Normally, the Broncos overcome a slow start by finishing with a flurry and recently, with a win.
Sunday against the Patriots, the Broncos started strong but then faded, thanks in large part to three second quarter turnovers which the Patriots turned into 13 points, en route to a 27-16 halftime lead.
Losses are hard enough to take. Losses in which a team feels its own mistakes played a pivotal role are even tougher to swallow.
Yet, despite falling to the Patriots, the Broncos are still in good shape to make the playoffs. They are still on track to win the division.
That’s what I’m focusing on. Perspective is so key. Despite the disappointment of losing, the Broncos’ big picture outlook remains bright. I’m not using the big picture to excuse away what happened against New England, but I am keeping in mind that not a lot changed for the Broncos because of the loss.
The Lions’ dramatic one-point win over the Raiders kept Oakland one game behind Denver in the AFC West race. The Chargers are also a game back after defeating the Ravens. The Broncos know that if they take care of business against Buffalo and Kansas City, they will advance to the postseason.
And the good news is Denver has plenty of room to improve.
“We haven’t played our best football yet but I think we feel good about the position we’re in, in terms of the division race,” cornerback Andre’ Goodman said after the loss to New England. “Right now, that’s the only thing we can focus on, and being able to play better, especially in big games like this.”
Cornerback Champ Bailey said Sunday’s loss needs to serve as a wake-up call.
“We need to concentrate on getting better,” Bailey admitted. “We showed today we’re not ready to go into the playoffs and make a push. We gotta get better. We have only two or three weeks to do it and if we don’t, we’ll be sitting at home.”
I believe the Broncos will get better and I firmly believe they’ll win the division. Why? Because they have the players who will take the loss to the Patriots to heart and who will redouble their efforts to improve, as Goodman and Bailey suggested they need to do.
In addition, Sunday’s loss, while disappointing, had to convince the Broncos they indeed belong in the playoff picture and indeed are capable of making a push if they get there.
“We learned we can play with those guys and win the physical battle,” quarterback Tim Tebow told 850KOA after the game. “We can score points on a team like that and our defense can stop them. We just have to do it a little more consistently and we can’t turn the ball over.”
One game lead in the division. Room to improve. The type of players and coaches that will put the effort in order to get better. Take care of things and the Broncos know they are in the playoffs.
Those are all reasons which make the loss to the Patriots a bit easier to stomach.
Do you think the Broncos will win the AFC West and advance to the playoffs? I’d love to get your thoughts.
Thanks for reading and posting.
Sincerely,
Mike
Tags: Mike Rice
Buffalo, NY weather Saturday.
http://www.weather.com/weather/wxdetail/USNY0181?dayNum=5
Take care of business at Buffalo and against KC and we’re in. Let’s do this.
Beat Buffalo and KC you’re in no matter what.
Beat Buffalo and Raiders and SD lose this weekend and we’re in even if we lose to KC, so the odds are still in our favor, but so were they in 2008, and SD stole the title from us, it’s never over until the fat lady sings and hopefully she’ll be singing after this weekend. I would hate the thought of having to beat Orton to win it, that’s for certain, their D is lights out and he probably could carve us too.
I do believe this is a team that rebounds well from its mistakes. I think D. Thomas is a good example of that. And I feel like the whole team really believes in each other and takes serious responsibility for getting themselves shaped up and on track. I can’t say with any confidence that they’ll win the division, because recent history has not indicated that the Broncos are good closers (I’m talking seasons, not games). But I wouldn’t be surprised if they did.
The fact that Orton led the Chiefs over the Packers certainly makes me more nervous about our New Year’s Day game. That, and the fact that Miller and Doom were almost non-factors against the Pats. We’ll see…
So many unknowns and possibilities……..except:
Win out and we’re in. Our team doesn’t have to rely on what other teams do……….just take care of your own business and we’ll be hosting a wild card game. You can’t really ask for much more than that.
