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Published on 12/21/2009 at Mon Dec 21 12:00.
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Denver’s playoffs start now

Posted Mon Dec 21st by

Denver Broncos' Mario Haggan hits Oakland Raiders quarterback Charlie Frye in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Denver on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider)

Denver Broncos' Mario Haggan hits Oakland Raiders quarterback Charlie Frye in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Denver on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider)

Congratulations are in order for the 2009 San Diego Chargers, winners of the AFC West for an NFL-best fourth straight season following the Denver Broncos‘ 19-20 loss to the Oakland Raiders Sunday. The Chargers have won nine straight games and their last 17 in December in what is the most impressive season of Norv Turner‘s career.

/Dry heaves

Now that that’s out of the way, the Broncos can focus on the AFC Wild Card race.

The good news? The Broncos control their own destiny. At 8-6, two wins will guarantee them the 6th seed in the playoffs, and higher if Baltimore stumbles.

The bad news? The margin for error is slimmer than ever. Six teams sit at 7-7, waiting for the Broncos to stumble and tie up the standings days before the postseason begins.

It’s quite simple for Denver: Win and you’re in. Two games, that is. One win probably won’t be enough.

In other words, for the Broncos, the playoffs have already begun.

Purely for the sake of thoroughness, though (and a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor), the Broncos can clinch a playoff spot in Week 16 with a win against Philadelphia. They just need Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Tennessee, and the New York Jets all to lose or tie, and Miami and Houston (who play each other) to tie.

That’s not happening. Setting aside that which the Broncos do not control, even winning in Philadelphia is a tall task.

Denver Broncos' Ryan McBean (98) celebrates after Denver recovered an Oakland Raiders' fumble in the third quarter of an NFL football game in Denver on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider)

Denver Broncos' Ryan McBean (98) celebrates after Denver recovered an Oakland Raiders' fumble in the third quarter of an NFL football game in Denver on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider)

We’d like to propose a challenge to the Broncos: Do it anyway.

An appearance in the playoffs isn’t the end of the road, it’s the beginning of a new one. The Broncos’ only reason for wanting to qualify for the tournament should be the chance to make it to the end.

If the Broncos want to compete against the best in January, they need to compete with the decent in December. Playing in New England or Cincinnati during a playoff game isn’t going to be any easier than playing the 10-4 Eagles in the regular season. If the Broncos don’t believe they can win this game, what’s the point of making the tournament?

Oh, by the way, the Broncos are 2-0 against Cincinnati and New England this season (if they win out they would likely play at either opponent in the postseason’s first week), and they’re 3-2 against the AFC’s slated division winners.

It’s true that Denver isn’t as hot as they were earlier in the year, but history has shown us that even the coldest of teams can make a run with a well-timed hot streak. Every year some team seemingly comes from nowhere to play in The Big Game.

The 9-7 Arizona Cardinals in 2008, who were heavy dogs in every postseason game last year (even their game at home). The 10-6 New York Giants in 2007, who went on to win the Super Bowl against the 18-0 New England Patriots. The 6th-seed Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005 and even the Broncos themselves (1997) went on to win it all from the Wild Card spot. The list goes on and on.

The Broncos can do that. They would just need to finish the way they started: winning six straight games.

Is it likely? No. Are we a bit crazy for even thinking about it after that disgusting loss to Oaktown? Maybe.

But otherwise, what’s the point? Qualifying for the playoffs only to make a hasty exit should hardly be the goal of any season. The Broncos of the 80’s and Chargers of the 00’s can attest that that is hardly a consolation prize.

The Broncos need to aim their sights on not losing another game and bringing Denver its third Lombardi Trophy. They’ve put themselves in a position to do that now. They control their destiny, and that’s as much as fans could ask for this time of year. For the Broncos, the playoffs start now. Win or go home.

Their road to The Road to The Game starts this week in Philadelphia.

