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Published on 12/24/2011 at Sat Dec 24 14:17.
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Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos looks to hand off to Lance Ball #35 at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 24, 2011 in Orchard Park, New York. (Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Quarterback Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos have thrived on big deficits in the fourth quarter in 2011. Down 14-26 with 12 minutes left in the game, it seemed time for the Mile High Miracle Man to go back to work.

There would be no Tebow/Christmas/Festivus Miracle for the Broncos this time. In fact, things only got worse.

Within minutes, Tebow threw two interceptions that were both returned for touchdowns. Later in the fourth quarter he threw another interception in the end zone, and the Buffalo Bills went on to thump the playoffs-chasing Broncos 40-14 in Week 16 NFL action.

The Broncos’ only impressive offensive drives took place at the beginning of both halves. Tebow and company executed a pair of beautiful touchdown drives in the first and third quarters. Other than that, they were negatively beset by poor blocking, horrendous playcalling, and costly turnovers.

Defensively, the Broncos played perhaps their worst game of the season. C.J. Spiller had a career day against Denver’s supposedly vaunted defense, and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was hardly touched by Denver’s pass rushing specialists. Special teams also had more than its share of struggles — when Bills returner Leodis McKelvin wasn’t running a punt back 80 yards for a touchdown, the Broncos were continually getting called for penalties on their coverage and return units.

For all the team wins the Broncos have enjoyed this season, this was truly a total team loss.

For Broncos fans, this late-season “collapse” feels all too familiar. It was only three years ago, in 2008, that the division-leading 8-6 Broncos played the lowly Bills in the second-to-last week of the season. Those Broncos lost then, too. They also lost the next week — and missed the playoffs. Those were the Broncos last games coached by Mike Shanahan and quarterbacked by Jay Cutler.

The good news is that the Broncos still control their own destiny — win, at home, against the Kansas City Chiefs next week, and they will win the AFC West. B

But after two mistake-filled losses, there are a lot of nervous fans in Broncos country.

  • Dante Pakistan

    Tebows worst game as a pro came at a bad time, not all
    On him though, a completely uninspired performance all around. Let’s man up and take care of business next week!

    Not much analysis needed on this game, we sucked, lost to an inferior team, pathetic!

  • Anonymous

    Well my post last week that we were exposed doesn’t seem so stupid now. We have, in-fact, been exposed as a very young team that is NOT playoff ready. Perhaps still Playoff bound and I do hope so but today was not good.

    I will be very interested in seeing what the excuses are here but hope the realism of the situation is acknowledged rather than thought of as negative or blindly saying they are ready for or should be a playoff team. Fact is there isn’t a team in the AFC West that is playoff worthy, but the rules will put one of us in there…lol.

  • Bryan

    I agree 100% with Doom

    Here we go again.

    A team that needed to win WHOOPED by a team with nothing to lose. Back to back games the defense needed to show up and were no where to be found. Eric Decker can NOT catch. And another game that forced the pass to beat them. Another mediocre season.

    This team has no business in the playoffs.

  • Josimmons25

    we have a lot of work to do on defense. can we learn how to tackle? There were so many miss tackles today. Tackle around the ankles, this tackling above the waist has to go. After the first drive the play calling on offense was terrible. Its run run run punt or run run pass on 3rd punt. I love that chris harris guy.  i wondering did Q Carter get benched for bruton?

  • Dante Pakistan

    I was with you last week Doom, don’t you hate being right?

  • areferee

    A verse for the faithful in a time of great need:  Job 11:16

  • Tammy

    Wow.  I should be used to this by now.  A collapse at the end of the season.  Typical.  Its the Broncos.  What record will a KC Chief break next week?  How’s John Elway going to look next week after Ortonary puts it to us?  Broncos, you are pathetic.  I’m sorry I got my hopes up.  I should have known better.  I’m sorry I wasted a beautiful Christmas Eve day watching and stressing out over you sorry, pathetic, in-it-for-the-money losers.  Would have been better off watching the NBA!

  • crybaby

    Hey Tammy why don’t you quit bitching and go do that, the broncos don’t need fans like you 

  • Dante Pakistan

    Yeah cause NBA players really care about their teams, they’re not at all the athletes who are in for the money the most!

