Denver Broncos 24 - Kansas City Chiefs 17 -- Post Game Thread

by John Bena (aka TheSportsGuru) on Dec 7, 2008 5:22 PM MST in 2008 Post Game Notes Comment 40 comments

FINAL

Category	Broncos	Chiefs
Score	24	17
Rushing Yards	139	83
Passing Yards	286	177
Total Yards	425	260
T.O.P	36:38	23:22

It wasn't easy. Nothing this season has been for the Denver Broncos. Much maligned for playing down to their competition this year, the Broncos started the day knowing all they had to do was keep winning and the AFC West, in addition to a #3 seed in the AFC. All that was in their way from continuing that Quest were the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that had only 2 victories on the season. One of those wins came against the Broncos, of course, and nothing is ever simple in the AFC West.

We all saw the way the game started. Shoddy special teams, a FG allowed, then the big Pick-6. Down 10 the Broncos had a choice -- fall prey to what has ailed them all season or make a stand on home turf and defend the their homefield, their division, their playoff lives. Luckily for all of us, they chose the latter.

Overcoming the turnover, some questionable officiating, more injuries to the running backs and a Kansas City Chiefs team that should make their fans proud with their effort, the Broncos found a way to get it done.

Hats off to Jay Cutler for having the mental toughness to shake off the slow start, take what the Chiefs were giving and lead the Broncos, HIS Broncos to victory.

A tip of the cap to Brandon Marshall, who admitted this week that he was hampered by a hip injury and wanted to re-assert himself as a great receiver. He did just that, with 11 catches for 91 tough yards and 2 TDs.

Of course, the defense, patched together, still missing their two best players, played their best overall game of the season. They held the Chiefs to 260 total yards of offense, only 83 on the ground, and forced to Chiefs to earn the 10 points they scored against them. Perhaps this group can find way to become just good enough heading into the playoffs.

We'll talk about all of this on MHR Radio Post Game at 8PM est. Until then, talk about a huge Broncos win here. Oh yea, and about that #3 seed. Thanks, San Francisco!

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Great Game

Now, we just need a win or an SD loss, and the West is ours!!! It will be great if we make it. Man, seeing Jay and Brandon and Scheffler and the others in their first playoff game will be awesome. The first of many to come.

by PABroncofan on Dec 7, 2008 5:27 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I'm kind of hoping

we have to play it on the road.

Blast and botheration.

by Silverblood on Dec 7, 2008 5:29 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

The first one will be at home...

No matter what…

-TSG

SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
MileHighReport

Questions, Comments...E-Mail Me!
milehighreport@gmail.com

by John Bena (aka TheSportsGuru) on Dec 7, 2008 5:30 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

The way we have played at home

I think we would stand a better chance, but I will take what we can get, they need the post season experience so when we dominate in a year or 2 they will have been there already.

by Stuman on Dec 7, 2008 5:33 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't really care where we play

We have been rounding into form these last few weeks, and I think the win this week will be a huge shot in the arm for this team’s confidence. As the announcers were saying after the game, I don’t think any team in the AFC will be happy to face us in the playoffs… We may have some issues, but on any given day we can beat anybody in the league.

by hai17 on Dec 7, 2008 5:35 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

But I’m pretty pissed about us not having Hillis. Somehow I just don’t trust Fumblin’ Tatum as our primary RB.

Blast and botheration.

by Silverblood on Dec 7, 2008 5:38 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Definitely

You could tell that it significantly affected our game plan in the second half. Why else would the Broncos run what was essentially a WR screen inside the 5yd line? It worked, but I guarantee that if Hillis wasn’t hurt, he would have had the carry there. Our offense is just another notch better when we have a power running back.

by hai17 on Dec 7, 2008 5:44 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

True enough

We can win any game any time……..we can also loose any game at any time. It would suck to be the team that had to play us wondering which one is going to show up.

by Stuman on Dec 7, 2008 5:39 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

The trick with that #3 seed over the Jets

is that we only get the #3 if the Jets go on to win the east. Kinda tricky…

Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.

by styg50 on Dec 7, 2008 5:28 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

That is true....

In the whole scheme of things it matters little…

-TSG

SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
MileHighReport

Questions, Comments...E-Mail Me!
milehighreport@gmail.com

by John Bena (aka TheSportsGuru) on Dec 7, 2008 5:30 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

A guy just won a million bucks

on ESPN’s streak game.

