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It's official: Broncos out of playoff hunt after Chargers win

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 16, 2007 at 5:24 p.m.
Updated December 16, 2007 at 5:24 p.m.

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With the Chargers 51-14 rout over the Lions Sunday the Broncos sliver-like postseason hopes were formally shattered for the season.

The Broncos (6-8) have now missed the postseason in four of the last seven seasons, the last two in a row and have one postseason win since their Super Bowl win to close out the 1999 season.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan has already delivered the message to his team that he will be watching the last two games to see who is playing with interest in staying with the team.

"Don't play hard, work hard, your chances of being back aren't very good,'' Shanahan said.

The Broncos will face the AFC West-leading Chargers (9-5) in San Diego next Monday night and will close out the season Dec. 30 at Invesco Field at Mile High against the Minnesota Vikings.

"Things didn't go like I expected when I came,'' said cornerback Dre' Bly. "People are disappointed, we didn't want this . . . But we have a lot of good veterans on this team and to be 8-8 would be better than I ever was in Detroit, that's big to me.''

"I think everybody wants to be at least 8-8,'' said tight end Tony Scheffler. "We want to get a couple wins and maybe carry some momentum into next season.''

"It will be easy to see who is playing and who isn't,'' said Broncos safety John Lynch. "The guys who play hard have a future in this league, the guys who don't, they won't be able to hide. It's important to us.''

Comments

  • December 16, 2007

    7:14 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    kr writes:

    The boltheads smacked down six TDs, and 416 yds against the team who dominated Denver by scoring 44 points on them in week nine. Next game will be a... Can you spell D_I_S_A_S_T_E_R?

    I have said it before and I will say it again, FIRE the entire coaching staff!

  • December 16, 2007

    9:15 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    am2fun4u writes:

    Were they ever even in the Playoff hunt? Not! It was just a dream.

  • December 16, 2007

    10:26 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    gwats writes:

    The last nail was finally driven into the post-season coffin. Now the Broncos from the owner to the guy who cleans out the locker room can start with the 'spin' that comes
    with a losing football team...wait till next year!
    I said it before, I'll say it again.... when you run a guy who was 40-15 as a starter, you get what you deserve. Enjoy your off-season and don't forget about those tee times.