  • Anonymous

    Have not seen the second half yet, but what a mess.  Checked the stats and see Tebow with 4 picks, 2 for TD’s… ugh.

    Von Miller 1 tackle, are you kidding me?  I know he’s been hurt, but he has been non-factor the last couple of weeks.  Dawkins goes out and the D looks lost.  Bailey is a good athlete, but lousy leader.  You’re telling me he can’t direct traffic back there?  

    Hate to say it, but this reminds me exactly of when teams figured out the Broncos after six games when McClown was here.   We’ll see what happens next week, but what a difference two weeks make.

  • Anonymous

    Have not seen the second half yet, but what a mess.  Checked the stats and see Tebow with 4 picks, 2 for TD’s… ugh.

    Von Miller 1 tackle, are you kidding me?  I know he’s been hurt, but he has been non-factor the last couple of weeks.  Dawkins goes out and the D looks lost.  Bailey is a good athlete, but lousy leader.  You’re telling me he can’t direct traffic back there?  

    Hate to say it, but this reminds me exactly of when teams figured out the Broncos after six games when McClown was here.   We’ll see what happens next week, but what a difference two weeks make.

  • Anonymous

    Nope I don’t like it at all and its not about Oooooo I’m right, its just about being realistic. I, as most, somewhat expected us to lose to NE. Didn’t want it for sure, but wasn’t surprised and wasn’t “upset”… just real. I had hoped that we could at least play NE tight. 

    Today I was upset, period! I had started believing like I have not in years to be truthful and this was very disappointing. No, I know all is not lost or what ever you want to call it, but the Broncos showed today how much they have been OVER-achieving, not how much they Under-achieved the last two weeks. The Bills clearly have talent but they are not even close to a playoff team… Really where does that put us?

    And gosh yes Paaaalease fix this secondary! Goodman was his real self once again. Neither of our rookie safeties look at this point like they can or will even remotely pan out. Did anyone else see the tackle that Goodman kind of made right after or 3 & out #3? He sat back and gave 4 yards and then didn’t even rap up, yeah the one near the side line (2nd qtr-ish). NO drive at all, it truly looked like Spiller ran into him on accedent…lol. Of course I’m just giving an example of how it ALL looked out there.

    Ahhhh yes back to the 5 - 3 and outs in a row… Really!?! Simply sad. No other way I can think to put it with out sounding like I’m trashing them… Like I said, I’m just truly disappointed. I would of course be happy if we win next week but I’m not sure how proud i am or would be of being the Champs of the worst Division in the NFL!!!

    I watched the highlights of the other games… If we win next week and the Steelers or Ravens end up the wild card team we could be embarrassed really bad. Watching how the Steelers are playing was scary. Then again we could snap and go off on them…lol. I suppose that is part of the fun with this team, they can do it! And please do not be children and start yapping and insulting about how I’m a Steelers or Ravens fan or should be. I’m talkin’ football not bashing!

  • Anonymous

    Hey bud, I tried to respond to you in the chat but my post wasn’t going through. Have a Merry Christmas buddy! :)

  • Anonymous

    It just gave the coaches a great opportunity to assess and scheme to our strengths and around our weaknesses for next weeks game. Today was hard to watch but probably a good thing for our young team to face such adversity. It will either help us come playoff time to have gone through this as a unit and pulled ourselves up, or it will serve them will in 2012 when they think back and remember every week, no matter who you are playing you have to bring your A game!

    Hey, at least SD is eliminated from the playoffs two years in a row! They got beat as bad by Detroit as we did and they are an experienced team that didn’t just undergo a complete roster makeover, new coaches, new game plans and a QB change (in a shortened offseason mind you).

    We have SO over performed this year, it’s been a great 2011 no matter what the final outcome.

    Merry Christmas and GO BRONCOS!

  • Anonymous

    Would have to agree cave man.  It’s seems like ages since the last time the last game of the season actually meant something.  

    Thinking maybe Norv Turner as OC next year.

    Merry Christmas all!!