Cutler, Royal, Marshall, Woodyard, Hillis!!! The Future!!!

by broncodude793 on Dec 7, 2008 5:31 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Yet I'm surviving on pocket change.

Why doesn’t stuff like that ever happen to ME? My broke ass could use it.

/whine whine whine

Blast and botheration.

by Silverblood on Dec 7, 2008 5:33 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

>lD

"It tastes like burning" - Ralph Wiggum

" I am so smart! I am so smart! S-M-R-T! I mean S-M-A-R-T!" - Homer Simpson

by Rockies17 on Dec 7, 2008 5:40 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

when is the radio show?

by Sneaky Sean on Dec 7, 2008 5:42 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

re Hillis...

We should have Selvin and Pope available next week right? Also, in the Tatum Bell postgame he said they’re prepping Larsen for RB.

GO BRONCOS!!!

by UnarmingMermaid on Dec 7, 2008 5:43 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Uh oh

The Stormin’ Mormon is doomed. Can he come out and be the power back that Hillis was… without falling victim to (cymbal crash) …. THE CURSE?!

Tune in next week to find out.

Blast and botheration.

by Silverblood on Dec 7, 2008 5:52 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

But that was only if Tatum went dowb for this game.

Nate Webster missed enough tackles that he wont be MLB next week.
Hopefully Pinnock is ready to go, Larsen goes back to NLB and we have Pope or Boyd and Selvin ready to go.
I am sick of the ragging on Tatum.
Hes not a bruiser…..never has been, but he worked his ass of today. The amount of blocking and chipping that he did today, as well as some clutch plays…he stepped up and played really well.
I think we need to cut him some slack and give praise where praise is due.
I am glad it was him and not Selvin. He surpirised me with his protection skillls today!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Dec 7, 2008 5:59 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Bell coming through???

You kidding? That is awesome!

by sadaraine on Dec 8, 2008 12:23 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Is there a MHR post game show ?

by broncosfaninphilly on Dec 7, 2008 5:44 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

6pm mst.

GO BRONCOS!!!

by UnarmingMermaid on Dec 7, 2008 5:45 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

MHR Radio Post Game at 8PM est

by Stuman on Dec 7, 2008 5:45 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

thank you both

by broncosfaninphilly on Dec 7, 2008 5:46 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I love this win---I really do---I love this win............Playoffs here we come....havoc created by us

The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!

by Mike Clark on Dec 7, 2008 5:48 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Anyone noticeing the broncos

    have stopped giving up 30 pts lately ! Not even 20 pts ! DO people still think
    DQ bob slowik should go? I personally think he has done a hell of a patch work
    job keeping everything together .
                                                                   thoughts.

by broncosfaninphilly on Dec 7, 2008 5:53 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

He did great until he went into soft zone again

We had been agressive all day and then goes soft zone . Just thank Dre for that game saving tackle. It was a stupid call to go back to soft zone again when we had the lead.
He plays conservative when we are ahead, and I HATE that.
Needs to stay with what we are doing.
He is not an OC. Never will be, and thats OK.
He is a great teacher, but not a play caller!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Dec 7, 2008 6:03 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I think he should have the time to be able to fully implement his system, they could defintetely use a bit more talent specifically in the DT area...

by CombatChuk on Dec 7, 2008 6:16 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

agree

The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!

by Mike Clark on Dec 7, 2008 8:05 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

From NFL.com:

Noteworthy
Hillis was the sixth running back to go down for the Broncos this season. But like they do in Denver, they just plug in a new back. Tatum Bell replaced Hillis and rushed for 52 yards. … Hillis scored a touchdown in his fourth consecutive game. … The Broncos snapped a three-game losing streak.

So, I guess our win over Teh Bretts officially does not exist?

Blast and botheration.

by Silverblood on Dec 7, 2008 6:05 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I think they meant the 3 game home losing streak.

"During MHR Radio we laugh, sing, listen, shed a few tears, and learn all of Papi's dirty secrets." -TSG 12/7/08

by papigrande on Dec 7, 2008 6:53 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Jay's stats

32/40, 80.0%, 286yds, 7.1y/a, 2TD’s, 1INT, 0sacks, 102.7rating

"During MHR Radio we laugh, sing, listen, shed a few tears, and learn all of Papi's dirty secrets." -TSG 12/7/08

by papigrande on Dec 7, 2008 6:51 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

off topic

but it looks like the fantasy playoffs for MHR league are pretty much settled:

The Likely sactown win knocks the fighting Manginos out of the playoffs, despite a FM win. Sactown and Toilers have the #1 and #2 wildcard seeds sewn up. TSG guarantees he will be in the playoffs, but he has to wait for the Bluecollar Broncos and Brazil Devils to finish up, before he knows whether he will win the division or not.

