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On Sunday, the Denver Broncos stormed into the site of their Super Bowl 50 victory with food on their face, pants un-zipped, and shoes untied.
The Broncos weren’t ready to play to the San Francisco 49ers.
With just one threat on the 49ers offense, the Broncos allowed tight end George Kittle to ring them up for over 200 yards... in the first half. Playoff teams don’t allow career games to players who have nothing to play for, especially when the scouting report has this guy’s name highlighted and circled in red sharpie. Just think what Chubb and Miller could have done with a coordinator who actually knew how to move them around on the line to get after the quarterback. Part of me feels like I’m being too harsh, but damn... a tight end on a 2-10 team got over 200 yards on the Broncos? How the do you let that happen?! Defensive coordinator Joe Woods should be ashamed.
I’m convinced Bill Musgrave has no clue what he’s doing. Empty sets on third down have become a staple. A staple, except in the last play of the game when we need a Hail Mary to make something happen, when we know the 49ers are only going to rush three. I would never pretend to know more about how to use personnel, but I know that Lindsay is money when running off the edge. Where are the pitches outside? On short yardage, why run him inside?
For as awful as Musgrave’s play-calling was on the ground, his calls in the air were equally infuriating. How do you pay a quarterback $18 million a year and not let him throw past his arm’s length? Dinking and dunking has its place, but when it’s not working you have to come up with something else. When the box is stacked on every play, it’s time to throw it past the sticks. I know that Keenum is better than the plays that are being called for him. I’ve seen it. Without stretching the field, opposing defense don’t have to be at all creative. They just have to hunker down and let the swing pass crap out in front of them.... every... single... time...
Which brings me to Vance Joseph. I can bring up his play challenging history and his clock management track-record, but instead, I’d like to try an exercise. Right now, google Vance Joseph... Now select images. Do those pictures look like a man of confidence, poise, and determination? Did you notice this?
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When your head coach is the google poster-child for the word ‘confused,’ you’ve got problems. That’s a sign that the fanbase has seen enough. While I’d like to lay blame at the feet of Joe Woods or Bill Musgrave, responsibility ultimately falls upon this man... the man whom Google associates with confusion.
I’m all for giving breaks where breaks are due, but at what point can a fan claim that they’ve seen enough? This fan certainly has.
Horse Tracks
Why it happened: 49ers 20, Broncos 14
Denver could not contain 49ers tight end George Kittle in the first half, and he helped them build a 20-0 halftime lead that the Broncos could not overcome.
Mike McCarthy considering sitting out 2019 if the right coaching opportunity doesn't emerge - CBSSports.com
McCarthy's open to coaching in 2019, but only if it's the right connection with a franchise and its ownership
Numerous NFL teams remain in contact with Kareem Hunt while he undergoes counseling - CBSSports.com
Hunt, who was cut by the Chiefs, awaits discipline for shoving and kicking a woman
Joe Philbin loses two challenges less than two minutes into Packers coaching debut - CBSSports.com
Philbin challenged two of the first four plays and lost both times
Cowboys made 'multiple attempts' to get Jason Witten out of retirement, everyone wants it to happen - CBSSports.com
Dallas wanted to get their tight end back in the fold
Dolphins shock Patriots with miracle 69-yard touchdown on final play to pull off upset win - CBSSports.com
The Dolphins lateraled and waved their way to a game-winning TD on the final play against the Patriots
Broncos know they must win out to have chance in crowded AFC Wild Card race
After Sunday's 20-14 loss to the 49ers, Head Coach Vance Joseph said he was honest with his team about where they stand heading into a Week 15 game against the Browns.
Instant Analysis: #DENvsSF
Phil Milani and Matt Boyer provide analysis of the Broncos' 20-14 loss on Sunday to the 49ers.
Von Miller Breaks His Own Sack Streak Record « CBS Denver
Von Miller has achieved a personal best by completing an eight-game sack streak.
Bill Bowlen files objection to trustees in Broncos ownership dispute, calls stay 'delay tactic' | 9news.com
In the objection, Bill Bowlen says the request for a stay would be a delaying tactic that would ultimately take the NFL years to rule on if it came to arbitration.
Broncos, playoff chances collapse against 49ers - AFC West- ESPN
Playing without Chris Harris Jr. and Emmanuel Sanders proved too much for a Broncos team that looked tired in a loss to the 49ers.
