What's the Denver Broncos' New Winning Formula?

The fans can't take another roller coaster season.

Now is the time for the Broncos to be winners. Enough with the late-season choking, it is time to find a way to play and stick with it.

It all begins with the defense.

Last year, defensive coordinator Mike Nolan switched the defense to a 3-4 formation and the unit spent the first six games pummeling opposing offenses.

That was the key to Denver's domination. There were constant formation shifts. The players were almost constantly in motion prior to the snap.

Then the movement stopped and everything became predictable again.

Offenses quickly exploited the gaps in coverage and crushed the smaller sized Denver defensive linemen. Running backs stampeded over the now meek Ponies.

Former linebackers coach Don Martindale is now in charge of the defense. He has had a year to observe what Nolan did well and where he was at fault. It will require a quick learning curve for Martindale to put the Broncos squad back on top, but the talent is still there.

On offense, the rock should belong to sophomore running back Knowshon Moreno. And the passing game has got to go deeper. That may have been one of the true faults of the Broncos last year.

Their reliance on bubble screens and short slant routes won't work as well without Brandon Marshall constantly punishing defensive backs. It's time to stretch the field.

Then hand the ball to the underrated Moreno. His ability to break the first tackle combined with his natural willingness to push for the extra yards will be greatly rewarded if defenses aren't crowding the box.

Finally, head coach Josh McDaniels has to cool off the Machiavellian routine.

Hopefully McDaniels has taken some time to watch some of the footage of his outrageous displays of emotion. There's nothing wrong with a coach getting excited, but there is also something to be said for a good poker face. One arm-pump and a quick holler are enough to show jubilance. The screaming, red-faced, arms-flailing business of last year must be shown the door.