Right now Bluecollar is ahead, by 8.75 points, and the Devils need some production from cooley. Bluecollar is pretty much in the playoffs unless Cooley (at 1.2 points right now) can score an additional 12.97 points, which is a lot to ask for froma TE, but a 70 yard receiving game with a score would do it… hope springs eternal. If the Devils manage to outscore Bluecollar by more than 4.22 points, they will be yet another amazing story to come out of the MHR West…

Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.

by styg50 on Dec 7, 2008 7:04 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe....

I.P. Freely will come back to update us!!

-TSG

SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
MileHighReport

Questions, Comments...E-Mail Me!
milehighreport@gmail.com

by John Bena (aka TheSportsGuru) on Dec 7, 2008 7:06 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Cooley got hurt

so it is highly unlikely that the Devils are going to pull this one out. Looks like a couple of divisional matchups for the wildcard weekend, TSG vs. Bluecollar and Toilers vs Beavers… The winners will draw the Mustangs or the Wildebeests.

Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.

by styg50 on Dec 7, 2008 9:02 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

How did Guru get in? I thought he was out of it about three weeks ago! Nice job Guru. I think I draw the winner of Toilers/Beavers. I think the Beavers are paper tigers so I’m going to root for them to beat you, Styg. lol

"During MHR Radio we laugh, sing, listen, shed a few tears, and learn all of Papi's dirty secrets." -TSG 12/7/08

by papigrande on Dec 7, 2008 9:18 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Like the Broncos...

I go the way Jay Cutler goes….

Fear me in the playoffs, everyone…With Cutler hitting on all cylinders, along with Slaton and Westbrook, I am very, very dangerous….

-TSG

SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
MileHighReport

Questions, Comments...E-Mail Me!
milehighreport@gmail.com

by John Bena (aka TheSportsGuru) on Dec 7, 2008 9:41 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

What I noticed

was Engleberger attempting only the bullrush.

"Darrell Hackney hooks up with Chad Jackson on a 63 yard pitch n' catch to put the Broncos up by 21. San Diego would add a late TD, but Denver was in total control. They finish 11-5 with the 3 seed and have a playoff home game against New England. Tom, who would have thought that Denver, loses to Oakland and K.C., but winds up the the # 3 seed!" "Well, when you look at the Denver Broncos, what stands out is that offensive line and Jay Cutler. If they're on, only Pittsburgh really has a shot at stopping that offense." - Week 17

by broncodude793 on Dec 7, 2008 8:39 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Things that stood out

1. Clady. All day long he was just plain crushing people. Missed an assignment on one block, or had the wrong assignment, but Cutler turned it into a great pass. Clady some outright pancakes. Had to love that.

2. Harris. Even the announcers talked about him – finally!

3. Barrett. He’s becoming a solid safety and may change our draft strategy. Great job on one of the toughest TEs in the business.

4. Woodyard. I don’t know where you play him, but sitting this guy isn’t a sane option. If it was anyone but DJ I’d suggest that the job is lost.

5. Another goal line stand for the D. Congratulations, guys.

6. Marshall – stepping up and showing people that he’s just going to get better, which is a little frightening.

After watching it twice, I’m really impressed with how fast this team is maturing, including Jay’s ability to shake off a bad start and hammer out a victory. Larsen at RB? Why not? He’s doing everything else.

He doesn’t know anything but 100 percent
- Shanahan on Larsen

by broncobear on Dec 7, 2008 10:42 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Woodyard

Defensive MVP yesterday, IMO.

Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.

by bradley on Dec 8, 2008 10:04 AM MST up reply actions 2 recs

Agree and rec'd!

"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game

"I love your analysis of our team. Its kinda like watching a spider monkey trying to figure out a jar of peanuts.. you know whats going on.. you know whats in there, but to actually figure it out, is just a bit beyond your mental skills..."
- Bronco Dano

by DesertBroncoFan on Dec 8, 2008 12:11 PM MST reply actions 0 recs