Get the Bandwagon rolling

[Atlas]

Week 6 snapshots

SoCals link: http://nfl.com/news/story/8973244
By Vic Carucci
National Editor, NFL.com


(Oct. 16, 2005) -- If the Denver Broncos didn't made a statement yet that they are a legitimate contender, they certainly did so with their 28-20 victory over the New England Patriots. After going through most of their first five games with quarterback Jake Plummer doing more managing than playmaking, the Broncos turned "The Snake" loose. He threw for two touchdown passes and connected on passes of 72 and 55 yards on a 262-yard day. But equally important is the fact Plummer extended his streak without an interception to 17 quarters. He no longer is pressing himself so hard to make plays that he ends up committing mistakes. Plummer also trusts the fact that he has the help of a defense that is mostly reliable (despite allowing the Patriots to rally from a 25-point deficit to pull within eight points late in the game) a strong running game. Tatum Bell (13 carries for 114 yards and a touchdown) showed his ability to go the distance any time he touches the ball by tearing through New England's patchwork defense for a 68-yard gain.

[Hulamau]

One thing about the tone of todays game that may be revealing is that I think this team doesn't truly realize or believe how good they can be quite yet. I think this goes for the coaches too.

They all are confident and all, but I think the tendency to go conservative so early in the 3rd qrt with the big lead and the softer play and more reigned in play calling thereafter reflect a team that is still growing into its own skin as a true warrior that genuinely expects to dominate each game.

We have all the tools and with more willingness to mix it up and let things open up with creative play calling like we did in the second quarter will do wonders for establishing the inner belief and expectation in each palyer that they are going to kick ass every time they take the field.

It will give the coaches more confidence to let the guys really play too and not try to reign them in too much. Thats why I was a little bummed that we didnt follow through on the blow out as it would have inspired a lot of that moxie which is not arrogance or overconfidence, but a kind of battle-tested confidence you can't buy or manufacture.

It's what the two SuperBowl teams had from 96- 98. I think Plummer is getting the message and can both limit his INTs while also hitting more long balls like he did today which will really continue to open up the running and short passing game.

From here on out I think we should give Tater-tot the rock AT LEAST 20 times a game and use MA mostly for Redzone work and to spell Tater after his many 60 yrd dashes. :-)

Taters rhythm will only improve and he is starting to find the cut back lanes quicker (though hew does need to keep from running out of his shoes and slipping so often).

Lelie had a big game too and made 3 great catches on the four balls thrown his way, including that great shorter catch in the red zone that set up another TD.

He should be used more in the short to mid patterns as well, and mix it up between he and Rod more which will only help the running game and keep DBs more honest and make Rods job easier too.

If we can get David Terrell really up to speed and in the action the next two games, after the bye week He, Lelie and Rod will make a truly killer WR corp. Throw in Putz and get Nate Jackson going too and we'll have an embarassment of riches as far as weapons for Jake goes.

We need to start blowing these teams out beginning next week. A blow out next week or against Philly would pay huge pyschological dividends when we get a decent lead on other teams in the last half of the year as well. They'll be more likely to give up a bit quicker.

[Atlas]

They all are confident and all, but I think the tendency to go conservative so early in the 3rd qrt with the big lead and the softer play and more reigned in play calling thereafter reflect a team that is still growing into its own skin as a true warrior that genuinely expects to dominate each game.

.

What do you mean tendancy? I mean this is the first time that Denver has had a big lead all year!!