  • Anonymous

    Would have to agree cave man.  It’s seems like ages since the last time the last game of the season actually meant something.  

    Thinking maybe Norv Turner as OC next year.

    Merry Christmas all!!

  • Anonymous

    You to Trog, I wish you and yours the best Christmas ever man!

    And no problem, I left right after that.

  • Anonymous

    You are very right on two counts… SD had flopped yet again and that always makes me happy :-). The only thing better is watching #1 the Raiders flop. And #2 KC flop…lol.

    And the other – We have for sure, as I mentioned above, completely over-achieved and either way finish better than thought by most. If nothing else we have not only been relative but have got all of us talking a bunch… I picked us to go 7-9 under Orton. To go 9-7 OR 8-8 under Tebow would have been a total fantasy pick!!!

  • Anonymous

    Merry Christmas to you as well Ant…

  • King

    Yep.  Tebow made some bad decisions, but after the 1st quarter, even our O-line seemed to play less sharp. 

    Hopefully everyone will recover from this little losing streak and be ready to play hard for 4 quarters against KC.

  • flbronc

    Ugly game. One more chance this year though.

    Merry Christmas!

  • http://twitter.com/Josh_D_Manning Joshua D. Manning

    Agreed!!!

  • tim richard fox

    Have to say that this was the worst game i have ever seen in terms of play calling.  1st and run, 2nd and run, 3rd and pass (sometimes) but usually run.  Every other team knows how to adapt in the second quarter, but our coaching staff seems to lack the know-how to simply adapt from quarter to quarter.  When we get behind huge in the third and fourth quarters – when the bills are expecting us to pass, then we pass.  Where was the option and short pass plays today.  Defense was also nowhere today.  How about a  pass rush.  I have an idea, maybe we need to stop kicking it to the same guy who keeps gashing us.  Also Tebow needs to quit staring down recievers and try a pump fake?

  • VINCEMARINE

    Well said in your second paragraph. I would rather be over achieving than under achieving. No one to include myslef would have thought we’d still have a chance at the playoffs. I’ll def take it and if anything its been exciting. GO BRONCOS!

  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

    The game was very forgettable, but my pregame experience was not!

    Have a Merry Christmas, everybody!

  • Dragonborn

    Merry Christmas to all of you and your families! Please all of you remember that 3 months ago we were at 1-4 and we did not know if we were going to win another game and nobody was talking playoffs. Now we are one win away from wining the division (or one loss and a Raiders loss). As a season ticket holder I will take a postseason game at home no matter how it comes. A few thoughts….

    Buffalo is not a bad team. They were lighting up the scoreboard earlier in the season and after 7 losses they were about to go off on somebody. It happens every Sunday with some team in the NFL.

    As good as the defense played overall during the winning stretch they are still ranked 24? in the league. I have never seen so many 5 yard passes to opposing running backs and tight ends turn into 40 yard gains. They have not caused a meaningful turnover in the last two games and the opposing QB has all the time in the world to pass the ball. We need a couple of drafts to replenish our needs. We need a CB and Beef in our interior defense. 

    Buffalo got so many breaks today. The refs missed their returner stepping out of bounds and the penalty on Rosario on Royal’s return was plain ridiculous. That was a 14 point swing. And the Raider like moronic penalty on Moore cannot happen anymore. 

    McGahee is not healthy and it shows after a few drives. As much as some of you do not like Moreno he is deadly on open space and we could have used him as a safety valve and check down receiver to help Tebow sustain some drives. 

    I am still not sold on McCoy as a play caller. During the miracle stretch Tebow made him look 1000 times better than he is. Dude we have 4 tight ends! Use them! Call a screen here and there. Call some short routes. Mix your play calling. Run , Run go deep Timmy. Please!

    With all the controversy, inexperience, injuries, short pre-season, new coach, FO and the way the season started etc. a trip to the playoffs and a post season game in Denver will be a tremendous over achievement. Even if it does not happen I am really happy with the direction of our Broncos and very excited to see what the future brings.

    Have an awesome 2012 full of health, wealth and happiness all of you.

    GO BRONCOS!

