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Down but by no means out. Talk about the 2nd half here.

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BRONCOS 6 – TEXANS 10

The Texans hold a 4-point lead as the two teams head into the half, thanks mostly to their perfect drive to open the game. Since then they’ve gotten nothing going offensively, and the Broncos defense is stepping up. I think we’ll pull this one away, Broncos fans.

STUD OF THE HALF – Brandon Marshall. He’s a beast. 9 catches for 83 yards so far, and the Texans simply don’t have an answer for him. He’s been oh-so close to a touchdown, as well.

DUD OF THE HALF – Javon Walker. I’ve seen him going much less than full speed on more than one occasion. Step it up, man, we need you to play like you can.

Cutler‘s doing a nice job, too. Let’s pull this out, Broncos. On to 9-7!

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I am PUMPED for this game, folks. It has every hidden storyline one could beg for… huge playoff implications (win or GO HOME), Teachers vs. Student, two explosive offenses… [insert Tim Allen‘s iconic grunt OH HO HO HO HO!].

As I said before, to me this game comes down to Champ Bailey being able to shut down Andre Johnson – although I’m told Johnson is expected to line up across from Dre Bly if the two sides were to play their normal positions. If the corners struggle we’ll be forced to roll coverage to Andre’s side, deeply hampering our ability to stack 8 in the box like we’d like.

The Brandons switched roles this time around – Stokley is inactive after missing practices, and Walker is lining up again after two full-speed romps this week. Full inactives over at Mason’s Morsels – LET’S G0 BRONCOS! WIN OUT FROM HERE!

• Gary Kubiak had been on the Broncos sidelines for nearly 20 years. Now he’s on the other side of the field. Thanks to Crosshare for submitting the link. [The Gazette]
• Some more on Shanahan, Jr. [Denver Post]
• Tale of Two Brandons: Stokley sits, Walker goes full speed in both Tuesday and Wednesday practices. [Mason’s Morsels]
• Look up hypocrite in the dictionary and you will find a picture of Mike Ditka. [USA Today]

Bailey vs. Johnson could decide the game all on its own.

For the two teams playing on Thursday, the playoffs start now. Win or go home.

Mike Shanahan will face against pupil and former player, as well as his son, when the Denver Broncos head to Reliant Stadium to take on the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football on the NFL Network. Former Broncos quarterback and offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak is now the head coach of the Texans, and Shanahan’s son Kyle is an offensive assistant for the club.

Either way the coaching edge goes, this game has “shootout” written all over it. The Broncos hold the slightest edge in offensive yards per game. Neither team’s defense has played consistently this year, and their stats are remarkably similar (the Broncos’ average yards allowed per game is a whopping 0.6 yards less than that of the Texans).

The team that can make a few more plays will come away with a win in Houston this Thursday. Here are five keys to a Broncos victory:

1. Contain Andre Johnson

Is Champ Bailey 100% healthy yet? As hard as it is to admit, our superstar cornerback has been tested, and beaten, this 2007 season, and he’s facing his toughest challenge in a wide receiver since Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne in Week 4. Andre Johnson may demand the double team if Champ isn’t able to keep up with the 2006 Pro Bowler, meaning the Broncos won’t be able to stack 8 in the box like they have on defense for much of the year. I think Champ is finally getting back in his groove and am excited to see two of the most gifted, athletic, speedy players square off on Thursday night.

2. Stop the Texans runners

The Texans are employing the same zone blocking running system that torched the Broncos against the Raiders two weeks ago. It was particularly disappointing for Denver because they had played much better against the run since the bye week and a switch to more 8-man fronts.

The Texans employ a committee of runners, mostly due to injury, and had moderate success against the Buccaneers. Undrafted rookie Darius Walker, a smaller, speedy back, didn’t get going against the Bucs. In fact, none of the Texans runners excelled against Tampa Bay, with ex-Bronco bruising back Ron Dayne struggling to earn what would turn out to be less than 3 yards per carry. However, if Andre Johnson requires a double team, the Broncos will become vulnerable in the running game.