[Rocket 7]

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showthread.php?t=31346

[epicSocialism4tw]

Yahoo NFL page bold headline:

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=500><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=500 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Mile High Five: Broncos beat Pats for fifth straight

<TABLE class=yspwhitebg id=yspTopStoryModule cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3 height=5><SPACER height="1" width="1" type="block"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspleadhdln colSpan=3 height=22>Mile High Five: Broncos beat Pats for fifth straight</TD></TR><TR><TD class=ysptimedate vAlign=top>http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/spo/med/2005/10/ipt/1129506232.jpg (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AtY9ZBaT4VRJtCSXommvdalDubYF/SIG=12uu9glvt/**http%3a//sports.yahoo.com/nfl/photo%3fslug=dxs10910162300.patriots_broncos_dxs10 9%26prov=ap)
Denver's Tatum Bell ran for 114 yards. (AP) </TD><TD noWrap width=9> </TD><TD vAlign=top width="100%">The second-best NFL team behind the 5-0 Colts might be Denver, which beat New England for its fifth straight win. Story (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap;_ylt=Apngo3jdyV0333MGCbxrRV5DubYF?gid=200510 16007) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Hulamau]

What do you mean tendancy? I mean this is the first time that Denver has had a big lead all year!!


I'm extrapolating from the past few years when we've gotten leads and tended to give them up or let teh team back in the game. Something we were pretty good at not doing durign teh hey day when we did get a big lead ( See the Miami blowout in the 97 or was it 98 playoffs for an example of finsihign a team off).

Aside from our annual Cheif bashing at Mile high we need to re-learn to keep our foot firmly planted on teams throats when we've got them down and I fully think we are a lot better than our scores have shown.

[No1BroncoFan]

We were 5-1 last year, but when was the last time we won 5 in a row? '98 wasn't it?

Ben

[Rocket 7]

We were 5-1 last year, but when was the last time we won 5 in a row? '98 wasn't it?

Ben
2000

[Atlas]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/fantasy/10/13/patriots.broncos/

From these fantasy projections you would come to the conclusion that they thought the Pats were gonna win going away.

I also noticed on our selection contests on yahoo only 39% of the people that picked games on the yahoo pickum picked Denver to win.

[Atlas]

Plummer refines his role with Broncos

By MILO F. BRYANT

SoCals link: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/12921049.htm


DENVER - The play of Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer is the perfect example of addition by subtraction.

Including Sunday's 28-20 victory against the New England Patriots, Denver has won its past five games. And in 17 quarters, dating back through the fourth quarter of the Week 2 game against the San Diego Chargers, Plummer hasn't thrown an interception. The offense hasn't committed a turnover since that game.

The Broncos sit at 5-1, the same record they had after six games last season. The obvious question would be how will the Broncos avoid a spiral similar to last year when they lost four of their next six games.

The answer is the excellent coaching move of dumbing down the offense for Plummer. Mike Shanahan has made it easier for Plummer to be effective, and Plummer is taking advantage of the scheme.

Shanahan excelled as a coach in the quick-striking and pass-happy offense commonly referred to as the West Coast offense. One of the tenets of that offense is to quickly put the football into the hands of the players who can make plays.

The Broncos offense is most effective when Plummer makes quick reads and quick passes. A slant pass to Rod Smith or a swing pass to a running back, combined with tough rushing by Tatum Bell and Mike Anderson, keeps the offense moving. It's akin to getting back to the West Coast basics.

Hall of Fame quarterbacks Steve Young and Joe Montana, both of whom ran the quick-passing offense in San Francisco, rarely threw balls that covered tremendous distances in the air. That's what Plummer is doing now.

"He played extremely well today," Shanahan said. "He didn't turn the ball over.

"He's more comfortable with the system, more comfortable with what we're doing. It's a process. Hopefully he can keep it up."

Young and Montana were able to keep it up for years without a lot of turnovers.

"I'm trying to be smarter with the ball," Plummer said. "We're getting some leads, so we don't have to go throw all the time every time. When you do that you can be - not conservative - but you can be smart with the ball and make sure you don't make mistakes."

The equation is an easy one. Fewer Plummer mistakes equal fewer opportunities for turnovers. Fewer turnovers equal more victories.

