Patriots receiver Deion Branch celebrates his 61 yard pass receptions for a touchdown at Foxborough. (Credit: AP/ Stephan Savoia)

Right from the get go the Divisional Round match up started out ugly for Denver, especially it’s secondary.  Tom Brady came out of the gate with a 7 yard touchdown pass to Wes Welker and finished with 6 touchdowns and 1 interception.  The one INT was a bright spot for the Broncos defense with Quinton Carter being in the right place at the right time.  Tebow and McGahee were able to march down a shortened field and punch it in with a rugby scrum that turned chippy.

Denver couldn’t capitalize on it’s next possession before half time to try and cut the Patriot lead down from 21-7 and the New England offense was able to strike twice before the break sucking the momentum out of the Broncos’ decision to defer until the 2nd half.  The media will surely question John Fox and his decision to let Tom Brady have the ball right out of the gate.  The Broncos were never able to find their feet.

These didn’t look like the solid unit that played Pittsburgh hard for 4 quarters last week.  They were hesitant and sloppy to tackle, letting 4 yard catches turn into 30 yard game changers.  Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen didn’t have an answer one month later for the incredible tight end duo of Gronkowski and Hernandez.  The two gouged the Broncos up and down the field a month later.  The Pats also used Hernandez as a half-back giving the Denver D fits much to the frustration of the orange and blue faithful.  A lot of credit should be given to New England’s defense.  They were by for the most effective unit against the Denver option, stifling Tebow, Johnson, Royal, and McGahee.  Regular viewers of this offense are used to seeing the option hit a wall but break out eventually, it never came tonight.

One of the first tasks of the offseason needs to be working on Orlando Franklin’s pass blocking.  The rookie right tackle struggled early and often with the pass rush and different blitz schemes.  The Pats saw something on tape, most likely the Lions game earlier in the year and used it to exploit the right side of the offensive line.  Denver had issues in the trenches most of the night, especially in pass blocking.  The frustration became visible in Tebow’s face late in the game.  Extended plays turned into huge losses rather than conversions.

However one of the said traits of a John Fox led team is that they will not give up until the final whistle.  The Broncos cleaned up in the 4th quarter, and started to slow Brady’s passing attack.  The offense drove to inside the 5 but the sloppy blocking came back to haunt them again as Tebow fought to find time to pass.   Von Miller started a shoving match with Matt Light and it exploded into a sideline pile up when Robert Ayers threw himself into the fray.  Clearly some boil over with Ayers going after Pat’s safety Patrick Chung who had hit and nearly injured Willis McGahee late out of bounds a few minutes earlier.  Ugly, and what Shannon Sharpe called classless, this was still a young team showing some fire no matter how badly they were beat.

Demaryius Thomas quietly had another solid game other than a drop on a crucial 3rd down conversion early in the game.  Bay-Bay finished with 6 receptions for 93 yards.  McGahee was able to pound the ball fairly well, making some tough 4, 5, and 7 yard gains.  However it was too much for “Fox Ball” to work when the opposing quarterback is breaking NFL playoff passing records on you.  McGahee finished with 76 yards and a touchdown.

New England Safety Patrick Chung attempts a tackle on Broncos runningback Willis McGahee. (credit: AP Photo / Stephan Savoia)

In summary this was a young team that brought a knife to a gun fight.  Brady and company assembled itself into a juggernaut and it was too much for Denver to keep up.  Even if the team had played a perfect game with 100% effort much akin to the Steeler victory it still may have not been enough.  With the safety position worn as thin as filo dough a Hall of Fame QB will make easy work of the passing game.  Brady victimized backup David Bruton all night and things didn’t get easier when rookie Rahim Moore stepped in after another injury hit the unit.  Something could be said about Denver’s pass rush not getting to Brady all night.  However it should be argued that it wouldn’t matter as he is one of the best at laying the ball into a hole left by a blitz.  Rush him and open the big play or sit back and let him throw darts into tight spaces.  Pick your poison.  There is much to be learned in this loss and over-achieving season for a team that went from 4-10 to defeating the defending AFC champions in the playoffs.  Hold your heads high and see you in the off-season Bronco fans.

Denver Broncos injury report: As expected, safety Brian Dawkins has officially been ruled out of Sunday’s playoff contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Fullback Spencer Larsen is doubtful. Safety David Bruton and cornerback Jonathan Wilhite are questionable, while wide receiver Eddie Royal and linebacker Von Miller are probable.

