Broncos-Jets: Denver Cools Off White-Hot Jets

The weather was cold, wet, and slippery, and the Denver Broncos silenced a pumped up New York Jets community.

The Broncos won their third consecutive road game in impressive fashion, defeating a Jets team in the midst of a five game winning streak 34-17 to improve to 7-5 on the season.

Brett Favre and the Jets were supposed to wipe the floor with the seven-point underdog Broncos, but apparently Denver never received that message.

From the outset, the Broncos defense seemed to play inspired, and a couple of Thomas Jones runs aside, they were downright stingy.

Vernon Fox, a backup safety scored the game's opening touchdown on a fumble by wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery. Cotchery was attempting to receive a reverse pitch, and he couldn't quite control it and fumbled for what appeared to viewers to be a big loss.

However, as Wesley Woodyard and Elvis Dumervil attempted to touch Cotchery down, he lost control yet again and Fox made him pay.

The Jets answered quickly with a 59-yard touchdown run from Thomas Jones, who had quite a game. 

Four plays later, Denver rookie sensation Eddie Royal caught a short out-pass and broke free for a 59-yard score of his own.

The Broncos added a Matt Prater field goal to extend their lead to 17-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Thomas Jones built off of his first quarter success with another solid run early in the second quarter that resulted in a 29-yard touchdown.

Jones appeared to have been tackled, but he maintained his balance somehow and scampered into the end zone to cut the Broncos' lead to three.

Denver struck back later in the quarter with a Peyton Hillis touchdown run from one yard out. 

Hillis, the seventh round pick out of Arkansas had a career game for the Broncos as he ran for 129 yards on 22 carries, becoming the first back to rush for 100 yards against this the third ranked rush defense in the NFL.

After the Hillis touchdown, the Broncos got a field goal from Matt Prater near the end of the first half.

The third quarter was a quiet one in terms of scoring, and the only points came in the form of a Jay Feely field goal, making it 27-17 Broncos.

In the fourth, quarterback Jay Cutler found a wide open Brandon Stokley for his second touchdown pass of the game. 

That score was the last one of the game, giving the Broncos a 34-17 victory.

The Broncos' victory, coupled with another San Diego loss all but seals the division for the Broncos.

If Denver can win next week against Kansas City, they will likely lock up the AFC West.

Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler silenced a rowdy New York crowd, throwing for 357 yards and two touchdowns.

The Broncos proved today that they will be a tough out for anyone come post season time, playing their best ball against the hottest team in the league.