Getting Plummer out of the pocket creates a scenario of fewer logical choices. If Plummer rolls out or does a bootleg, there are typically two receivers in patterns that he can throw to, or Plummer can run. On those plays, usually one receiver will be about 10 yards away and the other will be farther downfield. That cuts the field into a third and puts the two receivers in Plummer's field of view.

A football field is a little more than 53 yards wide. When Plummer is outside the pocket, he only has to worry about 17 yards of the field's width. That simplifies the offense.

Plummer had two long passes Sunday - one to Rod Smith for 72 yards, the other to Ashley Lelie for 55 yards. Both came off plays that saw Plummer throw from outside the pocket.

Those plays have a higher percentage of success because there are fewer defensive backs in coverage.

"He's not forcing balls," Lelie said about Plummer's recent success. "Second-and-10 or something like that, he'll throw it away. It's the plays that people don't really look at. I think last year there were a lot of times he would try to force it in to make plays."

The Broncos' rushing game is the other reason for Plummer's success. The Broncos have rushed for 850 yards in the past five games. Because of that effort, defensive backs can't sit in the secondary and wait for a Plummer gift. They must leave the secondary to provide run support.

Again, fewer defensive backs mean fewer opportunities for mistakes.

"He puts up Ws for us when he plays smart," Lelie said.

The Broncos are one of the league's best teams because of a good defense and because of a coach who is smart enough to know that he had to make the game simpler for his quarterback.

[Sassy]

What do you mean tendancy? I mean this is the first time that Denver has had a big lead all year!!
Nope...KC on MNF!

[Atlas]

SPEAKING OF BANDWAGONS

Denver bandwagon filling up

SoCals link: http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=107299

Sunday, October 16, 2005 - Updated: 01:52 AM EST


DENVER -- As the sheriff in that shark movie said, ``We're going to need a bigger bandwagon.''

Quite suddenly everybody loves the Broncos. By everybody I mean ESPN, not the last word in sports but certainly the loudest.

If ESPN is correct -- and who can argue with a company that considers poker a sport? -- the Broncos are slightly to the rear of only the Indianapolis Colts. This would forecast another AFC playoff meeting between the two teams, and we know how the last two turned out.

Whereas it might be easier to believe that Denver has become the Colts' Cleveland, the playing field could now be more level, or higher, a mile higher, if the Broncos continue to justify the opinion of strangers.

According to the ESPN power poll, whatever that is, the Broncos have bounded from a pre-preseason consideration of 15th, to a post-Miami loss low of 20th, to a breath-on-the-neck-of-the-Colts second.

If we hurry before the Patriots get to town, we can run off some of those big foam fingers to wave about, the ones shaped like the old peace sign, that proclaim ``We're No. 2!''

While, unlike in college football, rankings mean nothing in pro football, it is always pleasant to have the high regard of others, and starting where the Broncos did, somewhere near the bottom of the great grab bag of doubt, this is quite a turnabout.

Hardly anyone thought the Broncos were worth more than a side glance, what with the Patriots having established credentials with Super Bowl victories and the Eagles knocking, knocking at the door, and the Colts, of course, figuring out how to win outdoors their only challenge.

All of this put the Broncos behind the Chiefs and the Chargers in their own neighborhood and, if we are to believe that other great hustler of games, Sports Illustrated, out of the playoffs and 7-9 for the season

This week we find SI touting the Broncos as the fourth-best team in the NFL, behind the Colts, Steelers and Patriots, a step up from sixth a week ago.

Publications that dabble in these sorts of polls, the Washington Post, the Dallas Morning News, the Chicago Tribune, all have heard the roar of the mountains and have moved the Broncos into their top five. CBS Sportsline has Denver third.

Only Fox seems unconvinced, actually dropping the Broncos five spots to 15th.

Is there any truth to any of this? Is there any point to it?The answers are no and no.

The Broncos faithful may be a bit more pessimistic than the flatlanders. We do know that it is not that hard to get to 5-1, as the Broncos have shown lately. And this is where they could be after the Patriots pass through today.

