Now What?

[MileHigh64]

After a tough and humiliating loss at the hands of Andrew Luck and the Colts again, we're left to wonder what the next steps are for the Broncos.

This weekend's game was very difficult to watch, as the Broncos seemed to have morphed back to week 3 of the season. The defense was not nearly as solid as they've been over the course of the season and once again, the Broncos can't seem to find a running game.

I'm searching for a silver lining and this is what I'm coming up with:

We still control our destiny. If the Broncos can get by the Chiefs at home and the Bears on the road, we'll face the Patriots at home Thanksgiving weekend. Beating the Patriots at home and turning around and beating the Bengals in Denver, still gives our team home field advantage throughout the playoffs. I would much rather be undefeated but at least we face the current undefeated teams at home, so that gives us an opportunity to get home field advantage back for the playoffs.

There is no doubt that the Broncos may not have an opportunity to achieve the above but at least there is still a path to greatness that isn't out of the realm of possibility. This is pure homerism at it's best but it's helping me get through this painful loss.

I hate Andrew Luck.

Go Broncos!

MH64

 

[Malibu]

I'm already over this loss due to the fact I thought them losing at Indy was a big possibility. The Colts have had there number of late and now the injuries are starting to pile up. With Ware and his back issues we will need him healthy playoff time. It is very true they control there own destiny which is good but as long as the Broncos turn the ball over at a high rate and can't get a running game going it will be hard for this team to win games in the playoffs. Home field would help a ton and I'm curious what will be Vernon Davis's role as the season goes on. C.J. Anderson looks like he is the guy at RB again due to Hillman being banged up. I'd like to see more physical play from the Broncos wr's but been saying that for a few years now. Thomas needed to fight for position more on the Manning interception. Von Miller on defense as well needs to start making impact plays on defense. He was to quiet today. We all knew the way Phillips likes to send the blitz guys would be open and they were all game long. Take the good with the bad with an aggressive defense and there was more bad today then good. Some of the blitzes today just took to long to get to Luck and he took advantage of that. The CB zone blitz by Talib was the one that stood out the most. I still see a 12-4 record at worst for this team which hopefully doesn't happen because that means road games in the AFC playoffs. Time to beat up on the Chiefs next week hopefully.

 

[69bronco]

98% of Super Bowl winning teams have lost a game to a lesser team, I say play hungrier and keep gelling..

 

[iknowftbll]

It's hard to say. I consider the performance by the D an anomaly and fully expect them to be back to form next week against the Chiefs.

The offense is still lacking. The running game showed so much potential last week and sucked ass again tonight. And the pics...those have got to stop. The offense is not good enough to overcome a bad performance by the defense. But it might have been if those pics are incompletions. It's not just the loss of a possession, it's the opportunity for the enemy to score. And the Colts put it away off of a turnover. The Broncos offense single biggest improvement it can make is to play turnover free games. That alone would be an immense improvement.

 

[CEH]

Nothing the team can do if manning continues to throw interceptions.
Indy scored 7 off one and the other led to the end of the game.

I'm sure you could argue not his fault but he throws 1-2 a game.

 

[nflbronco]

Nothing the team can do if manning continues to throw interceptions.
Indy scored 7 off one and the other led to the end of the game.

I'm sure you could argue not his fault but he throws 1-2 a game.

We were down by 3 our D has been struggling all day. We needed our HOF to take the reins and get a lead but, instead he gags as usual. When game gets tight so does Manning.

D failed big time the rep is out opposing teams know Denver will react badly to trash talk. Poise guys losses happen but, the real truth is this team is still mentally soft which I actually thought they wouldn't be.

 

[SpiritOf77]

98% of Super Bowl winning teams have lost a game to a lesser team, I say play hungrier and keep gelling..

Welcome to the forum 69Bronco

 

[SpiritOf77]

double post

 

[58crash]

Nothing the team can do if manning continues to throw interceptions.
Indy scored 7 off one and the other led to the end of the game.

I'm sure you could argue not his fault but he throws 1-2 a game.

Our OL is to blame . what is so hard to see ?

 

[58crash]

98% of Super Bowl winning teams have lost a game to a lesser team, I say play hungrier and keep gelling..

Our OL as it stands is going no were

 

[Broncosr0k]

I hope the team takes this as a wake up call that they can be beaten and need to continue improving.

The first half of this game was bad. The offense an defense struggled. The second half was much better.

To me, 2 things really killed us. The interceptions and the stupid penalties. I am not sure that this holds true but the number of unsportsmanlike conduct this year seem high. Talib should be embarrassed but Von followed that up with what could have been another one if called.

You can bet other opponents are going to know they can get in the defenses head and get some free yards out of it.

I don't think there is a solution to the o-line. I think that bed is made and we will have to hope they can figure it out soon.


