11:00 p.m. MST: Here we are, the final home game of the regular season at INVESCO Field at Mile High. The cheerleaders just finished practicing on the field, and the stadium staff is shoveling up a little bit of snow from around the player bench areas.
I’m back to live blogging the games, because as we’ve documented in the past, we in the Internet/Publications department are a superstitious bunch. I’ve got a decent record when I’m the blogger. Fellow intern Jake Grilley and I are even in the same seating arrangement from the last home game — a victory against Kansas City.
It’s nice and chilly out there — good football weather, but if you’re coming to watch the game, make friends with the person next to you because it’s going to be cold.
There are orange pom-poms in every seat, awaiting the capacity crowd’s arrival. I’m excited to see a sea of orange as the Broncos battle to clinch the AFC West and host a playoff game.
12:13 p.m. MST: The Buccaneers just brought the score to 17-10, trailing the Chargers by a touchdown. The game is on in the press box for obvious reasons, but as far as I’m concerned, that score is irrelevant. I agree with fans that say regardless of how you get into the playoffs, if you’re there you deserve it. But I think the Broncos should just take care of business today and everything will work itself out.
What do all of you think?
Jake Grilley is down on the field getting some pictures of warm-ups. You can see the players’ breath all the way from the press box. Needless to say, it’s cold. I’ll go down to get pictures from him in about 25 minutes.
12:56 p.m. MST: Just got the inactives for today’s game: Tim Crowder, Chad Jackson, Niko Koutouvides, Spencer Larsen, Marlon McCree, Pat Murray, Andrew Pinnock and Jack Williams will sit out this afternoon.
Looks like Champ Bailey will in fact be active against the Bills. Josh Barrett is listed as the starter in McCree’s stead.
As for the Bills, Demetrius Bell, Jabari Greer, James Hardy, Teddy Lehman, J.P. Losman, Jason Peters, Jonathan Scott and Jonathan Stupar will be inactive.
Leodis McKelvin will start at right corner for Greer and Kirk Chambers will start at left tackle for Peters.
1:00 p.m. MST: I’m editing the photos right now. I’ll post them in a few minutes.
1:30 p.m. MST: Both teams are on the field in full warm-up mode — the Broncos in their blue jerseys and white pants — the Bills in white jerseys and white pants. Champ Bailey was just warming up, playing corner against Eddie Royal for a few quick route practices.
Fans are arriving all bundled up — plenty of Broncos Santa hats are all around as well. We’re about a half-hour away from kickoff.
1:55 p.m. MST: The Bills have alraedy been introduced and now the Broncos are running onto the field between the line of Denver Broncos Cheerleaders. The starting defense is being introduced first. Ebenezer Ekuban is brought out first, followed by Dewayne Robertson, Marcus Thomas, Elvis Dumervil, D.J. Williams, Nate Webster, Jamie Winborn, Champ Bailey, Dre’ Bly, Marquand Manuel and Josh Barrett.
2:01 p.m. MST: At the end of the National Anthem, a group of F-16s flew overhead. That got Brandon Marshall going, as he was leaping in the air and high fiving teammates just afterward. It’s almost game time, as Rod Smith heads out to the field to address the fans on Fan Appreciation Day. He thanks the fans and his family: “I appreciate you taking care of me. I’m always going to be there, and go Broncos!”
The captains are marching onto the field — it’s time for the coin toss. Rod Smith is an honorary captain. I’ll tell you what happens in the first quarter blog.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Gray Caldwell, Live Blog, Pregame, Week 16
hows champ looking for the game?
the pompoms are gonna look so cool!
biggymac –
No indication on Champ yet. He said on Friday that he feels better now than he did last week. Running straight ahead is fine but he said he still worries about quick cuts occasionally. My best guess is that the cold weather could influence him to sit this one out. But once again that’s just a guess, we’ll see what happens as we get closer to game time.
we need this game cmon boys get it done
Go Broncos!!! We need this win
Forget about the Chargers and concentrate on the game in hand.
Beat the Bills and we are in the play-offs.
Go Broncos
We really need this game boys lets take care of business.lets kick their butt.
Is Champ Bailey playing?
Bailey needs to play if the chargers win. if not let him sit till next week.
Bucs just took the lead. Go Bucs
Goooooooo Broncos
To answer all of the questions about Champ — just posted the inactives. Bailey will in fact be active against the Bills.
This is our shot to get into the playoffs and get our division… its as simple as this – we need to take care of OUR business today. I have no doubt we will but they need to establish a running game, play as a TEAM and play smart. I smell victory already (and some BBQ’d Buffalo)
Get ‘er done boys!!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!
Does anyone have a link to the game or know about one
Chargers won.. we lose to the bills and we will not make the playoffs. I hope we can get this win today..
It’s now a MUST win game. The Chargers are up 41-24 with 3:00 left in the game at Tampa. The Broncos must win this game to win the division and make the playoffs, it’s that simple. Of course, should Denver lose, it’s winner-take-all next week in San Diego, but no Bronco fan in his or her right mind wants that happening.
yea we need to win this game i really hope we show up today GO BRONCOSSSSS
well if its ture like all the players and coaches said they won’t know what happened in the charger game so that is gonna be good cause they will be focused on winning this game and how great will it be to see the hopes of the chargers float away just as fast as they came, i don’t know about anyone else but i am starting to hate the chargers maybe more then the raiders……no matter what i hate the chargers, raiders and the chiefs…..
lets whoppp that ass and get to the playoffs…WOOOOOOO GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No favors from Tampa so Broncos its up to you.
Thats the way it should be anyway. Go Broncos demolish the Bills
here we go lets get it done, champ has lee evans shut down all day and now we have barret to rome all over the field and just knock the snot out of lynch and even edwards cause i think we might just send a couple of saftey blitzs now that champ is back
Does anyone have an online link to the game?
Thank you.
i’m so pumped right now……. i got a great feeling about this game
does anyone have a live feed?
So far so good. It looks like we’re showing up for this one.
Denver looks pumped.
I’m pumped.
Let’s go D.
Offense, Defense all looking sharp keep it up boys and keep using the running game. where is Pope?
http://www.homertv.com
sorry http://www.homertv.net