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Published on 10/23/2010 at Sat Oct 23 13:03.
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The Road (Less Traveled) to 2-4…

Posted Sat Oct 23rd by

Kyle Orton can't recover a fumbled snap late in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets. (Reuters - Rick Wilking)

Kyle Orton can't recover a fumbled snap late in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets. (Reuters - Rick Wilking)

As the Denver Broncos stand, battered, war-torn and close to utterly being depleted…

There is one fact that must be reflected upon. Not a single team in the NFL has had a more difficult road this season than the 2-4 Broncos. It started in the preseason even, with the Pittsburgh Steelers and only got worse as the season began. Denver has faced the 3-3 Jacksonville Jaguars, the 3-2 Seattle Seahawks, the 4-2 Indianapolis Colts, the 4-2 Tennessee Titans, the 4-2 Baltimore Ravens and the 5-1 New York Jets… And somehow they’ve won two of those games!

“Too bad the NFL doesn’t use the BCS computer rankings. The Broncos, at 2-4, may have already clinched a top-10 ranking.” – DP

Arguably they had a shot at the Colts and had three bonehead plays gone the opposite way the Broncos would have beat the best team in the NFL last week.Now that is what is scary. Not Denver’s record or their rushing game…

Despite not having a pass rush, despite not having a secondary, a defensive line, an offensive line or a running back– the Broncos have been able to give the best the NFL has to offer a run for their money nearly every week.

Short of an utter meltdown, I don’t see Denver not making the playoffs this season (I said it). Similar to the Titans last season, whom some considered, “The best 0-6 team of all time.” The Broncos have what it takes in them, on their current roster and no amount of injuries the team sustains or calls that could have gone either way are going to be able to stop the offense when it’s rolling or the defense when they’re playing at their peak.

Last season fans had the excitement of Elvis Dumervil chasing an all-time sack record and Brandon Marshall setting the catch record late in the season. This season fans get to look at the possibility of Kyle Orton breaking an all time passing record, Brandon Lloyd is heading in the same direction. These players were literal undesirables in the NFL even as late as last season. Yet they’re doing incredible things in Denver.

I think that a lot of credit needs to be given to the coaching staff in Denver and head coach Josh McDaniels. The Broncos could just as easily be 5-1 or  4-2 as they are 2-4.

As my forever glass is half full mentality goes; I’d rather lose to the Colts, Ravens and Jets now and win in January.

“Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.“ – Sun Tzu

  • steeplebomb

    To me, this game against the Raiders is a huge litmus test. We've seen the Broncos stick with tough opponents and come away short for unfortunate reasons. While discouraging to rack up the losses column, it shows that this team has the grit and mental toughness to play up to the competition. BUT, they need to shake the annoying habit of playing down to the level of competition during other games. A good team should crush weak (really weak) divisional opponents at home. If the Broncos hope to contend for a playoff berth, they need to show that they can run the score up on teams that are struggling. They need to be consistent in their level of play, and if they are, this game should be no problem. Hubris is a dangerous trait, but if my Broncos can't come away from this with a huge win, I honestly don't think they are ready for the love they are getting from fans for their success in passing game.

    On that note, I'm skeptical of the Broncos passing attack. Call me a heretic, but passing yards per game doesn't mean anything. The broncos are good between the 20's; they have a dynamic downfield attack (albeit for different reasons), but they are having problems turning those yards into points. Its 2008 all over again. I want to see the Broncos offense get inside the 20 and be able to run it down the throat of this Raider's defensive line. I'm not sure it will happen that way, but that's what I'm looking for. Maybe the Tebonator can help us there. We'll see. Either way, its been way, way too long since the last Broncos game. Go Broncos baby!

  • TheTroglodyte

    Good article Ian, I always enjoy your positive attitude. Long live the Bronco's! The Bronco's are dead!

  • Xaviermunoz316

    i love wat mcd is doing right now.. idk y ppl dont give him credit wat he has done. even with all the injuries… orton is transformed to a great qb. we jus need to b healthy and a running gm which we we progress at and playofff spot here we come

  • D. Webb

    What Ben McDaniels has done with Orton is nothing short of amazing. Orton hit his ceiling and went through it. He is playing way about his potential and will get us a great draft pick or three come spring. And if you like what Orton has done to improve what do you think is going on with quinn and of course Tebow, who both have tons more TALENT that Orton?

  • Dakota Fan

    Xavier- love the Blackberry typing, and I agree with you.

    Ian- Sun Tzu??? Isn't he the one who said “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?” That's deep, man. But great article- here's hoping you're right, that the season is starting RIGHT NOW. Cause for concern will come if they lose today or win a tight one right at the end. They have to (like Steeplebomb said) quit playing to the level of their opponent.

    Raider week comes to a close with a convincing Broncos victory (glass half full)- GO BRONCOS!!!

  • kerry

    “and somehow we won 2 of those 6 games” ?!?!?! wow. the bar has really been lowered for the Denver Broncos. see it used to be winning 2 out of 6 was unacceptable. but in the McD led Broncos, that a success. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. what a joke.

  • kerry

    by the way whats our record? this is Jay Cutler all over again. lots of yards and few TD's along with even fewer wins.

  • D. Webb

    What Ben McDaniels has done with Orton is nothing short of amazing. Orton hit his ceiling and went through it. He is playing way about his potential and will get us a great draft pick or three come spring. And if you like what Orton has done to improve what do you think is going on with quinn and of course Tebow, who both have tons more TALENT that Orton?

  • Dakota Fan

    Xavier- love the Blackberry typing, and I agree with you.

    Ian- Sun Tzu??? Isn't he the one who said “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?” That's deep, man. But great article- here's hoping you're right, that the season is starting RIGHT NOW. Cause for concern will come if they lose today or win a tight one right at the end. They have to (like Steeplebomb said) quit playing to the level of their opponent.

    Raider week comes to a close with a convincing Broncos victory (glass half full)- GO BRONCOS!!!

  • kerry

    “and somehow we won 2 of those 6 games” ?!?!?! wow. the bar has really been lowered for the Denver Broncos. see it used to be winning 2 out of 6 was unacceptable. but in the McD led Broncos, that a success. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. what a joke.

  • kerry

    by the way whats our record? this is Jay Cutler all over again. lots of yards and few TD's along with even fewer wins.