Cheifs-Broncos: Denver Gets the Monkey Off Their Backs

It took the alternate orange home jerseys this week for the Denver Broncos to break their streak of home losses, and more importantly give their confidence a huge boost. Denver had been quite an enigma all season, losing inexplicable games to teams with one or two wins coming in, and this week they finally beat someone they were supposed to beat, too.

With still five minutes left in the first quarter, Bronco fans were feeling the same terrible feeling beginning to creep over them, as the offense had already looked like it has on "bad" team days. Jay Cutler then made things worse with a pick-six to Kansas City defensive back Maurice Legett to put the Chiefs up 10-0. Another embarrassing day?

As if trying to prove that bad feeling wrong, Cutler went out and put together an impressive drive right down the field culminating with a straight shot run into the endzone for RB Peyton Hillis, adding to his rookie season legacy.

The Chiefs then put together a seven minute, 80 yard drive for a touchdown to future hall of famer Tony Gonzalez. The drive featured several big completions to Gonzalez.

As the first half finished, the Broncos were able to score to bring the score to 17-14 Chiefs, but in the process Peyton Hillis was injured. He made an incredible catch going up and over a defender, but came off the field limping and didn't return. Early reports are of a hamstring injury with unknown seriousness.

Brandon Marshall, who had a huge game caught the touchdown in double coverage on his fingertips and kept his feet inbounds. He once again looked to be back in his early season form in this game, where it was extremely difficult for the defenders to cover him.

The second half opened with an uneventful third quarter which featured only two field goal attempts by Matt Prater, one of which he made to tie the game at 17 all.

The final score of the game came early in the fourth, with old friend Tatum Bell really stepping up in place of Peyton Hillis. Bell collected 52 yards on 11 carries during the second half. The drive ended with Brandon Marshall spinning and trucking his way into the endzone after a little screen pass from Cutler. The Broncos took their first lead of the game, 24-17.

In the final gasp for Kansas City, the Chiefs got the ball all the way to the Denver 10 yard line, and on fourth and goal they were forced to go for the touchdown and the tie. Quarterback Tyler Thigpen surveyed his options and seeing everyone covered, took off up the middle.

It appeared that he would get in, as there was only one man, cornerback Dre' Bly (who isn't known for his tackling skills) to beat. As all of Invesco field held its breath, Bly hit Thigpen, was driven forward a bit but held on, bringing the quarterback to the turf with just inches to spare.

As the Invesco faithful roared to their feet, the Broncos only had to run down the final four minutes to record their eighth win of the season.

The Broncos are now guaranteed not to have a losing season, which is a load off of Mike Shanahan's back in itself, as last year the team finished 7-9. With the Chargers win over Oakland, Denver still leads the AFC West by three games, with only three left to play. A win next week at Carolina would lock up the division no matter what.

Jay Cutler finished with a strong day, completing 80 percent of his passes for 286 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also collected 16 yards rushing.

In hindsight, the players of the game were Tatum Bell for stepping in for Hillis and making things happen on the ground, Brandon Marshall for scoring the final two touchdowns and being the superstar that all Bronco fans know he can be deep down, and Dre' Bly for making the game-saving tackle.

Once again, it was a nail biter, but the Broncos have finally beaten a bad team, and won at Invesco Field at Mile High.

I can't wait to see them face off against the Panthers, trying to go 4-0 against the strong NFC South.