It is after that the string starts fraying from the suit. Next thing you know, there the Broncos are half-naked and needing to win late to be a road playoff team.

Just as the early opinion of the Broncos was wrong, it is likely that the present support is just as whacked.

The Broncos are the second-best team in pro football? This is no more true than when they were judged the 20th. Talk about putting the horse ahead of the bandwagon, November has a cruel way of rearranging the buckboard.

With the Colts the only undefeated team remaining at 5-0 -- never mind that only one of those victories came against a team with a winning record -- the Broncos are one of six others with a single loss.

That alone does not shake out to second-best, and as to more quantifiable measurements, the Broncos rank 21st in offense and 18th in defense, hardly credentials that justify support either.

So, what's the attraction?

No Bronco ranks higher than 15th in any offensive category (Jason Elam, scoring). Mike Anderson is 19th in rushing. Quarterbacking is 22nd in yards, 23rd in proficiency (Jake Plummer just behind Brian Griese), receiving is 22nd (Rod Smith) and on defense -- clearly the engine driving the wagon -- and no one is in the top 30 in either tackles or sacks

Maybe it is all just the surprise of it. Experts who are proved wrong -- I am a first-person contributor to this -- can set records for backpedaling.

Maybe it is that the assumed favorites, like Philadelphia or Atlanta, Carolina and Minnesota or -- whoops! -- Green Bay range from ordinary to table scraps.

Other than the Broncos and Colts, last year's playoffs teams have lost 25 games already and five of the teams have losing records. Over these scraps have the Broncos stepped.

Or maybe it is that because the Broncos have managed to beat four formidable, possibly playoff, teams in a row without the benefit of clarity, they get the benefit of bewilderment.

Whatever the Broncos have been doing, they need to keep doing. Halloween looms.

[Sassy]

Other than the Broncos and Colts, last year's playoffs teams have lost 25 games already and five of the teams have losing records. Over these scraps have the Broncos stepped.

Or maybe it is that because the Broncos have managed to beat four formidable, possibly playoff, teams in a row without the benefit of clarity, they get the benefit of bewilderment.

;D

[SoCalBronco]

That's a great article, Atlas. Its all about cautious optimism. We do start out fast usually, but this year it does seem a bit different. I certainly am happy with this start.

[NFLBRONCO]

That's a great article, Atlas. Its all about cautious optimism. We do start out fast usually, but this year it does seem a bit different. I certainly am happy with this start.

We need to stay healthy and play tough on the road. After the bye is our biggest test.

[Atlas]

Broncos 28, Patriots 20
Patriots Are Being Shoved Off Pedestal

SoCals LInk: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/17/sports/17patriots.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1129522351-XIelP3y9mdvKYd02cY/s3Q
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: October 17, 2005
By The Associated Press

Jake Plummer did more than manage the game, he controlled it. He made big plays, avoided mistakes and made the New England Patriots look more like a team in disarray than the N.F.L.'s reigning dynasty.

Plummer hit passes of 72 and 55 yards to help the Broncos to a 28-20 victory over the two-time defending champion Patriots yesterday in Denver.

"We knew we were going to get a couple of shots," Plummer said. "They panned out like that."

Tatum Bell had a 68-yard run and finished with 114 yards as the Broncos (5-1) jumped ahead by 25 early in the third quarter en route to their fifth straight win.

Plummer finished with 262 yards and 2 touchdowns and extended his streak without an interception to 17 quarters.

"He's definitely been playing a lot smarter," said receiver Ashley Lelie, who caught the 55-yard pass. "He's not trying to make every single play. It's a credit to him understanding and accepting his role on the team. He puts up wins for us when he plays smart like that."

With his team trailing by 25, Tom Brady picked on the young Denver secondary to pull the Patriots to 28-20 late.