49ers deal serious blow to the Broncos, Denver loses to San Francisco 20-14 - Denver7 TheDenverChannel.com
As the catches and yards amassed, a churning in stomachs turned into a consensus: This was the Broncos' worst first half under coach Vance Joseph.
Redskins to start Josh Johnson over Mark Sanchez
With their playoff hopes in peril amid a four-game losing streak, the Redskins will start Josh Johnson at quarterback after Mark Sanchez struggled.
Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald passes Jerry Rice
Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald on Sunday passed Jerry Rice for the most catches with one team in NFL history.
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys RB, first offensive player to be penalized for lowering head
Ezekiel Elliott became the first offensive player to be flagged for violating the league's new helmet rule when the Cowboys running back lowered his head at the end of a 12-yard catch and run.
Baltimore Ravens call Patrick Ricard's racist tweets "unacceptable"
The Ravens have said that Patrick Ricard's racist tweets are "totally unacceptable" and have scratched him from Sunday's lineup.
Aaron Rodgers of Green Bay Packers sets record for most consecutive throws without an interception
With a third-quarter TD toss to Randall Cobb, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers set the record for most consecutive passes without an interception with 359.
Saints clinch second consecutive NFC South title - NFL.com
The Saints clinched their second consecutive NFC South title on Sunday with a win over the Buccaneers. New Orleans had never before won back-to-back division titles.
Ryan Tannehill on Miami Miracle: 'Pretty amazing' - NFL.com
Here's one way to beat the Patriots and send them back to New England in a bewildered state -- score the winning touchdown on a 69-yard play featuring two laterals and no time remaining.
T.Y. Hilton owns the Texans again – ProFootballTalk
Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton was nursing a shoulder injury and a question to play Sunday. He was the Colts' best weapon on offense. Yet, the Texans somehow couldn't stop him. Hilton caught nine passes for 199 yards in the Colts' 24-21 victory over the Texans.
Mike Tomlin suggests Ben Roethsliberger could have returned sooner than he did – ProFootballTalk
The Steelers lost quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at halftime of Sunday's loss to the Raiders. He returned with 5:20 to play. Apparently, he could have returned sooner.
Falcons start looking at future as losing season nears an end – ProFootballTalk
The Falcons guaranteed themselves a losing season on Sunday as they fell to 4-9 in Green Bay, but the usual result came with some different members in the cast.
Late TD pass, blocked field goal lift Raiders over Steelers – ProFootballTalk
Ben Roethlisberger returned from injury to lead a go-ahead touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, but the storybook ending belonged to the Raiders. Carr hit tight end Derek Carrier for a six-yard touchdown with 25 seconds left in Sunday's game to give the Raiders a 24-21 win over the Steelers.
Cowboys take commanding lead in NFC East with OT thriller – ProFootballTalk
The Cowboys haven't clinched the NFC East, but it's over except for mathematically. Dallas' 29-23 overtime victory over the Eagles on Sunday gives the Cowboys a two-game lead on Washington and Philadelphia with three games to play. The Cowboys are 8-5.
AFC playoff picture: Chiefs were Sunday’s big winners – ProFootballTalk
What a day for the Chiefs. Kansas City won on Sunday, and the leaders of the other three divisions in the AFC all lost. That means everything is setting up beautifully for the Chiefs to earn home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
Raiders will conduct a GM search as well as a front-office overhaul this offseason - CBSSports.com
Jon Gruden knows he needs help in making the most of the Raiders' many draft selections
Mike McCarthy considering sitting out 2019 if the right coaching opportunity doesn't emerge - CBSSports.com
McCarthy's open to coaching in 2019, but only if it's the right connection with a franchise and its ownership
Numerous NFL teams remain in contact with Kareem Hunt while he undergoes counseling - CBSSports.com
Hunt, who was cut by the Chiefs, awaits discipline for shoving and kicking a woman
Joe Philbin loses two challenges less than two minutes into Packers coaching debut - CBSSports.com
Philbin challenged two of the first four plays and lost both times
Cowboys made 'multiple attempts' to get Jason Witten out of retirement, everyone wants it to happen - CBSSports.com
Dallas wanted to get their tight end back in the fold
Dolphins shock Patriots with miracle 69-yard touchdown on final play to pull off upset win - CBSSports.com
The Dolphins lateraled and waved their way to a game-winning TD on the final play against the Patriots