Shanahan and come on defense lets make it happen.
Just looked at the box score. 532 yards of total offense for Denver compared to Buffalo’s 275 yards. So what accounts for the loss despite the huge numbers Denver put up? The difference was field position, which killed Denver based on Matt Prater’s awful kickoffs and missed field goal as well as the two Broncos’ turnovers. Further, Denver needed to be putting up touchdowns and finishing drives. With 500 plus yards of offense, a team should be in the 40+ point range.
I hope we save the best for last. We still CAN make it to the play off. The coaches and players need to come up with the perfect game plan in a week. Please Broncos don’t break our hearts every Christmas.
Is it going to suck that the Broncos won’t be AFC West Champs? Yes, but lets look at where the Broncos started this year and where they ended up as far as the future. First, at the start of the year there were many who said that the Chargers were a strong Super Bowl contender. Obviously, that means that the Broncos aren’t AFC West champions. So, in reality, nothing has really changed as far as where the Broncos finish in the AFC West. Rod Smith and Mat Lespsis retired and Nalen suffered a more than likely career ending injury. Our offensive line was in total disarray and we had only a number 1 and a number 3 receiver. What is the future for our offensive line? Probably 8-10 years of superior performance. Eddie Royal was drafted because of his special teams abilities. Instead, we’ve got 8-10 years of one of the best 1, 2 wide recveiver combinations in the whole NFL. Our kicking game was a mess. Kern has been one of the best in the league. Prater started out great guns, but got bit by the 40-49 yard bug. If he can work through ther mental block of that, he’ll be more than adequate. Despite the claims of the selfappointed conditioning “experts”, no amount of conditioning would have prevented the mass IRing of running backs. What conditioning exercise will avoid a disdlocated elbow? None. What conditioning excercise will avoid a knee being hyperextended to the point that the hamstring tears? None. Etc, Etc. ad nasium. What haoppened to all the RB’s was just the bounce of the ball. However, with all we’ve got going for us on the offense, the defense will be a liability until we get a dominant DT. A dominant DT takes a major amount of pressure off the DE’s. Our safties are a major problem also. But, again, with a dominant DT, the other team won’t have all day and the secondary can play a totally different style of coverage. At the start of the years I said that 8-8 was likely where the Broncos would end up and that it would be the start of a new era for the Broncos. I still beleive that.
wow,,well said 07elway….with you all the way,,,”good” passion for the game…
I dont know but I think everybody’s just frustrated that we had to let it come down to a decision game at San Diego when it could’ve ended sooner, especially when all the taunts were thrown at the Chargers at the beginning of the season after that “game” knowing they’ll want payback…lol….
I guess we’ll just to show em that win wasnt a flop…
Go Broncs
Anyone else going to the game Sunday in SD?
07elway…Dude, love your blogs but at times you are way off base. When fans get to the point where terrible play, terrible playcalling and loss after loss becomes exceptible we might as well move to Oakland or Detroit because its acceptible there. We as fans get ticked off when mediocrity has become our trade mark. Notice how we are in the same boat as last year and the year before that. 3 freakin years and we have not improved? I support and love this team but will call them out when necessary beacuse I am a Bronco fan first and foremost and if change is needed to improve my favorite team then so be it. I believe we should play the best players and that will give us the best chance to win week in and week out. Unfortuantely our coaching staff does not agree. This team needs a new coach, new defense and new attitude. Since when is it ok to get repeatedly punked in our home? If you dont believe me than I will copy and paste this same blog next year when we are in the same position again…..
.Fed up Fan
It’s funny, for pointing out the obvious flaws and deficiencies in this team and the coaching staff, we are nay-sayers and non-believers; what’s most amusing though is that, depending upon which post you read, we are either here only when we lose, or every game even when we win.
What we “doubters”, “nay-sayers” and “non-believers” are doing is posting our frustration with a team that could and should be much, much better. This team has demonstrated that despite excessive and unfortunate injuries, it can play well. It’s disheartening and disappointing to see them throw that away by failing to show up for (chokeland, kc) games, or to see them fail to finish like they did today.