  • Jay

    Great article! LETS WIN THIS ONE FOR DAWKINS!!!!!

  • TheTroglodyte

    The loss sucks, the offensive line play sucked, some of the coaching decisions sucked. That being said, this has still been a good year and playoff bound (cross fingers) or not I am really looking forward to next year for the first time in quite awhile. With a healthy line in 2010 and a solid draft or free agent pick up of a good guard we should see a lot of improvement in the running game and red zone offense. Hopefully Brandstater will be given the opportunity to compete for the starting gig and will come through. We have some promising young players in the secondary that are learning from some of the best veterans in the business so that should improve some and the defense and offense as a whole will have a full year with totally new systems under their belt. McDaniels has made his share of mistakes this year BUT he is a young guy in his first year as a head coach and has proved himself to be a highly intelligent and motivating coach as well with no where to go but up from here.

    The point is, keep your heads up Bronco fans. The best is yet to come.

  • bigtymer39

    Id love to go to the playoffs…but sadly we arent. Our offense is so bad. We cant push the ball down the field at all period, and we havent all season. Our defense is older group and we keep them on the field way too long. Mcdaniels needs to figure out a new offense gameplan, one that pushes the ball downfield not towards the sidelines.

    Concerned Denver Fan in New Orleans

  • Arvada62

    Stick a fork in them, the Broncos are done for the 2009 season. No starting QB, no starting RB, injuries on defense, it's over folks.

    Let's look at next season. Where do we get a starting QB? What do we do with first round bust NoShow Moreno? Moreno is too small for going up the middle and too slow to get outside. Sort of a Tatum Bell without breakaway speed.

  • http://manchester-architects.com T-Money

    I think we are a lot better than we showed last night. You have to consider that Raiders were a division opponent, we hate each other, and all they wanted to do was come into our house and make us look bad.

    But also think about… If we were able to score on two of those drives from the 1 it would have been 35 to 13.

    We put some really good looking drives together just to get to the red zone so I wouldn't completely dismiss the offense yet. Nevertheless you have to score points.

    You must also consider that we ALWAYS play up or down to our opponents. Without the 1st quarter in Indy we would have won that game.

    If Buckhulter, Law, and Hill can get healthy I think we have a good shot in an upset in Philly. But then we have to make sure that we come home and punch KC in the face over and over and over again.

  • d_e_e

    I said at the beginning of the season 10 and 6 for the Broncos and 5 and 11 for the Bears, I'm on the verge of immortality Broncotalk Fans …. we will get to 10 , dont ask me how….

    What we can all agree on is, this team wins when their not suppose to and loses when they appear to be the favorites.

    I think the more desperate hungry team wins … Denver.

    Also look at the 7-7 teams and who they play next week:

    San Deigo @ Tennessee ( Titans lose)

    Jaguars @ New England ( Jags lose)

    Jets @ Pats (Jets lose)

    Hou @ Mia ( knockout for one of them)

    Bal @ Pitt ( big game)

    We handle our business and we are in …. we'll make it bronco fans … I have a 6th sense of these things , anyone thats been on this site … knows I'm right more often than not.

  • d_e_e

    *correction…Jets playing at Indy … still a loss though.

  • http://manchester-architects.com T-Money

    Finally somebody that knows what's up!

  • Candide

    I totally agree Arvada. This season is now toast. I think Philly will hang a high 30 spot on the onks next week and with the way this O-line plays, they'll be lucky to hit double digits. At that point the KC is a tossup. “The party's over. It's time to call it day…”

