Denver Broncos blog, news and rumors


FB

[hype it up!]
[Share with Yardbarker]

Published on 09/13/2011 at Tue Sep 13 09:00.
Tagged: ,,,,,,,.



Broncos Six-Pack: Broncos 20, Raiders 23

Posted Tue Sep 13th by

McFadden and Bailey

Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders is tackled by Champ Bailey #24 of the Denver Broncos at the one yard line after rushing for 47 yards to set up a fourth quarter touchdown at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 12, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Raiders defeated the Broncos 23-20. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The Broncos Six-Pack is a new weekly segment discussing six things we learned the day after the game. I hope you enjoy.

1. Giving credit where it’s due

This is a tough pill to swallow, Denver Broncos fans, but the Oakland Raiders are just better. Their defensive line outperformed the Broncos’ offensive line, sacking Kyle Orton five times and only allowing 38 rushing yards. The Raiders’ offensive line outmanned the Broncos’ defensive line, opening up 190 yards worth of rushing holes. In the most crucial plays, Michael Bush and Darren McFadden were able to run for double-digit yards.

The Raiders didn’t just out-phyical the Broncos, they outsmarted them too. While sloppy play and penalties were abundant on both sides, the Raiders didn’t commit another turnover after the fumble they yielded on their first offensive snap. They took the ball out of Jason Campbell‘s hands because they didn’t need to rely on him, effectively taking away the Broncos’ pass rushing strength on defense. They ran the football, didn’t turn it over, and did less to lose the game. Often, in the NFL, that’s all it takes.

2. Kyle Orton’s days are numbered

I said a few times this offseason that the biggest task for Kyle Orton would be to finish his typically-strong starts to a season. The trend he has set in Denver is to be statistically sound in the months of September and October before collapsing down the home stretch. In 2009, he boasted a 100.9 rating in his Broncos debut. In 2010, a respectable 89.8 in Week One (he had better numbers in several consecutive weeks). Last night? 71.3. It was 46.5 in the first half.

Kyle Orton sacked by Richard Seymour

Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton (8) is sacked by Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Richard Seymour (92) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

That’s not going to cut it. That’s not going to win this Broncos team many games, and that’s not going to keep Tim Tebow at bay. Granted, his offensive line did little to help him. His receivers dropped a number of catchable balls. But Orton was directly responsible for two turnovers (an underthrown interception that led to three Raiders points and a ghastly fumble that led to seven). He may not have been the worst player on the Broncos’ offense last night, but as the quarterback — the only person who touches the football every single play — he needed to be better.

Finish the season strong? If he doesn’t pick it up quickly he won’t make it to October.

3. Same problems plague the Broncos

Let’s list them out, shall we?

  • Ground game grounded — 38 rushing yards? 2.9 ypc? I don’t want to look up whether this puts the Broncos back at the bottom of the NFL rushing ranks, because it probably does.
  • Can’t stop the run — Raiders rushers averaged 4.9 ypc. McFadden averaged 6.8.
  • Third down (in)efficiency — The Broncos finished 6-of-13, but they were 3 of 10 before that last drive. Unacceptable.
  • Red zone stalls — From the first drive to every other but the last, the Broncos were not able to punch it in. Would a Tim Tebow Wild Horse package killed them there?

These are all problems a veteran, reliable coach like John Fox is suppose to solve. So far, not so good.

On to some positives…

4. Eric Decker can flat-out play

Eric Decker

Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker (87) runs for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)

Eric Decker is 220 lbs., but on that 90-yard punt return, he was lighter than air, slicker than oil, smoother than butter. The kid runs with speed, authority and (did we mention?) smoothness. Furthermore, on a night when Eddie Royal and Willis McGahee were bit with a case of the dropsies, Decker was more than sure-handed — he was a playmaker. Tough, fast, and smart, he could very well end up being Josh McDaniels‘ best draft pick (as sad as that is).