The loss (and presumed loss) of Dawkins and Larsen are hard to qualify. The Broncos defense played very well last week, but it hasn’t been the same without its leader on the field. And no run-first team is going to be as effective without its lead blocker.

We’ll have the Steelers’ injury report when it becomes available.

The Broncos' secondary has been hit hard by injuries in the second half of the season. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

There is a good chance that Denver will be without veteran safety Brian Dawkins (neck) for the fourth straight week on Sunday, when the Broncos take on the Steelers in the first round of the AFC Wild Card Playoffs.

Dawkins missed every practice this week, as did fullback Spencer Larsen, who suffered a knee sprain last week against Kansas City.  In Dawkins place, safety David Bruton will join rookie Quinton Carter at the back-end of Denver’s secondary.

Rookie fullback Austin Sylvester is expected to see his first NFL action if Larsen is not able to go, possibly starting for the first time in his career.  Sylvester hasn’t played in any games this season.

Wide receiver Eddie Royal (toe) and Bruton (Achilles) were limited during the week, but are expected to play Sunday.  If Bruton is not healthy enough to play, Rahim Moore would replace him.  Rookie linebacker Von Miller (thumb) fully participated in practice on Thursday and is looking to bounce back from his sackless slump.

For Pittsburgh, cornerback Cortez Allen (shoulder), linebacker James Harrison (toe), defensive end Brett Keisel (groin), running back Mewelde Moore (knee), safety Troy Polamalu (calf) and center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) did not participate in practice on Thursday.  The severity of those players’ injuries however is not yet known.

Quarterback Ben Reothlisberger (ankle) fully participated and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says that Roethisberger will be ready to play.  The full injury report will come out later today (Friday afternoon).

Buffalo Bills' Spencer Johnson (91) intercepts a pass by Denver Broncos' Tim Tebow (15) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011. Johnson scored a touchdown on the play. The Bills won 40-14. (AP Photo/David Duprey)

Broncos second-year quarterback Tim Tebow had a rough game last Saturday in Buffalo.  In fact, Tebow probably wishes the game had never happened.

According to the NFL statisticians, one of Tebow’s four interceptions on Saturday never happened.  Rather, the play has correctly been ruled a fumble, per Mike Klis of the Denver Post.

Tebow was whacked from behind on the arm by Bills linebacker Chris Kelsay. The ball popped straight in the air and was nabbed by Spencer Larsen (sic) who ran it in for a touchdown.

After further review, the NFL stat men ruled the play should have been ruled a fumble.

When Klis refers to Broncos fullback Spencer Larsen, he was attempting to write Spencer Johnson — it’s a relief that I’m not the only typo-infested writer covering the Broncos.  Tebow now has 12 passing touchdowns on the season against five interceptions and a passer rating of 77.9.

Meanwhile, the Broncos held their last full-padded practice of the regular season on Wednesday.  Safety Brian Dawkins was held out of practice with a lingering neck injury, Quinton Carter fully participated and fellow defensive backs David Bruton and Chris Harris were limited.

Image courtesy of @D_Brut30 — click twice to view larger.

With two days until Christmas Eve Denver plays the Bills, the Broncos have gotten into the Christmas spirit.  On the flight to Buffalo this afternoon, the offense sported ugly Christmas sweaters, per 850 KOA.

As we all know, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.  For receiver Eric Decker, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is wearing Christmas gear for all to see.

Safety David Bruton topped everyone though by posting an image of several players (seen above to the right), quarterback Brady Quinn and kicker Matt Prater among them.  Per Bruton, the team’s flight is three and a half hours long.  And oh, his tie sings.

Saturday’s game will start at 1 p.m. (ET) and will be broadcast on CBS (map here).  CBS’s No. 1 crew of Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Phil Simms (color commentary) will call the game.

A Broncos win this weekend plus an Oakland Raiders loss would clinch a playoff spot for the Broncos, and give them their first AFC West crown since the 2005 season.  A Division Title would be an excellent gift for Bronco fans, no doubt.

It’s pretty cool to see the Broncos getting all festive.  My family and I will be spending the weekend in Buffalo and attending the game; have a Merry Christmas, Broncos Country!

