Bucs Defense: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense is seen here pressuring the quarterback (2 sacks) and swarming all over the football (3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble). The Packers only netted 181 offensive yards against this defense last week, presenting a good challenge for a Denver Broncos offense that still ranks first in the NFL in yards (435.5 ypg) and second in scoring (33.2 ppg).

I take a look at this film and I see a defense that will take away the run from the opponent. Packers RB Ryan Grant had 15 carries for 20 yards, with a long of 8 yards. Take away that long and its’ 14 carries for 12 yards. Add a fumble to the mix and you’ll see this Bucs defense is just plain nasty.

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Lane Kiffin (AP Photo)

Reports say that, indeed, Kiffin has been fired. Your wittiest, most cleverest captions in the comments.

Friday’s winner – Boisebroncoguy:

Come here Stoke, you’re the only one who hasn’t fumbled yet.

Remember to leave your caption for the top photo. Happy captioning!

Video of Denver Broncos rookie fullback/linebacker Spencer Larsen deliver the massive hit that knocked Kansas City Chiefs kick returner Dontrell Savage‘s helmet off. Enjoy!

• Former Denver Broncos Head Coach and GM Jack Faulkner passed away at the age of 82.  [Denver Post]
• Raiders Coach Lane Kiffin is expected to be fired Tuesday (today).  [Mercury News]
• The Broncos aren’t hitting the panic button yet.  [Rocky Mountain News]
• The lowest league rushing ranking in Mike Shanahan‘s tenure could change the playcalling a bit.  [DPO]
• Clifford Russell is glad to be walking after his scary situation Sunday.  [RMN]
• Mike Klis actually makes some pretty interesting points in his latest mailbag.  [DPO]
• Then he breaks down Larry Johnson‘s 65-yard run.  [DPO]
• Tampa Bay has won its last two games despite seven turnovers.  [DPO]
• Bucs Coach John Gruden is happy with a familiar face at QB.  [RMN]

Getty Images

Chiefs 33, Broncos 19. Ugh. Let’s break it down.

10. Larry Johnson’s big run set the stage.
There are few things more demoralizing than seeing the opponent’s running back pop off 65 yards like nothing. Seeing him do it on the second play from scrimmage is worse. Things were already looking grim for the Broncos, but the defense stepped up and held the Chiefs to three.

9. Eddie Royal’s fumble gave Chiefs momentum.
That’s no way to get this explosive offense going. Royal’s fumble gave the Chiefs the ball back at Denver’s 26 yard line (more on that later), and the defense was called to make up for the Broncos’ mistake. They did the best they could, holding the Chiefs to another field goal. These miscues all led to something that has always spelled disaster for the Denver Broncos…

8. Arrowhead Stadium went crazy.
You cannot win in Arrowhead when the crowd gets into it. The Chiefs were on a 12-game losing streak and welcomed an undefeated Broncos team. Reports said there were more blue and orange jerseys and empty seats out there than there had ever been before. Chiefs fans didn’t believe they were going to win, but with an early lead and some big plays, the crowd started going nuts. This young Broncos team wasn’t ready for the throngs of Arrowhead.

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The story of the game, in pictures… trying something new. As always, click the pic to enlarge. Let me know what you think…

The Broncos came into the game plenty confident they would come away with a win.

Getty Images

The Chiefs came in with one of the worst offenses and defenses in the league.

So they decided to hand it off to Larry Johnson. Good idea.

AP Photo

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Chiefs S Bernard Pollard chases Stokley (AP Photo)

Your wittiest, most cleverest captions in the comments.

Friday’s winner – Mark:

You see that? Bad Ref! Don’t make me rub your nose in it!

Remember to leave your caption for the top photo. Happy captioning!

• Brandon Stokley has no answers for the offensive struggles.  [Rocky Mountain News]
• The Broncos’ three young stars are the ones who need to answer.  [Denver Post]
• The defense isn’t fixed, and shared the blame.  [RMN]
• Woody Paige comparison of Larry Johnson to Godzilla – and the Broncos to hapless Tokyo citizens – isn’t too far off.  [DPO]
• Mike Shanahan knew the Chiefs were going to play tough.  [Kansas City Star]
• He told the team to win this game: Run the ball; stop the run; avoid turnovers.  [Boulder Daily Camera]
• He thought they were ready.  [DPO]
• Reggie Rivers says give the defense another game to show some mettle.  [CBS4]
• Arrowhead is still that ol’ House of Horrors.  [RMN]
• The Post gives grades.  [DPO]
• Spencer Larsen and Matt Prater had some highlight reel moments.  [DenverBroncos.com]
• Eddie Royal is Peter King‘s Rookie of the Year thus far.  [Sports Illustrated]

(RMN Photo/Joe Mahoney)

Denver Broncos wide receiver Clifford Russell, who suffered a sprained neck during Sunday’s game at Kansas City, was released from the hospital following examination and accompanied the team on its charter flight back to Denver.

Russell was taken off the field on a stretcher after spraining his neck in the fourth quarter Sunday against Kansas City. He was hurt on Kansas City’s return of the kickoff following a Denver touchdown.

He lifted his left hand and waved as he was taken off the field.

UPDATE 09/30 – Russell is up and walking.  He suffered numbness in his right arm, but is participating in team meetings and hopes to practice as soon as this week.  The Broncos will release a practice participation report on Wednesday, and we’ll have more information then.

UPDATE #2 – Clifford Russell was placed on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, ending his season. Best of luck in your recovery, Cliff.

Very glad to see Russell is okay.

AP Photo

Any given Sunday.

It’s been 29 years since the Denver Broncos (3-1) won back-to-back games in Arrowhead Stadium, and that streak will continue. The Kansas City Chiefs (1-3) took it to the Broncos all game long, handing Denver their first loss of the season with a 33-19 victory in Arrowhead Stadium.

It was the first victory for the Chiefs since October 21, 2007, ending a franchise record 12-game losing streak.

The Chiefs had scored 32 points so far this year heading into the game. The Broncos gave them 33. Meanwhile, the Broncos offense put up embarrassing numbers. Their 19 points is a season-low by far. At halftime in the first three games, the Broncos had 17, 31, and 24 points. At half time. It took them four quarters and four Matt Prater field goals to reach 19 by game’s end.

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