Defensive struggles continue for Broncos
Opponent scores 30 points or more third week in row
By Stuart Goldman, Special to the Rocky
Published September 28, 2008 at 5:06 p.m.
Joe Mahoney / The Rocky
Broncos linebacker Nate Webster walks off the field Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium after the Chiefs' last touchdown.
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It's becoming an alarming trend for the Broncos defense, which Sunday allowed 30 points or more for the third straight game, this time against the offensively challenged Chiefs.
In the previous two weeks, quarterbacks Philip Rivers of San Diego and Drew Brees of New Orleans thrashed the Denver defense. On Sunday, it was Chiefs running back Larry Johnson who ran over the Broncos, finishing with 198 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns in a 33-19 Chiefs win.
The Broncos entered ranked 30th in total defense. The Chiefs were 28th in total offense.
"I thought we had a remarkable game plan coming into the game," said the Broncos' Ebenezer Ekuban, who was moved from end to tackle but did not record a tackle. "Give credit where credit is due. They made big plays when it counted. We can't give up big plays, especially in the running game. That's what we did, and that's why we lost."
Earlier in the week, Johnson's idol, legendary Browns running back Jim Brown, paid a visit to Johnson at a speaking engagement in Kansas City. Brown's influence no doubt gave Johnson, who had 217 rushing yards in three games this season, the boost he needed.
On the second play from scrimmage, Johnson scampered 65 yards before Champ Bailey and Dre Bly brought him down. On his final run of the day, Johnson disappeared behind the line, then got out into the clear for a 16-yard touchdown.
"They kept feeding him," Bailey said. "The big run in the first half gave him so much confidence."
What made matters worse for the Broncos on Sunday was they were facing career backup Damon Huard, the third quarterback to start for the Chiefs this season.
Huard didn't set the world on fire like Rivers or Brees, but he managed the game efficiently and didn't make mistakes. He completed 21-of-28 passes for 160 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.
Huard's favorite target was second-year player Dwayne Bowe, who had seven catches for 85 yards. Huard connected three times with All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez, once on a 10-yard touchdown and once on a key third-down play for 23 yards.
"He got the job done," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said of Huard.
The Broncos allowed 370 yards and Chiefs kicker Nick Novak made four field goals.
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September 28, 2008
5:22 p.m.
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BroncoDan writes:
well, at least Nebraska lost too...;-D
September 28, 2008
5:26 p.m.
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SteveC writes:
The defense gets ran over every week and the offense is putting up fewer and fewer points every week. The Broncs looked like they didn't even know what was going on, really out of sync for most of the game. If they don't get their problems solved now, it's gonna be a long season.
September 28, 2008
6:17 p.m.
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JohninHouston writes:
I am sorry to have to admit it but I am now convinced that this may be the worst defense we have had over the last three years, and we have had some bad ones. I did not think it could get worse but it has. No pass rush; no stopping the run; no stopping the pass. It gets worse each week. They all say that it is because they are new playing together and that the "scheme" is new, and that things will get better. If it was ever going to get better it should have been today, when the offense was flat. We are 1/4 through the season and the D is going the wrong direction. How many times can the coach and the scheme be dumped and start over again? I guess we will find out. They were so bad today (except for Champ) that I was embarrassed for them. Trouble is, this is the hand we have and so we have to play it out.
September 28, 2008
7:09 p.m.
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deezBroncs1127 writes:
I didn't catch the game but from what I saw in the stats, when you turn the ball over 4 times and kick 4 FG's, your Defense better step up and they didn't. They gave up 198 rushing yards. CMON FELLAS ! That is crazy. You can't win football games with those stats. Throw that game out and concentrate on Tampa Bay whose Defense is probably better than the Chiefs. Cutler still put up numbers but it didn't convert into TD's.
Defense needs to have some pride in what their doing and buy into what they are preaching. Let's go fellas, regroup and come back home for a huge game against the Buc's.
September 28, 2008
7:58 p.m.
