December 17, 2006 5:09 PM
Broncos win, hold onto playoff hopes
The Broncos sifted just enough good stuff from the sand outside Phoenix to stifle a four-game losing streak and stay in the playoff hunt, writes Jeff Legwold.
Bernie Lincicome's take: It's simple when it all works.
When Jay Cutler whips a football 60 or so yards on his third play of the game, putting it only where Javon Walker can catch it in stride in the end zone, when, out of the mists of obscurity, comes someone named Quincy Morgan returning kicks to helpful field position, when Champ Bailey gets challenged twice and . . . well, let him tell it."Two balls, two picks," said Bailey, making the math easy.
When Rod Smith is once again a factor, catching four balls, one for his first touchdown in seven games and his first from Cutler, when the defense gives up only one touchdown drive all day, when Mike Shanahan can exhale instead of chewing the inside of his cheek, this is how it could be, how it should be, how it has not been.
Did the Broncos convince you they can make an impact as a wild-card team in the playoffs? Are you impressed with Culter's progress? How do you think he compared with the Cardinals' Matt Leinart? Is the lack of a consistent running game a red flag for the playoffs? Did Darrent Williams' comments that some of his teammates were packing it in on the season have a motivational effect on the defense?
December 17, 2006
5:33 PM
Very positive outlook next year writes:
Jay is the one for Denver. We need a dominant RB.
Its time to trade draft picks for a Pass Rush. and veteran OTs
We will be ok next year.
Not enough horses this year.
December 17, 2006
6:16 PM
Loose Cannon writes:
Hello, Jay! B-bye, Jake. Hello, happiness! Good-bye, sorrow.
December 17, 2006
7:07 PM
David (R) writes:
Well, I said it was a good move, and I think we need to see a few more games, and see if things keep improving, but I'm greatly encouraged by Jay. I think he's a really smart kid who will improve as he gains a better command of his troops. Go Broncos!
December 17, 2006
7:35 PM
Loose Cannon writes:
Jay is better than Elway at this point in their carrers.
He just ate up Arizona and they were hot playing really good defense.
If Jake had been in there Denver would have lost no way Jake could have completed any of those passes.
Watch out Jay leads us to Super bowl
December 17, 2006
7:50 PM
Cutlerforpresident writes:
Wow Jay is awesome.
Jake sucks and he would have lost this game for sure
Just like Jake lost the seattle game
Good thing shanny switched at the right time..
If Jay had started all year we would prolly be 13-1 right now on our way to the superbowl
Jay is going to be a hall of famer..
He just beat a hot hot Arizona team that has an awesome defense
Go Jay
December 17, 2006
8:07 PM
Brian in Evans writes:
Az.'s defense is ranked 31st in the nfl. What a load that is, saying they're good. Denver's offense was not good versus Seattle and SanDiego, who are tops in the nfl at quarterback sacks, and suddenly looked much better, against a 31st ranked defense. Don't get too excited. I was impressed at how our patch-work defense effectively slowed down Leinart and two of the best receivers in the NFL.
December 17, 2006
8:17 PM
Tony writes:
Honestly...as good as Cutler is
beginning to look and even with
playoff hopes alive? I'm salivating at the thought of next year.
Cutler, Javon, Marshall and Scheffler
the Bells will flourish with the passing game lit up.
Tweak the "D"
Looks promising.
December 17, 2006
8:58 PM
Cutler for the NFL Hall of Fame writes:
Yippee!!! Better buy your Super Bowl tickets on ebay right now as the Cutler led Broncos beat the 31st ranked NFL defense by a whole 17 points. Yeah, beating a 4-10 team is the biggest win we have had all year because our rookie superstar led the way! Those slacker receivers and offensive line finally got the message and played hard.
We fans lit a fire under Coyer and made him do his job this week.
San Diego and the Colts won't know what hit them when we beat them by 30-40 points!
December 17, 2006
9:50 PM
True Orange and Blue writes:
Stay positive but don't get too excited about beating a bad Cardinals football team. I can't wait for Marshall to get the ball more. They still need a more dominant running back. Or should I say durable. As I look back on the glory days, I long for a dominant fullback like Howard Griffith leading the way. No one else seems to think the FB was important. One other thing....try to abstain from using the word "we", as if you are playing for the organization. Last I checked we weren't getting a game check from them.