Bears running back Matt Forte will not play this week. (AP File Photo)

Week 14 Injury Report — Denver Broncos vs. Chicago Bears
Sunday, Dec. 1, 2011, Sports Authority Field at Mile High

Denver Broncos:

Questionable: RB Willis McGahee – Knee; WR Eddie Royal – Concussion.

Probable: S David Bruton – Achilles; S Quinton Carter – Cramps; T Ryan Clady – Knee; RB Jeremiah Johnson – Ankle; LB Von Miller – Thumb; DT Mitch Unrein – Back;

Chicago Bears:

Out: QB Jay Cutler – Right Thumb; RB Matt Forte – Knee; S Major Wright – Shoulder.

What we know:  Last week I wrote here that it sounded like Miller would play and that Royal wouldn’t.  On Sunday, Royal played and Miller didn’t.  So this week I’m just going to keep my mouth shut.

Broncos linebacker Von Miller is expected to play Sunday wearing a club-like cast on his right hand/thumb. (Image courtesy of Chris Hall/BroncosTV)

WEEK 13 – DENVER BRONCOS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS Injury Report:
Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, Mall of America Field (Metrodome)

• Denver Broncos:

Questionable: LB Von Miller – Thumb; WR Eddie Royal – Toe.

Probable: S David Bruton – Achilles; T Ryan Clady – Knee; TE Daniel Fells – Hand; RB Willis McGahee – Illness.

• Minnesota Vikings:

Out: CB Chris Cook – Not Injury Related; RB Adrian Peterson – Ankle.

Questionable: CB Asher Allen – Shoulder; WR Percy Harvin – Illness; LB E.J. Henderson – Shoulder; TE Kyle Rudolph – Quadriceps.

Probable: G Anthony Herrera – Knee; LB Erin Henderson – Hamstring; S Jamarca Sanford – Shoulder; TE Visanthe Shiancoe – Hamstring.

• What we know:

Peterson will not play, and Royal is iffy at best.  Miller says he will play, and it sounds like he will.

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson may not be able to play on Sunday. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

The Broncos and Vikings may be without some of their star players on Sunday when they play each other in Minnesota.  The Broncos may be without rookie linebacker Von Miller, who did not practice on Thursday with a thumb injury.

The Vikings may not have running back Adrian Peterson, who did not practice on Thursday with an ankle injury.  Peterson expects to be a game-time decision, while the status of Miller is ”in the medical people’s hands,” according to Broncos Coach John Fox.

Also on the Broncos Thursday injury report were tight end Daniel Fells (hand, full participation), safety David Bruton (Achilles, full), running back Willis McGahee (illness, limited) and receiver Eddie Royal (toe, limited).  The Viking’s Jared Allen missed practice for a second straight day, but the team says it was for non-injury-related reasons.

Also of note, although not injury-related, the Vikings waived quarterback Donovan McNabb on Thursday, per his request.  Rookie Christian Ponder has started the last five games at quarterback for Minnesota.

The Broncos would greatly benefit if Miller is able to go and Peterson is not.  More to come on Friday when the official injury report comes out.

Receiver Eddie Royal has battled injuries this season. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Broncos rookie linebacker Von Miller (thumb) and receiver Eddie Royal (toe) are both questionable to play on Sunday against the Vikings.  Neither of the two players participated in practice Monday, nor did veteran running back Willis McGahee, who Coach John Fox said was excused due to “illness.”

“[Von Miller] will be day-to-day, just like everybody else,” said Fox on Wednesday.  “By league rule we don’t have to announce what their availability will be until Friday, and we won’t do so until then.”

Also on the injury report Wednesday were tight end Daniel Fells (hand), safety David Bruton (Achilles), and offensive tackle Ryan Clady (knee).  All three players participated in practice and are expected to play Sunday, barring any set-backs.

The Broncos will be looking for their fifth straight road win for the first time since 1998 on Sunday; having the roster at full strength would considerably help towards extending that streak.

Fox would not comment when asked if Miller had surgery on his thumb, which means he probably did.  Hopefully Miller, Royal and the rest of the injured Broncos are back on the field soon.

Raiders report and key after the jump.

Key

DNP – Did Not Participate; LP – Limited Participation; FP – Full Participation; NL – Not Listed

Probable – virtual certainty player will be available for normal duty
Questionable – 50/50 chance player will not play
Doubtful – at least 75% chance player will not play
Out – player definitely will not play