If you just look at the final score it looks like the Broncos once again barely squeaked one out, and while it was a hard tough close physical game, I think in the end the broncos proved that they were the better team, and unlike the other close ones this year, really won this game instead of stole it.

Things I loved in this game:

1.) The defense!

This goes without saying, whenever you hold a NFL team to only 13 total points that is pretty good, and especially when the feeling was that this Broncos defense could not stop my grandma and 10 of her bridge club pals.  Three things I really like about what the defense did. 

A.)  They played smart.  With a few minutes left to go in the game the broncos were up by 10.  Tampa Bay got the ball at the 10 yard line, and instead of doing something stupid like blitz every one on 3rd and 5 and give up a long play, they just gave Tampa Bay all of the little stuff, and sure they drove it down the field and scored a touchdown, but that drive is what essentially ended the football game for the Bucs.  The got a score, but they also took way too much time.  The only thing the Broncos could have done at that venture to let the Bucs back into the game was to give up a QUICK score, either a TD or a Field goal, if they had given it up quickly then that lets the bucs right back in it, but they didn't they were patient, bided their time, and made sure short tackles.

B.)  They played VERY active.  This is the first time where it looked like the Broncos defense had another offense confused or worried about them at all, and look what it caused, 3 sacks and a handful of OL penalties.  Speaking from the perspective of a former O-Lineman holds and false starts aren't cause by the crowd or by hard counts or anything like that they are caused by the defensive front 7, pure and simple.  I am not sure what changed from last week to this week, maybe the coaches started reading HoosierTeacher and Styg ;), but the defense was way more active this week, maybe not blitzing a ton, but jumping around, and sending a linebacker here and there, dropping Marcus Thomas a couple times.  Anyways I liked what I saw and I hope for more of it.

C.) Marcus Thomas.  This was the first time in the year and a half he has been with the broncos that I actually noticed him when I wasn't specifically watching for him.  It doesn't show up in the stats (only 2 tackle assists and a INT, lets not talk about the fumble ;) ), but he was getting a great push up the middle today.  He was providing the, and I hesitate to use this word, "dominate" DL that HT and Styg were begging for the last couple of weeks.  I am not sure what got into him, but in my opinion this was his best game as a pro, hopefully we see more of that.  Maybe someone told him that Griese had a doobie in his pocket :)

2.)  Matt Prater!  Any time you can make the opposing coach just smile dumbly and shake his head that is a good thing.  When Prater made that 55 yarder that would have been good from 65 easy, Gruden just shook his head in disbelief.  Also and probably just as important, if my memory doesn't fail me every single one of his Kick offs were unreturnable!  Keep it up Matt!

3.)  The running game.  Yeah we didn't get very many total yards, and once again Shanny and co decided to go pass heavy, but when it counted, when we needed a first down to end the game, the running game and Michael Pittman in particular took over, and even though the Bucs were loading the box trying to stop the run the broncs were still picking up 5 a carry.  Pittman was very impressive IMO, and I hope to see him featured a little bit more.  In fact if I was Shanny I might even give him the next start he just runs so much harder than Young and Hall.

Cutler and the Passing game were pretty good, but not amazing.  I hope that Royal and Schef aren't too badly hurt.  All in all a good gutty win for the Broncs!

Beat the Jags!