Ok, so we're still a few days away from a serious test against the pass-happy world champ Steelers, and the staff and players are no doubt beavering away at producing a winning gameplan and perfecting the execution that this will require, but let's get to part of the game where we, the fans, can really play our part.

For the Broncs to 1) get into the playoffs and 2) go deep into the playoffs, we need Invesco Field to become a fortress, in the way Mile High always used to intimidate its victims. Damn, it always felt like we started off every game up by at least a score psychologically.

How things have changed I'm sad to say.

Homefield advantage is not something that seems to have transferred across the parking lot since the old stadium was razed. It's almost as if other teams enjoy coming to our place and handing us our butts. If we want to see our team go places this year, then we need to help where we can - and that starts with making the opposing team feel unwelcome. Oakland has its Black Hole, Cleveland its Dawg Pound, but certainly they shouldn't be any match for our great fans.

But yet, the last time our next opponents - the Steelers - were in town for Jake's AFC Championship game, it seemed like half the stadium was waving those damned yellow rags. Turned my stomach, and it should do the same to any self-respecting Bronco fan. And even this season, when the Cowgirls were in the house, you'd have thought the game was being played in Texas, given the cheers when the Pokes went 10-0 up.

My point is that we need to rally together, and really make Invesco our impenetrable sanctuary, a place synonymous with pain and defeat for visiting teams, not somewhere were we roll out the red carpet at every opportunity to meet and greet our kindly guests. Enough of that sh*t already - let's see the fans reclaim our stadium and help our team wherever we can. Opponents third downs? Damn, I remember Shanahan having to plead with the crowd to calm down for fear of getting penalised!! That hasn't happened in a long time.

Now, it's all very well me making these rousing battle cries, but I msut admit that there's a serious flaw in my argument. Well two actually. The first is I'll not be there, so there's your first opportunity to get back at me! I'll be there in spirit, but not body I'm afraid. Since I'm based in the UK, I ain't going to be there unfortunately, so I guess I'm a bit like a foreign cheerleader in that respect, exhorting all you locals to get there and sacrifice your hard earned cash and your voice to scream for the Orange. One of the reasons I began following the Broncos in 1984 was the dedication and commitment I saw from their fans - turning out in blizzards (and throwing the odd snowball at opposing kickers - I still love that!!), and I hope we're not becoming a legion of what commentators over this side of the Atlantic tend to call the "prawn sandwich brigade" - the corporate fan who has no affiliation to the team and whose only purpose in life, as I see it, is to price out real fans from getting tickets. Please don't let us go down that path (Memo to Mr Bowlen...?)

The second flaw is more pragmatic - and also possibly worthy of Bowlen's attention - the current economic recession doesn't make attendance a given, but come on people, let's not be selling off your seats to these in-bred visiting fans....I appreciate it costs a lot of money - but if you can go, go. If you can't, sell your ticket to another Bronco fan, and he can scream on your behalf. Hell, set up a Ticketmaster outlet on MHR....!

Anyway, I hope I haven't offended anyone, that's not my intention at all. It's just I really think we, sorry, you fortunate local ticketholders - can make a difference in what is already becoming a season to remember. Let's not make it a season to remember for another team. It's Orange or bust.

While I'll not be there, rest assured I'll be sitting up and watching the game live on Monday night - rather, Tuesday morning - kickoff here in Northern Ireland will be after 1am - and I really hope I see a blanket of orange to drown out that hateful black and yellow! Paint the place orange. Please!!! Go Broncs.