There’s nothing quite like a blowout when you’re on the plus side of it. The Broncos needed such a game — and they got one Sunday against the Chiefs.
I know, it was “only” against the Chiefs, who are certainly on the south side of decent during a recent losing streak. But still, the Broncos went out and dominated a team that they should dominate.
I was really impressed with quarterback Jay Cutler. I’ve been saying it for awhile, but he continues to get better. There weren’t any red-zone issues against Kansas City. The Broncos offense flat-out did a lot of good things against the Chiefs and Cutler was in complete control. I still find it amazing that he has made only 18 career starts in the NFL.
How good did Brandon Marshall look? Holy guacamole, this young man can play. He is becoming a terrific receiver right before our eyes. The way he gains yards after the catch, the way he has improved as a blocker … it’s impressive, to say the least.
I can’t forget about the defense, either. The Chiefs gained 129 net yards. Are you kidding me? This is the NFL. One-hundred twenty-nine net yards?!
Elvis Dumervil keeps making things happen. The Chiefs’ offensive line is best by injuries, but a guy still has to go out and make plays and Elvis did that. Not only did he get to the quarterback, but he also forced Brodie Croyle to fumble the ball. Nice.
And seriously, how solid is Champ Bailey? It is such a treat to watch him play. No one throws at him for weeks and yet the last few games he winds up with a couple of interceptions.
I could go on and on. The Broncos hummed along on offense and flew around on defense. It was just fun to watch them blow somebody out, even if the team they routed is having major struggles.
Now it’s on to face the Houston Texans. If anyone thought this was going to be an easy game, then that person needs to think again. Houston upset Tampa Bay on Sunday and is much, much better under head coach Gary Kubiak.
If Sage Rosenfels starts for Matt Schaub again on Thursday night, Rosenfels will certainly be confident after leading the Texans to that solid win over the Bucs on Sunday. Rosenfels is in his sixth year, so he won’t get rattled too easily.
It will also be interesting to see if Coach Kubiak will have any tricks up his sleeve for Mike Shanahan. Or to flip it around, will Coach Shanahan put in any wrinkles for his longtime former assistant? Let the chess match begin.
It’s a quick turnaround for Thursday’s game. But if the Broncos can pull off a win, they’ll get a few extras days to get ready for the showdown against the Chargers.
And if the Broncos play as well as they did Sunday against the Chiefs, they’ll likely be coming back from Houston with another must win.
How encouraged were you by the win over the Chiefs? Did it make you feel better or do you chalk it up to facing an inferior opponent? I appreciate your thoughts and as always, thank you for reading.
Best,
Mike
Tags: Brandon Marshall, Champ Bailey, Elvis Dumervil, Jay Cutler, Kansas City Chiefs
Mike, thanks for your thoughts. It was nice to see this YOUNG team step up and find some rhythm. I think we saw a glimpse of what next season could look like for this Bronco team. If we avoid the injuries and the youth keep developing and making plays, we should be sitting in a much nicer position tis time next year. I agree with you about Cutler, he is getting better and better. Can you imagine where he’ll be next year?!
You’re welcome, buckeye. Thanks for your thoughts. As Coach Shanahan said earlier this year, they always believe they can win each year and strive to do that.
But it does take some time for young players to develop. There’s no doubt that the experience the young guys are getting should serve them well next year and beyond. And who knows what the final three weeks hold.
Cutler should be even better next year. I continue to believe that he will be an excellent NFL QB. And it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him be downright great. Time will tell.
Thanks again,
Mike
Great Win….if we can beat Houston, we will have a good chance…all we need is to beat SD after that and hope Oakland can beat SD last game…it doesn’t matter if SD beats DET this week or not….
If SD loses to Den, Oakland..we win division as lons as we win out….
we still have a chance at the wild card too…we need Buffalo to beat cleveland this week!!
I still Believe…go Broncos!!
Jay did a great job but lets also give some love to another Vanderbilt player Jamie Winborn – Jamie had 7 solo tackles yesterday! I am proud of the whole team!!
Godspeed Broncos!
