I was thinking the same thing. Personally I like this team better than anyone since 1998. There is at least 9 new starters (by position) on defense. It takes time to learn and adjust to a new defensive scheme. Shanny has even stated that. I know we all have high expectations. But this a young team, that played real rival in their stadium where historically Denver struggles. While I am not happy about the loss, I ma happy where this team is in relation to where it was last year. All I know there are better days ahead.

A lot of fans got off track when we were 3-0 looking too far off into the future.

What were the goals this year (IMO):
1) Get to the playoffs
2) Get better in all 3 phases
3) Close the gap with San Diego and the rest of the ‘elite’ teams

Well, I’d say that the team is accomplishing its goals. #2 needs work on D and ST, but overall we’ve accomplished what we’ve set out to do.

Recommended

… the title is one of my favorite Talking Heads songs.

Good news is that this kind of team isn’t a “Once in a Lifetime” thing. I fully expect Denver to be “Burning Down the House” this weekend versus Tampa.

Thanks for slowing down my ‘right-now’ wants and reminding me what I really saw back in the 80’s instead of what I want to remember.

LOL, great lyric of the 80’s to evoke memories of the Broncos in the 80’s. There’s water underground, same as it ever was…. This year will weed out bandwagon fans, and that’s as it should be. I just hope team management will have the same long view.

we’re not there yet, but we are slowly getting there. this will be fun to watch in the meantime, though, and with a few breaks, who knows? i expect a good bounce-back game this sunday from the passing game

To be much more patient this week. Tampa plays the conservative Tampa-2 style that KC plays, so maybe Denver is looking at this as a “do-over game”. Cutler will need to take what the D gives him or go to the biggest mismatch, but Tampa has pretty good corners, so I expect Scheff and Stokley to get a combined 15 looks as well as the RB’s getting a combined 8-10 looks. I still think Jay will throw the WRs 15 to 20 times as wekk. That’s 33 to 40 passes if you’re counting, and sounds about right against a good run defense.

On defense, as long as we bottle up the run and don’t play zone, we’ll have a good day. The Bucs have WRs that are good vs a zone D but struggle physically versus man-to-man. I expect Bly to get picked on again, but I think Gruden will try to get the ball to his backs and tight ends, and then mix in a deep pass. I actually think this game is ripe for a multi-interception game for the Denver defense.

My outlook going into the season was the same – hoping to make the playoffs and be thrilled by a win once in. Obviously, my thoughts ran wild after the 3-0 start…but a game in KC is never remotely easy, and I was not that surprised by the outcome. I’m going to keep my outlook as is, and just enjoy seeing these youngsters become stars. It’s fun to watch, and I’m glad that I’m old enough to appreciate it all – Elway’s progression I didn’t get to see game-to-game, and I wasn’t a fan until The Drive. Cutler obviously will have growing pains, as will the rest of the guys. But with Shanahan at the helm, we should also appreciate that Cutler is moving a bit faster than Elway did.

Unfortunately, every team has to not only grow, but must suffer some gruesome defeats along the way. There will surely be playoff heartbreaks over the next several years…but that’s what it takes to win a championship. Our own Broncos showed us that…unfortunately the 80’s version never got over the hump, but the 90’s version did after the sky fell in ‘96. It’s the way in every sport, so just enjoy the ride!

sometimes we lose sight of the entertainment value of this sport. the denver broncos are by far the most entertaining football team to watch, year in, year out. john elway was the most exciting player to ever lace ‘em up(and we’ve had many), and cutler is looking like a nice replacement there. i’ve been watching the broncos for many years now, every game, and i have to say there’s nobody even close. if i had a nickel for every time i said “did you see that!” at the sports bar, i get to see the other games each week when there is a break, and they bore the hell out of me. as maddening and frustrating it can be at times to watch, there is rarely a game that we can’t come back in, and no lead is ever safe. i’m either freaking out, or screaming holy s%$t on every single drive. everyone else is rarely moved, and honestly, i feel bad for them. i mean, that is the reason we watch, right?

I need to add to your statement:

the defense isn’t the scapegoat for the Chiefs loss. That falls squarely on the shoulders of 3 people: 1) Jay Cutler. 2) Brandon Marshall. 3) Eddie Royal.

It really goes much deeper than that. Yes, these three made the mistakes that led to the turnovers and Denvers loss on the field. We know why they lost the game. Now lets look at why they didn’t win it.

I believe the didn’t win due to poor play calling. Where was the running game. They gave up to quickly. Why is Marshall taking the ball from the backfield?
Denver should have been able to run the ball on KC. They should have found the weaknesses and capitalized. The offensive game plan stunk and the Coaching is to truly blame for the loss, not just three players on the field.

Cutler had Scheffler wide open on his 2nd pick. If he throws to Scheffler and the Broncos pick up 30 yards and scored a FG or TD, they have a much higher chance of winning. ALso, if Marshall doesn’t fumble his rushing attempt, KC doesn’t score a TD.

That’s a 10+ point swing. Maybe 14.