November 6, 2008 5:36 AM
Mistake-prone Broncos face Browns
Fate must own a boat near Lake Erie. Here are the Broncos, going to Cleveland once again with hopes of creating a defining moment to their season.
Back in the 1980s, it was "The Drive" at Municipal Stadium that shaped John Elway's career -- and gave the Broncos a chance to win the 1986 AFC Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns.
The stakes clearly are much lower for tonight's Broncos-Browns game. But the short-term effect, for both teams, is huge.
For Denver, a fourth straight loss would all but crush this team's already-fragile psyche.
What I wonder about these Broncos is, do they actually realize something is at stake every week in the NFL?
Example: when the Miami Dolphins showed up in Denver Sunday, I expected the Broncos to play with a desperate attitude.
Instead, Jay Cutler, the quarterback from Santa Claus, Indiana, started handing out gifts to Miami's defense like Santa Claus from the North Pole. And Denver's running game never made it to Invesco Field.
At least the Broncos' defense gave a passionate effort. That said, I can't vouch for his "soft" Joey Porter comments, but wide receiver Brandon Marshall was right about this much -- the Broncos can't continue to get beat giving receivers 10-yard cushions.
If you're going to get beat, get beat playing man-to-man.
Before the season CLICK HERE FOR PRESEASON FORECAST began I pegged the Browns to win this game 24-19 . I'm sticking to the pick -- and please save yourselves the telephone calls and e-mails. It has nothing to do with my Cleveland roots.
Unless you're blinded by orange and blue headlights, why would you pick the Broncos?
You can hope that rookie Ryan Torain runs wild against Cleveland's defense on national television. A better hope is for tight end Tony Scheffler to be healed and effective after a serious groin injury.
The Broncos have gone 4-1 with Scheffler in the lineup, 0-3 without him. But they have plenty more injuries on both sides of the ball. And they're 4-4 with three straight losses.
Denver has to flip the heart switch tonight in Cleveland. By the lake. Make no mistake.
November 6, 2008
8:19 AM
gofastgo writes:
Sam, what difference would a Denver win make?
Oh yeah, the folks would say 'now we go'! Go where? Nowhere is where they're going.
I also believe Cleveland will win, of course I suspected Miami would as well.
This is a bunch with no resolve, no mission, no direction, no plan for success. They appear headless, and are. Shanny must go, it's either him or everyone else.
November 6, 2008
8:57 AM
Frank writes:
This analysis is pretty much right on though the headline could read "Mistake-prone Broncos face mistake-prone Browns." Very similar teams in terms of problem areas and performance so far this season (disappointing).
The Browns have been nothing if not inconsistent and throwing Brady Quinn into the mix should add to that.
If the Broncos can't run against the Browns, even with their injury problems, they can't run on anyone. Shaun Rogers has been amazing on the nose but the rest of the defense can be gashed for rush yards. The Browns' secondary also worships at the altar of the 10-yard cushion, much to my dismay.
Somehow the Browns win this one but what that means in the long run is anyone's guess.
November 6, 2008
10:51 AM
Winthrop writes:
Who will pay the NFL Network to watch this game? Only those that want to watch Brady Quinn kick some Bronco Buttocks and take names.
One can always wait for next year though; "maybe Shanasham will go back to Oakland".
November 6, 2008
9:37 PM
nuggets217 writes:
Good call on the game Winthrop,
Maybe next week you can attempt to grow a brain
November 7, 2008
12:15 PM
Dynamicdave writes:
Winthdork, once again, you proved yourself wrong. You thought the Cleveland Clowns would win? Beep, wrong, but thank you for playing.
Nuggets217, you can't explain anything to Winthdork. He's a Raiders fan (maybe, providing even the Raider Nation would except him). With a name like his, he must have gotten his lunch money stolen a lot as a kid? He is luckier, now, though. They don't steal his lunch anymore. He gets a reduced price meal, daily, at his McDonald's job.
October 19, 2010
4:44 AM
cheap wholesale jerseys writes:
Apple now has Rhapsody as an app, which is a great start, but it is currently hampered by the inability to store locally on your iPod, and has a dismal 64kbps bit rate. If this changes, then it will somewhat negate this advantage for the Zune, but the 10 songs per month will still be a big plus in Zune Pass' favor.
April 23, 2011
1:07 PM
travel safe writes:
Fairly good posting here,. I never considered that I'll catch any information like that ,however your publish actually help me.Superior things are sharing here.I like your submit ,Now I'm waiting for your subsequent post.So maintain writing.