As RSH pointed out, Denver vastly outplayed the bills today; except for the turnovers, the penalties (2 delay of game penalties at home?!) and the incredibly short field that the bills had to work with all afternoon. The amazingly stupid playcalling in the second quarter was the handwriting on the wall. Just like last week, the entire team and coaching staff should have come out prepared to finish the season and guarantee an appearance — at least — in the playoffs. Instead, opportunities squandered, and a defense that gives up big plays like candy out of a pinata, equals another disappointing loss at home. Now, we have to go on the road and play SD who has been salivating all season for an opportunity for “revenge” for the bad call in the first game.
If — somehow — we do manage to win next week, it will be truly a Christmas miracle.
West Coast -
okay, once again I repeat myself - I’m a girl, let’s get that straight… I am not a dude!!
And second, I am not way off base. I know what I’m talking about and its not like I’m trying to defend the mediocracy this team is showing. That’s the biggest misunderstanding between me and some people around here. I do not in any way, shape or form defend mediocracy no matter what… whether it comes from this team or not. They are capable of much better anyone knows that… the man in the moon knows that. And since when did I ever say that its okay for us to keep losing at home? huh, huh, when did I say that… I’ll tell you when, I NEVER said that.
I defend this team when some of you around here just completely lose your minds and bash this team. Since when does bashing this team improve their game? Would love to know the answer to that. Of course, it would be a rather pathetic answer considering bashing a team does nothing to improving anything. And you think I haven’t noticed how we have stayed in the same basic position for the past couple of years… I wasn’t born yesterday. Its not just the coaching and its not just the players… they have to learn to play as a team first and foremost. That’s the key to being successful at all the other aspects of the game. Its that simple… it really is.
And when its when you start saying this like this “If you dont believe me than I will copy and paste this same blog next year when we are in the same position again…..” that just goes to show the lack of faith you and many others have in this team. You already assume the worst based on the past. You have no clue what’s going to happen next week let alone a year from now!! I don’t know but it would help if you didn’t assume the worst of everything just because we’ve struggled the past couple of years. It starts with TEAMWORK and it branches out to success all of the other aspects of this game from there. Its not brain surgery… its common sense.
With faith…
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!
I love my team but San Diego has been waiting for this since we played them earlier. This is poetic justice and because the way we play I believe we are going to get stomped. Too many injuries this season and not enough leadership. It’s not about having faith, it’s about facing reality. I hope that I’m wrong because I’m sick of having games like today.
Im not saying DJ williams is bad but a i think woodyard is better why dont we put DJ at MLB and Woodyard at weakside because with all these healthy players the defense just got ten times worse.
this game has just changed to sunday night football. this is going to be on tough game, all players better buckle their chin straps in this one. i don’t think denver should even attempt to run the ball. let cutler let loose an throw the ball 50 times, let the defense blitz more it kinda worked today, and matt prater better get his act straight an kick some 50+ field goals cause its getting annoying now GO BRONCOSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nothing that is written here has any effect whatsoever on the team; because they don’t read it. They’re too busy heading to the bars and clubs, throwing their money around and pretending they did not get embarrassed at home — again– and have blown what little, and unlikely, chance they had of making the playoffs.
Either that or they’re giving interviews, talking about their phenomenal arm strength or how they’re going to rush for 2,000 yards this season, or telling everyone they are the second coming of Randy Moss or the new T.O.
This team does not need faith, it needs a swift kick in the a$$ back to reality.
Not getting blown out — TWICE — by kc this year, and they could rest everyone next week and prepare for the playoffs. Nope, that’s not happening. I mean, come on, the LIONS want to play the cheaps so they can get a win, how the hell did we lose to them TWICE?
Not letting the chokeland faiders come into Mile High and beating the crap out of the Broncos and they could rest everyone next week and prepare for the playoffs. Guess we know the story on that one too.
