Backward step for Broncos' offense
It's 2007 revisited as red-zone woes, turnovers return
By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published September 28, 2008 at 5:19 p.m.
Photo by Charlie Riedel / Associated Press
Broncos receiver Eddie Royal, who led the Broncos with nine receptions for 104 yards, fumbles after one of those catches as he's hit by Kansas City defensive end Turk McBride. The Chiefs recovered the first-quarter fumble on the way to an early 6-0 lead.
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It was a performance that really didn't seem to resemble the Broncos offense, except it did.
Circa 2007.
There were the usual suspects that dogged the team last season:
* Considerable yardage but few points.
* Red-zone struggles.
* Key turnovers.
The Broncos (3-1) largely had avoided those types of issues in building their No. 1 ranking with the ball before Sunday, when they turned into throwback weekend at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Broncos punted only twice on 13 possessions.
That previously had been a badge of honor in games against Oakland, San Diego and New Orleans because that meant Denver frequently was reaching the end zone. The Broncos ranked No. 2 in the league in yards per game (432), third in third-down conversions, tied for second in yards per play (6.8) and first in scoring (38.0) and first downs (26).
Denver got production, too, at least statistically, including a 361-yard passing day from quarterback Jay Cutler and a 104-yard receiving effort by Eddie Royal. But it all came undone with two interceptions, two fumbles and only one touchdown on four trips inside Kansas City's 20 in a 33-19 loss.
Whereas words such as "explosive" and "dynamic" had been used to describe Denver the rest of September, the descriptions turned to "flat" and "uninspiring" by the most unlikely of sources.
The Chiefs defense had ranked 25th and allowed 26 points a game but slowed Denver's running game to a crawl, tackled well and made plays.
"It shows us how good we can be and how sorry we can be," Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall said after Denver lost for the 11th time in the past 14 games at Arrowhead Stadium. "It's definitely a humbling experience. We weren't high on ourselves and didn't put ourselves on a pedestal. We weren't content where we were. This was another chance to come out and prove that we belong at the top of everybody's chart. But we came out flat, and it showed."
After building 21-3 leads on consecutive weeks, Denver sputtered from the start. Kansas City moved to a 6-0 lead as the Broncos managed one first down and lost the ball on a Royal fumble when he slipped a tackle and lineman Turk McBride poked the ball out from behind.
"A play like that you're just trying to make something happen," said Royal, who led all receivers with nine catches and the 104 yards. "I know that over the middle, when you break a tackle, you've got to cover the ball. But give the guy a lot of credit for hustling downfield."
When Marshall scored on a 16-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, after a key 40-yard Michael Pittman catch- and-run, it seemed like order had been restored.
But on the next series, Marshall took an end-around, was slammed by Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson and fumbled. Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers ran the ball back 37 yards to the Broncos 2 to set up the first of two Larry Johnson touchdowns.
The Broncos caught Kansas City 13-13 with two Matt Prater field goals before Nick Novak helped the Chiefs regain the lead.
Then, it all came unglued.
Cutler locked on Marshall over the middle and Derrick Johnson made a lunging interception. Denver got the ball when Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey forced a fumble. But after one running play, Cutler looked deep for Marshall and was intercepted by rookie Brandon Carr at the Chiefs 21.
Four plays, three turnovers.
"That was a ball I misjudged," Marshall said. "I thought that it was going to go over his hands because it was a pretty high ball, but Carr got up there pretty good. It's one of those plays I wish I could have had back and come back to the ball. I'm kicking myself still."
Self-immolation was contagious because the Broncos followed with a three-and-out. And the Chiefs scored two touchdowns and kicked another field goal to put away the game.
Denver couldn't take advantage of a second-and-goal at the 3 or a first-and-10 at the 15, twice settling for field goals in the fourth quarter.
"Once they got ahead, they wanted to run the ball and keep everything in front of them and make us check it down and dink it down the field," Cutler said, pointing at the Chiefs' cover-2 defensive scheme employed for much of the second half. "They did a good job."
But where there's a yin, there's a corresponding yang.
Cutler looked as uncomfortable as he had all year, even though he was sacked only once. The Broncos couldn't keep Kansas City honest with the run, outside of one 18-yard run each by Selvin Young and Michael Pittman.