5. Miller sackless, but impact still felt

Von Doom sack count: 0 (We’ll keep track of this all year). A bit of a disappointing debut on the stat sheet, but I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed overall. The Raiders were afraid to let Jason Campbell fling it around, limiting Batman and Robin’s chances, and Batman (Dumervil) was hurt from practice. Plus, let’s not forget Miller’s first-play forced fumble, which was ridiculously sick.

You know (if Doom is healthy) that “sacks” stat won’t stay at zero for long.

6. All that being said… A remarkable field goal was the only difference

Only twice in NFL history had a field goal from 63 yards been successfully attempted, but Sebastian Janikowski made it three against Denver. The final score was 23-20 — a three-point game. All that separated the Broncos from victory (or, at least a tie game) was a record-tying, nearly impossible field goal.

Put that into perspective. Last year’s final score was 59-14 at Mile High, a disgraceful showing that many consider to be the low point of the last 10 years (maybe franchise history). These Broncos didn’t quit. These Broncos put up a fight. Last year Denver went down 21-0 and didn’t bat an eye. Last night, yes, they were sloppy, undisciplined, and ineffective in fulfilling the promises of their head coach (better rush offense, better rush defense), but they still were within striking distance of a win when all was said and done.

That’s not terrible for a rebuilding team. They had as many turnovers in this game as they did in the massacre last year, but they were competitive. They didn’t quit. If John Fox can coach the slop out of them, next time they can win.

← 
Newer Comments  →
  • roshon2411

    It’s time for Orton to go!  I know it wasn’t all his fault. Plenty of holes and issues with this team.  However, he has been the one constant with this team since the post-Shanny era began.

    The guy was carried by a dominate Bears D, while he was in Chicago.  Fooled many with his great fantasy football numbers in McDaniel’s offense.

    Orton is nothing more than I second string QB.  I’m not sure if Tebow is the answer, but Orton clearly isn’t.

    Orton’s record last 23 starts (5-18)

    JaMarcus Russell’s career record (7-18)

  • Anonymous

    As much as none of us were willing to admit it (read that as just me), we still have a bad team.  And we played another bad team, but for totally different reasons.  The Raiders has talent and determination, and NO discipline. The Broncos problems are well documented and evident, but even so, the with a few tweeks and a couple lucky breaks this could be one of our (few) wins.

    My totally uncalled for GBU:

    Good: Defensive determination.  Sure they have holes and god crushed on the ground.  But they NEVER gave up and gave us every opportunity to win they could.

    Bad: Penalties.  We are NO WHERE good enough to over come lack of discipline and hand the game to the opponents.

    Ugly: 38 and 47.  Broncos rush yards and a single run by Darren McFadden.

  • Dbaumga797

    Is it just me or does it seem that McD left a little too much of an impression on McCoy’s play calling?

  • flbronc

    mcd left too much of an impression on our interior o-line….  better execution blocking for the running game would have made all the difference in the world.  we came out and tried to run the ball.  we just couldnt. 

  • virginiabronco

    I listened all summer to those screaming that Tebow wasn’t accurate.  He wasn’t ready.  He wasn’t this.  He wasnt’ that.  Ok.  I have watched KO for a few seasons now.  He isn’t accurate outside of 5 yards.  He can’t run.  He has happy feet when there is ANY hint of pressure.  AND, HE can’t win.  He can’t lead a comeback! 

    I posted before I have no idea if Tebow will ever be a starter.  (He hasn’t been given a chance).  But I know this based on several seasons of watching KO, the Broncos are never going to put together a winning season with this guy as QB.  He can’t throw more than 5 yards.  The coaches won’t even allow him to attempt more than a couple of throws a game of more than 10 yards.  Come on Elway, get this guy out of there and at least give the fans a reason to turn the game on.  Sad!

  • Anonymous

    What kills me is the fans in last nights loss. The game is on the line and we are driving, what is that you hear in the stands?…Tebow.. Tebow… RUFKM!!! Not the friggin time for that crap, now is the time, not then. Today’s fans have no clue…

  • King

    I disagree.  Most Broncos fans are very knowledgeable and could see the “Chokin’ O’ ” train wreck coming a mile away. 