I do think so.We can clinch the division this weekend so needless to say I’m pumped! The Bills are still a tough team and not to be overlooked.The Raiders play AT the Chiefs which is never an easy place to play/win.So If we can take care of business and win and have the Chiefs beat the Raiders we’ll clinch the AFC West! I know Tebow,Bailey,Dawkins,and Goodman won’t let the young guys overlook this game.Even though Tebow is a young guy himself he has the leadership already of a 10+ year vet! Excited to watch’em play this weekend and hopefully by Christmas Eve night they’ll be wearing there “2011 AFC West Champions t-shirts” ! God Bless and Go Broncos! Have a safe Christmas!
Repost from last blog
Hold up. I read alot of posts about poor coaching. I do not disagree. The coaching wasnt good. However they delivered exactly what many bloggers here asked for. They tried there best to shut down Gronk and Welker and were reasonably successful. I think we focused to much on that and forgot that its a team game and Brady was happy to remind us. I didnt see much of a pass rush most of the game. We tried a few times but got lit up by hot reads to wide open TE/WR. I didnt see much press coverage either. We lined up 5-8 yards off the recievers and let them come to us and make contact, drawing the defensive holding flags. Perhaps we just dont have the personnel for that. Might have been different if we had Syd’Quan Thompson at CB and returning kicks. Wish P.Cox could have stayed out of trouble too.
Prediction:
Broncos 28
Bills 17
Finney, you’re wrong, for us to win the division this week, the Chargers would have to lose to Detroit also.
I found this and thought it might be useful for those wondering about playoffs:
Denver Broncos Would clinch the division with a win and a Raiders loss/tie.
Oakland Raiders Would clinch the AFC West with two wins and a Broncos loss to KC
San Diego Chargers Would clinch the AFC West with two wins and two Broncos losses. Lose a tiebreaker to the Broncos based on record in common games.
Kansas City Chiefs Would clinch the AFC West due to division record (4-2 vs. 3-3 and possibly 2-4) with two wins and a Broncos loss at the Bills and a Chargers loss.
So essentially beat Buffalo AND the Raiders lose to KC or SD OR beat KC and we are in.
I would much rather just win out and not have to worry about the Raiders but I think I will be BIG KC fans this weekend.
Chiefs are favored to win over the raiders and sd at detroit. We win in buffalo and we can relax. Let’s do this. I think we win big in buffalo. 24-10 broncos.
Goodman is a bum.
It looks as if I stand corrected…
thanks cody…………that’s good clarification!
amazing that the chiefs actually still have a mathmatical shot.
So it’s an all out anti Raider weekend if we somehow can’t beat Buffalo, haha.
@Bay Nope your wrong.We own the tie-breaker over the Chargers as well as the Raiders.So if we win this weekend and Raiders lose were in no matter WHAT the Chargers do!
Already addressed that, you are correct.
You know what the Chiefs thing reminds me of?
Ourselves when we fired McD and the team completely loved playing for interim coach Studesville.
Just like the Chiefs are doing now with Romeo.
Which makes them a dangerous team.
We better seal this deal this weekend, go KC, beat the crap out of the Raiders.
Broncos 24 Bills 17
@Bay Just stating the facts! Hopefully we’ll ALL get an early Christmas gift on Saturday! Lol Broncos vs. Bills game is on at the same time as the Raiders vs. Chiefs game so needless to say I’ll be watching both games like a hawk! lol
the wild wild AFC west!!!
I agree bay………..they are rallying and I really don’t want to have to face them in a game that decides our playoff fate.
This Broncos team is far from being the 2008 team that couldn’t win just one out of three.
I feel great remorse for the Bills. – I think the Broncos will respond to the loss in dominating fashion. It should be fun to watch.
I was very entertained yesterday – there were some glaring weaknesses exposed. Many of those weaknesses didn’t cause the loss. The turnovers resulted in the loss – reverse those and the scores of both teams look very different.
I’m trying to figure why the officiating seems to be going so lop-sided against the Broncos. Wondering if the zebra crew has been visiting Vegas again. Seriously bad!!!
I have noticed a propensity in many of you to get over depressed about the losses in spite of the fact that we all knew going in that this was going to be a tough game. Frankly, the Broncos played very well and proved they could play with the Patriots. I am looking forward to the rematch!
I have no concerns whatsoever about the final two games. They have to be played and if we lose the turnover battle like this game we will be in trouble….but that isn’t going to happen!