"I think everything's head- scratching for us right now, all across the board offensively," Broncos receiver Brandon Stokley said. "Red zone. Dropped passes. Turnovers. Not running the ball. You can name anything you want offensively. We just didn't do it right."
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September 28, 2008
5:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
cdmdenver writes:
Broncos Will Come Back...
First the Defense, some players Really showed
up today, Boss Bailey, Champ Bailey,Webster.
The Broncos Defensive line with the exception
of a couple big runs by Larry Johnson actually
played better today.
The offense had problems, Stokely came up
with some Big catches. The Broncos will come
back next week BIG!!!
September 28, 2008
6:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
jlstaud writes:
I'm less concerned about how bad the offense played. There will be games like this and it isn't a big surprise that it came in KC. What we need to be concerned about is that they gave up 30+ points again and to a horrible offensive football team. Larry Johnson looked like Jim Brown, Damon Huard looked like Joe Montana and the Chiefs offensive line looked like the Cowboys from the 90's. This defense is awful. Somebody please tell me where Elvis DUMBerville is. How about that great DT Robertson. What about DJ back at his natural position? Oh and don't forget the most overrated secondary of Bly and Bailey. This defense would be an embarrassment to a number of D1 colleges let alone to an NFL team. Just sad.
September 28, 2008
7:21 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
jlstaud, 1st off, Dewayne didn't play (knee). DJ had a good game. Bailey had a good game. So did Dre. The breakdown was at MLB and the tackles. Now, I don't know how old you are, BUT, our record at Arrowhead is now 3-11 under Shanahan. Call it an "Arrowhead curse". Doesn't matter. We are still in 1st and coming home to face a very good TB. Stuff happens. I want them to win every game but how easy is it to be undefeated? EXACTLY! So, we just need to s*ck it up, get past this and kick some tail.
September 28, 2008
7:22 p.m.
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deezBroncs1127 writes:
I agree with you jlstaud. The offense still put up the numbers, just couldn't convert them into TD's. But cmon, We're talking about the Chiefs, The CHIEFS!!! The Defense doesn't look like an NFL Defense at times. Guys not making tackles, broken coverage, when was the last time the Broncos had an INTERCEPTION !!! Bailey can't get all the INT's.
Man this was a HUGE game and it would've put the Broncos 3 up in the division but it didn't happen. Need to regroup and go back to tackling drills in practice and see if we can't make a tackle against another tough RB in Earnest Graham & put some points up against a tough defense in Tampa Bay.
September 28, 2008
7:36 p.m.
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easy writes:
The Broncos looked past the Chiefs. Period. All the talk about respecting their opponents and that any NFL team can win any given week is fodder for the papers.
The Broncos waltzed into Arrowhead and 'Ol Leatherface took another beating by a team who isn't playing well at all this season. Shannahan is 3-11 in Arrowhead. 11 times he's waltzed his team in there and gotten his butt handed right back to him. Gunther Cunningham has a personal beef with Shannahan and the Chiefs defense took that beef out on Denver's offensive players.
Thumped in Arrowhead - again.
September 28, 2008
8:28 p.m.
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6_is_the_new_7 writes:
Sometimes things don't quite go the way you'd like them to. Arrowhead is a very tough place to play. The Cheifs were the better team today. They always give their best effort against us. Today was no exception. To look on the bright side though, despite four turnovers, we still had a chance. We just needed to recover the onside kick. K.C.'s offensive line is not good, yet we allow L.J. to run for 198. Not good. At least the next 2 games are at home. Tough games though. Hope the Broncos can bouce back from this very tough loss.
September 28, 2008
8:40 p.m.
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6_is_the_new_7 writes:
I just hope we're still above .500 and ahead inthe division by the bye week. By the way, whose the frontrunner to be the next defensive coordinator?
September 28, 2008
8:58 p.m.
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halfmile writes:
Let's be realistic, there is no defense, no special team, and today we saw the #6 is blind to open receviers. Jay is not John but if you are going to force the ball with a rocket arm, you need to look before you fire.