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smaestas writes:
I don't know if I was being if it was just me or not, but Webster had a horrible game. He missed multiple tackles by leading with his shoulder instead of wraping up. Why not give Niko a try? Can not be worse then what the Broncos have put on the field so far.
September 29, 2008
4:58 a.m.
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dilligaf writes:
I'm sorry this week I have to lay this one on the offence. Sure the D didn't perform well but we kept shooting ourselves in the foot every time we had the ball. Cutler had a horrible game.
September 29, 2008
10:05 a.m.
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blysucks writes:
Any of you blaming the offense are crazy. Yes, Cutler made some boneheaded plays and the fumbles were killers. Kicking field goals will not get it done. But when you go into every game knowing anything less than 30 points and you have no chance, it's tough. Especially when you consider nearly everyone on offense is a 1st or 2nd year starter. They cannot be expected to be perfect. The d is an absolute joke. That pathetic KC offense couldn't score on Colfax and won't have 33 in the next 3 games. Simple math lesson folks, offense is averaging 33.25pts per game, d is allowing 28.25 per game. Hello, even Shanny can figure the culprit out.
September 29, 2008
10:26 a.m.
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BroncoRick69 writes:
Its funny how everyone keeps saying we'll be fine. It's BS. Our "D" is not very good at all. Good teams find a way to overcome the offense having a bad day like we did against the Chiefs. If only our defense was just a little better, it would have been good enough. Maybe if someone could have tackled someone it would have been good enough.People look at a team like Chicago, and call them a sorry team, or whatever but the fact is, at least they have a defense. Denver's D is pathetic.
September 29, 2008
10:34 a.m.
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silverJ writes:
sigh...
September 29, 2008
10:55 a.m.
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Transplant writes:
How many more defensive coordinators is Shanahan going to be able to fire until someone, see Bowlen, holds him responsible for how this team performs. The Dan Fouts Chargers proved you cannot score 45 points a game and five up 42 and win the big one. Defense wins championships and this unit can't stop the run or the pass. Don't get me wrong, I know the team is young and do not expect a lot out of them this year but it would be nice to see some improvement a quarter of the way through the season, like someone who can rush the passer. Buckle up fans, it's going to another bumpy ride.
September 29, 2008
11:46 a.m.
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Alethia writes:
How much longer before we start calling them the "Enver Broncos" since there's obviously no "D" in Denver anymore?
Yeah, the offense and special teams stunk it up too. But the Broncos defense got lit up by a horrendous offense, especially in the 4th quarter when it really mattered and the game was still close.
September 29, 2008
3:30 p.m.
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Coltgm56 writes:
I have always been a Bronco fan going way back to the 60's when we never won. I will stay a Bronco fan win or lose this year. We have an unacceptable defense and each and every defensive player should be ashamed of themselves, they play the game and have ultimate responsibility to preform. How can they accept their multi million dollar pay checks and look themselves in the eye? I don't want to hear about offensive turnovers or bad field position. The job for the defense is to DEFEND and stop the other team not make excuses. The offense did not have a great day either, however they have performed very well the other three weeks. I am challenging the defense to MAN-UP and fight. Don't accept your past performance. Just a note, if I performed my job as badly for four weeks in a row I would be fired. Be glad you don't have to live in a regular persons' world. Show some heart and pride and do the job you are being paid for!!! Go Broncos!!!!
September 29, 2008
4:16 p.m.
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blysucks writes:
The worst part is the excuses these defensive players give. Just man up, admit you were awfull and try to get better. If I hear Nate Webster tell us one more time that they really stopped LJ, except for the 1st and last drives, I'll throw up! So what you're saying is other than the 65 yard run and the 50 yard run, we were great! PLEASE, is Wade Phillips and his bag full of excuses back in town? Then Drey Bly (bye bye) and Champ Bailey weekly are telling us how the Broncos are ready to morph into the 2nd coming of the '85 Bears at any moment. Shut the hell up and play. Enough with the excuses and bs!