Just when you thought the sky was falling down on the Broncos season, they gutted out a big-time win on the road against Cleveland, 34-30 on Thursday night.
Never mind that they lost linebacker Nate Webster in the first quarter to an injury. Never mind that they lost running back Ryan Torain later to an injury. Never mind that running back Selvin Young was shaken up and couldn’t get back in the game. Never mind that tight end Tony Scheffler was, in the words of quarterback Jay Cutler, “about 75 percent” because of a groin injury.
“(It was) maybe the gutsiest win I’ve ever been associated with, considering the number of guys we had down and (the) guys stepping up who hadn’t even practiced,” head coach Mike Shanahan told 850 KOA after the game.
We are talking about a team that has now lost its top five running backs to injury: Selvin Young, Andre Hall, Michael Pittman, Ryan Torain and Anthony Alridge. Everyone knows the Broncos have to pass the ball. Yet on Thursday night, Cutler threw three fourth quarter touchdown passes, including a 93-yard strike to rookie Eddie Royal that popped the lid off an offense waiting to explode.
This was a classic example of a team doing whatever it had to do in order to win a football game. For as lethargic as the Broncos’ offense looked against Miami, it looked unstoppable in the fourth quarter against the Browns.
The Broncos’ 564 yards of total offense tied for the second-highest single game total in team history. Cutler’s 447 passing yards tied for the third-best single game total in team history.
We are also talking about a team that has lost its top three linebackers (D.J. Williams, Nate Webster and Boss Bailey), its top cornerback (Champ Bailey), and a starting safety (Marlon McCree) to injury. That’s five starters. And remember, defensive end Elvis Dumervil played with a broken finger early in the season.
So what happened with the game hanging in the balance? Dre’ Bly forced a key fourth quarter fumble, Karl Paymah recovered it and the Broncos scored eight plays later when Cutler found Daniel Graham on a 28-yard touchdown pass to give the Broncos a 27-23 lead with 9:50 left.
This team is having to grow up on the job. And against Cleveland, some guys stepped up.
Running back Peyton Hillis was admittedly rusty at tailback, but he hammered out a little over a yard on a fourth-down-and-1 situation in the fourth quarter. We saw his versatility as a pass receiver last week against Miami.
Linebacker Wesley Woodyard filled in admirably at linebacker. At one point, the rookie out of Kentucky hauled down Browns’ running back Jamal Lewis and then proceeded to go jaw-to-jaw with veteran after the play. The kid was not intimidated.
I’m not sure what the rest of the season holds for the Broncos. As maddening as they can be, they are a fun team to watch because you just don’t know how they’ll play or how a game will unfold.
I know this much: They gutted out a come-from-behind win I didn’t know they had in them. I’m interested to see what happens against Atlanta on the 16th.
What are your thoughts about the win over Cleveland? Thanks for reading and for posting your impressions.
I’ll have another post after the game against the Falcons.
Best,
Mike
Tags: 2008, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Mike Shanahan, Running backs
West Coast and m.c. the great are both right…..
I don’t see the point in bringing in Dayne or Tatum Bell. We need someone knew like Davenport or Morency. And Barrett should be activated cuz I am also sick of watching Lowry getting dominated out there. The guy was flat out a bad pickup earlier this season.
As for Niko, he had a chance to make some noise on thursday…. It’s just unfortunate for him that an undrafted rookie made it look like the MLB wasnt even out on the field. Woodyard was may more agressive and read the plays much better than Niko. I think we are going to see Larsen only get a little bit of time and possibly see Mario Haggan get some time if the coaches are comfortable with him by sunday.
Lastly, can we sign somebody today please!!!!!! It’s killin me having to wait and see who we are gonna have!
I personally believe that Davenport is the better runner. However, if you bring in a guy like Dayne, you bring in a guy who already knows the offense. The learning curve would be shorter and in turn production sooner. I commend the Broncos on a real gutsy win. I would hope that Jay can start to slow down and understand there are alternatives to forcing the ball into very bad situations. Our receivers had to make some defensive plays. Having said all of this, congrats Broncos, and lets keep it on a roll.
I watched both the Chiefs and Raiders games on Sunday. Very intersting! They are both a lot better than they were at the start of the year. Neither one will by a piece of cake for the Broncos. The Raiders still have a totally disjointed offense that keeps shooting itself in the foot, but their defense on Sunday was very, very good. Fortunately for the Broncos, the Raiders will never be the team they once were as long as Al Davis is alive. He has no concept of how the current game works. The only first round draft picks since 2000 that have made the pro bowl are his kicker and his punter! Says a lot about where his mind is at.
Hey guys and and gals, just a thought. Was Charlie Weiss the defensive cordinator at N.E.? They say he might be fired by Notre Dame. If given the chance should we hire him? i agree we need to pick up a back now. I wouldlike to see Davenport, he is in football shape and averaged 4.3 yards a carry.
One more question. if Bailey is back who should we start Bailey/Bly or Bailey/Paymah?
lynch4prez:
Call a way. I didn’t see much yet.