This is a young team that will get better, but don't count them in the playoffs at this point in time. They got their butts whipped in KC today. It should not have been a contest but then the Bronks have always liked to help the underdogs win.
September 28, 2008
10:36 p.m.
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jlstaud writes:
Blah, blah, blah, arrowhead is a tough place to play, blah, blah, blah. Give me a freakin break. We played a team that hadn't won in 12 games. They had the worst rushing defense in the nfl, and the 26th ranked offense. Don't give me this arrowhead curse garbage. Shanny is 3 and 11 or something at arrowhead and he has a history of not preparing his team when they play inferior opponents.
Dynamicdave, please do not tell me that anyone and Denver's defense had a good game. DJ didn't, Bly didn't, Bailey didn't, nobody did. Every single one of them played pathetically and should be completely embarrassed. I'm sick and tired of hearing all the excuses. The first three weeks we had to hear about how they at least made stops when they had to. This week Shanny said on the radio that by the end of the season we were going to have a pretty good defense. Tonight I had to hear Bly say, well we kept the passing game in front of us. Blah, blah, blah. When is someone going to come out and admit that this defense is awful and will most likely be one of the worst in the history of the NFL?
September 29, 2008
4:16 a.m.
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Woody writes:
You've got the whitewash, down, defense. Time to run for public office. None of you are taking responsibility for your actions.
September 29, 2008
4:24 a.m.
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Superchiefs writes:
Welcome back to reality, Bronco Fans. At least here, on your board you guys admit that you really should be 1-3, that your defense stinks and that Cutlett "ain't all that"
TB will be able to handle your offense next week too. Question is, can you stop the TB RB Graham? I think not!
September 29, 2008
5:44 a.m.
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smaestas writes:
The defense is bad, what is adding to my concern are some of the comments from the Broncos. Dbly "We kept passing game in front of us"????? Who did he think they where playing? One of Denver's D-lineman made a comment that "it was not like they got their butt kicked", did he watch the game? "The arrowhead curse"? They played a horrible team that has not been able to do anything all year. I don't care how good the RB is, if that is all they have it should be easy to stop. Denver's defense may be the worst in the league at this point. They have to get a middle line backer, sit Webster and start Niko. They can not get worse, Webster missed a bunch of tackles by using his shoulder and not wrapping up, not to mention missed assignments in this game.
September 29, 2008
6:20 a.m.
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dilligaf writes:
deezBroncs1127 writes: "The offense still put up the numbers"
I agree they put up 4 turnover numbers. Now I'm not saying the defence played well but Cutler and the offence cost them this game.
September 29, 2008
9:07 a.m.
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atm726 writes:
Stokley hit on a key point at the very end of this article... "Not running the ball." As in, not even trying to run the ball. I remember at least 3 seperate sequences with a second and third and short and both plays, all three sequences, were incomplete passes. The last one, where the Broncos had second and goal from the two, immediately following a 7-yard run by Selvin Young, followed by two incomplete passes. I think maybe Bates and Shanahan are trying a little too hard to copy New England of last year. Remember, they were done in eventually due in part to a refusal to commit to the run.
September 29, 2008
9:13 a.m.
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dehag24 writes:
"we kept the passing game in front of us"....yea on 3rd and 12 you kept it 13 yards in front of you....and 3rd and 2 it was 4 yards in front of you....all first downs meaning our defense stays on the field....way to many easy pass plays for a 2nd string QB....all tho we made him look like an All-pro on Sunday
September 29, 2008
noon
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Squatch writes:
Till the Broncos find a dependable running game they feel comfortable with they will struggle. Young has a good YPC average but he doesn’t freeze a defense which lets the LB play deeper in the field. I don’t know if they are waiting for Torain to be their savior but they need to commit to running the ball more. This team is need of a serious commitment to run the ball whether its Young, Pittman or Hall. The quick strike is great but it gives you already struggling defense no time to catch their breath.
I have no problem with Cutler throwing an interception when the defender makes a big play but when you’re throwing into triple coverage and getting picked off that is unacceptable. Even more he had a guys wide open on both plays for a 1st downs. You cant turn the ball over 4 times and then settle for field goals since you cant throw to anybody but Marshall (He’s good but cant always make great catches).