Beating the Carolina Panthers last week and they could rest everyone next week and prepare for the playoffs. Oops, missed that one too.
Not dropping a 13 point lead, at home, to the bills and they could rest everyone next week and prepare for the playoffs. Oh, couldn’t manage that small assignment either.
Well, in that case, the Broncos now have to go on the road to play a team that has had the date circled on the calendar since September with one goal in mind.
I hope Denver does win because that whiny little idiot rivers needs to be taken down a notch. But I seriously doubt Denver can do it. The team that choked against the bills does not have a chance at all. The team that got pasted by the cheaps twice this year does not have a chance at all. The team that let the faiders abuse them at home does not have a chance.
If Denver is going to have a hope of winning next week, the coaches need to have a serious game plan and an aggressive attitude. The players need to come out and play all out for 60 minutes with no easing off, coasting or mental lapses. That can happen, because they have managed it on occasion this year. But taking a two game losing streak on the road to a team with a 3 game winning streak, with the playoffs on the line, doesn’t allow for anything other than absolute championship caliber play.
Call me fair weather fan, call me naysayer, doubter, non-believer, whatever but I’ve been a Bronco fan longer than some of the posters here have been alive. What annoys me more than anything else is the absence of any desire to win demonstrated by this team and coaching staff. Complacency and mediocrity has become acceptable and I, for one, find that unacceptable.
yeah i bet that after a huge loss that when you walk into the locker room to give everyone a pat on the back that the whole squad would be really happy to see you. the offense is tops in the game and thats great. but this team has failed me more times then it has impressed me this year and for that im negitive. i feel just as good about the wins but i happen to know that this is not an elite team and you are blinded by the fact that our team scored 2 touchdowns?? dont try and tell me what i am
mad as hell at this team
chuntbuck
Wow what a loss ! I saw jay get us ahead twice . And then watched the DEFENSE give away
wow!!
chuntbuck -
you are the one blinded… by negativity, you can’t see that this team still has potential and talent even after today. And I never said I was going to give them a pat on the back… no way would I do that, its about giving that team faith that they can win next week. It may or may not happen but it is so worth having faith for. A pat on the back is not what this team needs and its not something I would do… they need to know that someone gives a crap and that they should to. They need to have faith in themselves that they can make a miracle happen like what we need next week in SD. They do need a wake up to reality and realize what is at stake here… I think that they knew that coming into today’s game they just let it get away from them. The D got soft and that didn’t help the offense get TDs. When the offense puts up points on the board, its up to the defense to work as a team and do their jobs defending those points. It all boils down to teamwork.
And I will tell you what you are… people on here do this to me everytime after a loss and they think I’ve lost it when I say I still have faith in this team and believe in this team even after a loss as heartbreaking as today’s loss was. So what are you… one negative sad little person. You’re the type that expects pure perfection out of this team EVERY SINGLE GAME and you darn well know that will never happen. They will never be perfect, that’s part of life and you just won’t admit it. And again, its more common sense that we aren’t an elite team… trust me I’ve had that figured out for quite sometime now but that doesn’t mean I’m gonna turn out to be just like you and everyone else and bash this team. That’s the last thing they need.
And I’m sure if you were to walk into that locker room right after today’s game and bash them and talk down on all that happened, yeah I’m sure they’d be real happy to see you too. I can totally picturing that happen and it going well… dream on buddy.
With faith…
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!
This says it all . . .
Chargers, Broncos will play for AFC West crown on Sunday night
NFL.com
NEW YORK — The Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers will play for the AFC West title in prime time.
The game next Sunday between the rivals in San Diego has been moved from 4:15 p.m. ET to 8:15 p.m. and will be televised by NBC as part of the NFL’s flexible scheduling.
The Broncos blew an early 13-0 lead and lost to the Buffalo Bills 30-23 Sunday in the second-coldest game in Denver’s history. It set up an all-or-nothing game against the Chargers next week for the division title and a playoff berth after San Diego routed Tampa Bay 41-24 earlier in the day.