New England had a chance to tie, but Brady threw three straight incompletions and after a punt, the Denver offense ran the final three and a half minutes off the clock.

Brady went 24 for 46 for 299 yards for New England (3-3).

The Patriots listed about half their roster on the injury report this week. Most notable was an ankle injury to Corey Dillon, who dressed but did not play.

The Patriots were outplayed in almost every phase, and their two fourth-quarter touchdowns prevented them from losing by double digits for the third time this year.

In the first half, the New England defense focused on stopping the running game and got torched by Plummer. He went 17 for 24 and finished with a passer rating of 134.4.

It may have been Plummer's steadiest effort in his three years in Denver

"I can't say it's any one thing," Broncos Coach Mike Shanahan said. "He's in his third year. He feels comfortable with the system. I think it's a process and hopefully, he can keep it up."

[Atlas]

Nope...KC on MNF!

I stand corrected. I bet they got conservative on that night too. The fact is they probably executed better in the latter half of the game... And honestly The Chefs can't hold N.E.'s jock when it comes to playing football.

[Atlas]

Check what this guy says about Denver and KC
SoCals link:http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/10-05/10-16-05/e05sp524.htm

JONATHAN COMEY'S NFL POWER RANKINGS
1. Colts (1) 5-0: I'm looking forward to seeing a Colts game start-to-finish on Monday night. Maybe then I'll believe they're this good.

2. Steelers (3) 3-1: How does Charlie Batch wind up a third-string quarterback in this league? He wasn't the best QB ever when he was with Detroit, but he was a legitimate starter and team leader. Whether it's Batch or Tommy Maddox today, the Steelers are in good hands until Big Ben returns.

3. Patriots (8) 3-2: With what Tom Brady's been asked to do this year, five turnovers in five games is an incredibly low number.

4. Broncos (7) 4-1: The Broncos are No. 1 in fewest penalties (less than five a game) and No. 1 in most penalties committed against them (more than 10 a game). Must be Mike Shanahan's crazy eyes – he may have superpowers.

5. Bucs (2) 4-1: Even though it was unintentional, the idea that nice-guy/creepy twin Ronde Barber would end up punching a ref is something you'd just never see in your pre-game analysis.

6. Falcons (6) 3-2: If the Falcons had, say, Torry Holt on their team, they would be totally unstoppable. But their receivers are as bad as advertised – I can see why Michael Vick throws to Alge Crumpler every chance he gets.

7. Bengals (4) 4-1: The Bengals might not be the best team in the league, but if they can win in Tennessee they'll be 5-1 with four of their next five at home. Do the Bengals even remember how to print up playoff tickets?

8. Eagles (5) 3-2: Why did Andy Reid have Donovan McNabb and his battered body in the game in the fourth quarter of a blowout loss to Dallas? For a guy who wins as much as Reid does, he makes some odd decisions.

9. Redskins (9) 3-1: Mark Brunell has looked a lot better than I expected as the starter for Joe Gibbs, who might have an I-told-you-so or two to hand out if the 'Skins continue to play well.

10. Chiefs (11) 2-2: Tony Gonzalez is averaging 32.3 yards a game, which puts him behind tight end legends like Jerramy Stevens of Seattle and Erron Kinney of Tennessee.


That is a very interesting stat. Turnovers a team committed as apposed to turnovers commited against that team. Being #1 in both categories is a very good thing for the Broncos!!!

I bet fantasy owners are really hating Gonzo!! LOL LOL I think it's great.

[Atlas]

Patriots Show Grit Despite Loss
By: Kevin Rousseau


“That’s my job, to keep getting up and keep fighting. We showed some resiliency. I don’t think we hung our head. We thought we had a chance to make some plays there at the end.”-Patriots QB Tom Brady after being asked how he keeps getting up after being knocked down.


Sure, there are no medals for trying in professional football. But if there were, the Patriots would have been fitted for big, fat shining one after nearly pulling off an improbably 25 point comeback against Denver on Sunday.


