The Denver Broncos Sunday posted a stirring come-from-behind 38-24 win over the Oakland Raiders at the Coliseum, better known and forever regarded as the Black Hole.
On the same day that San Diego and Kansas City both lost, the AFC Western Division race is now a three-way tie among those three guys, with the Broncos just one game out.
And forget all the logic about this team, that team……just forget it. It belongs to whichever team winds up first, whether by wins or tiebreakers.
And spare me the discussion about who has the most talent, the best talent, the oldest talent, the youngest talent, and so forth.
Heck, we all know we are far from a finished product. Vice President John Elway and General Manager Brian Xanders are working very hard with the scouting staff to look at every way possible to add the talent that we know we need for next year. But this year still exists, and it means something and has an inherent value itself.
So, Sunday, did you win or did you lose?
Well, yesterday, all the classic beauties in the race lost.
Kansas City lost at home to the team with the worst record in football, the Chargers lost at home to the team with the best record in football, and in between, the Broncos, who have received nothing but the back of the hands from critics and so-called experts who seem less expert every day, beat the Oakland Raiders, in their stadium, in a game the Raiders needed to win to take sole possession of first place.
And Denver came from 10 down at the half.
It marked the third halftime deficit that Tim Tebow has led the team back from in his young career.
And winning still matters, right? Of course we realize that the team is a work in progress, and so is Tebow, and sometimes progress is two steps forward and one step back—that is why they talk about the development of young quarterbacks, not their finality.
But still, winning counts, winning matters.
And style points are for figure skating.
We do not know how it will all play out for the long term future, and not even for the balance of 2011, but Elway, John Fox and Xanders are juggling the present and the future and trying real hard to be winners at both.
Tebow played what Fox called the young quarterback’s “best game so far” against the Raiders, but every single player—not just Tebow—is developing all the time, and a team cannot be sure how far that development will take some one, or where and when it will end.
So you line up and keep playing.
And this week we go into another AFC West matchup on unfriendly turf, at Arrowhead Stadium. Tebow brings his 2011 2-1 record as a starter into the game, Champ Bailey is fresh off his two interception contest against the Raiders, and Eddie Royal’s two touchdown performance marked the first time since 1982 (Rick Upchurch) that a Bronco scored on a punt return and on a pass reception in the same game.
So it would be real easy to try to project the AFC West winner based on what we think must be, what is “bound to happen” (a very dangerous practice), and on projections of talent and play.
But there is one universal and absolute truth in pro football.
All the playing happens on the field. That is only place on which the final score is determined.
The standings are what they line up to be on paper, and the winning and losing will all happen on the field.
It is anybody’s race today.
Tags: AFC West, Jim Saccomano
J.S. – “And style points are for figure skating.” LOL:)
J.S. – “And style points are for figure skating.” LOL
What makes it anybody’s race in our division is not so much the improvement we’ve seen win wise under Tebow but the inability for any of the other three teams to distance themselves from the field, I mean the Chargers are just an average team at best with Rivers having one of his worst year ever, the Raiders aches and pains at major positions like starting QB and RB is killing them more so than even the penalties usually do and same with the Chiefs, hurt at so many valuable positions it’s hard for them to keep an identity week to week, so on those bases alone we cannot be counted out, like TRB said 7-9 might win it, thanks to the ugliest division in football now, however not sure I would be ready to see us playing AFC powerhouses like the Ravens or the Steelers in the first round of the playoffs, an image of massacre too hard to visualize in my head now, baby steps baby…
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tim-Tebow-Denver-Broncos-field-GAME-USED-FOOTBALL-1-2-11-vs-Chargers-/170722379729?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27bfd8c7d1
Orton 1-4
Tebow 2-1
And Ortonites are going the way of dinosaurs, towards extinction.
The ugliest division in football used to be the NFC West and now wouldn’t you know it our beloved AFC West is the worst in FOOTBALL!!!
I agree Bay!!!
What is this stupid posting of that ball for sale that no one is bidding on you keep posting? Is that your ball? The one you bought last week at Sports Authority? LOL.
Hey Jim,
Your post is a lil bit different today … sense some fire in it and more conversational. Your posts are usually very proper lol. Maybe its just me.
West is definitely open because the whole west is struggling and we are all playing some of the toughest schedules this year.
I think we can do it if we keep improving and stick to Tebows strengths while he works on his passing game week in and week out. The problem however is that we will probably get spanked seriously in the wild card round like Bay said … but then again … any given sunday … The seahawks sure beat the saints last year. Thats why we play the game … because the only thing that dictates victory is your play on the gridiron for 60 minutes and more if necessary.