  • DB

    Meet the new boss…same as the old boss…..all things considered we gained a slightly better defense, but we digressed in offense. Everyone, likes to blame Orton for the offensive digression. The fact is, the offense is too predictable. Some say we play conservative because Orton cannot throw down field. I say, it doesn't matter if he can or not. It is all about match-ups. This is why Marshall keeps getting better. He “physically” matches up better than those who oppose him. This is what makes him unique. As for the rest of the offense, it is the scheme that would dictate opportunities. McDaniels offense cannot create a miss match. Just look at New England. Who is the better athlete, Marshall, or Welker? Marshall makes catches that are in traffic and require individual talent, Welker's opportunities are set up by a game plan that creates a miss match. Royal is not a factor because he is assigned a route with no motion involved, no multiple routes in the same zone, and, no cross field type of routes. All of his routes are within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage, or out patterns. Bottom line, I'm still behind McD, but, he better get of his ego trip, grow up, and realize he has tons of offensive talent on the team, and game plan to involve EVERYONE in getting it done.

  • d_e_e

    Also we should be cheering for the Redskins tonight, if they win it all but guarantee's the Eagles the NFC East, so they may left off the gas a little bit on Sunday…just saying.

  • Nisse

    really sad if kerry have to go though :/

  • TheTroglodyte

    Interesting take but I would disagree quite a bit. The offense didn't take a step back at all. This team would easily hand last years team a 10 – 6 record if they were to play every week in a 16 game schedule. The offense hasn't digressed hardly at all. They simply don't take enough risks BUT it is in large part due to Orton's horrible accuracy. What you said about Royal's routes simply is not true. He runs all sorts of routes. The problem isn't his routes it is Orton's ability to get him the ball. It is constantly underthrown, overthrown, or just out of reach. The only throws Orton can make with any accuracy on a consistent basis are 5 yards or less or out patterns. As you pointed out this is not Royal's strengths so he simply doesn't get the ball often.

    All things being said Orton is a good 1 year replacement for this team. He is a smart qb even though his physical abilities severely limit him and is a good tutor for Brandstater. The games in which the offense has struggled and the red zone problems have been 75% due to poor play by the offensive line. The fact is if Orton had as much time to throw this year as Cutler did last year, he would look like a much better qb right now. If the line opened up holes this year as well as it did last year, Moreno would look like a stud right now.

  • Andpark

    Washington can win as long as Cambell doesnt get more than 25 FF points. Kidding but serious don't go nuts Jason.

    I see a ton of those 7-7 teams losing next week and I am not 100% but as long as we finish 9-7 we win all tie breakers with everyone except the Steelers and the Ravens. So still a decent shot.

    I saw some scary stuff on Sunday and McD needs to watch some tape and get that red zone offense going. I say we do finish with 2 more wins and as long as you get to the playoffs anything can happen, we have already won once in SD and gave Indy a game @ Indy too.

    Just. Please. Win. Sunday.

  • anthony33

    Dee,
    You were indeed the only one that predicted 11-5 and I was saying 5 or 6 wins were possible and anything over 7 would be a very good year. However, after starting 6-0, I have to say I am disappointed.

    I still hope for the best, but I don't see them beating Philly… I think Philly is going to pummel them. Too physical and they are one of the best 3 teams in the nfl right now.

    Still a decent season, just cannot believe they lost to the frickin' raiders at home… uuuggghhh. Worse than losing to buffalo last year when they needed it.

    The Bronx are in desperate need of a QB and ILB in the draft. Might sound crazy, but package their #1 and maybe Marshall and go get Locker or whomever they deem to be the best QB. Orton is not the answer.

  • anthony33

    Oh yeah… McD does not impress me at all as an offesive coordinator. Go hire someone that can do it better… this offense is terrible to watch and predictable. He couldn't carry Shanahan's jock when it comes to coaching offense.

  • kerry

    fear not. i dont have to go anywhere if Chicago wins one more game. and im pretty sure they can beat the Lions.

  • Rob_Bronco

    McD is not the problem on offense. It's easy to figure out that Orton is the problem. I realize the guy has a great home record, and has a winning record as a starter. But he's played on teams with great defenses. His accuracy is God awful. We have the best all around receivers in the league, but no one who can get them the ball. Brandstater is not the answer. If he was, they would be grooming him to start, and I just don't see that happening.