    Orton is a journeyman QB, at best.  This is why the Bears got rid of him.  He deserved to be booed. 

    You can’t light it up in practice and pre-season and repeatedly choke in real games and have the fans respect.  All the while collecting your $8,000,000/year checks. 

  • Rnhenry

    Did you guys know that Tebow had the better QB rating in the pre-season. (Better than Orton … 7th in the league over 30 attempts). He is a gamer.

  • TEBOW=TE

    You actually make too much sense bro. I can honestly agree with 5 out of the 6 points above, but #2 just makes “Monty” look like a complete idiot. I can go as far as to say  that I would have no problem bringing in TT in the red zone for a set of down or even a series or two. However, to say that Orton’s days are numbered is ridiculous. C’mon now, we ran 30 yards in 2 quarters and obviously couldn’t stay with it-what is the defense going to do besides key on Orton?
    How is it on Orton that the blitzes are not picked up, even when I can hear him calling out who the ‘Mike’ LB is over the TV? He struggled but part of that was rain and most of it was no other help was available. Then to hear and see all these people (not fans) chanting Tebow as the team is driving to score is embarrassing. I literally saw some goof chanting Tebow during the 4th quarter drive and when he was on camera after Ball scored the TD, he was jumping around chanting Broncos-REALLY DUDE??? Go follow the Rams because you are obviously a McD fan! I concur TD30isMVP, R U F K M??????

  • TEBOW=TE

    Did you know that does not matter when you cannot get the ball to the receiver half the time? PRE-SEASON???????????
    You can watch both of them play and throw the rating to the curb, it is obvious to me that TT is not ready to be a starting QB “YET”…have you seen the tape on him about making specific throws and the problems he has had because he did not come from a pro-style offense and has a strange release? Rating-schmating, the players support the guy who knows what he is doing and that is not TT-it is not because of Orton’s mediocre play last night that the team lost.

  • AtomicLeo

    I was very disappointed at the sloppy play and penalties. That was not expected with a veteran coach like Fox.

    Orton was horrible. I turned the game off at half time. I was shocked this morning when I saw the final score. I thought they were headed to another blow out. And O-line?!?! OMG! Horrible. Have not seen anything that bad including last year. Seriously, WTF?

    Defense was good but not great. Thought it was interesting that the Raiders didn’t even try to pass in the first half. I wonder if other team will try the same strategy. Not ever team has McFadden. Given the short field they had to work with, I thought the defense did a great job at keeping the game under control. Too bad the offense couldn’t follow through.

    Moreno. Put his a** on the next bus out of town. I’ve had enough of this punk who can’t do a damn thing in space or run FORWARD. Glad to see him benched after his fumble. I hope that is the last time he starts this season and I hope he’s outta here next year.

  • TEBOW=TE

    There are at least 3 things completely wrong with your statement. How can you say who or what percentage is knowledgeable when the garbage above is all you can see? I would like to believe you but that is not really a statement you can make and back up.

    Soooooooo…how is Orton a journeyman QB? He was freakin’ traded from the Bears to the Broncos after the Cutler joke and thanks to McD. He may not be a top 10 elite QB but he is far better than TT at this point and time hands down. What does it matter what he is being paid, the team agreed to it when he was traded and it was already set or adjusted based on the deal wuth Da Bears. I am fine with him being booed, but to chant for Tebow to come in his place makes no sense to me as a fan and was embarrassing…I disagree

  • Triassictype

    After 3 seasons, Moreno absolutely insists on refusing to improve his grip on the flippin’ ball! He seems like a nice guy, but he’s gotta be one of the worst self-correctors in the league!

  • Anonymous

    I agree… Tons of talent, but no heart whatsoever. He turns into the cowardly lion whenever there is pressure! All that gets you is a QB less likely to get injured. I’d rather have one that is fearless and willing to do what it takes to get the throw off or be able to scramble for the extra yard or two.

  • King

    Are you serious?  The only reason we “scored” was because of all of the Raiders penalties on that drive. 