It’s the Chiefs wake me when we beat a decent team like the chargers on X-mas eve. until then the deff has proven a thing kolby smith is no L.J and the qb is no trent green. Oh by the way the just in case anyone didn’t watch the same game i did the speacial teams look horrioble again block punts, terrible returns etc…
Brandon Marshall is the next big MAN to come out of Denver. This guy is on fire. Our guys played awesome against the chiefs. the next 3 games will be the determining factor for us. Chargers look good b/c of LT but Rivers and LT aren’t making the same plays. Our Broncos are gonna put the smackdown on them and the texans, vikings. have a great week everyone……GO BRONCOS
Cutler looked like an image of Elway throwing that pass to Brandon Marshall great pass,, also watching CCutler trip over himself in the poket, and make a big gain out of it. the Broncos dominated an nfl team so not a winto take lightly. they showed images of their future selves with selvin young leading the ground game, and our defense and special teams showing up to play. I like the shadows of our future to come…
Good job Mike, Is not too late?
All that I have to say is that was AWESOME. This team is finally coming together and after a year of inconsistency, this was if anything unexpected. But I loved it, finally got to bask in the glory of a beautiful win. Now they can take this and run with. I think after a win like this one, it is good to have a short week to use this momentum and win on Thursday night. One thing that is bothering me is all the negative talk about Javon Walker. He is a stud and when he gets healthy, the sky is the limit for this offense. I am talking about a Colts style offense they ran a couple years ago with that trio of receivers who allowed Payton to break the touchdown record. Until he Walker proves that he is no longer valuable I think everybody should stop talking about getting rid of him. He is injured and when he returns that only makes us that much better. So please everybody stop talking trash about him, let him get healthy and then watch the offense explode. Besides that I loved this last week and hope to see more of it to come. Go Broncos!
It certainly was a good win, the way it happened. It will be a greater testament if the Broncos can beat Houston this Thursday. Yes, the Texans aren’t the best team in the league, and Denver is the better team on paper, but beating them on the road, after four days rest, still jelling with young players at so many positions, and probably without two of their three best receivers (Walker and Stokely) . . . in addition to all the others hurt and out . . . will speak volumes.
If they can do that, then maybe we can say they have begun to turn the corner.
hey qgriffin what do you call the titans and the steelers? if i remember corectly the cheifs beat up on san diego earlier in the years, and so did oakland. also oakland three superbowls denver 2 superbowls kc 1 superbowl san diego ZERO, heck theyve only played in one and got smoked man. and by the wat this is a broncos web site so go back to your hole ok
I really liked seeing the two flordia guys, Harris and Thomas clog up that running game just like in college,,i think in the future we will have one of the best lines in the game. With them two hopefully starting along with the vets to sub, and with Elvis, and Tim playing so well, hopefully Moss can be better then ever, and we can see sum real havoc on the dline…all be it we do need to address LB, and SS this year in the draft,,Hamza is the man!!! Offense is great, one more big play deep threat, and a better left tackle!! and were def back where we want to be!..maybe we can free up some money if we get rid up Todd S and i hate to say it but Travis H cuz damn its been a while since we seen somebody cut back like YOUNG does, along with hall..lets lock them up and save the cash…..war them getting graves from auburn
Great Game! Glad I got to go!
Before this game our best D was Travis Henrys Lawyer!
I love watching Selvin Young. Everytime he touches the ball, feels like something big is going to happen! Don’t feel the same about Henry. Would like to see some draft picsk for him. Hall and Young would be a great one-two punch.
Winborn showed uo to play and so did Paul Smith and Andre Hall on special teams. That was the best I have seen special teams play all year. Nice to be able to cheer big hits. Back to the D.
Nate Webster is name not mentioned by most, but it seems every time he’s in there, good things happen. Hamzah is the starter, he’s earned it. The line penetrated! From what I understand of Bates scheme, that;s not what they are suopposed to do, something change? Crowder, Thomas, & Mallard looked good and Elvis was in the house as usual. Bailey tackled like a Champ. Kids watch his perfect form tackling in that game. Defense was swarming, was really good to see.
Hope this isn’t a K-ansas C-rap fluke! This is the team I was expecting to see all year. Still have hope for the playoffs, if they play the way they did Sunday!