  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

    I actually don’t think the Broncos have been exposed over the past two weeks, I think they’ve just played sloppy football and hurt themselves more than teams beating them.

    But you may be onto something.  I think we’ll find out next week.  If we get beat up again, then yes, I think we’ll all agree the Broncos were exposed for who they really are.

    If they bounce back and have a great game and win, I think it will show that they just had back-to-back bad games and needed to get their mojo back.

  • Denver Dog

    There was an article in the Denver Post about how the Bills defense  figured out how to beat Tebow and the Broncos.  I figured it out weeks ago and I don’t even know anything about football.  I can sit on my couch and call the plays we will run.  Run up the middle.  Run up the middle.  Run/Short Pass.  Third and long, so short pass for just enough yards to be short of the first down.  Maybe Fox and McCoy think we don’t have the talent to do anything else.  They are not very creative coaches.  And the our defense stinks again.  We let the Bills set some sort of record for the most points scored at home and TJ Spiller got his first 100-yard game against us.  Even taking away the 14 points Tebow gave the Bills, the score still would have been 26-14.  What records will Orton and the Chiefs break next week?  This is starting to feel like 2008 all over again.  And does that mean if we lose next week, Fox and McCoy get fired?  That would be a merry Christmas indeed!

  • truthspeaker

    You win, you are a hero.
    You lose you are Mr. Hanky.

  • Bryan

    I wouldn’t say “figured” out. Teams know that we live and die with the run, with a one dimensional attack there isn’t much to figure out.

    Except for the scripted plays to open the games (which have worked very well), the play calling has been very suspect after that…kicking to McKelvin after he broke out the first couple returns, run run pass punt repeat, way to keep the defense on their heels!

    If anything has been figured out, it has been our defense. Zero pass rush and -7 in turn overs the past two games have not helped at all. CJ Spiller had no problem making it to the second level, and the younger guys in the secondary are getting roasted.

    I hate to say it again, but Eric “Drive Killer” Decker has dropped ALOT of catches that he had 2 hands on, most seem to be on 3rd down. Feed the ball to Royal and D Thomas.

  • Anonymous

    That’s awesome! Merry Christmas :)

  • King

    I agree.  Decker is a 2nd rate receiver, unfortunately. 

    The Bills exposed our defense also.  Spiller was running through gaps you could drive a Mack truck through.  We looked horrible in all phases of the game. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Charles-Hubbard/1276400123 Charles Hubbard

    Jesus would never promote or wear anything honoring the name of the pagan goddess NIKE.

    God had me share this with Tim Tebow… but from what I can tell… he decided he could profit by honoring both the Name of God and the name of the pagan goddess NIKE.

    So we get to see who is right… God or Tim Tebow.

    I’ll go with God on this one.

  • Anonymous

    Are you serious??? I hope that was a joke or you are really out there man…lol.

  • Anonymous

    That is quite awesome Jon… Good for you man!

  • Anonymous

    What would “bouncing back” over the Chiefs prove? That we can beat another sub-par non-playoff team? I hate this “comes down to the last game” crap they seem to do in a number of years any way, no matter who is in charge. Sure all teams want to make the playoffs but it was nice when we knew we were in weeks in advance rather than barley ‘sneaking’ in.

    Our first SB year we went in as the wild card team but the diff was that then we had “the team” and now we don’t. Getting creamed/embarrassed in a wild card game is worse than not getting in, least I think so. But of course I never “want” us to loose so here’s to hoping we beat KC – (raises his water bottle…).

  • Anonymous

    I agree with you Bryan in that there is NOTHING to figure out… And your right run, run, pass, punt OR more typically run, run, run, punt is OR as we saw this week pass attempt, pass attempt , pass attempt, punt is painful (notice I said attempt). I as well have a hard time deciphering weather its bad play calling or bad execution…

    Prolly some where in between, but being the #1 3-N-out team in the league isn’t a good thing and for sure does not spell playoff contender… maybe back-door slider-iner…lol.

  • Anonymous

    At the risk of having you freak out, I disagree… I don’t think Decker is a second rate WR at all. He has dropped a few just like any one else but more often than not he has been GROSSLY under thrown (like Sat) and some ill thrown passes have come his way… Thats a fact, not just saying it!