The Bills game could look like a trap game for the Broncos. They are a good team in phases, but they will not be able to stay with the Broncos.
KC – was up! but we know this team and while it will be a hard fought game. The Tebow factor will no-doubt prevail.
Still – enjoying the ride!!!
Orton was playing for his big payday next year. Someone already said that his 20 to 20 skills were still there but his redzone eff. was the same too. No interceptions was a surprise. I think the BOOS are going to be loud and clear when we play him.
Rice
To keep things short. I believe and agree with you Rice. Need short memory, improvement and mindset. Can’t think about this game anmore. Players need to focus on Bills then chiefs. Because if we don’t make playoffs, all the streak, all the heroics, the story book season, and a chance at possible revenge against the patriots is pretty much irrelevant, IF WE DON’T HANDLE OUR BUSINESS!!!
TRB
With all that being said I CANNOT WAIT for Saturday! Can’t wait to watch Tebow and the Broncos win and hopefully win the division! Would be the BEST Christmas gift I’ve gotten in years! lol God Bless and Go Broncos!
Prediction:
Broncos – 27
Bills – 21
Only thing that got me down about the Patriots game is … we could have won it. I see no reason to be ashamed to lose to the patriots who while they have a terrible D are not 11 and 3 for no reason.
That funniest part is … To win the Division, chiefs have to help us. lol. To win the division they need 2 wins, but for us to win the division we need to beat bills and the chiefs need to do what they have to do anyway, which is beat the raiders … like them odds lol
WIN OUT!! SEASONS OURS FOR THE TAKING!!! GO BRONCOS!!!
Each time I write your handle down on my prediction sheet I run out of room, haha.
Raiders have historically a tough time in KC.
Let’s hope Santa has his blue and orange sack full of playoff cheer!
Broncos reegular season all time record against the Bills:
15-18-1, not so good either.
At Buffalo:
11-11
Post season:
0-1 at Buffalo.
Last meetings:
2008 Buff 30- Dvr 23
2007 Dvr 15 Buff 14
i think that denver did prove that they could hang with the pats if not for self inflicted mistakes. they just didnt play like themselves yesterday starting with the botched extra point our special teams have been great this year and why cosby tried to field a punt inside the 10 with 10 sec before half i have no idea. point being that if denver can play more sound smart focused football we should cruz into the playoffs and not give sd and raiders a shot in hell.
The Bills have lost, what like 9 games in a row, they are down and out. The Bills are struggling badly. Go for the jugular!!
depending on what happens tonight with the sf pitt game i hope pitt wins because if denver does win and get in i would rather play the ravens there 4 losses are i believe the jags, seahawks, titans, and chargers so they seem to overlook some teams and joe flacco comes and goes sometimes. unlike big ben dude plays good in big games.
This coming saturday, I`m wearing my official 850 KOA Raider-Hater T-shirt. It`s an appriate weekend to sport it during the Broncos game. FTR`s!!!
nice strand i wish i had one of those
Your wrong Miller, The Ravens beat the Steelers twice, so tie breaker goes to the Ravens. If they both end up in a tie, we play the Steelers if we win our division.
The shirt is over a dacade old and worn very little.
ooops, sorry your right, my mistake bro.
Did I miss Denver losing at home by 18….is that now.considered “playing with” the other team….I again…without defending Orton or taking a shot at Tebow….find it funny that if this game had turned on Orton turnovers people would.be destroying him…Tebow is a fan favorite…which gets him a pass…..no.comment directly.on the game just fan reactions
im not wrong if the steelers win if they have a better record so i said i hope pitt wins tonight making them 11-3 the ravens are 10-4 so if pitt losses your right ravens own tiebreaker
oooops, i`m wrong bro, my mistake.
tebow doesnt get a pass he just has us in playoff contention and orton had us in number 1 pick in the draft contention
no biggie strand
I read your post wrong, ooops.
I hope Fitz has to pick his arse up off the turf as often as he did against us in pre-season (If not more). I believe that if Bdawk is ready to roll this week ur D should be in good shape. You could tell that we were missing one of our defensive field generals in the game yesterday.
Go Broncos!
The way the Ravens are playing right now, we`d have a good shot at them if we win our division and get that wild card game at home.