Two numbers stand out as I look at the Denver Broncos stats through week 2. 17, and 911.

The first – 17 – is the number of points the Broncos defense has given up in 2 weeks. (Oh, by the way, that’s lower than the 24 points the defense gave up through two weeks last year). It is also the number of points Broncos opponents have scored through other means.

Marshawn Lynch marched through the Broncos defense in the third quarter of the Bills game for 7 points. Against the Raiders, Sebastian Janikowski kicked in a field goal in the first half after an interception gave the Raiders a short field. Later, Dre Bly bit while looking at the Raiders backfield, leaving Jerry Porter wide open for 7 points in the third quarter. 7+3+7 = 17.

But the Broncos opponents have scored a total of 34, twice that. What gives?

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Disclaimer: We did well enough to win. That point is (of course) the only one that really matters at the end of the season.

However, I would be lax in my review of the game if I were to end it there. So, here are some of my thoughts on the game… or games?

I actually feel like we played three different games on Sunday.

1. The stellar 1st 36.5 minutes of the game (up to the missed field goal by Elam in the 3rd Quarter):
In this game we played great football on both sides of the ball. We had 276 yards of total offense and 17 points compared to the Raider’s 78 yards and 3 points. Cutler had over 150 yards passing versus McCown’s 17 yards. Selvin Young ripped off a 40 yard run that really impressed me, and Brandon Stokley would have scored the offensive MVP of the game with a couple critical 3-and-long grabs and a TD. On defense, Denver seemed to be stopping everything Oakland was throwing at them. D. J. Williams single-handedly limited Oakland’s redzone visit to a field goal with two incredible stops and both Champ Bailey and rookie Marcus Thomas recorded interceptions.

2. The dismal next 27.5 minutes of the game (4 minutes into OT):
From this point, the balance of power seems to have shifted and all the stats go the other way… Oakland turned in 17 points with 169 yards of total offense compared to less than 100 yard and 3 points from the Broncos. On offense, Cutler got sacked in the endzone for a safety and Thomas Howard ran a Cutler interception back 44 yards for another TD. On defense, we couldn’t seem to stop the Raiders as Jordan rushed for 113 yards and Bly got beat deep by Joey Porter for a 46 yard TD.

3. The Final 5:21 minutes of OT play:
After Janikowski’s failed second attempt at a 52 yard field goal, the Broncos awoke and marched down the field in an impressive 9 play, 54 yard drive that resulted in the game winning Elam FG. The Broncos looked dominate again and I have no doubt that they could have scored 7 if Shanahan would have decided to win with a TD.
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TE Stephen Alexander was waived by the Broncos on Saturday, and Chad Mustard was re-signed.

Switch the names in the previous sentence and you have today’s headline.

I suspected the move was mostly based on the lack of depth at tackle and the injury of Alexander, and it looks like I was right.  I half expect this to continue every week until Alexander is fully healthy from his calf injury.

Icing the kicker is an age-old practice in the NFL. Photo Courtesy

I’ve been hearing both sides of the controversy regarding last night’s games, and frankly, I’m tired of all the anti-Broncos sentiment. The refs blew this one, and the silver and black can blame the white and black for this screw up. I also think the fact that CBS showed the score as 23-20 did a lot more damage than viewing the field goal go in – it seemed to strike of finality, when it was anything but.

As in most controversies, there’s a bottom line, and this one’s pretty simple: THE BRONCOS CALLED TIMEOUT. That’s it. End of story. I can just envision the Raiders fans whining 5 years down the line, a la the Tuck Rule game, on how they were cheated out of a win. I don’t want to hear it. I’ve been hearing it all day. The Broncos aren’t dirty, they aren’t cheaters, they just iced the kicker. Happens 20 times a year in the NFL. Overtime kick coming? Ice the kicker. 30 seconds left for the game tier? Ice the kicker.

A good coach knows he needs to use every tool available. I didn’t see Lane Kiffin calling a timeout when Elam was lining up (although Elam proclaims he loves it when they try to ice him, giving him more time to prepare). Two weeks in a row, the game has come down to Elam’s foot and Shanahan‘s supreme coaching. Whether it’s calling “toro” on a 3rd and 9 in Buffalo, or calling a timeout moments before the field goal goes up, he has this team prepared for anything and has found ways to win despite the strangest of circumstances.

Quit whining, Raiders fans, and go prepare for the Cleveland Browns and the explosive (!) Derek Anderson.

Little programming note for all the fans like me who couldn’t watch the game with their own two eyes – the NFL Network will air last night’s nailbiter on NFL Replay tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10:30 PM ET. I watched the highlights and had a few fears confirmed (ahem Chris Myers)… but I can’t wait to break this game down fully.

Seriously. Any one reading this with a heart condition feeling as though their life is in danger? Last week we had the late field goal, and then this time we watched the Broncos lose, then not lose, and then win. I think this game is taking years off of my life. Good thing I don’t smoke or I’d be dead about three years ago.

So what did I see this game?

To start with — and I saw this last week too — The Raiders are a much better team this year than they were last year. And their defense, strangely, isn’t as good. But then again, there was a lot of talk about their defense being so good because offenses didn’t have to be as aggressive, so they tended to play it safer which meant a lot more stops. So maybe I’ve been overestimating how good the Raiders’ defense really is.

Here are my five things:

1) Special teams coverage — While our kicking team did very well, I was unhappy with our receiving teams. Every time I saw Hixon get clear and start to move, there was a sea of white jerseys there. That’s on our blockers — they simply could not stay in position. And that onside kick that we missed? Well, fool me once, I guess. It was a trick play and I’m sure that won’t happen to Curome Cox again. Hixon had himself some good moves, but good moves alone won’t get you throw a sea of the other team’s jerseys. The unit has to do some blocks.