    As for looking horrible… You are spot on!

  • Anonymous

    Well DD sit back and take a chill pill brother because this TT style slow moving attack is here to say for a few years on the short term.

    So, as I’m ‘trying’ to do you might as well embrace it ;-)…

  • Anonymous

    He posts that garbage all over the place. I’ve seen him on some of the fox news posts too.

    He’s really going to freak out next year when the whole league switches to the new Nike uniforms lol.

  • Anonymous

    The Chiefs just beat the Packers. Last year the Seahawks beat the Saints in the playoffs. A couple years ago a really crappy Cardinals team limped in and nearly won the SB.

    Sure we are likely going to get owned in the 1st round BUT the beauty of the playoffs is that the “Any Given Sunday” rule still applies and that 1 good game gives a shot at another Any Given Sunday.

    Besides that, it would be a good experience for our team and give the young guys a taste they will want more of next year. Far better for them to go out with a playoff blowout than a regular season loss where they just couldn’t pull together.

  • Darwin

    It is hard to tell if it is the play calling or the execution that is causing these melt downs by Tebow.  Does McCoy not have any faith, whatsoever, in Tebow’s ability to throw on 1st or 2nd down in the first half of a game?
    I really don’t know what is going on.  Tim appears to have brain-locks when he is reading defenses early in a game.  Throw the damn ball Timmy!  If he has to have 5-8 seconds for every complete pass then this is just not going to work long term. 
    The defense is going to fall to little bitty pieces if the Broncos keep on having so many three and outs.
    Mr. Elway make the decisions you want to make in regard to the future of your quaterback situation.  If you believe in Tebow’s ability to get significantly better as a passer go with him.  If not make the quick decision to go with someone else.  I believe in your judgement right now a lot more than Tebow’s.
    I hope he does succeed but I am just not convinced.
     

  • Anonymous

    For most of you that post regularly, you know I am a fan of Tebow and want him to succeed.  Given what I’ve seen since he took over I am of the opinion that we still don’t know what we have.  While he has displayed a magic like presence late in the game, I would categorize the rest of his game, especially the passing part, as just north of awful.

    Elway and company have some tough decisions to make pertaining to the draft.  Do you move up and go after a RG3 or stick to your plan of drafting the best available athlete?   I don’t know, but it sure would be nice to have an insurance policy if TT does not work out.  If he does then you have great trade material.  On the other hand, this team needs so much help (as in LB, DT, CB,S, OL, TE, RB and yes QB) I don’t even know where you start.

    KC will be a great test and tell us a lot about the core of this team. Will they man-up and play with a chip on their shoulder or will they whimper and fall like they have done for the past 3-4 years???

    Looking forward to a meaningful game we can and should win, but man, this feels soooo much like Shanny’s last year.  We’ll see.

  • Bryan

    Very sick!  I’m a tiny bit jealous.
    @anthony33:disqus 
    I didn’t see your big group any where man.  There was alot of orange in our section.  Maybe next time!

  • Bryan

    The Seahawks and Cards were the first to come to my mind also, but don’t forget the 08 season that we got creamed in the last week by the Charg….err, I mean that one team from San Diego.  They “limped in” at 8-8 and beat the Colts in the first round. 

    Getting hot and running the table is never out of the equation, and sometimes its just better to be lucky than good. I think this team is capable of winning out, there just can’t be any mistakes and superb execution.   

    If we get in, and we lose, I’d rather it be in a nail biter than a demoralizing blow out.   

  • Hunnydoo11

    Goodman has to go. Tired of his “spectator” defense. And if you really want to watch the most useless Bronco on the field, watch Carter (28). I think he’s trying to keep his uniform clean for 4 quarters. He flies through the air on every other play and never touches a soul. Watch the last score from last week. He gives the Buffalo player an escort into the end zone. God forbid he tackle anyone. Time for Fox to clean house on these two who want to make it look good, but never seem to make the play. Sorry guys, this is the NFL. MAKE THE PLAY or watch with the rest of on Sunday from your living rooms.

