Come To Think of It: The Denver Broncos May Never Lose Again

(Photo by Jacob de Golish/Getty Images)

Following their impressive 34-23 victory over the Chargers Monday night, the Denver Broncos are 6-0, on their way to a perfect season and a Super Bowl win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Yes, that's a bit of hyperbole, but call me a believer.

As a Bears fan who has listened to too much crap from Denver fans about Jay Cutler since the trade, I've been dragged kicking and screaming into becoming a Bronco believer.

Not that I have anything against Kyle Orton, but it has been difficult for me to follow this team without being reminded about how Cutler can't win, makes too many mistakes, and how a game manager like Orton has helped the Bronco defense transform itself into a force.

Look, Orton is playing well, give him credit. He had a passer rating of 143.3 in the second half.

And yes, he plays cautiously, limiting mistakes, while Jay Cutler throws with reckless abandon at times. Orton's only interception this season came on a Hail Mary.

Still, it's the defensive transformation that has me astounded.

After the Broncos brought in 33-year-old man-child Josh McDaniels to coach the team, Mike Nolan was hired to run the defense. But c'mon, a coach can't make that much of a difference, can he?

Well, Nolan brought along a 3-4 scheme, and six new defensive starters (seven, if you include Ryan McBean, who spent last season on the practice squad), the biggest name of which was Brian Dawkins. 

Elvis Dumervil leads the NFL with 10 sacks. They had terrific pressure on Phillip Rivers all night. The Broncos sacked Rivers five times, three in the fourth quarter. They held San Diego to 104 yards of offense in the second half.

San Diego fumbled four times, though they only lost one. It's been a defensive turnaround to behold.

Meanwhile, their special teams play was a difference maker as well. While they did give up a punt return for a touchdown by Darren Sproles, how about Eddie Royal? On his  two returns for TDs he was touched a total of one time.

That's great running, but it's also good blocking.

Super Bowl-bound Broncos? That has a ring to it. Think I'm crazy? The last time Denver went this long undefeated it was 1998. That year, Denver started 13-0 on their way to a Super Bowl XXXIII victory, their second consecutive SB behind John Elway. 

Maybe it's not so crazy after all, come to think of it.  

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