Giving up leads in 2005

It is early in the season, but there has already been a lot of talk about our Broncos giving up two very large leads at home. These are leads that we should have not given up, and should have instead been easier than they were.While thinking about this, I reminded myself of 2005. Yes we were 13-3, and one very bad game by Plummer away from reaching a Super Bowl that most of us think we could have won. However, let's examine a particular month of that season. The month is October, and while we did go 4-1 that month, I see do see some parallels between that particular month and the early going of this season.

Oct 2 Broncos @ Jags

Nothing much to note here except that we did beat a good Jags team, 20-7

Oct 9 Redskins @ Broncos

Up 21-10 in the fourth quarter, we let the Redskins come back with a FG, and then a Touchdown with 1:09 left in the game. The Redskins miss on a two point conversion to tie the game. Final 21-19 Broncos

Oct 16 Patriots @ Broncos

We go up 28-3 with over 10 minutes to go in the third quarter. That's it, game is over. However, the Pats score 17 unanswered points, and get the ball back with 5 minutes to go in the game, at their own 8. They had moved the ball well in the second half, scored on 3 of their first 4 drives that half. However, the Broncos are able to force the Pats to punt, and the Denver O gets two first downs and run out the clock. Final 28-20 Broncos

Oct 23 Broncos @ Giants

This is Eli's first flash of brilliance, in my opinion. The Broncos get a 23-10 lead with over 13 minutes to go in the game.  What happens next is Eli and the Giants offense comes alive and scores two TD's, the game winner with 5 seconds to go in the game. Final 24-23 Giants

Oct 30 Eagles @ Broncos

The final of this game may have looked pretty, but this game got really scary for a period of time. The Broncos build up a 28-0 lead with 7:30 to go in the second quarter. The Eagles then come roaring back, and get within a touchdown to start the fourth quarter. The Broncos are able to regroup and score 21 points of their own in the fourth quarter to win. Final 49-21 Broncos

In two of those games we had a two possesion lead and either held on for a win (Redskins), or lost in the final seconds (Giants). In two others we had what looked like enourmous leads, only to have them almost evaporate, with both of those being at home. In those games our defense had lapses and we were able to recover.  The Broncos did get picked on a bit durring the month of October, with the MSM saying we were playing on the edge, and lucky to be 7-1. Jake was being efficient and taking care of the ball. The defense was giving up leads, but holding when they needed to.

Instead of rambling on, I will simply say... discuss