    The bottom line is this – If the Broncos can't beat the Raiders at home, then they have no shot in the playoffs. We shouldn't be hoping that the Eagles rest their “good” players. If we can't beat their best with our best, then we don't deserve to go to the playoffs. The Broncos have to be able to beat good teams, and that's not going to happen with a mediocre QB.

  • pwsbronco

    Lots of “if's”. That kind of justification makes no sense at all. Don't know how anyone can think like that. WE LOST because we play with no consistency at all. We don't know who is going to come and play week to week.
    We are 2-8 since the bye week. We are not playing good at all. So if we stop losing we will win all of our games….Make sense? nope
    Time to start over again and fix all the ifs and holes and weak spots on this team.
    We look to much like last year right now. Our defense is playing just a bit better but we still have 2 games to go. 250 yards rushing against us is never acceptable. It was not just another off day.
    So, If we could have kept the raiders to only 100 yrds and if we could convert any 3rd down and if we could run just 1 yard on 3rd down, and if we could pass farther than 5 yards we just may be able to win a few. just maybe

  • http://manchester-architects.com T-Money

    No, we lost because of stupid penalties at the end of the game (all of which i think are complete bull****). If you want to be like that and completely deject or team because of a loss to the Raiders (who just beat the stealers and took the ravens down to the wire and are a lot better that anybody gives them credit for) then be my guest.

    Here are some fun facts. The defense was playing without 3 starters, and our offense was playing without the tough running of Buckhulter which, do to his running style, opens the doors for Moreno, sets up play-action, and is incredibly good at blitz protection.

    Our offensive line did not show up at all! Plumbus was getting blown over and knocked on his ass all game long and Clady had one of his worst games in the NFL. Casey Wiggman was constantly getting plowed over. Kyle Orton had almost no time to throw and there were almost never any holes for Jordan of Moreno to run though.

    Yet, we still moved the ball fairly well throughout the game. But I'm sick of people bashing on the play calling. When you can't pass protect or open a hole for a running back when all you need is 1 or 2 yards then that goes to player execution.

    Just look at our 3rd down conversion %. 4/15 = 26%. When you can't give your quarterback anytime or open a hole for a back then you get stuck with 3-7 and 3-5 and we've sucked royally at those ALL year. Including or 6-0 run.

    I'm not going to sit here are spit out “ifs” at you because that's just a waste of my time and they are so easily manipulated to make you sound like you know what you are talking about.

    To win games you need to score points. Period. I don't care what team you play for there should be no reason that a play should not work. It's your job as a player to execute and if you don't then the play wont work. It really is that simple.

    It also pisses me off that everybody in here is upset that we are in danger of missing the playoffs. There's not one person (dee maybe) that can tell me that they TRULY believed that we would be any good this year. I sure as hell didn't.

    I find it exciting and invigorating that we are even as close as we are. I'm excited that we get to control our own destiny. We are not NEARLY the same team that we were last year. That's why I feel like we still have a chance.

  • Dave

    dee you are so right bout winning i totally agree. i dont care if the odds are against us. i still have faith in my broncos. and to those sayin our offense cant move the ball your wrong…moreno cant move the ball if he cant share the backfield with correll, buckhalter motivates moreno during games it is a fact!!! and denvers offense has had great drives all season. bullshit to anyone that says no. just bad play calling against the raiders. and our defense is gonna suck if they cant get off the fukin field, whos wouldnt? stop downing our broncos!!! and have some faith. god Damn!!!

  • d_e_e

    Denver clinches a playoff spot with:

    Denver win + Jacksonville loss or tie + Miami loss or tie + NYJ loss or tie + Pittsburgh loss or tie.

  • d_e_e

    Si.com projects the broncos to make the playoffs even if they fall to 9-7

    (all tie breaker scenarios are gone over)

    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/d…

  • cactusman

    if philly doesnt spread our deffence we can win. i look 4 bm and eo to do a little showin off