The Broncos (8-7) led the Chargers (7-8) by three games with three to go, but now face the possibility of having led the AFC West by themselves from opening weekend through Christmas and missing the playoffs.
The flex scheduling was instituted with the new television contract in 2005 to allow more attractive games to be switched to prime time in the last two months of the season.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
and for those of you not clear on the point, this is what the entire football viewing world thinks of the Broncos right now, and with good reason.
The Broncos blew an early 13-0 lead and lost to the Buffalo Bills 30-23 Sunday in the second-coldest game in Denver’s history. It set up an all-or-nothing game against the Chargers next week for the division title and a playoff berth after San Diego routed Tampa Bay 41-24 earlier in the day.
The Broncos (8-7) led the Chargers (7-8) by three games with three to go, but now face the possibility of having led the AFC West by themselves from opening weekend through Christmas and missing the playoffs.
in other words,
the Broncos have shown that when it matters, they aren’t up to the task.
Prove me wrong guys, but the prospect of getting TO the playoffs, let alone going deep, is evaporating rapidly.
Tell me all about your arm strength, 2,000 yard rushing season and HOF receiving performances when you have some titles to your credit.
07elway, obviously you’ve never played football. If you had you would know there is a lot more to winning than “learning to play as a team.” Is it a lack of teamwork that makes Cutler throw picks? Would playing as a team make Prater more accurate? Perhaps if they play more as a team, Marshall doesn’t fumble today. Even you must agree how phenomonaly stupid this sounds. Your blind faith, while admirable, is completely misguided and without merit. What have these guys done to instill us with faith? Try being real. We don’t live in the land of unicorns and lolly-pops…the team is bad.
teeoneuptoo -
No I’m not blinded by faith, misguided any of that. And you’re right, I’ve never played football, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know a thing or two about this game. It does take more than faith and playing as a team to win games… but that’s where all the success in all the other aspects of the game starts.
And in certain situations… it is a lack of teamwork that causes Cutler to get picked off. He throws an accurate good throw and he expects (like he should) for his receiver to catch it! It takes communication there and teamwork. And on the other hand, his receivers expect him to throw those accurate passes… its communication and teamwork. I know there’s more to the game than teamwork, but it starts there. You don’t have that good communication, you got nothin’.
And last, its not up to this team to instill faith in anyone. That’s not their job. Their job to play football as a team and get their job done. Having faith in them is up to you, which clearly so many people around here have simply CHOSEN to not have faith. Its a choice, not the teams’ job to give you faith. Right there just goes to show, you know nothing about having faith…. again, its not this team’s job. And I really can’t believe you’d want them to instill faith in you when we all know they’ve got more than enough to keep them plenty busy this week than instilling faith in all around here who have just given up.
With faith…
GO BRONCOS!!!!!
Actually, it IS the team’s job to play football and get their job done.
They have not done that consistently in far too long.
What they have done is march around in their stupid sunglasses, ridden in their limos to the clubs and made countless pronouncements about their abilities and how wonderful they are. We as fans are entitled to have them play well and actually DO their jobs. The same is true for the coaching staff. They may not be acting quite as stupidly — or at least not as outspokenly — but it has long since gotten old hearing the same stupid cliches, week in and week out, about “having to execute plays”, “having to finish plays”, “having to get better” ad nauseam.
As fans we have the right to expect the team to play well or, when they are not playing well, own up to it and work harder to get better. As I have said before, this team has been on cruise control and coasting through the season only to watch it blow up in their faces. And they don’t even seem to care.
Why should we support a team that does not have the heart to finish the season? Why should we support a team that takes a three game lead in the division with three to play and throws it away? Why should we support a team that jumps out to a 13-0 lead on an awful team at home, only to fold up like a house of cards and lose 30-23?
If there was some intensity out there that demonstrated an actual interest in winning, and not simply collecting a paycheck, making insipid comments to sportswriters and generally acting like frat boys at Mardi Gras, some of these losses might be a little easier to take. But this team rolled over and got beaten like a red-headed step-child by the kc cheaps TWICE this season, got mauled by the faiders and their “interim” coach at home and has taken TWO good chances to clinch the division these past two weeks and flushed them down the toilet.
