In a shocking turn of events, the Donkeys actually won a game...at home! So what if it was against the Chefs? Playing at home and stumbling once again, they appeared on their way to another frustrating pratfall. All the elements were there: an interception returned for 6 points, inability to stop the opposition on third down, no pass rush and a sudden 10-0 deficit.

Maybe it was because the Chefs were in town-- losers of Every Game They've Ever Played in Invesco Field-- or maybe it was because the Broncos finally decided to play a full 60 minute game and finally responded to adversity. In previous losses, the Broncos would screw up early and when things wouldn't go their way, they'd pout, complain and forget how to play football. Example 1: the Dolphins game. Example 2: the Raiders game. And so it goes..

The Chefs were game, as they usually seem to play the Broncos well. Even when they're 2-10. Larry Johnson had returned, but wasn't able to assault the Denver defense as he did in September (a few legal problems will do that to a guy's productivity). The Chefs relied on QB Tyler Thigpen to lead them down the field. With the demise of Thigpens Bobby and Yancy, it now falls to Tyler to carry on the tradition of "marginally successful guy named Thigpen". It nearly worked for Tyler, as he almost scrambled for the game-tying touchdown on a fourth down, late in the fourth quarter.

Dre' Bly tackled Thigpen at about the 5...and was carried all the way to the 1 yard line. The Denver media likes to toss around the term "shut down cornerback"...and for once you can say that Bly actually did shut down someone to win the game. Not a devastating tackle, but effective enough to end the Chefs' day and secure the Broncos' eighth win of the season.

If you were looking for the usual "NFL Crunch Course" hit, you would've had to look in the third quarter when Wesley Woodyard blasted past two Chefs linemen and levelled fullback Mike Cox (not to be confused with Mike Hawk or Mike Hunt). I'm sure some ding dong on a Broncos message board copied the play and made it into a 2.5 MB bandwidth-eating animated GIF. Woodyard's been a marked improvement over Nate "dance after a second down tackle" Webster. He's younger, cheaper and...better. Webster played a little bit on Sunday, but unless he was infused with the DNA of Jack Lambert and Ray Lewis during his stint on the injury report, he should remain on the sideline.

Over on offense, the game belonged to the young guys. Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall avoided their self-destruction of the Dolphins game and performed when they needed to. Marshall even caught the game-winning TD pass. Tony Scheffler continued to get open downfield and Peyton Hillis rumbled around like the human pinball he had become. Unfortunately, Hillis tore his hamstring while making a reception and is now out for the year. In any other year, this would seem unusual, but the Broncos have learned to cope with malice in their backfield. Tatum Bell finished the game and is probably the starter for the rest of the season. If things keep to their usual pattern, expect Bell's leg to fall off in two weeks and see PJ Pope starting at RB. It's a good thing the season is only 16 weeks (plus 4 more for playoffs). If it ran any longer, the Broncos would keep digging and end up with Jeff Alexander or Curtis Enis as a starting runningback.

Now at 8-5, the Bronocs are reportedly "on the brink of the playoffs". They need one win or one Chargers' loss to clinch the AFC Worst division title. Sad that 8 wins mights clinch the division. What the hell is this-- hockey?!! But it'll be enough to drizzle some confidence into the Broncos-- a team that appeared to be back to their usual sad sack, wishy-washy ways in recent home losses. They still have a ways to go (and are probably due for a loss in Carolina this weekend) with a momenumental faceplant still a possibility.

If they win the division, then they'll be guaranteed one home playoff game. Yes... that's at home, where the fundamentals seem harder to execute. However, the team seems to be coming together in the past four or five weeks. With a cadre of young bucks too inexperienced to know any better, that might work in their benefit. The ignorance of youth could be an asset.

Chop Blocks
..||.. The Broncos won for only the second time in their "alternate home jerseys".

..||.. On Tuesday (Dec. 9), the Broncos re-signed Jeb Putzier, who played here from 2002 to 2005. I'm okay with that, since I still play the old Madden 2005, which has Putzier as my tight end. It's still relevant! I haven't checked the latest Bronco roster moves, but I'm guessing Putzier's arrival means that Chad Mustard was released for only the 32nd time in the past year.

..||.. It's tough to see NFL players honoring Players Association pioneer Gene Upshaw with decals all year long, when the NFLPA turns around and files an appeal over Plaxico Burress' suspension.

..||.. I only read ESPN's Mobile content on my cellphone when I'm taking a dump at work. But I have to say that they're a buncha' hacks. They use internet message board posts as quotes in their "articles". Call me old fashioned, but it's really hard to take an article seriously when it's quoting someone named "CowbOyzROOL819" or "BigTasty2896".

Sound off, humanoids: Contact The Asshole Who Wrote This!

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