Bronx33
10-18-2005, 02:59 PM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/don_banks/10/18/week6.banks.shots/index.html
They're a mere 37 days removed from their Week 1 meltdown in Miami, but for the Broncos, it probably feels like ancient history. Nothing went right for Denver that toasty afternoon at Pro Player Stadium, as the Dolphins opened the Nick Saban era with a 34-10 demolition of Mike Shanahan's disinterested team.
Rarely have I seen a Denver team so thoroughly embarrassed and lacking effort. At least until the playoffs, where the Broncos have endured consecutive first-round humiliations to Indianapolis.
But since leaving Miami, the Broncos have steadily rebuilt their self-esteem and reputation, taking the under-the-radar approach to again position themselves among the AFC elite. Has there been a stealthier success story in the NFL this season than the 5-1 Broncos?
Denver's five-game winning streak is the league's second longest, trailing only the 6-0 Colts, and is the franchise's best since starting the 1998 season 13-0. Even better, the Broncos are beating quality opponents. Their most recent four victories have come against winning teams, with the exclamation point being last Sunday's 28-20 win over New England.
The Broncos are doing everything well these days.
• Quarterback Jake Plummer, he of mistake-prone past, is playing both efficiently and productively. Plummer has six touchdowns and no interceptions in his past four starts, with ratings of 110.4 or higher in three of those.
• The Broncos' running game is humming, averaging an AFC-best 153.3 yards per game after denting New England for 178. Running backs Tatum Bell (114 yards on 13 carries) and Mike Anderson (15 carries for 57) are growing into a formidable 1-2 punch.
• And Denver's defense ranks fifth against the run, allowing just 88.3 yards per game, with only two gains of 20 yards or more. After the debacle against the Dolphins, the Broncos have surrendered a modest 14.6 points per game.
Still, Broncos fans remain wary, and understandably so. They've seen this act before. Denver has started 5-1 for three consecutive seasons now, but it hasn't won more than 10 games since 2000, with its last playoff victory coming in the 1998 Super Bowl.
With a game and a half lead over Kansas City (3-2) in the AFC West, the Broncos have our attention now. They won't be sneaking up on anyone from here on out. Their next 10 games will tell us if they work as well in the spotlight as they have in the shadows.
Three guys who have to step it up
1. Kevin Jones, RB, Detroit -- Blame inconsistent Lions quarterback Joey Harrington plenty for his team's disappointing 2-3 start, but don't overlook the less-than-stellar production turned in by Jones. Last year's rookie sensation has averaged less than 35 yards rushing in his past four games (58 carries for 139 yards, 2.4 average).
2. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Kansas City -- The perennial Pro Bowl selection isn't even the best player at his position in the division any more. In Kansas City's last three games, Gonzalez has been largely a non-factor, catching nine passes for just 47 yards. He has yet to score a touchdown, and is on pace for a 58-catch, 454-yard season after grabbing 102 for 1,258 yards in 2004.
3. Bill Cowher, head coach, Pittsburgh -- So much for the Steelers' aura of invincibility at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh has now lost three of four at home, including the AFC title game, beating only Tennessee in Week 1 in that span. And after Jacksonville's upset win last Sunday, you can't say it's just a New England thing any more.
They're a mere 37 days removed from their Week 1 meltdown in Miami, but for the Broncos, it probably feels like ancient history. Nothing went right for Denver that toasty afternoon at Pro Player Stadium, as the Dolphins opened the Nick Saban era with a 34-10 demolition of Mike Shanahan's disinterested team.
Rarely have I seen a Denver team so thoroughly embarrassed and lacking effort. At least until the playoffs, where the Broncos have endured consecutive first-round humiliations to Indianapolis.
But since leaving Miami, the Broncos have steadily rebuilt their self-esteem and reputation, taking the under-the-radar approach to again position themselves among the AFC elite. Has there been a stealthier success story in the NFL this season than the 5-1 Broncos?
Denver's five-game winning streak is the league's second longest, trailing only the 6-0 Colts, and is the franchise's best since starting the 1998 season 13-0. Even better, the Broncos are beating quality opponents. Their most recent four victories have come against winning teams, with the exclamation point being last Sunday's 28-20 win over New England.
The Broncos are doing everything well these days.
• Quarterback Jake Plummer, he of mistake-prone past, is playing both efficiently and productively. Plummer has six touchdowns and no interceptions in his past four starts, with ratings of 110.4 or higher in three of those.
• The Broncos' running game is humming, averaging an AFC-best 153.3 yards per game after denting New England for 178. Running backs Tatum Bell (114 yards on 13 carries) and Mike Anderson (15 carries for 57) are growing into a formidable 1-2 punch.
• And Denver's defense ranks fifth against the run, allowing just 88.3 yards per game, with only two gains of 20 yards or more. After the debacle against the Dolphins, the Broncos have surrendered a modest 14.6 points per game.
Still, Broncos fans remain wary, and understandably so. They've seen this act before. Denver has started 5-1 for three consecutive seasons now, but it hasn't won more than 10 games since 2000, with its last playoff victory coming in the 1998 Super Bowl.
With a game and a half lead over Kansas City (3-2) in the AFC West, the Broncos have our attention now. They won't be sneaking up on anyone from here on out. Their next 10 games will tell us if they work as well in the spotlight as they have in the shadows.
Three guys who have to step it up
1. Kevin Jones, RB, Detroit -- Blame inconsistent Lions quarterback Joey Harrington plenty for his team's disappointing 2-3 start, but don't overlook the less-than-stellar production turned in by Jones. Last year's rookie sensation has averaged less than 35 yards rushing in his past four games (58 carries for 139 yards, 2.4 average).
2. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Kansas City -- The perennial Pro Bowl selection isn't even the best player at his position in the division any more. In Kansas City's last three games, Gonzalez has been largely a non-factor, catching nine passes for just 47 yards. He has yet to score a touchdown, and is on pace for a 58-catch, 454-yard season after grabbing 102 for 1,258 yards in 2004.
3. Bill Cowher, head coach, Pittsburgh -- So much for the Steelers' aura of invincibility at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh has now lost three of four at home, including the AFC title game, beating only Tennessee in Week 1 in that span. And after Jacksonville's upset win last Sunday, you can't say it's just a New England thing any more.