That’s not doing their job. It’s not that they don’t have talent, it’s that they don’t have heart and intensity and a desire to win. The guys who want to win need to get that across to the guys just riding the wave.
The “better” team statistically did not win at Mile High today. And the reason was, despite the huge advantage in yardage and time of possession, Denver killed themselves with stupid mistakes because they did not have the same desire to win the bills did.
I’ve been a fan of Shanahan’s since he first came to Denver, but he has completely failed to field a championship caliber team since Elway retired. If he can’t inspire the players to play like they want to win, and get the coaching staff there to prepare them to win, he needs to find another job. I think he can do it, but he has not shown that for some time.
The defense is beyond pathetic, and yet, they have managed to put together complete games, so the question is why do they not play well consistently?
The offense is obviously very talented and yet immature and more impressed with their press than actually focused on winning. Read the comments made by these guys throughout the year and you would think they were 14-2 and defending Superbowl champions; reality is they are a .500 team that can’t even clinch the title in the weakest division in the league.
sign me,
Still waiting for the REAL Broncos to show up
Broncoinexile: First thing we beat KC in Denver this year! (So we didn’t lose to them twice) but the fact remains we are a very young and inexperienced team that needs all the experience it can get. This team seems to pick up their game when noone gives them a chance. From here on out this season that is what they will be looking at. Guys, Please just play every play like it could be your last and let the chips fall where they may.
Let me say this much, fellow denizens of Bronco Country, I’m disappointed with the loss just as all of you are. There really is no excuse to lose a game when you outgain your opponent 532-275. I’m watching the Tivoed broadcast right now and it’s exasperating to consider how this game was lost. With that said, let’s look at the facts. Field position cost us big time. Even an offense as anemic as Buffalo’s can put up points when you give them a consistently short field. As for Marshall’s fumble, the Bills were fortuitous that Reggie Corner was right there. Remember when Trent Edwards gagged up the ball. It bounced toward Marshawn Lynch. Sometimes luck does play a factor… Bronco in Exile brings up valid points but I refuse to believe this team has no heart. If that were so, the losses to the Pats, Dolphins and Raiders would have been death knells for us. Every time the team has faced adversity they’ve bounced back. Cutler is unflappable and yes again we are all frustrated but I can easily see the negative comments dissapating if the Broncos win at the Q.
R we seriously on this blog blaming cutler for throwing 1 pick ( however costly it was ) and B marsh for his fumble. Can we please put the blame totally and completely on the defense for just once!!! do u all think that when we get in the playoffs that we can score 30-40 points at will!! it wont happen these teams are too good. Wesley Woodyard HAS to be out on the field its that simple he brings soo much energy to this team and he plays harder and better than Webster. and i dont think its hard to c that with champ in the game bly gets picked on all day.. lets see how do we fix this….. bring help over to bly so hes not on an island all by himself!!! champ can handle his own.. im with Elway7 on this one…. our team has to become 1 team and not a bunch of guys who want their 2000 rushing yards. When we do this we will be a great team. We have all the potential on the D with determined young backers and safeties along with good corners in bell bailey bly and williams. We know our offense is good. All i have to say about the offense is that everyone here should now know just how important Payton Hillis was to this team. Without him we have no running game and no balance. So with that said, lets go out and beat SD and at least show our faces in the playoffs and C what happens go broncos!!!!!!
I agree with shawn723 and 07elway. The offense is not the reason they lost the game. I said it before and I’ll say it again, just like Elway needed, this team needs a running game and a defense that can make the plays. Our running game should be fine next season with Hillis, Torain and Aldrige. Denver needs to concentrate on the defensive side of the ball and special teams this offseason. As many of you have said and I agree, DJ should be playing the middle with Woodyard in his spot.
broncoinexile - you are far too negative and bitter. I personally believe that this team DOES have the heart, intensity and desire to win. They are young and lack experience. 7 running backs have gone down due to injury. Do you realize how deflating that can be to an offense? Tell me one team in this league that could even compete for a playoff spot with 7 injured running backs on their roster. Bottom line, I think you are way out of line to say they have no heart.