    We have the best chance to win with Orton!  Yeah, right.

  • King

    It is entirely fair to compare preseason number against each other. 

    Orton may “know what he is doing” in practice and pre-season, but I hate to break it you sir, that does not apply to games. 

    Orton choked in Chicago, he is choking here.  And this man is a 7-year veteran. 

    Cutler makes him look like a backyard QB. 

  • Wildeman

    I’m curious, have you ever played football at a level higher than high School?  Ortan is NOT a leader, you really think he’s a type of guy that has what it takes to win a game when their 10 or more points down in the 4th quarter?  NO!!!  Tebow can…even with his so called throwing style, he has intangibles that can’t be taught, the guy is a gamer and will not go down with when he feels pressure!

  • Darwin

    Just a disappointing games in so many ways. Orton looked confused and defeated much of the time. Moreno looked soft. The score was closer than the game.  Oakland gave Denver every opportunity to win the game. Could Fox coach the worst team in football two years in a row?  When was the last time that happened besides a coach with the same team?

  • Anonymous

    So it is perfectly acceptable to compare Orton’s and Tebow’s preseason stats and at the same time say they don’t really count when it reflects badly on Tebow.

  • Anonymous

    There are three things completely wrong with everything that guy says. 

  • Anonymous

    YUP.

  • Anonymous

    I’m sure you were a college all-american, right? 

    A bunch of intangibles is ALL Tebow has.  I’m telling you, the guy is BVP with a higher Q rating. 

  • Anonymous

    If Orton does not improve he is going to wish that he had restructured his contract and gone to Miami.
    That being said the loss was not all Orton’s fault.  The O-line stunk.
    By game 7 if things have not improved Tebow gets his shot.

  • King

    Well said.  These guys don’t understand that as a QB goes, so goes the team.  The QB play, or lack thereof, can and will bring a team up or down. 

    A blind man could see that last night after “Phantom Fumble” Orton struck again. 

    But hey, Kyle Orton give us the best chance to win !  Wait for it…..lmao

  • King

    And Tebow’s numbers were pretty good playing with the 2nd string O-line. 

    Chokin’ O’ had plenty of time last night to complete passes.  He CHOSE to either eat it, or make bad throws. 

    C’mon man, you gotta admit Chokin’ O’ doesn’t look good at all for a 7-YEAR VETERAN.

    Did I say he was was a 7-YEAR VETERAN? 

  • Anonymous

    BVP didn’t come out on passing downs in college.

  • TedHankey

    With a bit of luck, we could still trade Orton and get something for him, but it is unlikely.
    He really needs benched. I still don’t think Tebow is the long term answer, but at least he will ignite the team and excite the fans with his enthusiasm and passion.
    Its a total joke that anytime a defender comes in within 2-3 yards of Orton in the pocket, he is sacked. He has absolutely no mobility, not to metnion he continues to 1 hop passes to receivers.
    Agree with the guys who say it wasn’t totally Ortons fault, and neither it was. However, the fickle nature of the NFL means that the QB is the most scrutinised position, and right now our no.1 aint cutting it.

    This was such a punch in the gut sort of defeat because we seemed so flat and out of rhythm which worries me because think about it… Week 1 at home on monday night, new coach, Elway back it town, orange jerseys on, stadium rockin, clean record to work with. It looked like a performance from weeks 11-17 last year where the team just tanked it and weren’t at the races.
    I think that is maybe the most dissapointing thing to come from the game, the lack of energy and excitement shown by the team. This horse crap of running around high fiving and chest bumping aint much use if we can’t back it up with good play solid play.

    However, it is only week 1, and with a bit of luck, we will hopefully get stronger as the season goes on.

    Go Broncos!!…

  • Wildeman

    lol…………………In fact I was! ;)

  • TedHankey

    One quick thought on the Raiders… I found it funny watching Jarvis Moss running around on the sideline cheering and clapping like a college mascot!! He looked so pumped….then when he got in the game, he was as useless as ever!
    Another great 1st rd pick of ours

  • Wildeman

    Ortan belongs on that comcast commercial with the slowskies (turtles), he freaking sucks in the pocket with pressure, what a wimp@roshon2411:disqus !  When he runs it looks like he’s walking, man he’s slooowww!!

