A belated review, but this should help tie the bow on our victory over the Raiders.  Let`s just see how Sunday`s game effects this team going forward:

"Two games is just a sample, but three may be a trend."

-When looking at the Broncos' struggles in the red zone, it's important to first note that they're getting there.  Denver had several opportunities to capitalize close to the goal line, but penalties and play calling snuffed out the touchdowns.  Is this something to be concerned about?  Not yet.

The important thing is that Denver is moving the football as well as any team.  They are tops or near the top in several rushing, passing, and receiving categories, and they've piled up yards against their two opponents.  I'd be more concerned if we had touchdowns but not yards.  Eventually, these drives will be capped of with six.  If you generate enough opportunities in the red zone, the numbers will even out.  I think Denver's lack of touchdowns is largely the result of a small sample and not a trend.

However, that doesn't mean Denver shouldn't look at their red zone play calling or execution.  To be fair, one of their best red zone targets, Tony Scheffler, is still working his way back into playing shape, so that will expand the playbook.  Plus, Denver just needs to execute the plays as called.  We'll possibly revisit this next week if it's still a problem, but right now, just getting red zone opportunities is the big thing.

"The next time you hear the name Antwon Burton, it should be preceded by the word released."

-Now for some negatives...  It's really not fair to pick on an undrafted free agent much, but when they're put in critical roles they become no different than the early draft picks and free agents playing alongside them.  Maybe the Broncos should look a little harder at said free agents and focus a little less on the undrafted types if this is how they'll perform.  Burton was just awful Sunday, and that's putting it kindly.  Watch the film back of many big runs by Jordan, including the should-be clincher in overtime, and you'll see him run right through the gap where Burton was blown away.  Burton was often double teamed when in, and failed to use his massive frame to just hold ground and was frequently pushed into his linebackers.  

Simply put, Burton's performance was beyond unacceptable, and should not be allowed to happen again.  His failure to hold the point by just a fraction almost cost this team the game and will cost games against better running teams.  It's hard to see why guys like this are activated over Alvin McKinley, or kept on the roster over Jimmy Kennedy.  Burton saves Gordon today, who looked just average in holding the point of attack.

What should be concerning to Denver was how Oakland would double team the tackle opposite Adams because they knew they could blow a hole open in the interior without worrying that Adams would make the play.  Adams only works with a tackle beside him that can handle blockers himself and keep linebackers clean.  Clearly, Denver needs to patrol the wire to see what type of beef surfaces in the coming weeks.  If our tackles are so weak that Burton must stay in the rotation, our run defense is in big trouble in the coming weeks.

"That`s Dre Bly in a nutshell."

-Sunday was a microcosm of the Dre Bly we should expect this year.  He's a guy that will take chances, bite on fakes, and surrender big plays, but, he'll balance these miscues with his share of big plays and great man to man coverage.  Bly's going to get burned, that's just a byproduct of his style, but so are interceptions.  

To keep Bly from biting on dekes or pump fakes, the best thing the defense can do is provide a consistent pass rush, and I do believe we're getting this.  Dumervil looks his usual stellar self, Rice turned the corner effectively a few times, and Moss showed why he has the top pass rush skill set of all our ends with his pursuit and close of his McCown sack.  These three should be very satisfactory in the passing game, and Crowder could surprise as well.  Engleberger has not looked good getting after the passer, but the way the tackles have played, his run defense is needed on most downs.  He still shouldn't play as much on third and longs, though.

So the equation is simple:  Fix the interior run defense and you can play Engleberger less.  Play John less and you give more reps to a pass rushing dynamo.  Get more pass rushers on the field and you save Dre Bly from the longer developing routes.

"No worries, the Raiders just caught the breaks."

-Denver allowing Oakland back in to the game does not concern me much about the future of this team.  The way Oakland came back (a well placed punt that turned into a safety, an onside kick while catching the return team sleeping, a tipped pass turned into a touchdown) are the result of chance opportunities and not necessarily earned results.  Oakland did not march all over the defense or severely hamper the offense.  What happens if Cutler's pass is knocked straight down?  Or he steps up and takes a sack at the one?  Or the onside kick took a funny bounce back or towards a Bronco player?  

What I'm saying is that Oakland didn't earn their way back in to the game, they were helped along the way.  Credit the Raiders for capitalizing on these opportunities, but Denver's faults from this game are fixable.  A tipped pass is a tipped pass, but the special teams can play more alert at all times, and Denver can adjust its play calling deep in their own territory to keep them from being exposed.  With the exception of the tackles' struggles against Oakland's run, the team played very well and should be happy heading into the Jacksonville game.  The Jaguars appear littered with problems and could be ripe for a blowout.  Just win Sunday and we'll look forward to our first major exam in Indy.