This team has improved dramatically from last year, especially on the offensive side of the ball. If our RB’s stayed healthy all year long, the offense would have been more consistent. Injuries have killed us this year. We all know that Denver is going through a rebuilding process. The coaches can only fill so many holes during the offseason. This past offseason was devoted to the offense. This upcoming offseason will be devoted to the defense. Next season is when I think we should really start noticing a difference in this team.
WOOOOOO I Cant wait for this game!!! Chargers and Broncos in a rematch and winner takes all!! You better believe I’m betting for my Broncos
Points to consider:
This team plays to the level of it’s competition. Should be a great game Sunday.
One of the fun aspects of football: Sometimes you can double the stats of your opponent and still lose. Footballs ain’t round, they don’t always roll your way.
Passionate fans react differently. Some mourn, some blame, some analyse what needs to be “fixed”, some cheerlead. Perhaps it’s best to tolerate the other styles, and remember we’re on the same side, here.
Expectations can get you in trouble. I looked at the sched and thought they’d win eleven games and get a wildcard. Yeah, I’m a little deflated. But I didn’t think we’d lose the ENTIRE linebacking corp. I thought Champ was bulletproof. I thought we had a feature running back, a solid veteran backup, and a whole string of exciting rookie backs working hard to play a role. I thought we’d hired some journeyman safeties and receivers we could depend on. I thought we’d have Nalen. I thought our newest defensive ends would get the opportunity to pump some energy into the D. Those were my expectations, but as we all know, stuff happens.
But what I didn’t expect? The best draft class in the history of the franchise. CW to be such a gamer. Our third year QB to the pro Bowl. The team to be drug, jail, and gunshot free. SD to wilt early.
So: It comes down to the last regular season game against S.D. The entire football world (outside Denver) wants the Hoculi Karma to smite the Broncos. (IMO, The Broncos have been paying on that debt all year long!)
What do I want? I want the Broncos to play with heart, flying around making hits and tackles like there is no tomorrow (might not be). I want the smirk knocked off Rivers’ face, over and over. I want the refs to stay the hell out of the way and let the players decide the game. I want Prater to get his groove back. I want the Broncos in the playoffs. I want to remember, with all the crap going on in the world, people really hurting from war and the economy, that football is entertainment, a pleasant three hour distraction from the real, productive things I need to be doing.
And if the playoffs don’t include us? Time to focus on another great Draft! I’m thinkin’ Moore, from Missouri…
GO Broncs!!
wow elway07 yeah im am the most negitive fan out there. i know for a fact that our team is promising and that we can do great things. i dont expect perfection and i never stated that i have. i do however expect our team to hang on to a 13-0 lead at home in a huge game against a mid-level team. no team in the history of the game has blown a 3 game lead with three games left…. and i do believe our team can win this weekend. but the fact is that we are not the favorite going into to this game, and we shouldnt be the way we have played the last two weeks. i have no faith in this teams defense and by no means should i. they have one maybe two performences this year that have impressed me. if i even expected a half decent performence out of them i would be disapointed every week this year except for maybe two games. i see this team for what it is and you are blinded by things like flashy passing, as much as i love jay he over threw at least three players that would have had huge gains. not hating on him because he is a star now and will be for years. but those things did happen and if you want to look past that thats cool, but it happened and it hurts like hell to see.
don’t if it’s to late for anyone to read this but i can’t believe that our frustration with this team has us turning on one another. i give and take enough crap from non bronco fans that i don’t need any nor do i need to give any to fellow bronco fans but that is exactly what i found myself doing yesterday so to my fellow fans and bloggers i apologise especially to elway07 you seem to have gotten more than you share lately. however i would like to say one thing even though i may seem negative about this team some times i just can’t tolerate subpar performances.but that does not mean i am not a true bronco fan or that i don’t care about or have a passsion for this team if i didn’t care i would not be so angry dissappointed and frustrated with that said i hope the broncos kick the dogpoo out of san diego and mop the field with that loudmouth jackass phillip rivers lifeless body
OK 07elway is admirable, and I know we all wish that after a game we could be as optomistic about a 1 point loss or even a 41 point loss while being shut out as she is!