There is no need to review the putrid first half display put on by the Patriots. You could choose between alarming lapses of secondary coverage, having little success stopping the Bronco running game or the fact that Tom Brady spent more time on his rear end than Archie Bunker. LOL LOL

Archie Bunker rules!!!

The rest of the article SoCAls link:http://www.patsfans.com/kevin/display_story.php?story_id=2835

[Rocket 7]

Archie Bunker rules!!!


I don't need this Jap to tell me that!

[epicSocialism4tw]

I stand corrected. I bet they got conservative on that night too. The fact is they probably executed better in the latter half of the game... And honestly The Chefs can't hold N.E.'s jock when it comes to playing football.


Looks like Logan Mankins was the only player on the Pats roster who did any jock holding today.

Broncos 28, Pats 20

[Atlas]

This is just wrong

SoCals link:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nfl/longterm/2005/weeklyskeds/slant_wk6.html

Broncos 28, Patriots 20
Denver's offense must have been making sweet music against New England, because several people sitting near ex-Bronco Bill Romanowski swore they heard the sound of fingers snapping.

[Atlas]

The Broncos are 5-1 after Sunday's victory over New England. The real victory, however, belonged to the 2,700-plus folks who signed an online petition urging quarterback Jake Plummer to re-grow his mustache. The facial hair dominated Sunday's television broadcast.

Congratulations
SoCals link: http://www.startribune.com/stories/503/5672393.html

[Atlas]

From a gay website. This is funny.
SoCals link:http://outsports.com/nfl/2005/week6notes.htm

--Phil Simms had a borderline “homoerotic comment of the week,” but we went to replay and since it involved the CBS announcer talking about genitalia we will count it and add it to the list. (see complete list here).

During halftime of the Denver Broncos-New England Patriots game, Simms and partner Jim Nantz were discussing the play where Pats lineman Logan Mankins was tossed from the game after hitting Ebenezer Ekuban. They showed a closeup of Mankins hauling off and whacking Ekuban in his family jewels.

Nantz: “I don’t think there’s a need to demonstrate that move at all, thanks.

Simms (turning toward Nantz and raising his eyebrows): ”No, not on me.”

Just confirms that Simms isn’t into rough trade.

[Rocket 7]

From a gay website. This is funny.
SoCals link:http://outsports.com/nfl/2005/week6notes.htm

--Phil Simms had a borderline “homoerotic comment of the week,” but we went to replay and since it involved the CBS announcer talking about genitalia we will count it and add it to the list. (see complete list here).

During halftime of the Denver Broncos-New England Patriots game, Simms and partner Jim Nantz were discussing the play where Pats lineman Logan Mankins was tossed from the game after hitting Ebenezer Ekuban. They showed a closeup of Mankins hauling off and whacking Ekuban in his family jewels.

Nantz: “I don’t think there’s a need to demonstrate that move at all, thanks.

Simms (turning toward Nantz and raising his eyebrows): ”No, not on me.”

Just confirms that Simms isn’t into rough trade.
When Bob isn't on the Mane you can find him here

[ludo21]

From a gay website. This is funny.
SoCals link:http://outsports.com/nfl/2005/week6notes.htm

--Phil Simms had a borderline “homoerotic comment of the week,” but we went to replay and since it involved the CBS announcer talking about genitalia we will count it and add it to the list. (see complete list here).

During halftime of the Denver Broncos-New England Patriots game, Simms and partner Jim Nantz were discussing the play where Pats lineman Logan Mankins was tossed from the game after hitting Ebenezer Ekuban. They showed a closeup of Mankins hauling off and whacking Ekuban in his family jewels.

Nantz: “I don’t think there’s a need to demonstrate that move at all, thanks.

Simms (turning toward Nantz and raising his eyebrows): ”No, not on me.”

Just confirms that Simms isn’t into rough trade.


