Record: 5-2
Streak: Won 4, bye
Series vs. Denver: Broncos, 13-6-1
Last time: Broncos, 31-28, 2007
The Line: Steelers by 3

Who’s hot: QB Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben is having a career year. Months after overcoming pass protection issues to win a Super Bowl, Roethlisberger continues to overcome his offensive line, completing 70.4 percent of his passes for a whopping 102.6 passer rating. In his last three games, Ben has thrown six touchdowns to two interceptions despite getting sacked ten times. Ben was never a quarterback who had to win pretty — he just won, but there’s nothing ugly about the way he’s winning in 2009. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Kyle Orton has been a stud through the first six weeks of the season. How did BT grade his performance in the loss? (Larry French/Getty Images)

When the Broncos win, the BT Staffers give out Game Balls. When the Broncos lose, we weep our pitiful lives away… and highlight some of the good and bad from Sunday’s 30-7 loss in our Studs and Duds.

Stud: Andra Davis. Davis has gotten little respect over the course of the season, but is on pace for a hundred-tackle season with multiple sacks. Davis’ familiarity with the 3-4 has helped him excel in Nolan’s defense and he is by far one of the best acquisitions the Broncos were able to sign this off-season. Look forward to Davis continuing to make big plays against the pass and the run as the season progresses. – Christopher D. Hart

Dud: Ben Hamilton. Ben is playing like a 32 year old chronically concussed, hamstring problem ridden lineman, that has played in a different blocking scheme his whole career up until this season. I’m afraid the writing is on the wall for our smaller lineman. The Ravens defensive line was producing all the push Sunday, allowing zero time for KO to distribute the ball. With the Steelers coming up, and Ryan Harris sidelined, our offensive line will have to play strong as a unit in order for the offense to regain some momentum. – J. Kenneth K. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

“Maybe we were up on the high horse and forgot about the small things that got us to 6-0,” cornerback Andre Goodman said. “I’m pretty amped about what I’m expecting Monday in terms of how the guys are going to respond. I feel like I already know the character of this team, but I feel like how we play Monday will show the character of this team.”

I thought the new character of this team was the type that never gets on that high horse to begin with.  Hopefully the Broncos never get blown out again.

• One writer insists that the 6-0 start was no fluke.  [NFL.com]
• Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says the Broncos ran into a buzzsaw. [Examiner.com]
• On defense, the Broncos need to prepare for Big Ben‘s no huddle.  [Denver Post]
• The offense needs to get ready for Dick LeBeau‘s zone blitzing D.  [DPO]
• The Chargers are rising and the Broncos falling in the latest Stock Watch.  [ESPN]
• A powerful opinion piece on Tom Cable‘s allegations in Oakland.  [Sports Illustrated]
• A player strike, two months away? [ProFootballTalk]
• Drew Litton lands in Chicago.  [DrewLitton.com]

Marshall over Newman for the game-winner. (REUTERS/Rick Wilking)

The Broncos organization has decided to retract the fines placed upon Brandon Marshall during preseason training camp according to Fox Sport’s Jay Glazer.  If you’ll remember Marshall was yanked from practice and suspended along with heavy fines back in August for batting down balls thrown to him, punting balls away from support staff, walking during running drills, and basically being belligerent.

The team has since made amends with Brandon after cleaning up his act and performing like the receiver of yesteryear. Owner Pat Bowlen even came out and said some future cash will be headed his way.  It looks like the Broncos are going beyond that statement and making the goodwill gesture to the tune of $73,000 with the rescinding of past fines.  Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Lance Ball stiff arms Titan's DB Tuff Harris. December 28th, 2008.

Via the official site, it was announced the club has released running back Darius Walker from the practice squad.  Walker was an off season signing who had shown flashes of brilliance last year with the Houston Texans.  The team also has moved Everette Pedescleaux to the IR officially ending his season.  Jeff Legwold reported that Pedescleaux was missing from practice Friday but the team is not required to report injuries for the practice squad, so the specifics are still in question.

The Broncos have already filled the spots left open by the roster moves.  Returning is 2008 5th round pick, Carlton Powell.  Along with the re-signing of Powell, running back Lance Ball becomes the new name to be heard on the practice field.  Ball is a second year player who comes to Denver from his previous stint with the Colts.  In his one game performace he tallied 83 yards on 13 carries against the Tennessee Titans last season.  The Titans had signed Ball to their practice squad for 2009 but he has yet to dress for a game.

