Everybody who saw the Broncos’ heart-stopping 15-14 win at Buffalo was astonished, captivated, electrified and stunned by the finish.
This is my 30th year with the Broncos, and I have never seen a finish like that.
Neither had anyone else among a veteran press corps whom I informally polled after the game.
Game-winning field goals at the final gun are nothing new in the National Football League, but for the kick to take place in that amount of time, without any clock stoppage, is remarkable.
Basically, the Broncos ran two plays in 18 seconds, the pass from Jay Cutler to Javon Walker, and then, with no clock stoppage, the offense left the field and the special teams took the field, lined up without flinching, snapped, and kicked.
The very first positive sign came from the Buffalo fans. They were shouting, “5…4…3…” and they stopped, realizing suddenly that the kick was going to get off, and Jason Elam had his 21st game-winning field goal.
That is great clock management by Mike Shanahan, and hence, great coaching.
But in addition to knowledge and preparation, the game takes a lot of nerve, and that was a great and decisive move by the coaching staff.
The team mobbed Elam on the field, engulfing the kicker in a pile of players reminiscent of a baseball team on the mound after winning the World Series.
I have not seen any version of that piling on in my career.
It was fantastic to observe, with the entire sequence of two plays and celebration coming in less than one minute.
Field photographers rushed the pile to get a shot of the euphoria, and it was quite a scene.
In the course of the game, did you notice a new feature of the uniform for four of the Broncos?
John Lynch, Champ Bailey, Tom Nalen, and Jay Cutler have been named by their teammates as captains for 2007, and this year the NFL is going with a captain’s “C” in the upper right front of each player’s jersey.
This is a great addition to the uniform, very familiar to hockey fans but not always done in football and not previously done as a league-wide initiative by the NFL.
In each case, these players are team leaders, players who set the tone for the team by their play, practice habits, and attitudes, and often for their community work as well.
It is great to see them recognized by the “C” patch, especially knowing that over the course of a season, television will find numerous instances when the focus is on one of these players, reminding everyone about the leadership qualities they represent.
A lot of time is spent pointing fingers at a very small minority of players who do something negative, so it is gratifying to me and many others within the game to see that playing field leveled out by recognition of our captains, representative of the best that the game has to offer.
The final thought on the Buffalo game is that celebration happens fast; it was a great plane ride home, and very satisfying to watch the highlights on all the local news shows and national highlight shows.
But now it is on to the next game, and that scintillating victory at Buffalo finds its place in Bronco lore and the 2007 highlight video.
Tags: Buffalo Bills, Captains, Champ Bailey, Clock management, Jason Elam, Jay Cutler, John Lynch, Mike Shanahan, Tom Nalen
I was unable to watch the game since I leave in the Kansas City area — not too many happy people around here — but I taped the re-airing of it on NFLN tonight, won’t have a chance to watch till tomorrow but I’ve heard nothing but incredible things about the game. How we came from behind the whole game & at the last second, literally, won the game.
It’s instances like that, that make me appreciate & LOVE this team even more. They play like a team, they know how to play & they get a lifetime of knowledge from the coaches. I would have loved to have been there but as long as we won. We are capable of better & I believe strongly we will do better as the season progresses. We have talent & potential written all over this team & it’s time to put it to good use. We will do great things this season & maybe convince everyone that finally there’s another team in the NFL besides the Patriots that have a chance at the Superbowl — I’m sick & tired of hearing how “great” the Patriots are, I don’t think I’ve ever been so annoyed.
Anyway, still going by what I’ve heard or seen on TV, I know it was an amazing game – can’t wait to watch it tomorrow. Certainly can’t be worse than the Chiefs & their fans around here — although I do have lots of fun with this. The only plus about living in a rivalry city!!!
In moments like these, I feel really happy and proud to be a Broncos fan. This is a portent of things to come (success I mean, not last-second kicks, at least I hope not). These are the kinds of ballgames championship caliber teams win. Next, let’s pound hated rival Oakland in our home opener and get to 2-0. Marvelous. We Broncos fans are so lucky to have a team like this with character and integrity both on the field and off.
Ok, just to get my two cents worth in…. just watched the game & the ending left me speechless. I think I almost cried b/c it was just absolutely amazing to watch that happen in so little time. Forget the Bills fans being stunned I’m stunned at how fast it all happened. Couldn’t be more proud to be a Broncos fan… Loved every minute of that last drive… incredible. I’m in awe of Jason Elam – you rock man!!
That pileup was amazing. Like a bunch of high school kids winning Homecoming. Here’s hoping they can carry that energy through the rest of the season!
Help! any news on jason Elam, is there communication beten him an Denver or have e just basicaly wrtten him off as a former Bronco? I know he s in Isreal, but when he returns, are we open to discussion , has he scheduled any tryouts with other team? I just think he still one of the best, so he cant kick off,picg deal find some one can, I just beleive we owe it to him to retire as a Bronco weather it two or five reays down the road.