Vs. Indianapolis Colts (L 31-34)
After six weeks of a sluggish malaise, the Broncos' offense finally broke through. Unfortunately, so did the Colts' offense.

Yet the Broncos played a stellar first half that was, arguably, one of the best they've played in recent years (Wade Phillips: "Well, at least we outscored 'em in the first half"). Jake Plummer had his best half as a Bronco-- throwing for one TD and diving for another. The defense didn't seem to miss Gerard Warren, as they held the Colts to two field goals. After catching Plummer's TD pass, Javon Walker brought the Lambeau Leap to Denver and hopped into the south stands. At the intermission, the Broncos were up 14-6 and things were rosy.

In the second half, it was a completely different game. The Broncos misfired on their opening possession and went 3-and-out. The Colts quickly moved down the field as Reggie Wayne found a new pal in Darrent Williams. However, the next series was what really hurt the Donkies as Plummer was sacked and fumbled the ball away, inside the 20. Give Peyton Manning and friends 20 yards and they'll hit you for 7 points. Suddenly Denver was down 20-14.

Discounting Plummer's misuce, the offense performed well. New LT Erik Pears was flagged for one false start, but otherwise filled in admirably. Tatum Bell was tiring, so Ding Dong #2, Mike Bell was inserted for a kick-start. Bell put up decent numbers, but his late miscue was one of 3 Big Mistakes that cost the Broncos the game. According to Coach ES's clipboard, the mistakes were:

1. Plummer's fumble. When you're playing at home, you should be able to easily overcome ONE turnover. When you're playing against a well-tuned Colts offense, you need to be perfect. Almost perfect won't help.
    
2. Reggie Wayne met Darrent Williams Who's the Colts' big wiedout? Marvin Harrison. Champ Bailey covered Harrison all day and his output was minimal. Wayne on the other hand, matched up favorably with Williams and soon exploited that fact. Wayne accounted for 3 second half TD's and a two point conversion. Plus a buncha' other yards. All while matched up with Williams. Williams spoke to a TV reporter after the game and was as jubilant as a Catholic priest at a boys' club. It didn't seem to bother Williams that he had just been spanked all afternoon.
    
3. Mike Bell stepping out of bounds inside 4 minutes. Bell had just shot up the field for a long gain, with the Broncos trailing 28-31. Instead of staying IN bounds, he stepped out and killed the clock with about 3:45 left. Had he stayed in bounds, the Broncos would have chewed up about 40 more seconds. They ended up only gaining an additional yard and kicking a tying field goal, but those 40 ticks came back to them. The Colts moved into position for the winning field goal easily. It wasn't until less than ONE minute that they moved into Broncos territory. Subtract 40 seconds and the Colts might have had to kick the winner from about the 40 yard line, instead of inside the 20.

Depsite the "L", it really wasn't anything to mope about. The Broncos are still tied for first in the AFC West and their offense now looks to be rolling (I still wouldn't start Mike Bell, though). Is it possible that the offensive playbook had some plays reserved exclusively for the Colts game? I mean, in the six previous games, I don't recall seeing Jake Plummer roll out as frequently as he did today. A move that proved succesful as Plummer showed some of his "Snake" moves on the roll-out and even launched a spectacular across-the-field howitzer to David Kircus for about 40 yards. The TE has also been missing thus far, but on Sunday Tony Scheffler had several catches, as it looks like that element has returned. So far this year, alot of doubt has lingered over the offense. While it hasn't faded away completely, the skies are clearing for this bunch.

As we mentioned last week, the sobering fact is that the Broncos have been building a defense to eat up the Colts. Today, that defense proved ineffectual. Seeing the Colts effortlessly move down the field in the final minutes called up reminders of the 2001-2004 second half collapses. They can take some positive vibes, knowing that the entire team was able to hang with the Colts and put on the "Game of the Week". 5-2 isn't awful, but the Broncos now need to win at least 3 of their next 4 games (at Pittsburgh, at Oakland, vs. San Diego, and at KC) to keep the division title in sight.

FINAL CUTS
...||...I've never been a huge fan of James Brown (the announcer), but I give him points for NOT saying "LT" everytime he called Chargers highlights of LaDanian Tomlinson

...||...Tony Romo's Brett Favre "impression" on Sunday Night's game? Why was that filmed and aired? About as entertaining as an impression of a garbage can lid.

...||...At 2-5 and losing to the Raiders, it appears that the Steelers have blown their wad. It's really not that bad for the Steelers themselves, though. They don't have to do anything for the rest of their careers and they'll die as heroes. The city of Pittsburgh will commemorate the 2005 title forever. This is a city that STILL hasn't shut up about the 70's Steelers dynasty. So every five years, from now until the end of civilization, Pittsburgh will trot out the '05 Steelers for an anniversary celebration. It's good work if you can get it. Just ask the Pirate teams of 1960, 1971, 1979 and the Steeler teams of 1974, 1975, 1978 and 1979.

...||...The Week Seven "my boy" award: TE Tony Scheffler. Finally, the TE is catching something besides solar rays.

...||...Hey! For you raging Atlanta Falcon fans out there (all ONE of you), check out My Pal Choate's Falcons Blog at www.the falcoholic.com. So we can all check in on Ashley Lelie's bid to become a "#1 Recevier"! Plus all the fans of former Donkey PJ Alexander (i.e: his mon) can check in on him, too. Proof that I don't hate EVERYTHING from Atlanta. Just those Fucking Braves.

...||... Hey part 2! Since it's Halloween and site referrals are down this week... here's YOUR Renee Herlocker reference. Renee Herlocker's Halloween Nurse Outfit (from last year, I suppose).

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2006 Season Archive
August 11 vs Lions
August 19 vs Titans
August 27 vs Texans
August 31 vs Cardinals
September 10 vs Rams
September 17 vs Chiefs
September 24 vs Patriots October 02 vs Bye Week
October 09 vs Ravens
October 15 vs Raiders
October 22 vs Browns
October 29 vs Colts
November 05 vs Steelers
November 12 vs Raiders November 19 vs Chargers
November 24 vs Chiefs
December 03 vs Seahawks
December 10 vs Chargers
December 17 vs Cardinals
December 24 vs Bengals
December 31 vs 49ers
YEAR_END AWARDS