Press release after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Wide receiver Chris Chambers was unemployed for all of one day. The former San Diego Charger has ended up right back in the AFC West after the Kansas City Chiefs claimed Chambers off waivers Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

By claiming him, the Chiefs assume the roughly $2.4 million owed to Chambers for the second half of the season. Chambers was usurped by Malcom Floyd in the starting lineup in San Diego but will compete for a starting job opposite Dwayne Bowe in KC.

Chambers can also look forward to facing the Denver Broncos twice more this season. Let’s see if the Broncos can hold him to 0-3 in starts against them, which might be some type of record.

Chargers release veteran wideout Chambers [BroncoTalk]
Chiefs claim Chris Chambers [ProFootballTalk]

Knowshon Moreno #27 of the Denver Broncos celebrates his team's only touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 1, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Larry French/Getty Images)

Weekly goodness from the Broncos PR dept.  View the full 216-page release here.

The Denver Broncos (6-1) will make their second Monday Night Football appearance in their last three games this week when they host the defending Super Bowl-champion Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2). Kickoff at INVESCO Field at Mile High is set for 6:30 p.m. MST.

QUICKLY:

• The Broncos, who look to rebound from a 30-7 loss at Baltimore last week, will appear on Monday Night Football for the 61st time in club history.
• That total is the fifth highest in the history of the program. Josh McDaniels guided Denver to a 6-0 record to begin the year, a start that tied for the third best by a rookie NFL head coach since 1930.

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Yes, Brandon Marshall. You. (REUTERS/Joe Giza)

As far as guest appearances go, Brandon Marshall has had his fair share. But hosting a sports talk program? That’s a different beast entirely.

Marshall will be doing just that Tuesday night when he hosts Sports Soup, “an irreverant look at the state of sports and the people who play and report on them.”

Marshall’s episode airs at 8:00 p.m. MT tonight on VERSUS.

“Where?”, you ask? Yeah, I know, it’ll be my first time watching this channel too (not a hockey fan). Just be sure to check him out.

Marshall to Brew Sports Soup [DenverBroncos.com]

What’s up BT Family?
How does it feel to be 6 & wonderfully pathetic?
(The Broncos are officially 6-1 when I watch the game with a high anxiety level/pessimistic outlook/tons of sighs)

WE WERE BLOWN OUT.

Period.

I guess I missed the press release stating the Broncos would be dressing up as the Browns for Halloween. But Halloween was Saturday, maybe the candy coma carried over to Sunday.

More Than Words by Extreme

Make any excuse you want.
Both teams had BYES.
Both teams had investment in the game.
We we’re embarrassed.
EMBARRASSED.

How many people have you heard say, “The Ravens needed this game”?
The Broncos needed this game!
To prove they could beat a team that needed this game! Click here to read the rest of this entry »

This post is guest-authored by Steve O’Reilly, who writes about the NFL and fantasy for SkinnyPost.com. Follow Steve on twitter.

The Denver Broncos prepare to snap the ball during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 1, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Halfway through the season – What we’ve learned!

Through 8 weeks of Denver Bronco football we have learned quite a bit about the 2009 Broncos. In this segment let’s breakdown exactly what we know about what may be the surprise team of the 2009 NFL season.

Defense –

The Good

The first thing that jumps out immediately is the Broncos defense has improved greatly. Even though Week 8 against the Ravens was a disaster, the first 6 weeks went perfectly. The Denver defense has been ranked at or near the top of the NFL in many categories. As of right now, the Broncos Defense is ranked #1 in the NFL (based on Yards) yielding a league low 266.7 yards a game. They are ranked 2nd in total points having allowed only 96, tied with the Packers and behind only the Colts, who have allowed a league low 91 points. Denver’s second half defense is dynamic; they allowed 7 points in Week 1 against the Bengals, a Field Goal against the Chargers in Week 6 and then 24 against Baltimore, 7 of which was on a kick off return to start the 3rd Quarter. Indeed, Mike Nolan and the new 3-4 defense is Playoff caliber. Elvis Dumervil is having a Pro Bowl year so far with 10 sacks, a half sack behind league leading Jared Allen of the Vikings. Click here to read the rest of this entry »