It is hard as a fan to be optomistic after any loss because you have the faith in your team to go out, get the job done and be able to rub it in any of your friends, enemies, co workers or customers face. Competition brings out the best, and the worst in people, it is all in our attitude. That being said I want to let westcoast know that I know and appreciate how real he does keep it. He comes down as a hard nosed fan that will call it as it is, which many of you have and do imitate. But none do it how he does, it does not matter how bad a game is he sees the good with the bad and he points it out and expresses how he expects more from his team. Go coach little league or something man, it suites you! (compliment) The one thing westcoast does that you imitaters haven’t, it is criticism he gives to anyone, but its CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM, he doesn’t just vent his frustration and bash the team he loves, that gives him faith or diminishes his faith! I too wish the coaches played the best player, and would realise we don’t care to see Webster getting paid more to over run plays, when we have a stud rookie who can stop plays!
We can win on Sunday, one thing we haven’t been consistent we all know, but we have been consistent in playing to the situation and the oppenents level. Whether that is up or down a level is based on the opponent that week. We will rise to par this sunday and put in the work, but it is like 07elway said “through faith” that desire, want, need, passion, or effort is rewarded! Put the faith in the team and they can and will reward you. It is when we bash them and drag them to the dirt like the media does, that they tend to fail. If they sit and listen to all the negativity, do you think that they really think they can go out and beat SD in qualcomm?
Keep in mind guys and gals, that like I said we play up or down to our opponents level because we are a young team. Being the under dogs is where we want to be. We could not pull out the win against the Bills not because of red zone FG rather than TD’s!
Ya that would have helped, but really it was kick off coverage like I have said on other blogs, just kick it high and let our guys run under it, make the returner think about bringing it out and getting hit inside the 20, rather than getting it at the 20 or 30 and having 10 yards ahead of him with blockers running!
And the SECOND THING, we went away from what got us the lead! Like it was said how come we did no back sets and shot gun formations the whole time after pope went down? Keep the D honest guys and be balanced! Not to mention through the first quarter we had the bills under like 20 yards of offense if they were that high, I remember bieng up 10-0 and turning to 07elway and saying do you realise we have them at -17 yards of offense right now?! What happend there? We didn’t get soft, we went away from what got us the lead in the first place! We did what we did against the Saints, dropped into coverage and tried to nurse the lead, rather than attacking and adding to it. We stopped blitzing and being agressive!
Stay aggressive and hungry in SD Broncos, get to the play offs and be the X factor Bill Cowher said we are!
One final thing before I remember everything else I wanted to add and write a new encyclopedia here…..
I want to thank all of you for pushing 07elways’ buttons and getting her all riled up! I haven’t EVER seen here so worked up, and it has made for a fantastic day since everything happened! THANK YOU!
Maintain your gaps defense,
Hold onto the ball offense,
Keep the faith fans!
P.S. My proposition is to anyone to get her that riled up again, its something we’ve wanted to try…….. so I’ll let you join in on our “festivities” next time if you can get her going like that again!
Just realized what type of people that made her and I sound like…….
But it is true so ya! We’ll see what happens I guess
2champ4pickSIX and 07elway - you both are too freaking funny! What about bringing the “festivities” out to San Diego?? It’s great being a Bronco fan in a hostile environment with a bunch of fair weather Charger fans.
broncofannsd - glad we could make you laugh! Would love to come out there to SD and be at that game. I hear ya about being stuck in a hostile environment… I’m stuck in Chiefs Country and well it can get ugly, but I know nothing compares to the hostility that will be brewing out in SD this weekend. However, I love it… to see the faces of that team’s fans when we win - priceless! And you are more than welcome to join in on our ‘festivities”… bring some chips and dip would ya? Now, you’ll get to see how much fun I am watching a football game.