This team has some momentum now, a lil confidence and a goal of possibly winning thier division. Lets see if these boys want it bad enough.
Later days, TRB
stage 3 drought conditions in the dallas area. I show up and it rains… broncos played the raiders and won. I was at a wedding of a ut alum and a former sooners cheerleader. interesting stuff. enough to keep me in a good mood… now if only I could blog from my computer again and not just the mobile.
242 all purpose yds and 2tds from timmy. even with the win, I was dissapointed with his play over all. still droping his arm and has happy feet in the pocket. the feet will calm with exp, but the arm. I hope he can fix that in the offseason. muscle memory can be retaught. I am hope this optimism over all stays. it feels good.
hope everyone has an awesome week.
Overconfidance can kill us. We are still in last place of a bad division. We are on the rise though. Beating our most hated rival is always a step in the right direction. Stay hungry and keep focused. We can do even better.
TRB+Bay, i thought it was funny a couple of blogs ago you mentioned about Patrick Peterson having the gaming winning PR for the cards. I have been watching him this season too. Guess its a big cudos to all the bronco fans who did some research for last years draft. PP, MD and VM are all solid players. Not a bad pick amoung the major camps. We need to continue that trend.
Love your writing, Jim. And I agree with TRB – there’s a little extra something in today’s post.
Even though we’re in the heart of autumn, it feels like springtime for the Broncos, with everything starting to come together; still a little fragile, but with a lot of beautiful potential starting to make itself known.
The Broncos could have, and maybe SHOULD have, lost both the Miami and Oakland games – but they didn’t!!! The thing is, when the opportunity arose (more to their perseverance and hard work than luck [no pun intended]), they took it … as a TEAM … so, we’re seeing some maturing going on … that’s a really good sign – the more a TEAM BELIEVES in themselves, the better their chances to pull out wins … should we win Sunday in KC (we’ll know the outcome of Raiders/Chargers long before hand) the season becomes very interesting … some games down the line don’t look as intimidating as they originally did … so – who knows?? … at least there’s something to look forward to …
And – c’mon – quit badmouthing individual players … you know who you are … we may need KO again before this season is out … and at an important time, too … you just never know … or do you enjoy kicking people when they’re down …
Well yeah, Mr saccomano is understandably tired of being part of a team that has been pretty much the laughing stock of the NFL for about three years now, you can see smoke coming out of his ears being all pumped at about being only one game down in the division, imagine that, 3-5 and only one game down from leading the division, LOL, that leaves me rather speechless but Jim found some much needed ammo there to boost up his team and I don’t blame him, it’s been a long time since he’s been able to do that..
Oops, an Ortonite still hanging on, LOL.
“Quit bad mouthing individual players”
You mean the way you’ve bad mouthed Tim Tebow week in and week out all season?
Wiemin is always so serious seing one of his posts usually gives me acid reflux, LOL.
Good to see you there Bay! How R U??
Better, sense of humor is getting more prevalent once again, thanks.
Jim’s article is like a “in your face” to guys like Merryl Hoge and Wiemin about Tebow, don’t you think.
It is interesting that after the game yesterday Elway mentioned today that TT starting position is week to week. Saw that on PFT.
I usually just get baffled by the irony of all his posts haha.
I watched about and hour of NFL Live and NFL primetime. The Broncos game only came up briefly a couple of times and Hoge literally did not speak on it at all. I think the entire media wishes they could take back calling Tim Tebow the worst QB in the NFL.
Its all just so interesting. When the team was losing under Orton it was the defense and the team that was the problem … never orton. But when the team wins under tebow, its the team that deserves the credit not TT. Guess we just forget that his 2 passing TDs sparked the team and gave it life once more. No one man wins games in the NFL … its a team sport after all and we are aware of this. A player is only as good as his supporting cast, and the supporting cast here in Denver aint the best but they do show up on occasion … maybe they are finally getting some chemistry, maybe they are finally geling … maybe its luck or fluke or watever … either way … I am excited to see where this team goes from here. Like someone I know would say “Onward ever. Backwards never”. Go Broncos. TRB
I like your 3:26 pm post – Bay. A great deal depends on what the final record is. How do the Broncs match up with Pats? BUF? etc.
Because the Broncos are such a young team it seems to me that the potential for growth is greater than with most other teams. Also, getting healthy at this point in the season happens because of preparation. DEN has gotten their solid players back and they appear more ready than ever.
I love the watching the flip-flops with the win!
WieminCA you are right we might need Orton again this season. TT has been taking some licks. We are lucky that he tough and durable. I sure hope we dont need him but you never know.
orton is a average qb with a below average will to win i dont know why we would need to go back to orton im pretty sure we would go with webber before orton again.