3. Protect Jay Cutler

The Texans are coming off a big win against the 8-win Bucs, and one of their keys to success was pressuring (and sacking) Tampa QB Luke McCown. 2006 1st overall pick Mario Williams is having a good year with 9.5 sacks, 4.5 of those sacks coming in the last three weeks. Last week the Broncos dialed up max protect with tight end Daniel Graham and fullback Cecil Sapp kept inside to help in pass protection; that should be just what the doctor ordered Thursday as well.

4. Selvin for the big plays; Henry for the tough yards

This 1-2 punch seems unstoppable at times. Selvin Young can break a big run anytime, and Travis Henry has been able to pound the rock for the short yardage and goal line plays despite his knee injury. This combination is truly excellent, especially if both can get fully healthy in the future.

5. Be solid on special teams

Some of our biggest special teams contributors – Andre Hall, Paul Smith, and Glenn Martinez – are all healthy again, and they’ll need to be. Particularly on the coverage units – only last week did Houston’s Andre Davis open the second half with a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Last week I was asking the special teams to just, please, not be bad – now I’m asking for a little more. Be good. You need to be to win.

The Texans are not to be underestimated. They scored 28 points against the leading scoring defense in the NFC last week. We will need to play solid football if we are to come away with a win and continue our challenging for the postseason.

• Another big Broncos win, another chance for fans to vote their Broncos for weekly awards. Jay Cutler is up for FedEx Air Player of the Week (vote here); Elvis Dumervil is up for GMC Defensive Player of the Week (vote here); Selvin Young is nominated for Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week (vote here).
• Eye on the Texans. [Denver Post]
• Todd Sauerbrun made the news in the worst way when he allegedly assaulted a cab driver. He was later taken to a detox center. [Denver Post]
• It’s the Shanahan Bowl this Thursday. [Denver Post]

If you haven’t voted yet for the Pro Bowl, today by 12 PM EST is your last chance.  While Champ Bailey is a lock for another trip to Hawaii, no other Broncos currently hold an edge in the voting to make it to the event.  There are two other Broncos that warrant strong consideration, and I’ve listed them below.  Vote for the Pro Bowl here.

WR Brandon Marshall has already surpassed 1,000 receiving yards this season.  What’s more, his downfield blocking ability has aided the Broncos in many a big run.  He definitely deserves a vote from the fans.

Meanwhile, DE Elvis Dumervil is lighting up the stats section with an impressive 11 sacks, good for 2nd in the AFC.  His 4 forced fumbles are tied for 2nd in the AFC as well.  There’s no doubt this little guy has done enough to warrant a trip overseas.

Personally, I’m also pushing for RG Montrae Holland to make a splash in the voting.  He’s been our most consistent blocker all year in both passing and running situations and deserves mentioning.

Again, voting closes in a few hours.  Take 3 minutes and vote for our boys here.

When the Broncos win, we give out game balls. When they lose, we slouch into corners and weep our pitiful lives away…

ALRIGHT, BOYS, 41-7 ASS-WHOOPING OF THE CHIEFS. GAME BALLS ALL AROUND! But, on top of those game balls all around, WHO YA GOT?!

Earl – This is a really tough one, as so many guys played so well in this game that it feels as though giving a game ball to any one player is going to diminish the contributions of the rest of the team. But I think Cutler and Marshall have to share a ball this time, because they both had their best games to date. With a 140 passer rating, how do you not give the quarterback props? But I don’t want to ignore Marshall’s accomplishments either. He not only made difficult catches (though not as difficult as Daniel Graham‘s catches), he continued his amazing Yards After the Catch statistics. So in honor of what I hope is a decade of game balls given to the Cutler/Marshall pairing, this is my first. “Cutler to Marshall, TOUCHDOWN!!”

Kyle – Wow, I’m really torn. It’s a coin flip between Elvis Dumervil and his three sacksand forced fumble, and Selvin Young and his 156 yards. (on only 17 carries!). In the end, I’m giving mine to Young. Our running game struggled to find its groove last week, and Travis Henry wasn’t able to get the same production behind the O-Line as Young was. His 9+ yards per carry would have still been really good without the 50-yard break early in the game. Games like this tell me Selvin might be special… here’s to more years with Mr. Young running the rock for the Broncos.

Jonathan – My game ball goes to Shanahan.

