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Cutler's turnovers prove costly

Damin Esper, Special to the Rocky

Published December 2, 2007 at 7:11 p.m.
Updated December 2, 2007 at 7:11 p.m.

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OAKLAND - Jay Cutler didn't have a whole lot to say about his performance on Sunday. The second-year Broncos quarterback spent about three minutes in the interview room after Denver dropped a 34-20 game to Oakland. Cutler's numbers were underwhelming - 16 of 32 for 214 yards and no touchdowns against two interceptions. He also lost a fumble.

Not that single-game ratings mean much, but Cutler posted a 45.6 on Sunday - easily the worst of his young career.

“You never want to go out there and commit that many turnovers,” Cutler said. “Two interceptions, I don't know how many fumbles. That's why we lost the game.”

Cutler's turnovers all came in the second half and led to 17 Raiders points. The first came on the opening series of the third quarter. Facing a third-and-13 at his own 21, Cutler tried to thread the ball to Javon Walker on the right side near the first down. Instead, Oakland linebacker Thomas Howard came up with the ball. He returned it to the 27. The Raiders cashed it in on a 38-yard field goal by Sebastian Janikowski.

On Denver's next series, Cutler and running back Travis Henry couldn't complete the exchange and Oakland's Chris Clemons fell on the ball at the Broncos 12. Two plays later, Josh McCown hit Jerry Porter for a touchdown and a 24-7 lead.

The final turnover came in the fourth quarter. Trailing 27-20, Denver took over on its own 20 but on first down, Cutler tried to go to Brandon Marshall deep down the right side. Fabian Washington was able to get inside and make a nice interception that was upheld upon review. The Raiders then went on a long drive for the clinching touchdown.

Marshall said Cutler wasn't to blame for the interceptions. He said he tried to release from Washington, which let the defensive back get inside.

“It wasn't Jay's fault,” Marshall said. “The first interception, he's going to try to put it in a tight spot. We want him to do that. The second was on me.”

Comments

  • December 2, 2007

    9:18 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Bobbyboy writes:

    The kid needs to grow-up. He throws an INT every game. He has more INTs than Jake every had. Jake's INT were just ugly, but the kid's INT are costly. He should have 20 by the end of the year at the rate he is going. He needs to be put on a short leash, until he learns the game. Or, he needs to learn faster.