Other than that, Indy came to play and played hard. That team could be good if they can keep that up.

 

[SpringStein]

How individuals and teams respond to adversity is key to success. These next few weeks will tell us a lot about this team's makeup and character.

 

[nflbronco]

Agree SS

It was a controlled weather loss

Denver has Chic and Pitt weather to survive

If we could take care of the ball better (Peyton) and stop stupid flags we'd be in great shape right now.

 

[Malibu]

Our OL is to blame . what is so hard to see ?

It's a big part of it but it isn't all on the o line. Many drops, stupid penalties on defense, and the o line is expected to be perfect just to let Manning throw a good pass. No mobility and arm strength in a QB combined with a below average o line and running game equals huge problem. It's only going to get colder and Manning isn't getting any younger. Yes the defense wasn't at it's best but can't expect them to bail out the offense every week.

 

[CEH]

Don't like our secondary matchups against teams with small quick WRs like Indy and Pitts. We'' see how Denver fares in Pitts.

 

[randymon]

No excuses but I think the GB game set them up for a little let down. The Bowlen/playoff atmosphere,etc looked like it might have set Denver up for a loss on the rd vs a well prepared game plan by Colts and much better Luck than we've seen up to that game. It happens to the best and wouldn't be too shocked if NE suffers same fate before Denver game either.

 

[69bronco]

Don't like our secondary matchups against teams with small quick WRs like Indy and Pitts. We'' see how Denver fares in Pitts.

I think Big Ben's knack for extended plays to find the open guy all the time will be a matchup nightmare for him vs the broncos defense, nobody will be open and he'll be wincing in pain all game from getting hit relentlessly.

I'm most worried about Brady and his quick throws, if the pass rush doesn't rattle him early and often it'll be ugly, i'm a firm believer the pass rush is the most important piece to any great defense, without pressure any secondary will be exposed.

 

[AmericanTebowFan]

Nothing the team can do if manning continues to throw interceptions.
Indy scored 7 off one and the other led to the end of the game.

I'm sure you could argue not his fault but he throws 1-2 a game.

Manning's bad decision making this season has been puzzling. Yes he's losing skills and his arm isn't what it used to be, but he threw a couple BEAUTIFUL deep passes on Sunday. His arm is good enough. For some reason he's just making really bad decisions, which is really surprising since he's always been known as the most intelligent QB in the game. He needs to get his head on straight! The defense will carry the team to the playoffs, but they will not go far if Peyton keeps playing like a women. But as I've said, I have faith that he can dig down deep and play some big games when it really matters. This is his last season so I think he'll do everything he can to go out with a championship. He's blessed to have this kind of defense in his last season, so he MUST take advantage. I expect him to play great football come playoff time!

Overall this last game was a CLASSIC letdown. They came out flat after putting so much focus and energy into beating the Packers. They'll get it back and DESTROY the Chiefs next week.

 

[58crash]

CEH he said He knew this was coming at the start of the season go look at what he said about learning a new O and why it took hm a wile to know he was coming back .. he said this is normal learning a new sytem

Add in sacks and having to let the ball go in crazy speeds ..Manning is letting go of the ball in 1.6 seconds at times .

Add in our 12 million dollar man is non existent and when he actually runs the rout right he prceeds to drop the football .. Yes I am pissed at him by the way He said he knew for weeks he was going to be a Broncos again . I call that what it is ! Gold Bricking .

 

[cdumler7]

I don't think any of us expected the Perfect season to happen. In fact I would bet most of us had the Broncos losing at least a couple of games by now and the Colts being one of our toughest games of the year with it being on the road. They played inspired football and have to tip my hat to them. I do wonder because of just the emotional toll of last week if that did somewhat cause our team to come out very flat in this one. Have to admire the fight in the team though to continue even down 17 and make such a great come back.

The positives in my opinion...Manning looks like he is getting into a nice groove. I know the interceptions are still showing up unfortunately but he is moving the offense pretty well. Still need to see the run game be a bit more consistent but I do know they were all banged up a bit.

Special Teams giving the team a spark shows that they are not just the weak link for this team. I'm hoping we see a bit more of Bolden moving forward. I hate that Sanders is back there taking some of those hits. Need him more on offense than special teams.

The defense definitely failed on this day. They looked out of place, uninspired, and very undisciplined. Thankfully sometimes it is actually the losses and worst mistakes that players and coaches can learn from. I actually feel better about the Chiefs game now with the loss. I'm guessing practice this week will not be a cakewalk for them. Plus if there is a game where Talib can be suspended it is against the Chiefs who have really nothing much at the WR position.

All in all the team is ahead of where I thought they would be at this point in the season. How the respond will tell us a lot about this team.