He’s taken a lot of lumps this season for our poor record, but considering what’s he’s working with (2nd & 3rd string guys in some places), to be able to put up 453 yards to KC’s 129, (and 215 vs 16 on the ground) that’s got to go, in part, to your coaches. He has repeatedly stated that we need to play a complete game, and yesterday was a great example of just that. Kudos to Mikey!

P.S. He also signed Stokley to a three year deal this week. That move alone, should get our Head Coach a game ball.

Dominique Foxworth hit it exactly with this quote in his presser:

“We’re better than it has looked at times, but we’re still learning,” Foxworth said. “The key for us is not to make mistakes. We’re not good enough to make mistakes and make up for them. But we’re getting there.”

(via The Denver Post)

Yes, Broncos fans. The Lions beating the Chargers this week won’t help us. All our hopes for the AFC West rests on the Raiders beating the Chargers in Oakland in Week 17.

The Chargers are sitting pretty at 8-5 and in control of their own destiny. With three games remaining (Detroit, Denver, at Oakland), and none of their opponents currently owning a winning record, all signs point to the Bolts taking the AFC West for the third time in four years and second straight.

They escaped a dominating Tennessee Titans performance with an overtime comeback win after trailing 14 points in the fourth quarter, maintaining their 2-game lead over the Denver Broncos (6-7).

With the Jaguars and Browns looking like the most likely candidates for the AFC Wild Card spots, and the Bills and Titans also a game ahead of Denver, it’s extremely likely the only chance for the Broncos to make the playoffs is to win the division. But they’ll need help.

The Broncos can deliver San Diego a loss on Christmas Eve when they had to Qualcomm Stadium, but it won’t be enough. The Chargers will then need to lose to either the Lions or the Raiders in Weeks 15, 17 respectively to drop to 9-7. The Broncos need to win the rest of their games (all opponents have at least 6 wins) to match that record.

Then the NFL tiebreakers kick in, which go in order like this (remember, this is assuming the Broncos win out and the Chargers lose at least one other game. If you’re superstitious, yes, I’m playing with fire here):

1. Head-to-Head (tied 1-1)

2. Division Record (SD either 4-2 or 3-3; DEN 4-2)

3. Record vs. Common Opponents (SD 7-5, DEN 6-6)

In this 9-7 tiebreaker scenario, the Broncos and Chargers would split the season series and have to move on to the next rounds of tiebreakers to determine the winner. Depending on if the potential upset team is the Lions or the Chiefs, the results of the tiebreaker will be very different.

Scenario One – Chargers Beat Lions; Lose Final Two Weeks to Broncos, Raiders – Final Season Record: 9-7. Their earlier loss to the Chiefs would drop their division record to 3-3, giving the Broncos the edge. This is the scenario the Broncos are hoping for – that the Raiders’ impressive performances against the Chiefs and Broncos in Weeks 12 and 13 were no flukes. If the Raiders can pull the upset (at home, mind you), the Broncos would steal the division and head into the postseason.

Scenario Two – Chargers Lose to Lions, Broncos; Beat Raiders – Final Season Record: 9-7. The first tiebreaker, division record, would be a draw with the Broncos at 4-2. The next tiebreaker, common opponents, would actually give the edge to the Chargers. The teams have 12 games with common opponents (4 AFC West, 4 AFC South, 4 NFC North games). In those 12 games, the Broncos would be 6-6, the Chargers would be 7-5 (thanks Indianapolis/Adam Vinatieri).

So even if the Chargers lose to the Lions AND Broncos, they would still win the AFC West.

In other words, all of hour hopes for a January 2007 rests on the Raiders beating the Chargers in the last week of the year.

Personally, I’m just hoping the Broncos play solid football, like I saw yesterday, for the last three weeks of the season and finish strong. Beat solid teams in the Texans, Chargers, and Vikings. Then let the chips fall where they may (hey, we might even sneak in as a Wild Card – it’s unlikely with 4 teams ahead of us, but it’s not impossible with our own tiebreaker edges against the Titans and Bills).

Winning out is no small task – these are tough teams that are all coming on strong at the end of the year. If we’re stuck at home at 9-7 for the second straight year, at least I’ll take comfort knowing that this team played hard, and well, for the last 4 games of the season. Look out 2008.