Yea I heard JE say the week to week thing too … anyway … its watever. Its comments like that that make people believe he wants TT to fail so that he can draft his own QB … his clone, Luck. But either way … thats good … keep the fire under Tebows butt. Motivate him. Let him know the job is not fully his yet. Nothings given. Gotta earn it week in and week out and at the end of the year we will evaluate you and give you what you earned. TRB
Denver needs to build on the D because once we have a dominating defense that keeps games close, Tebow is solid he wont turn it over.
The passing game will get better once Tebow and the receivers play together for awhile and build chemistry. Tebow will only get better he works his ass off and it will pay off.
Teams have to prepare for Tebow with Orton they just had to practice their “sack dance”
Build the D line in the 1st and 2nd round with this next draft. Our DT’s are back ups, we need couple starters.
Imagine the pass rush if we had a beast DT.
Just say Tebow is “our” guy already Elway and Fox and let him grow.
It’s going to be “week to week” for the rest of the season with Tim. Whether they are trying to motivate him or if they really plan to yank him if he plays bad enough is yet to be seen but they won’t change their speech. I get the feeling if this game went as bad as it did against Detroit, Quinn would have been named the starter for next week. I also get the feeling that every time the team wins with Tim, he earns himself the next two starts at least.
Great post by the way, Jim. Very inspired!
Tebow played well but didnt play lights out. He needs the rest of the season and then management should decide. Dont cut him short but i dont think he has earned next years endorsement yet either.
Good point TRB. I would think at one point though you would have to say. Were behind you. But not likely to happen till the end of the season when we’ve seen more. I was at the game and even some of the raider fans were impressed with the difference in play calling.
So at K.C. on Sunday and the Jets at home next Thursday, sweet.
It would be a real laugher if the raiders vs Chargers ended up with a TIE this Thursday. I can dream. LOL
Like I said earlier this morning:
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER TEBOW HAS GIVEN ELWAY SOMETHING TO TO THINK ABOUT HIS PLANS FOR THE 2012 DRAFT.
But that’s all Sunday amounted to for now, lots more of the same to be repeated over and over for Elway to change his plans for good.
Baylinocrush, good to see you up and about.
i agree that if we drafted heavy on defense this year we could have a badass pass rush and keep denver in more games and tebow would do plenty i think to win games. look at the jets in recent years mark sanchez was so bad in his first 2 years and they had a run game and a great defense and they made it to back to back afc championship games. sanchez did just enough to win because his d kept him in games
Tim Tebow has only just scratched the surface. It`s something for him to build on. It more importantly, it was a team win. Our D needs to play like yesterday on a continual basis week in and week out.
Playoffs? Playoffs? You all are talking about playoffs?
We’re 1 game out of first. Let’s focus on KC. A lot of football left to be played.
Playoffs?
Hey, if we don’t win another game this year, at least we stuck it to our most hated rival in their house…
Playoffs? Let’s take it “week to week”…
GO BRONCOS!!!
Strand, lol at your 4:37 post! Bay well said. The organization has some things to think about now, but we’re going to have to continue to be productive with this style for Tim to be the 2012 starter.
sndvl, ar eyou doing the Herm Edwards voice?
Jim Mora!
But since you mentioned it- “They play to win the Game”!
Hello! Haha I always get those two rants mixed up.
Oh yeah, you want to know how much better I feel? I just realized that other than Moreno I also forgot to say that DJ sucks, haha.
DJ? as in DJ Williams?
As far as Elway saying Tebow is “week to week”, I just heard the interview. He was asked point plank if Tebow was long term or week to week, he didn’t come out and declare it.
This is standard talk for a team to say about young QB. Rarely, if ever, do teams say, oh yeah, the team is his… As usual, the media is blowing this out of proportion….
john fox when he took over the panthers job the panthers were 2- 14 and in two years he had that team playing in a superbowl. his defense was also in the tops in the nfl at that time so i hope his drafts and coching can turn the tide here in denver.
on that same point fox also let them get back to a 2-14 team when he left the panthers so hard to tell what could happen.
Bay-Glad to hear you are feeling better. As everyone, I was proud and delighted to see the spunk in the Broncos 2nd half. I sat through the entire Detroit game last week and never gave up on the Broncos. We are young and will continue to improve. This week Broncos 27-K.C. 20
Wow!! Great Job Broncos!!
Thank God for helping out!!
I say great team work from the Offense and Defense!
God does answer prayer!!
Those of you who believe like Tebow, save a prayer
for Tebow and the Broncos to keep playing their best!!
Again great job Broncos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m glad we were playing the Raiders, or God might have taken Sunday off …