In the immediate elation of a victory as dramatic as the Broncos’ 35-24 win over the Chargers on Monday night, reverting to hyperbole is both predictable and understandable. By any account, Denver’s win was as amazing as it was improbable.
Calling it the one of the greatest comebacks in Broncos’ history is absolutely accurate.
Monday night, the Broncos tied the franchise record of rallying to win a game in which they trailed by 24 points.
The Broncos also tied the NFL record for largest deficit overcome in a road game.
The Broncos set a team record for most points in a half (35 in the second half).
In the big picture, the records are historical footnotes that confirm what an incredible job the Broncos did in rallying to defeat the Chargers.
In the more immediate context of this season, the win puts the Broncos in position as the frontrunner to win the AFC West.
The win enabled the Broncos to tie the Chargers for first place in the division. They have made it through a really tough first six games with a .500 record. And most importantly, they are playing better.
This last point is the most important. While much work still remains to be done, the Broncos are making plenty of progress.
Quarterback Peyton Manning has thrown for 300 yards or more in the last four games. He has 11 touchdown passes and one interception over that span. More importantly, I believe he will continue to get stronger as the season goes along.
The defense forced six turnovers and scored two touchdowns against the Chargers. It is too early too call it a pattern but it is certainly an encouraging sign.
Young players are emerging. Defensive backs Chris Harris and Tony Carter made major contributions in the win over the Chargers. Running back Ronnie Hillman is working his way towards more playing time, as is linebacker Danny Trevathan.
All of this bodes well for the Broncos, who play in a division without a dominant team. No division game will be easy, but at the same time, there is no team that has emerged as elite in the AFC West. Provided they stay healthy, the Broncos are the team to beat in the division.
And there is no reason to think they won’t get even better when they come back from the bye week.
For now, though, sit back and take some to soak in a win for the ages. Then buckle up for what could be a fun ride the rest of the season.
With the bye this weekend, what are your thoughts about where the Broncos stand after six games? Thanks for reading and sharing.
Best,
Mike
Tags: Mike Rice, San Diego Chargers, Week 6
I think Manning is doing an excellent job of reading defenses and adjusting. If he plays smart and doesn’t turn it over I feel we can go a long way. We do need to get going faster though. I’d like to see McGahee and Hillman mix it up a bit more if they can be safe with the ball. I believe we could break some long runs earlier in games. With Kuper back I believe we can run the ball down some teams throats. If we can jump out to double digit leads, we could be extremely dangerous. With the way our pass rush is stepping up (Wolfe, Dumerville, Miller, and Vickerson) we could put the choke hold on early. This would bode well for us being we are dominating in the second half. I love the progression of the team so far, I expect both units to excell greatly. I’m enjoying the explosiveness of the passing attack and I predict our running game to be near the top at seasons end. I also believe we could be a top 10 defense, especially if we can start faster and unleash this nasty denver pass rush every game.
I thought we might end up at 2-4 or worse in the first 6 games. I think that the chemistry and communication are getting better each week. Improve the tackling of the first defender to make contact and we’d get off the field more on third down. All in all I’m stoked!
Good offensive teams like New Orleans scare me. We r pretty good ourselves offensively speaking, our defense will HAVE to get off the field on third down. Should be a shoot out.
Mike
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t believe anything like the following has ever happened in the NFL:
First half 0-24
Second half 35-0
I know there has been larger comebacks like in the playoff game between Buffalo and Houston, but I bet no team ever scored a crap load of points in the first half (24) and the other team a doughnut (0), and the same but a flip flop in the second half (0 and 35), that has to be first if my memory serves me right, I mean that’s crazy insane!!!
*that has to be a first…
Bomber you’re not getting any points on the official contest because you’re not entering your prediction on the entry blog form, saying it on a blog will just enter you in Turtle’s version.
Thanks Bay…..I know its asking a lot, do u have a link? Thats cool if you don’t.
Go a few blogs back to the contest results blog and click on “go ahead and get your prediction in”, it’s in orange in the middle of the blog text near the top, then just enter it in your favorites so you can enter each week, read the rules on when to do that.
LOL, I feel so dumb…..thanks.
I read this was the 4th largest comeback in NFL history. I believe Staubach, Montana had the other two.
Wait a minute… I though John Elway’s massive ego, not wanting to share the record books, is why he traded Tim Tebow away… I’m confused….. Lmfaoooo!!!
*thought
And of course the one you mentioned bay, Frank Reich and the Buffalo Bills.
My point was simply to say I bet no teams came back from 24 points down or more having scored zero in the first half and went on to win while allowing zero points to the other team in the second half, but thanks for the info nonetheless rbf1.
OT, I absolutely love that you said that. Shhhhh… People still think John Elway was jealous of Tebow when he has more to be jealous of Manning for.
Mike, I agree, like always! (;
rbf1
Since I no longer do work on this blog, LOL, maybe you can tell me what the halftime score was of those three bigger comebacks and their final score, just to fairly compare…
I think your right on that bay as the others had didn’t have a goose egg on the scoreboard. I see what you’re saying though. I’ll have to look up the scores, but don’t have the time right now.
I hate to work.
Anyhow found out the top two, Houston was leading Buffalo 28-3 at the half and went on to lose 41-38, NO was leading SF 35-7 at the half and lost 38-35, third game seems to be other than Staubach, rather it was another Buffalo game against Indy, the Colts were up 26-10 at the half and went on to lose 37-35.
So my point stands.
No team has ever comeback 24 points down at the half scoring zero and won by such a big margin. Two teams came back from 24 points down scoring zero in the first half, one won 28-24 in the end (Eagles beat Redskins), the other won 30-27 (Raiders beat Broncos).
Did I say I hate doing all that work, LOL.
Let the retired guys do the grunt work, haha.
We’ll get you on payroll bay..lol
Speaking of which, thanks AB for looking up the leading tacklers, I had a feeling Gruden wasn’t right about that..
Coincidentally, Frank Reich served as Peyton Mannings QB coach for several year in Indy….lol.
Just looked it up, Staubach’s comeback in 1972 playoffs was only a deficit of 12 pts they overcame as Dallas had trailed by 28–16 with less than 2 minutes to play. Cowboys won 30-28.
Put Bay on the payroll….LOL!
**several years**
For those interested in the history of greatest comebacks, both regular season and post, ours is already in there at bottom of the regular season list:
http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/comebacks.aspx
The key to the rest of the season… whenever the Broncos have the chance, defer!!!! Kick off to start the game, so the Broncos get the ball to start the second half.
The Broncos are right where I expected them to be after the toughest first six game schedule in the league! They are a work in progress with a ton of talent and just need to bring it all together. Its really frustrated me to watch the media go back and forth between praising and bashing the team from week to week. Anyone who pays attention to this game knew that it would take a little time to get everyone on the same page and working as a team. They will win at least seven of the next ten games and win the division. The team is right on track and building momentum just as expected. Even if they fizzle out in the playoffs this season should be considered a success and we will see the Lombardi trophy back in Denver within the next 3-4 yrs!
Go Broncos!!!!