Broncos-Dolphins: And We're Still in First Place How???

I'm only doing this for the sake of catharsis.

I'm sick and tired of writing about the shortcomings of my beloved Broncos and how they continue to contribute to the downward spiral that is becoming the 2008 season. 

Since starting out the year 3-0, the Broncos have gone 1-4, and it's been the same story over and over again in each one of their increasingly frustrating defeats: sluggish offense, bad defense, and turnovers. Unfortunately, today was no exception.

The turnover parade started early on as "the Cut Man" thought he should be the one to begin the festivities by tossing it straight into the hands of Dolphins safety Jason Allen on the third play of the game. Not to be outdone, two possessions later, Cutler did the Dolphins an even greater service by throwing his first touchdown of the day. 

The fact that it was to the other team is of no consequence on these pages. It was destined to be that kind of contest.

Cutler would end up throwing three picks, and for a while, in the first half, looked like he flat-out forgot how to play football. Cutler was able to pick it up in the second half to finish the day with 307 yards passing and two touchdowns, his first 300-yard passing day since Week Four, but the damage had long been done thanks to the Dolphins forcing the Broncos into becoming a one-dimensional offensive offense.

The Broncos finished this game with 14 rushing yards, or slightly more than everyone who contributes articles about those players here on Bleacher Report. It was the second-fewest yards in team history and solidified the sad fact that the Broncos' once-vaunted running attack under Mike Shanahan has been reduced to a running-back-by-committee, where the guy with the fewest Band-Aids gets the bulk of the carries. 

I won't even mention the phantom pass-interference call that nullified the 77-yard Cutler to Marshall touchdown. Oops...

The defense finally put together a decent day but couldn't come through when the Broncos had a chance to climb back in the fourth quarter. With the turnovers and prime field position the Dolphins were given all game, the defense could have easily folded up like they had previously and taken home another Patriot-like pounding. Instead, they fought and clawed and stopped the 'Phins offense from reaching the end zone...Until their final drive.

With the score 19-17, and the Dolphins facing a 3rd-and-19, the Broncos were poised to get the ball back with about five minutes remaining. Instead, they allow an 18.5-yard pass play to Ronnie Brown and the ensuing successful 4th-and-inches run. 

A few plays later, the Broncos had the 'Phins on the ropes once more with a 3rd-and-13 that was erased on a Ricky Williams reception. Ronnie Brown would eventually punch it in to increase the lead to 26-17 and send the Broncos back to the drawing board, as they'll have a short week in preparing for Thursday night's showdown with the Cleveland Browns.

I still don't feel any better about the game, but at least I'm not a Lions fan.