Horse Tracks 12/28/09 - Broncos need plenty of help to get into playoffs after falling to Eagles 30-27

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Good Morning, MHR Friends. Please see John's post below for playoff scenarios. Well, the Broncos dug themselves a big hole yesterday. The defense came up with some giant turnovers, but Denver was unable to overcome some horrific punting and some ~~putrid~~ strange officiating. The Broncos had several chances to flip the field position yesterday, but Mitch Berger came up short ~~every~~ several times. Philly's average start after a Berger punt was their own 31.4-yard line, despite the fact that only 2 of Berger's punts were from worse than Denver's own 32-yard line (average 33.9-yard line). The Eagles gained 4 first downs via penalty, while Brandon Stokley was ejected after losing his cool following a ~~blatant~~ pass-interference non-call. Yes, it was a valiant comeback from a 17-point deficit, but in the end the Broncos are going to need quite a bit of help next Sunday to make it to the playoffs.

NFL - Eagles 30, Broncos 27 - Highlights with radio calls

NFL - Broncos postgame press conferences - Video

NFL - Denver Broncos 27 at Philadelphia Eagles 30 - Box Score

DPP - Broncos lose third straight - Mike Klis

DPP - Gaffney, Lloyd step right in - Lindsay Jones

DPP - Briefs: Dawkins deals with emotional return to Philly
"Guard Russ Hochstein, who left the game with a knee injury, and McKinley will be evaluated again today and are expected to undergo magnetic resonance imaging exams...Dumervil tied an NFL record Sunday with his 11th sack on third down this season. The 49ers' Tim Harris had 11 in 1992."

NFL GameDay - Broncos vs. Eagles highlights - Video

DB - Eagles Hang On - Gray Caldwell

DB - Communication Sparks Comeback - Chris Gentilviso

DPP - Reeling Broncos have offensive issues - Jim Armstrong

DPP - The Broncos make the playoffs if ...

DPP - Microcosm of bipolar season - Dave Krieger

DPP - Entrance to elite circle closing - Mark Kiszla

DPP - Analysis: No highlight reels for Jackson - Jeff Legwold

DPP - Orton knows he'll catch flak after failed comeback - Mike Klis

CSG - Broncos rally falls short in 30-27 loss at Philly - Frank Schwab

CSG - Eagles fans, players acknowledge Dawkins in emotional return to Philly - Frank Schwab

CSG - Broncos notes: WR Stokley ejected - Frank Schwab

AP - Broncos Lose Heartbreaker In Philadelphia - Rob Maaddi

Y! - Eagles continue to display troubling signs - Jason Cole

FOX - Plenty of weapons for McNabb, Eagles - Alex Marvez

FH - Broncos 'Need Some Help' After Sloppy Effort in Philly - Thomas George

SI - Denver has no one to blame but itself for this predicament - Don Banks

SN - With warts exposed, Broncos' season on the brink - Clifton Brown

Eagles News

PDN - Eagles' Maclin stays inbounds to set up Akers' game-winner - Les Bowen

PDN - Eagles can't be blowing 17-point leads - Rich Hofmann

PDN - Eagles Notebook: Eagles' Westbrook shakes some rust in return - Marcus Hayes

PDN - Rookie mistakes mar Macho's day - Les Bowen

PDN - Offense very good, then very bad - Paul Domowitch

PDN - BY THE NUMBERS - Paul Domowitch
"The Broncos have 14 takeaways in their last five games, including three yesterday, but have won just two of those five games."

PDN - Broncos' Dawkins still a favorite with Eagles fans - Sam Donnellon

PDN - Eagles players nearly put Reid in position to lose - Bill Conlin

PI - With young blood, old Birds evolving into comeback kids - Phil Sheridan

PI - Eagles can't complain about officiating - Jeff McLane
You know who can? The Broncos. Four 1st downs via penalties. Ridiculous.

PI - Reid's trust in his defense pays off big - Jeff McLane

PI - Snagging a Victory - Bob Brookover

PI - Eagles Notes: Jamaal Jackson injured

PI - Broncos dug selves a hole early, couldn't climb out - Ray Parrillo

PI - Eagles foolhardy with penalties - Bob Ford

PI - Emotional day finally over for Dawkins, wife - Ashley Fox

PI - You Talkin' to Me? Rambling on about Dawkins

NFL Results