After a disgusting 7-9 season, and an offseason pointed by franchise quarterback Jay Cutler’s health issues, the Denver Broncos were facing an intriguing situtation a month back. The team looked absolutely lifeless last season, and Cutler’s situation was a question mark coming into the season.
Going through the third week, those question marks looked to have disappeared. The team was 3-0, and Jay Cutler's impressive start put him as the best quarterback in the NFL. They started the season with an easy and solid victory over the Oakland Raiders, and they continued their march with dramatic victories over the San Diego Chargers and the New Orleans Saints.
The record shows that yes, they won these two good football teams—but there is a fact that the record doesn't reveal.
The Broncos won the game to the Chargers after a bad call, which allowed them to overcome the game in the final second. The NFL admitted the mistake, and referee Ed Hochuli was downgraded after the poor call. One week later, Saints kicker Martin Gramatica missed a potential go-ahead field goal from 43 yards with 1:55 left in the game.
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Absolutely, Cutler is recovered, and there are no doubts about him. However, questions remain on the defensive side of the football.
This week, they finally struggled—against a winless team. The Kansas City Chiefs destroyed them on the ground. Larry Johnson had a season high with 198 yards and two scores.
They main problem in the Mile High City is that although they have a high powered offense, their defense is calamitous, and unable to stop anybody.
The New Orleans Saints had 502 total yards, while the San Diego Chargers compiled 456 yards of total offense. The Broncos are ranked 30th in total defense, ahead of only two winless teams—the Rams and Lions. You can’t win many football games without making plays on the defensive side of the ball.
Many analysts and fans overrated them after three weeks, but the reality is that this team is not poised to make a statement or the playoffs this year. They are facing solid teams next four weeks, starting with two home games to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Then, they will go on the road to face the New England Patriots, and finish the term against the rising Miami Dolphins.
They also have tough road games with the Carolina Panthers and San Diego Chargers befrore the end of the season.
In my opinion, this team is a very enjoyable team to watch, but I think that they are not going to translate their game into victories further this season. It’s too easy to score and move the chains against this team. This, and the grind of the season will put them where they expected to be before the start of the year.
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about 1 month ago
Unless they trade or pick-up some free agents during the season that can help their defense, I agree with you. I might add one more problem for the Broncos.
Cutler has a lot of talent and should be a very good quarterback through the years, but I think he is 1 or 2 years away from being consistent enough to carry through a whole season. For instance, in the Chargers game late in the 4th quarter he through an interception in the end zone in panic mode and then flubbed the pass that Hochuli screwed up on. And how did he look in the Kansas City game?
chargersticketholder
from about 1 month ago
Hi Bill,
We have the same point of view on Broncos defense, but I disagree with you on Cutler. Maybe he is not the guy on the postseason yet, but I think that he can get the job done on the regular season. Perhaps, and as you correctly points, he needs a couple of years more to be consistent in a contender team, not a pretender, what is that they are at this point.
Thanks for the comment
about 1 month ago
One reason I do not agree, other than being a die-hard Broncos fan is that Mike Shanahan has had great success with third year quarterbacks. It's pretty crazy how the Broncos and Cowboys are being written off so quickly after one loss. It is "any given Sunday" is it not?
from about 1 month ago
In my opinion, the Broncos and the Cowboys should not be compared at this point of the season. I think that, despite of collapsing against the Redskins, the Cowboys were impressive through the first three games of the season.
On the other hand, the Broncos, even winning, they played more inconsistently, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
about 1 month ago
Its just one loss people and the Broncos are still 3-1.
Some say the Broncos were lucky in there 2nd and 3rd wins of the season, but you have to realize that luck reaks of determination (i.e. football teams create there own luck).
The 3rd season of a QB is the season they come into their own. Cutler had two bad plays in the KC loss but you cant say he had a horrible game overall.
I think the Broncos are a year or two away from being serious superbowl contenders, but I do feel they will make the playoffs this year with an 11-5 mark.
PS: The Patriots and Dolphins are not good teams, the Jags and Bucs have to play us at home and both do not have explosive offenses.
from about 1 month ago
I agree with you on Cutler. He is having a tremendous season, however, with this defense; I think that it is going to be tough to win many football games. I absolutely trust Cutler, but not the Broncos' defense.
Talking about the schedule of the Broncos, I have pointed the Patriots, the Jaguars and the Bucs as solid teams. They are going to give you lot of problems.
Thanks for the comment
about 1 month ago
they won the saints game on a bad call also
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