2) Jay Cutler — There’s a couple of rookie mistakes coming out, and that first interception was one of them. I’m dubious about the second one; it was tipped, but he needs to throw it clear of the defender, too. On the flip side of that, 23 of 33 for 269 yards? That’s not quite a 70% completion rate. That’s a number I like to see. 1 TD, 2 INT? That’s not so good. Even with that he got a 79 rating; reverse that and it would’ve been a much, much healthier rating. Do I miss Jake Plummer? Not even a little bit. And my boy Brandon Marshall? Another good game for both he and Walker, though sadly shut out on TDs for all the principle fantasy players.

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It’s storming here in northern AZ, and my power might go out again.  I’ll have full game thoughts in the hours ahead, but signing off for now!  What a heart-wrenching game!

4:45 – THE POWER WENT OUT AT MY HOUSE!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!! BUT IT JUST CAME BACK AND THE BRONCOS WIN!!!!!

4:33 – Three and out in overtime after Jay Cutler isn’t able to connect to Selvin Young. I’m peeing my pants right now. Punt ahead.

4:32 – Third and 2 already at the Broncos 28… time for another huge, crucial play.

4:30 – Hixon to receive, touchback, now from their 20.

Overtime, and the Broncos will receive.

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4:24 – McCown’s first throw in this quarter is incomplete.  Can you believe this?  Raiders take a timeout after some sloppy line formation.  Oakland is at their 41-yard line and hoping to get somewhere where Sebastian Janikowski can kick it.  He’s more than decent, with a career long of 55 yards.  3rd and 7, blitz heavy, deep ball – DRE BLY PICKS IT OFF!!!

4:23 – Raiders pick up 12 yards, after a 10 yard holding penalty. 22 seconds left, and it’s 2nd and 8 near midfield.

4:21 – They say it only takes a few crucial plays to make or break a game. At 3rd and 4, the Broncos defense faced such a play and couldn’t deliver. The Raiders extend their drive and continue to inch toward field goal territory.

4:18 – A little over 2 minutes, three timeouts, and the Raiders start at their 26 after a 22 yard return. First play of the Raiders drive is a LaMont Jordan gain of 5.

4:17 – With 2:18 to go, it’s time for our defense (and special teams) to pin the Raiders deep and prevent a Raider win.

4:15 – Kick is good, tie game 20-20.

4:14 – Why give it to Mike Bell? Seriously. The guy’s been having a really bad game. After short catch, Elam has a chance at redemption and to tie the game.

4:11 – First down, Denver, after Javon Walker’s 13 yard gain. We’re at the 26 yard line, and now Travis Henry has made a big play. Gerard Warren holds, and now we’re at the Raider 10, First and Goal. Now Cutler, don’t blow it!

4:09 – Cecil Sapp, have I told you I loved you lately? 4:20 or so left, and the huge 4th down conversion after Sapp’s second effort extends the Broncos’ hopes. Timeout, their second of 3.

4:05- Brandon Stokley invokes a little energy with his 23 yard catch, and the Broncos are in Raiders territory. We’re down, but not out.

4:03 – Someone wake me from this nightmare. Please. 3rd and 11.

3:58 – Thomas Howard interception, then touchdown. And now they lead with 8:55 left in the fourth quarter. They’ll probably go for two. The ball was tipped, and the Broncos are looking head first at a horrible loss.

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After an interception (and lightning storm)-filled first half, the Broncos lead the Raiders 17-3.

The Broncos started their semi-annual bout with the Oakland Raiders with a blast, executing a 29-yard scoring drive after a Champ Bailey interception on the Raiders’ second posession.

Shortly after the start of the second quarter, a 30-minute storm delay was called due to heavy lightning. The Raiders returned with 3 points in the second quarter, and the Broncos returned with 7 points of their own after a huge Selvin Young run.

With 18 seconds left in the first half, Jason Elam added another 3 points and the Broncos end the half with a 14-point lead.

Halftime Studs and Duds

STUDS
Champ Bailey – What a pick!
Marcus Thomas – ditto!
Brandon Stokley – Led the team to its first points, hauling in the touchdown catch too.
Running backs – Selvin Young and Travis Henry both broke off big runs, and Cecil Sapp found paydirt.

DUDS
Mother Nature – Talk about a royal downer.
Mike Bell – Illegal formation cost us a touchdown early, and he isn’t showing he deserves any movement upwards on the depth chart.

Don’t rest on this, Broncos – finish the game strong and move on to 2-0!

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2:47 – FG is good, 17-3 Broncos. 18 seconds left in the half.

2:45 – 3rd and 7, and the Broncos fail to convert (barely) after a Selvin Young run. Jason Elam, don’t blow it buddy.

2:42 – Two minute warning after a 21-yard Travis Henry run. The Broncos are threatening at the Oakland 13 yard line.

2:37 – Nice 3 and out, defense. Let’s separate this thing and show the men in black they’re not any better yet.

2:30 – Selvin Young, you are da man. Huge run, then a good play by Walker. A pass interference call later, and Cecil Sapp has a Denver touchdown with 7:34 left in the half. TOUCHDOWN!!

2:24 – Serious “dee dee dee” moment on my part. Didn’t realize I was listening to 2-minute delayed coverage through Sirius (forgot to fast forward after I rewound earlier). It’s 7-3 after the Oakland field goal.

2:22 – 3rd and 5, and you would hope the Broncos defense could stop the Raiders right there. But a 20-yard plus scramble by Josh McCown later, and the Raiders are seriously threatening.

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