  • Rnhenry

    OK so some say that stats don’t matter … that you can see that Orton completes a greater percent than Tebow. Yes your eyes don’t lie. In the preseason, Orton completed 2% more passes (roughly 1 pass with both well over 60%). On the other hand, TT had a higher yards/attempt as well as a higher QB rating. (108 vs 104 vs 69 for Quinn.)

    Also last year TT had a higher QB rating (82) than the career ave for Orton (79) and was much higher than Orton’s rookie numbers (71). S0 the evidence is TT is a better passer than Orton and stats show he is a better runner and better in the red zone. My eyes tell me that also. I just don’t see the case for Orton.

  • Anonymous

    Yes, I’m sure you were. 

  • Estes2SD

    Think the Colts would bite on an Orton trade?  Maybe we can trade straight up for Kerry.

  • Fernando Garduno

    Raider fan here. Calm down folks. You almost won…and should have. You are in a difficult situation that will play itself out soon. I think the main problem for Bronco managment is that there are a number of players who think Tebow is not ready…. They need to shut TFU. Aikman wan not ready, Peyton was not ready, on and on. Orton is truly gone at years end…he has no future in Denver and will soon enough be benched. You know what you have in Orton and it is shit on Sundays. Tebow AND Quinn at least have an as of yet unknown upside. Tebow would have killed the Raiders last night scrambling out of trouble and you would have won! All of the the above will be self evident in a few more weeks at which time Fox and Elway will wise up and start Quinn and bring in Tebow for seelect pkgs. to keep a fierce pass rush honest or simply get in from the red zone. I feel bad for guys like Dawkins and Bailey who have to go through this shit at the end of their careers as I respect them as players but their voices will clamor for Ortons benching soon as well. Don’t get me wrong, after a decade of hell I am enjoying the Broncos demise but I don’t think you guys have any idea how bad it can get. Elway and Fox will unwind McDaniels fiasco and hopefully the Raiders and Broncos will both soon be competing for AFC titles and bring the rivalry back where it belongs. 

  • Anonymous

    Couple of major problems with this team.

    1) They only have one, maybe two great players… Champ and Dawkins.   That is it and that’s pushing it.

    2) This team does not believe it is going to win every week… period.  Players may like and respect Orton, but he does not inspire them to believe they can win everytime they step on the field. Even in Shannahan’s worst year/year’s, his teams ALWAYS believed they would win, and so did we as fans.

    It’s going to take time to get great players and a leader that can inspire.  It has to start with Fox, but the only person on this roster with the intestinal fortitude to make this team believe they can win again is Tebow.  Ready or not.

  • Anonymous

    Dumervil, Clady, Miller should make a name soon.

  • Rcsodak

    Youfe so full of shit it isn’t funny. He was throwing short/intermediate/long all night long.
    Quit with the bs. We have eyes.
    And maybe if prater hadn’t missed his kick, which was 10yds closer than janikowskis, the result wouldve been different.
    NUMEROUS dropped passes.
    Stacked Dline against the run.
    HORRIBLE ORT.

    Only morons say its ortons fault.

    Good grief! A 4win team is what it is. It takes time. And only BLIND morons say oak is a bad team.

  • Rcsodak

    Oak scored a TD from 3 penalties on their drive as well. What’s your point?

  • Rcsodak

    Really? So playing vs #1’s is the same as playing vs #3’s?

    Lmao.

    NEXT!

  • Rcsodak

    No, but I’ll refer to the NFL HOF QB who agrees with us that he’s not ready.

    :rolleyes:

  • Rcsodak

    Wow. Yet another ‘fan’ who watches with his eyes wide shut.

    Moreno played his ass off. Too bad he had no Oline to help him.