December 18, 2006
2:06 AM
manny writes:
this is the softest part of the season for the bronocos if they do not win these last two games they do not deserve the playoffs. i believe they will make the playoffs win in the first round and lose in the second. in the offseason i would like to see them bring in a dominant rb and trade tatum for a good resever. in regards to cutler i feel plummer should have remained the starter for the rest of the season and in training camp there should have been a compition for the starting job. he will be a great qb. i do feel they need a better d.o. Coyer still after 4 years cannot adjust to best passing teams in the league and will again cost them in the playoffs.
December 18, 2006
2:25 AM
JACK THE BEANSTOCK writes:
Not so fast. The Broncos still won't do much in the playoffs, if they make it. Cutler looks good but give him a couple more years and then see what happens. Peace.
December 18, 2006
8:19 AM
zc writes:
Just give the "cut" time. He'll destroy defenses. Elway II in the making. Shanahan is a genius of the pigskin!!
December 18, 2006
8:35 AM
Futbal King writes:
Broncos couldn't drive to McDonalds. I hear if they win there next two games they will make the playoffs, slow down there boys...don't count those chickens yet.
December 18, 2006
9:01 AM
Kevin writes:
Hey now, all you Broncos bashers just hush and give Jay time. He deserves the chance to learn on the job now that he has been thrown into it. Now, all you Broncos fans that think they will go to the Superbowl this year, c'mon, get real. No, the Broncos will not go to the Superbowl this year but, they just completed one of the hardest things to do in a regular season, for an NFL team and that is change their starting quarterback. Now that its done, look out next year. With a full training camp, and the team behind him from the beginning, Jay Cutler could tear it up in 07'. Are you watching Marty! San Diego's reign in the AFC West will come to a halt next year.
December 18, 2006
9:03 AM
Anonymous writes:
The Broncos will never go anywhere with Cutler because he is too liberal.
Bring back Griese!
December 18, 2006
9:32 AM
kcbh writes:
Only 49 seconds away from having a record setting season.
Why record am I talking about?
Well it would be the one where a team can play two games in a season that the zebras didn't even toss one penalty flag on them in the whole game. This is unheard of in thousands of pro football games played in history.
Some one needs to take a long hard look at the NFL officials and try to find out why they let the Broncos cheat and not call it.
December 18, 2006
10:04 AM
HIsham writes:
Take out #27 and tatum from the game we sure have a shot at winning. Jay will be better then those that have replace Elway. All we need is a good RB in the draft and trade for a bigger size CB to help out Bailey.
December 18, 2006
10:18 AM
Let'sjustwaitandsee writes:
Jake would have led the team to victory yesterday. He had seven wins under his belt before getting benched, for cryin' out loud, and it was Arizona, already. Next week the real test begins. Good to see Cutler gaining some confidence.
December 18, 2006
1:27 PM
Anonymous writes:
Here's the bottom line - if they make the playoffs, which they very well could, fine. But they probably won't go very deep, and nobody in their right mind expects them to with 5 starters out. This is all warm-up, tune-up, extremely valuable experience for subsequent years. Win, lose, it doesn't really matter, except inasmuch as the confidence-building angle for Jay and several other guys. I watched John the Great struggle through every game he played in '83, and Jay is having a better start. Let's all be realistic and patient, and give the kid some room. My personal belief is that he'll be just fine.
December 18, 2006
1:45 PM
True Orange and Blue writes:
I haven't been a big fan of Darent Williams. Any one else think it was a coincidence that Fitzgerald and Boldin were shut out a majority of the game with Foxworth in there instead of Williams?
ps I'm still praying they draft a top tier running back and bull dozin FB in the Lorenzo Neil mold.
December 18, 2006
3:01 PM
Anonymous writes:
I've heard that Darrent learned a hard lesson about not calling his teammates (especially the older guys) a bunch of quitters - and that they all insisted that he pay a one game "internal suspension" for shooting his mouth off and making others look bad. Don't know if it's true, but that is what I've heard.
January 1, 2007
11:48 AM
Julie writes:
I like Jake Plummer. They should have let him play the rest of the season. He's a good guy with spunk and passion. I miss him.