ROFL! i remember that thinking the same thing! :TJnPopps:

[Atlas]

Discovery channels

By Cris Carter, Yahoo! Sports
October 16, 2005

SoCAls link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=cc-sixpoints101605&prov=yhoo&type=lgns


This was the week that playoff contenders stepped up.

We just didn't know how good these contenders really were.

On Sunday, we learned quite a bit about the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and, to a lesser extent, Cincinnati Bengals. All four teams won on Sunday. All four sit atop their respective divisions.

The Broncos could be undefeated if they didn't have to play in a heat index of over 100 in Miami on opening day. Denver's 5-1 start can be credited to players like defensive tackle Gerard Warren and running back Tatum Bell – guys whose roles were unknown going into the season. Both have played a significant role in the Broncos' turnaround this season.

[Atlas]

Beating dynasty gives Broncos legitimate hope
SoCals link:http://www.chieftain.com/sports/1129531893/5

DENVER - A chic saying in sports these days is "To be the best, you have to beat the best."

The Denver Broncos did just that Sunday afternoon at Invesco Field at Mile High.

Sure, the excuses are plentiful for the two-time defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots: They are without a host of key defensive players, former offensive coordinator Charlie Weiss is busy nearly pulling off upsets of Southern Cal as the head coach at Notre Dame and, possibly most vital, they were playing in an extremely hostile environment on the road.

None of that matters to the Broncos.

With its 28-20 win on Sunday, Denver showed that it is a real player in not only the playoff, but the Super Bowl, picture this season.

All of the Broncos' wins have been impressive this year, because they have all come against quality opponents. San Diego is the only team Denver has played that entered Sunday with a record under .500, and the Chargers are still considered a dangerous team in the AFC.

But by beating New England, Denver earned legitimate respect, thanks to the fact the Patriots have the upmost respect from all of the football world.

"We just knew how important it was," Denver's Trevor Pryce said. "That's what you have to do when you're playing the Super Bowl champions, you've got to bring your best effort. That's what we did."

That's what happens when a team wins three out of four Super Bowls in an era defined by parity in the NFL. Regardless of the Patriots' 3-3 record, their sudden vulnerability and the fact they have seemed to come back to the rest of the pack, New England will carry a mystique of dominance with it until a season ends without a Super Bowl trophy.

Did anyone feel sorry for Denver when opponents were beating up on the Broncos in 1999? Hardly. They were the two-time defending champions.

And Denver had a much bigger excuse then than New England has now. They were without John Elway for the first time in 15 years, which was a much more ominous hurdle than injuries or coaching defections.

But every time a team beat the Broncos that season, it legitimized them. A team is the champs until it isn't anymore, and when a team beats the champs, it is a notch in its belt.

"Every win feels good, but it doesn't feel as good as the win against the ex-Super Bowl champs," Broncos receiver Ashley Lelie said. "They have a great coach, a great team, and it feels even better just to get it against them."

These Broncos have put together a five-game winning streak for the first time since going 13-0 to start 1998, one of their Super Bowl championship seasons. The run includes wins over five quality opponents and Denver has done it in a variety of ways.

There was a second-half comeback against San Diego, a blowout over Kansas City, hang-on wins over Jacksonville and Washington, and Sunday's version of fighting off a fourth-quarter comeback by the opponent.

The bottom line is this team is winning.

"We're winning the close games, which before, we didn't win," Pryce said. "We've been 5-1 before but our wins were blowouts. Now we're getting it done when a couple of inches could send the game either way." The Broncos have shown they can beat AFC West teams, NFC teams and win on the road. They have beaten the top dog in the National Football League.

[Atlas]

BRONCOS 28, PATRIOTS 20
Mile sigh
Hurting Patriots can't rally late, fall back to .500
By Jerome Solomon, Globe Staff | October 17, 2005

Yet as the already undermanned Patriots continued to have players limp off the field yesterday, Denver never delivered the knockout blow and New England never threw in the towel.