The defense still needs a pass rush they played they youngest line in the league and barely put any pressure on Huard and sure in the h3ll didn’t have an answer for LJ. Dre Bly is looking more and more like he is out matched by every receiver he covers. DWILL in his 2 years with the team showed more upside than the Bly. This game should have been a game in which the Broncos looked like the dominant team in the AFC.
I dont accept the " Arrowhead excuse" these are professionals and they should use that as a reason to go in there and kick some A$$. I do believe that there is a home field advantage but the Broncos gave this game away.
September 29, 2008
12:08 p.m.
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Kingfish writes:
Once again it comes down to time of possesion. In the first three weeks we scored so quickly that our defense was on the field all day. Not to mention we dont even try to run the ball and wear the other team down.
Yesterday it was turnovers; once again leaving our defense on the field all friggin day. I am very upset with what looks like we dont even have safeties out there. Why Is Jack Williams on Dwayne Bowe by himself? WHY? Its not because the safeties were on the line of scrimmage stopping the run. So WHY?
And once again I am not very happy with the play calling. I saw Scheffler wide open on many occasions and the ball being forced into Marshall; we dont even attempt to run the ball so the opposition just sits back all day. We got so caught up in the hype of two rookie corners on Mashall and Royal its as if that was our entire game plan-feed those two. Especially on a day when it was obvious Cutler was struggling....Im glad it happened to a team that isnt going anywhere so maybe the Broncos will come back down to earth and recognize we cant expect Cutler to do it by himself, even against less then mediocre competition.
RUN THE BALL PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
September 29, 2008
1:07 p.m.
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DocBronco98 writes:
They are the freeeeeaaaakkkin CHEFS we deserved to lose and they played up to their namesake Chiefs! I for one was not surprised by the Defense it is normal this year to let an opponent have 30 points what kills me is the offense set up at least 1/2 or more of those points by playing give away!! Final point the offense did lose the ball and the game (4 turnovers)...Come on D step up and help out our O.
Wow I am glad that rant is over. Okay it is just one week now we need to Buckle up strap down and go on... GO GO BRONCOS!! I still have faith!
September 29, 2008
1:51 p.m.
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RufusTFirefly writes:
F U! K C!
September 29, 2008
1:56 p.m.
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SD_JD writes:
Oh the taste of Sweet vindication - I love being a Charger Fan this morning!!!
September 29, 2008
4:27 p.m.
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Brain writes:
Its official, Broncos D stinks!! The offense had a bad day too; Cutler too often forced the ball to Marshall when he had others open causing 2 INT's and they gave the ball up twice on fumbles; they need to run the ball more instead of throwing on 2nd and/or 3rd and 1-2 yds, thats being too cocky. Still the defense gave up 198 yds to Larry and that sealed the deal for the cheifs. BTW, Bly played fairly well the person the gave up at least 2 big plays(??) that was Jack Williams, too short to play against tall WR's.
This team is a young team and will have those days; the offense will be fine and end-up a top 5 offense this year but the defense has no answer this year.
September 29, 2008
4:29 p.m.
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Brain writes:
r_u_shtn_me; they let you use a computer in jail??
September 29, 2008
5:03 p.m.
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OPETH72 writes:
The chefs got 10 off turnovers. The offense did not perform well, clearly. I would be fine with 19-16. However, we don't have the D to complete such a task. The run defense does seem like it has really improved this year, though. I guess I won't be reading any of those comments this week. The D is baaaaaaad. Really, really, baaaaaaaaaad. And special teams has the same virus. I like Prater kicking a 56 yarder, but on the other side, they can't or don't or won't stop giving up the big return. The offense will be fine, and we will quite a few more games, but anybody that doesn't realize the defense is horrid, is blind. If we had a defense, we really could have come close to having no losses. And I agree with another post here that said that they all played bad. They did. When you give up 33 to that team, you can't say anyone on that D had a good game. They seem to be in denial. The chefs made it loud and clear. The first step here needs to be the coaches and players admitting the D stinks. Maybe then they can start to move in the right direction.
September 29, 2008
9:22 p.m.
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headsup5 writes:
Defensive Coordinator, I think it's time to PANIC!