Marshall is a great talent, but so is Ocho Cinco, Javon Walker, Braylon Edwards, Ashly Lelie and the Terrell Owens of two teams ago. How much good are these “great talents” doing their teams? If Marshall doesn’t get his head on straight we are going to lose him to suspension, vanity or some other non-talent related issue.
That is all I am saying; and his own actions back it up over and over.
Torain ATV fan thats a silly question…..
Bailey/Bly hands down.
Bly is starting material over Paymah. He just ends up looking bad some games because he gets picked on every play if Bailey is out on the other side.
all the people calling to have barret play… i dont know if you guys dont realize that he had benched in college for not playing hard and things like that. as athletic as he might be we need a guy back there that can run up and stop the run on occasion. and to the marshall haters, any player that draws double coverage and is still able to put up good numbers is the kind of guy you want on your team. your talking about a third year player that is praised week in and week out by every commentator and defensive player. and a guy that is on his way to his second straight 1300+ yard season, and your telling me your hating on this guy???? also simply having him on the field opens up opportunities for the other recievers.
applaud for Climber,,u’ve made ur point,,very gud one indeed…
but ur being a party-pooper…y cant u let us enjoy that win and not think
of probable issues with Marshall??
bronc fan in WA Says: Torain ATV fan thats a silly question…..
Bailey/Bly hands down.
I agree bronc fan, I was just wondering what everyone thinks, because they always seem to blame Bly for our losses. I also believe that Bly is better than Paymah. Thanks for your input.
LADIES AND GENTS, WE HAVE A WINNER!
ALEX HAYNES FROM PRACTICE SQUADS OF BALTIMORE AND CAROLINA. SPENT SOME TIME IN EUROPE. PLAYED COLLEGE AT CENTRAL FLORIDA….GREAT! SIGNED TODAY………
Just hold onto the ball and we’ll be fine.
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
Climber: are you even a bronco fan? first of all Ashley Lelie was never a great talent, T.O. and Ocho have terrible Qb’s throwing them the ball right now, because of one bad season so far your going to forget everything they’ve done in their careers so far? dont be silly. And Javon was a pro-bowl WR, until his injuries, follow by the death of his best friend.. thats gonna effect a person somehow, and everyone is seeing how.. Marshalls problems were the off the field incidents, what he does on the field is all part of the game.. i really hope your not that stupid to think the team is better off without him
Another thing, Marshall isnt taking plays off like Randy Moss, he run blocks!, he’s not publicly criticizing his QB like T.O., him and Culter have a great on and off the field relationship, plays with passion and desire (what he does after the catch, thats called passion and desire).. if you wanna say Marshall needs to grow up because of trash-talk with players on another team, you’ve obviously never played any sort of competative sports, ITS A PART OF THE GAME!.. sorry if im not catching what your throwing out there, but like, every defensive player does this, why is it such a problem when an offensive player does it.. except for Rivers, he’s just a little baby
Lych4prez:
Did I mention Randy Moss… no. Marshall does not have that problem. His problem is that, based on his actions, a public display is more important to him than the team. A problem shared by the othes I mentioned.
Never played competive sports? Once again, you reveal how little you know. How would you know that anyway? Sorry if you do not like my call, but not very.
Bronco20:
I will drop it now, sorry. However, I do believe that winning is more about weaknesses than strengths. How you deal with were you are not strong tells in the end.
all i can tell you is that i almost cried after the game on thursday im so proud of yall!!!!!!! i been a fan 4 a long time im not here to criticized the team but to support in the good times and bad times i know it is tough with all the injuries going on but i just hate the comentators talking crap about the team saying they can do nothing,that cant beat so and so team but on thursday yall shut mouths all over tv shows good job guys FAN 4 LIFE
Ya babe I realise I don’t get comments on here til then, but it’s really mostly the only time I have any free time to even get on here. I am always so busy doing something else. Usually right before I go to bed, or right when I wake up, depending on the work schedule for the week!
Go read Coop’s blog “Turnovers Hurt, No Magic Against Jags” ok?
Plus it’s when I can get on here and check up on you, see how you’re doing, see what I might be able to say to make you laugh or smile. I’m sorry about you’re moarning period, good and I guess bad to hear that. But shows you still care for whatever happened, but you are also trying to do what you can with everything else. You know where to come to if you need a shoulder to cry on or a soul to vent to. I’m not talking about Broncos Country, “I’m talking about me”….
what does everyone think of the Alex Haynes signing Monday.?
Tatum Bell is working out this week. We’ll see if he makes the Team or not. Depends on what shape he is in.
NEWS FLASH BRONCO FANS WE WERE SUPPOSE TO WIN THAT GAME. AND DRE BLY OWED US THAT PLAY, REMEMBER WHEN HE GOT BURNED IN THAT GREEN BAY GAME. HUH….HUH REMEMBER THAT…..BLY NEEDS TO STEP UP HIS GAME 100% HE GETS BURNED TO MANY TIMES, AND ALLOWS TO MANY CATCHES I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS IN THE LEAGUE I PUT IT ALL ON THE LINE. REMEMBER THAT “SHANNY”!!!!!!!
Baby name meaning and origin for Winborn
Description for the baby name Winborn, the origins of the name and its meaning