A Denver Win in Buffalo Means the Broncos Are In

This past Sunday was not a good one for the Denver Broncos and their fans (including yours truly). A 30-10 loss to the NFC South-leading Carolina Panthers shook us in our seats and left us in complete disgust.

Jay Cutler, who we recently discovered is on his way to Hawaii, had a rare off-day, throwing for only 172 yards. Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall, Denver's other Pro-Bowlers had 48 yards apiece.

P.J. Pope—yeah, ever heard of him? He rushed for a team-high 51 yards on only seven carries. Tatum Bell also had 43 yards on the ground.

Carolina was an unstoppable force all game long. Carolina had exactly 400 yards total on offense. The two-headed monster of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart is tough to beat. The two wracked up 140 yards together.

It's time to regroup for Denver and get focused on making the playoffs.


Injury Report:

Buffalo:
QB- Trent Edwards, Questionable
WR- James Hardy, Questionable
RB- Marshawn Lynch, Probable
T- Jason Peters, Questionable
LB- Teddy Lehman, Questionable
CB- Dustin Fox, Questionable
CB- Jabari Greer, Out

Denver:
RB- Selvin Young, Probable
WR- Brandon Stokley, Questionable
T- Ryan Clady, Questionable
G- Chris Kuper, Questionable
LB- D.J. Williams, Probable
LB- Spencer Larsen, Questionable
CB- Champ Bailey, Questionable
S- Vernon Fox, Questionable

Buffalo could be without a few key players on offense, in Trent Edwards and Jason Peters. Denver's line could take a big hit if neither Chris Kuper or Ryan Clady can suit up to play.

Champ Bailey, who has been out since Week 7, should be able to play this week. But, hey, that's also what I said last week, and he didn't play. Hopefully his groin has healed up with a tube of Bengay and a heating pad.


Game Predictions:

Buffalo:
QB- J.P. Losman- 17-for-32, 228 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RB- Marshawn Lynch- 26 carries, 131 yards, 1 TD
WR- Lee Evans- 6 catches, 117 yards
LB- Kawika Mitchell- 9 tackles
LB- Paul Posluszny- 12 tackles
CB- Leodis McKelvin- 4 tackles, 1 INT

Denver:
QB- Jay Cutler- 22-for-35, 247 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RB- Tatum Bell- 11 carries, 57 yards
WR- Brandon Marshall- 7 catches, 110 yards, 1 TD
DE- Ebenezer Ekuban- 1 sack, 3 tackles
LB- Jamie Winborn- 11 tackles
CB- Dre Bly- 3 tackles, 1 INT


Final Score: Buffalo 17  Denver 27

Denver is a much better team than Buffalo. Denver is getting healthier each week, which will be key in the playoffs. I'm really hoping to see Champ Bailey play this week. Without him, Denver gets burned often on pass plays. Denver will clinch with a win or a San Diego loss this weekend.