  • Hunnydoo11

    I hope Carter was benched…for the season. Wild hair!!! Flailing arms!!! Falling down every play…but never touches the runner. Hey is Atwater healthy? Now that guy could put a hit on people. He’d probably be more effective in retirement, than Carter.

  • Anonymous

    I wouldn’t say his passing is north of awful. Sure it needs a lot of work but people love to nit pick on the guy that really don’t know what they are talking about.

    Look at all the people commenting on his “underthrown” deep balls. Those are the exact same passes that Rodgers and Brees get praised NON STOP for making. The only difference is their WR’s are going up and making spectacular catches. Yet still, they get credit like it was some amazing throw that couldn’t have been made by QB’s 10 years ago.

    Could he do a better job hitting them in stride sometimes? Of course but what the hell do you expect when you have 3 wr’s (Thomas, Decker and Royal) that all run different 40 times and he’s had extremely limited reps. And don’t forget they have been even more limited this year because of the new rules that prohibits them from practicing longer.

    Another problem is the WR’s are simply not getting open. The announcers love to talk about Tebow holding the ball to long and sure he does sometimes but the fact is his WR’s aren’t getting the job done on their end either.

    Part of that HAS to be the coaching. I’ve said it a millions times and will continue to say it, why isn’t Eddie Royal consistently running slants? He is a smart guy who knows how to sit in the zone and 1 on 1 he should torch 90% of the CB’s in the league.

    The Bronco’s really screwed Tebow this year by cutting Lloyd. That may pay off next year if we draft someone great in the 5th but this year he doesn’t have a safety valve to throw to. Lloyd would have made a lot of those catches and kept the chains moving. He doesn’t have a pass catching TE and Decker and Royal both continue to struggle holding on to the ball. 

    His best WR right now is Thomas and he is still a rookie in terms of playing time and he has almost no time with Tebow.

    Given a full offseason to practice with his wr’s and his coaches, he will be fine. Will he ever be great? I think the potential is there but I have no idea. He will be a top 12 QB in the league though and probably a top 5 4th quarter QB which is certainly good enough to make a SB run behind if the rest of the team is in place.

  • Anonymous

    I wouldn’t say his passing is north of awful. Sure it needs a lot of work but people love to nit pick on the guy that really don’t know what they are talking about.

    Look at all the people commenting on his “underthrown” deep balls. Those are the exact same passes that Rodgers and Brees get praised NON STOP for making. The only difference is their WR’s are going up and making spectacular catches. Yet still, they get credit like it was some amazing throw that couldn’t have been made by QB’s 10 years ago.

    Could he do a better job hitting them in stride sometimes? Of course but what the hell do you expect when you have 3 wr’s (Thomas, Decker and Royal) that all run different 40 times and he’s had extremely limited reps. And don’t forget they have been even more limited this year because of the new rules that prohibits them from practicing longer.

    Another problem is the WR’s are simply not getting open. The announcers love to talk about Tebow holding the ball to long and sure he does sometimes but the fact is his WR’s aren’t getting the job done on their end either.

    Part of that HAS to be the coaching. I’ve said it a millions times and will continue to say it, why isn’t Eddie Royal consistently running slants? He is a smart guy who knows how to sit in the zone and 1 on 1 he should torch 90% of the CB’s in the league.

    The Bronco’s really screwed Tebow this year by cutting Lloyd. That may pay off next year if we draft someone great in the 5th but this year he doesn’t have a safety valve to throw to. Lloyd would have made a lot of those catches and kept the chains moving. He doesn’t have a pass catching TE and Decker and Royal both continue to struggle holding on to the ball. 

    His best WR right now is Thomas and he is still a rookie in terms of playing time and he has almost no time with Tebow.

    Given a full offseason to practice with his wr’s and his coaches, he will be fine. Will he ever be great? I think the potential is there but I have no idea. He will be a top 12 QB in the league though and probably a top 5 4th quarter QB which is certainly good enough to make a SB run behind if the rest of the team is in place.

  • Anonymous

    Yeah thinking about it more I spose you have a point that loosing a play-off is better than loosing to the Chefs any day ;-)