Every Denver fan has been troubled by it this season. Why are the Broncos so inconsistent? It's not just inconsistency, it's this trend of playing terribly when facing some of the league's worst.
So far this year, three of the Broncos' five losses have come to teams with four wins or less. They've lost to the Chiefs, Raiders, and Jaguars. The other two, to New England and Miami, were losses to legitimate contenders.
So, does this mean that the Broncos should really be 10-2, holding the second seed in the AFC? Well, yes, in some ways, but really no. The Broncos lost those three games because they were outplayed by those lowly bottom-feeding teams. But once again, why?
Denver has one of the youngest teams in the league. Of their key offensive players, none of them are over 29, and most of them came out of the '06 draft. This is good for the long-term prospects of the team and also means that the young guys can show a lot of heart and emotion while playing. But sometimes it is also the key factor in bringing them down.
The young guys are still maturing, and they have a good amount of confidence. In each of the three key losses, the team had just come off a big win against a legitimately contending team—the Chargers, Buccaneers, and Falcons. The Broncos players appeared to have completely overlooked those games, expecting to roll right through.
They will say that they didn't. In every press conference when they are asked, they will always say that they prepared just as if it were a playoff game.
I do not doubt that they prepared the same way physically, because Mike Shanahan is a very consistent coach. But mentally they clearly didn't bring the intensity that they brought to the games in which they were underdogs.
In the games in which they were expected to be dominated, they have brought intensity and heart that have won the game, as they proved against the Falcons and Jets.
If this team learns from their previous arrogance and wants to end the criticism and mixed confidence surrounding them, then they desperately need to end the streak this
Sunday at home against Kansas City.
They have proved, however, that they are unfazed by the analysis and predictions that they can most likely beat anyone in the AFC, either at home or on the road if they bring their best game and don't make mistakes or beat themselves.
This team definitely has the potential to go very far into the playoffs. They just need to pull themselves together now and get set for the long haul through December and hopefully January.
6 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Sayre Bedinger 7 months ago
I think a big advantage this week will be having Champ Bailey back in the lineup.
But, I agree. It all starts with Cutler. When Cutler's head gets too big, the Broncos lose. When Cutler plays like he has a pair, the Broncos win. In our seven wins, Cutler has 15 touchdowns to only three picks. In our five losses, he has 6 TD's and 9 picks. Winning the turnover battle is huge. Oh by the way, the Chiefs have forced more turnovers than anyone in the NFL. Trap game? Not a chance. With that thought in mind, the Broncos will game plan around Hillis, which they should have done with Pittman the first time around. Cutler will not throw 40+ passes unless the Broncos are forced to an early deficit.
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Michael Miller 7 months ago
Bailey is still day to day according to the Gazette.
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Raider Card Addict 7 months ago
Here's a solution....don't play at home. Will be hard, considering they'll have the AFC West crown, and probably a date with the Colts....
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Henry Gula 7 months ago
True, the Broncos have been pretty bad at home in recent weeks. Actually let's bump that to WINLESS at home since October 5th! Not a good thing.
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Anthony Masterson 7 months ago
I'm not sure it's arrogance as much as it's......it's......aw hell, I have no idea why this team does what they do on a week to week basis. If I did, I'd be on Pat Bowlen's payroll.
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Henry Gula 7 months ago
Yeah that's hopefully what the entire team has been trying to figure out all season. This is my best shot, but none of us really know because as soon as we think we do, they do another totally unpredictable thing!
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