Anybody who was in attendance or watched the Broncos’ 39-38 win over San Diego is not likely to ever forget this one for quite some time.
This was an instant classic, without question one of the greatest and most entertaining home games ever played in the 49 years of Denver Broncos history.
Much has been made of the incomplete pass call by referee Ed Hochuli which led to a subsequent review and ultimately gave the Broncos the ball at the San Diego 10 on that final Denver drive.
But the Broncos still had no better than a third and 10, and Denver btoh scored and then added the two-point conversion in a dramatic decision by Head Coach Mike Shanahan.
But regardless, the call was really just one element of a thoroughly spectacular game that was a coming out party for the Broncos’ young offensive unit.
With left tackle Ryan Clady (rookie) and right tackle Ryan Harris (second-year player) anchoring an excellent line, third year men Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall put on an offensive show seldom seen by Broncos fans, and these fans have seen a lot.
Cutler completed 36 of 50 passes for a whopping 350 yards for four touchdowns in the game.
Those 36 completions tie Cutler for the most in team history, and the 350 yards marked his second consecutive 300-yard game, making him the only passer in the league to begin the year with two 300-yard contests. That yardage total also ranks as the ninth best in Bronco history.
The four TD strikes are the most by any NFL quarterback in a single game this year and tie Cutler’s career best–he had three in the first half alone, the most first half TD passes by an AFC QB this year.
The Vanderbilt sensation completed 72 percent against the Chargers, second best single game mark in the AFC this year, and with a 109.6 passer rating to his credit Cutler now has registered a passer rating of at least 100.0 in three straight games (going back to last year).
Cutler completed the game-winning two-point conversion to rookie Eddie Royal with 24 second to play, making Denver just the third team in NFL history to win a game in that fashion.
Royal also caught the TD pass from Cutler that set up the two-point heroics and finished the day with five receptions.
Not to be outdone by the rookie wide receiver, another third-year player, tight end Tony Scheffler had six receptions for 64 yards and two scores.
And yet……..
And yet, all of this seems to pale compared to what wide receiver Brandon Marshall did.
Marshall caught 18 passes for 166 yards with one score, and his 18 receptions tie for the second highest single game total in NFL history, smashing Rod Smith’s club record of 14 in a single game.
Dating back to last year, Marshall has posted at least 10 catches along with 100 receiving yards in four of his last five games–55 receptions for 577 yards with four touchdowns–amassing the highest number of catches in a five game period in NFL history.
Astonishing stats.
It’s no wonder all of Denver is somewhere between giddy and euphoric today.
It’s one game at a time, but the future looks bright and the sunsets orange in Denver again.
Tags: Denver Broncos, Instant Classic, Mike Shanahan, Rivalries, San Diego Chargers
offense just simply awwweeeesoooomeeee!!!!!!
go broncos!!!!
pinoy-bronco fan
What a coming out party it was for our Offense !!! Jay Cutler and the class of ’06 (Marshall & Scheffler) had an outstanding effort!! Jay is looking really good out there….clutch man!! I thought he was the best QB in that years (06) draft…(Young & Leinart were taken ahead of him).
Go Jay Cutler and Co. !!!!!!!!!!!!
After seeing what desean jackson did on monday night…
I see why Shanny wanted Eddie instead.
Good draft choice Shanny.
Marshall is a beast and Eddie is fast and precise.
While I am estatic at the progress of the offense, which I truly am; I mean for the first time since Elway left we look to have most of the pieces to go all the way…the bad thing is our running game is lacking and that could eventually hurt the team, these second tier backs are good enough in rotation but we lack a home-run hitter who can really open up for the Cutler and the aerial assault, if they had that we would be lethal. Sadly the side that still worries me is the defense, they gave the defensive roster a face lift and we have so far had sub-par performances, yes we nearly shutout the Raiders, but nearly and with their horrid line and the way they played it should have been a defensive feast. Even if the Broncos want to have a bend don’t break defense I believe overall we lack some true headhunter talent at both safety and defensive end…hopefully we can improve and find the ability in what we have already on the roster, but that is where my only doubts lay as far as this team.
I’m a stats geek, so Jim I love this information. The defense needs to improve, but I believe that they’ll catch Bob Slowiks’s system within the next few weeks and that will make this an even better team. Bring on the Saints and let’s go 3-0!
offense is going to be one of the best this year and i cant waite to watch every single game played. but i said it already and will say it again CARL PAYMAH SUCKS
if we dont find another nickel back soon we wont be able to stop anyone on third down. the foxworth trade was the worst decision we have made all year. phillip rivers is out right now buying paymah dinner and drinks.
Just great to watch a Denver offense this exciting, and to watch both division rivals (Oakland, San Diego) bite the dust in the start of the season is just SWEET. Now if we can just get the defense to step up a bit we could be superbowl bound. GO BRONCOS
Awfully awsome offense show out there Sunday – loved it. Thire Quarter haunts – reliving bad memories of the third quarter lack of production. As with Oakland, the killer instinct has to stay alive when they come out of that locker room at half. Letting them back in the game in the third quarter is what will cost of 2 or 3 games this year if this offense maintains production in the first half.
The Broncos Offense is Unstopable. The Defense would be better if Jack Williams was starting at the nickel back, karl paymah=get burned. DO IT!
It’s Time To Take what is ours—>CHAMPIONSHIP
I said it at the trade and I will say it again, Foxworth was a decent cover two corner but he really sucked at man-to-man. I agree Paymah does not seem better. But the Foxworth trade was a no brainer, good job Goodman/Shanahan.
I really love the young oline. They will get better at run blocking. Remember that Clady and Harris were all-americans in a pro style pass blocking offense. Wiegmann and Kuper are really grading out high also.
Now the bad news;
I thought Boss Bailey had a pretty steady game, all things considered, but IMO Jamie Winborn could have had the same. D.J. was also solid, though he wasn’t the impact player we’re hoping for. D.J. will be fine, however. Nate Webster disappeared for long stretches during the game. Again, your MLB cannot make alot of plays when the offense is throwing the ball all over the field, but Webster just didn’t seem to be visiable. I have always liked Webster’s energy and what he brings on the field in spurts. The question is, can he do it week in, week out. I think he is a better special team player.
I also trust what Champ and DJ said in camp, “Niko reads offense’s really well and puts us in great position”.
Hey Slowik, since you play the better player, try Niko.
Broncos offense………. 5 stars……..Broncos defense…..1 star!!!! Broncos special team…… 0 stars. Let’s get it going defense, you can’t expect the offense to carry you all year. You were extremely tired at the end of the 3rd period and most of the 4th. Let’s come together and start getting off the field. Also Special Teams???? Not much to be special about this group either!!!!! Let’s practice this week on TACKELING somebody!!!!!
i think our defense sucks but its nothing we cant work out with a lot of practice
yea the only thing we have to do to beat the saints is get to drew brees and get to him early we need our ends to step up big this week cause lets face it reggie bush is pretty over rated if we can get to drew brees early and force them to run its game over for the saints which is good with me roncos 3-0 lets get it
hey karl paymah is a good young player!! he and Williams should compete for the job…paymah will win that one most the time…J-Will is in the mold of D-Will…..small. tough. with a big heart and a nack for the huge play!!! two pics in preseason that were huge….should have been 2 td’s
The Broncos haven’t been so exciting to watch since Elway. If we get to the Superbowl, I’m literally going to be crying tears of joy.