And stillafan - I’ll accept your apology. However, just know that I won’t take back anything I said… I wouldn’t have said of it if I didn’t mean it. Its just when people come on here to vent their frustration, it comes across more as though they hate this team. Now, I know that really isn’t true but that’s what it sounds like. I’m just as frustrated as the next person around here… guess we all vent that frustration differently. I do live in a realistic world about this team and I know we’ve made more than our fair share of mistakes that could’ve and should’ve been prevented… but this young team will learn from that, WHEN is the question. That’s where I keep my strong faith in them… it could be 5 more years from now and I’ll still never doubt them. I just don’t have it in me to lash out at this team like alot of people do when we lose. I can’t tolerate the mediocracy this team has shown throughout the season either but what can we do? Nothing, except stand by this team strong and firm and show them our support. I’m with this team through thick and thin… have been my whole life. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being angry at this team for not getting the job done against the Bills or even Carolina but its all in the way you express that anger and frustration that comes across as you might be a fan or you really are. I’m not necessarily apologizing but I will say I was a bit harsh on you.
This game in SD is our chance to rise and shine and prove this team this year is not a complete lost cause. San Diego will be out for revenge and our blood for what happened in week 2… we need to just forget all about that, take what belongs to us and go home AFC West Champs!
Have faith Broncos Country… This season is NOT over yet. Just hold tight
GO BRONCOS!!!!
07elway - We need more Bronco lovin girls out in So. Cal., so you are always more than welcome. It’s great being a die hard Broncos fan in SD at their stadium, especially when our team wins. As you said, to see the faces of SD’s fans when we win is priceless!! I hear ya about being stuck in Chiefs country. If it wasn’t for the fantastic beaches and weather in San Diego, I would move back to Denver in a heartbeat. I would definitely join in the “festivities” if I wasn’t so far away. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I can only imagine how much fun it would be to watch a game with you. You never know…;)
It’s a playoff game on Sunday ladies and gents. Strap on your seat belts and get ready to cheer.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!
broncofannsd - oh my goodness, I totally hear ya on wanting to move back to Denver. Got uprooted from there (my hometown) when I was little for my mom’s job and got stuck in the middle of nowhere. Been bored out of my mind ever since… but I make it work somehow, by a miracle I guess. If it wasn’t for me being in college, I’d move back to Denver faster than the speed of light! But I’ve been to San Diego too, only once and I instantly fell in love with it. Its a great city, but I gotta say, there’s no place like the Mile High City. I’ll find a way to get you in on the “festivities” for Sunday.
Can’t wait for this game on Sunday… I have never been so excited to see these 2 teams clash and then to add the icing on the cake… its going to be on Sunday Night Football! I expect ALOT out of our Orange & Blue come Sunday so they better show up and do their jobs. Would be so awesome to see this team get 2 wins over San Diego like what they did to us last year. We’re the ones that should be seeking revenge but I’m not that kind of girl so I’ll let everyone else seek revenge… don’t want it coming back to haunt me.
Go get ‘em boys!!!
With faith…
GO BRONCOS!!!!!
07elway - San Diego is a great city, but you said it best, there’s no place like the Mile High City. I also got uprooted from Denver when I was young and moved to various states because of my father’s job. One of the places I lived was Nebraska, so I understand what it means to be bored out of your mind. One of these days I’ll move back to Denver when the timing is right, but leaving SD won’t be easy considering the beach is only 5 minutes away from my house. I’m sure most bloggers on here don’t want to read our life stories, sooo…
There was a great article on Monday is the USA Today about Jay if anyone is interested. It’s about his diabetes and what he goes through getting ready for a game. He is, without a doubt, our MVP this season.
GO BRONCOS!!!