  • armchairqb

    I am a life long denver fan. I can see the broncos obviously have alot of weak areas to work on right now, but watching kyle orton flounder around in the pocket seriously just makes me sick. i never give up on games, but last night i had to shut it off because i already knew the outcome.

    on a side note did anyone else notice how quick dilfer was to kyles defense on everything? You would think they were brother in laws or something ha!

  • rcsodak

    Of shanny.

  • rcsodak

    I hope you’re in grade school with your ‘stats’. Lmao

  • rcsodak

    If you need to be “inspired” as an NFL player, you belong in the UFL.

  • King

    And you were the one warned about insults.  It’s ok if you’re an Orton fanboy. 

    Just be man enough to admit it.  :)

  • Wildeman

    Do some research cowboy!

  • 5280

    You forgot the one real reason why Denver lost: BAD PLAY CALLING!!!  You guys, Denver has the talent to rip Oakland to shreds.  We saw it in the preseason.  However nothing that was done in the preseason that allowed our defence to flourish and our running game to step up was done in this game.  Case in point:  Von Miller causes the games first fumble landing the Broncos with posession inside the 25 and a chance to take the lead early with 7 not 3. The next 3 plays were all pass plays, consequently ending in a 3 and out with a field goal.  Tell me how is it that you get the ball handed to you in the red zone and not once do you run the ball?  You should always run the ball inside the redzone, especially if your supposed to be this new “running” team under a “running” coach.  The word everyone is saying when they talk about what the broncos did wrong is “can’t.” The Broncos “can’t” run the ball against Oakland or “couldnt.”  The Broncos ran the ball a woppin total of 12 times in the first half. 12 times??  The word to describe that is not “can’t” or “couldn’t” its “won’t” or “wouldn’t.”  If they never tryed to run it in the first place then you can’t say that the Broncos can’t run the ball.  Up to this point we still don’t know if they can or can’t. 

    Also, if von and doom dont have a chance to rush the passer because of the lack of good DT help, then why not bring LB blitzes more often?  I’m not saying they never did, I’m just saying they didn’t do it right or enough.  Brian Dawkins can’t be the only one blitzing on a consistent basis.  We know this about the Raiders: all they can do is run the ball.  They are terrible at passing, so much so that the barely even tryed.  So, as a coach, if you know this, then you should be bringing massive heat with the blitz every down.  They’re not gonna pass because they can’t, and if they do you have Von and Doom for the pressure and you should be putting your shut down corner in press and letting your hard hitting safties take someones head off.  This type of stratagy would have intimidated the offence enough to fluster them creating mistakes even if they dared to pass.

    The running game was a joke, yes, but mostly because there was no differentiation with each run.  They just chose to run the ball with a stationary O line, meaning when the line men put their hands in the dirt they blocked from where they lined up.  A pulling gaurd or tackle was virtually non existent.  With a Dline like Oaklands, you have to set your back up with momentum to one side and blockers running out in front of him.  You cant just line up and try to fit him through the A gap, especially with a little back like Moreno.  That being said, why did they start Moreno in the first place? McGahee should be the consistent every down back and Moreno needs to be used in passing situations.  This was a completely different direction they took as a team then anything in the preseason. Why did they flip the script just because it was a game that counted??? 

  • Anonymous

    Maybe “inspired” is the wrong word.  Do you think Peyton Manning in the huddle changes how every player on the Colts feel?  Same with Brady, Vick, Rivers, Brees and to an extent Cutler.  Their team mates believe they can win.

    The Broncos have not had that since Elway.  Plummer was close until Shanny started F’ing with him and we felt Cutler was getting close too.  I have absolutely no such feeling with Orton.  You see him  step to the line of scrimmage and start pointing and barking instructions, a la Peyton Manning, but unfortunately for Orton the ball is snapped a some point and ability has to take over.

  • Anonymous

    What you and the rest of the cult are saying is that Tebow really outplayed Orton in practice & preseason but that Orton was handed the starting job because Orton is better in practice and preseason.  And if we don’t think Tebow is the savior of the universe it is because we have an Orton appendage in our mouths. 

←  
Newer Comments  →