In the end, however, the Broncos held off the Patriots' comeback to earn a 28-20 decision before a raucous-turned-silent-turned celebratory crowd of 76,571 at Invesco Field at Mile High.

After falling behind, 28-3, early in the second half, the Patriots scored the final 17 points, including two fourth-quarter touchdowns. But a Tom Brady-led comeback was not to be had on this afternoon, as the Patriots were forced to punt with three and a half minutes left and Denver ran out the clock.

''We never give up," running back Patrick Pass said. ''We may be down, but we're never out.

''But you can't spot a good team like that 21 points in the first half and we only have 3, especially at home. That's going to be extremely hard to overcome."

The Patriots' up-and-down year continued. For the third time this season, the defending Super Bowl champions failed to win consecutive games.

New England (3-3), which is off to its worst start since 2002, has a bye next week.

''At 3-3, you're an average team," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. ''When you play good enough to win one and you get down, 28-3, the next, you're going to lose those games. You can't say, 'Well, we rallied back.'

''We're an average football team."

The Patriots might be less of an average football team with all of their players in tow. Yesterday the team added running back Corey Dillon and receiver Troy Brown to the list of those who are seriously aching, as both missed their first game in a season fraught with injuries.

Vrabel's unit, which failed to force a turnover for the third straight game, was decidedly below average through the first half and first drive of the third quarter.

The Broncos big-played the Patriots at will, torching the secondary for long pass plays and ripping through the defensive line for long gains.

''We gave up big plays and that obviously hurt us," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. ''We try to prevent that every week and we have to do a better job at it."

Denver had three second-quarter touchdown drives of at least 80 yards, including two marches of more than 90 yards. Each trek was highlighted by a long play, something that has been a problem for the Patriots throughout the season.

Cornerback Duane Starks found himself in the chase position on two huge pass plays that set up scores. About the only positive for Starks was he managed to drag down the receivers to prevent touchdowns.

Rod Smith (six catches, 123 yards) burned Starks for a 72-yard reception, and Ashley Lelie took his turn against the battered corner, beating him for a 55-yard grab in man-to-man coverage. Tatum Bell (13 carries, 114 yards) ripped off a 68-yard run through the middle of the defense to set up the third touchdown of the second quarter.

Ahead, 21-3, the Broncos took the second-half kickoff and promptly drove 74 yards in nine plays for another touchdown, and it appeared time for the Patriots to throw in the towel.

But Pass, already subbing as the second-team running back because of Kevin Faulk's injury, got the offense going as he got more touches because Dillon didn't play.

Pass had six receptions for 89 yards and 10 carries for 64 yards, and scored the Patriots first touchdown early in the fourth quarter on an 8-yard run.

''We started putting it together," Pass said. ''We made some mistakes in the first half that we knew we couldn't make in the second half if we wanted to win the game."

With the defense finally finding an answer to the Broncos, the Patriots pulled within 28-20 when David Givens made a leaping catch of a Brady throw in the back of the end zone for a score.

Needing a touchdown and 2-point conversion for a tie, Brady led the Patriots on the field with 5:02 remaining. Twice this season the Patriots have driven down the field to win games on last-minute field goals.

This time, Brady and the Patriots would not deliver.

A crucial drop by Givens in middle of the field on what should have been at least a 20-yard gain was the key play that began the drive's destruction.

Brady was then flagged for intentional grounding setting up a third and 20.

Deion Branch, who led the Patriots with seven catches for 87 yards, couldn't come up with a catch, after taking a hard hit by Al Wilson. Branch blacked out for a second before hitting the ground where the ball came loose for the incompletion.

''I should have caught that ball," Givens said. ''If I had caught that ball, the drive would have kept moving.

''It was one of those plays where you got to find the quarterback and find the ball. When I finally found the ball it was on me, but I should have made the play."