Why Didn't Shanahan Try And Win This Game?

[Bronco_Beerslug]

We were at Colt's 32 yard line with 3:24 to go and basically sat on the ball to go for a tie.

Does anyone here think Manning and Colts would have played for a tie in that position or went for the win?

Why didn't we throw the ball down there and try and get a TD to win the game?

[SprintRightOption]

Shanny probably thought we could run 5-7 running plays and take up all the clock and score in the very end. I can see the reasoning, but we really should have been more creative than 2 runs up the middle and then a straight dropback pass where the D could pin their ears back instead of a boot or Sprint Right Option.

[broncos love]

Im sorry people but the broncos got beat by the better team today. The offense did everthing it could do but didnt have the ball last .

[freak6]

I think the formations called to end that drive were weak as the colts stacked the line to stop the run, we should've spread them out on the 2nd down play. And still ran it. That said, I think Mike was planning on a 3rd and 5 or less, not 8.

To many new threads. I'm going out and having some fun, enjoying our 5-2 record.

Same record as last year!!!

[Blart]

Tatum: slip!
Mike: slip!


3rd down and 9...
Offensive line: SLIP

and that was the end of our offense.

[TheDave]

Give me a break Slug... Do you honestely think that Shanahan got down to the 32 and then decided to play for the tie. NO

Problem was that on the next play Tatum ran head first into a pile (again)... the next play mike bell slipped... Then Jake did a good job of avoiding the sack only to throw one in the dirt. We just didn't execute.

[-Slap-]

Major props to Jason Elam for that pressure 49 yarder to tie the game. What a great Bronco he's been and I consider kickers a necessary evil at best.

[spdirty]

Give me a break Slug... Do you honestely think that Shanahan got down to the 32 and then decided to play for the tie. NO

Problem was that on the next play Tatum ran head first into a pile (again)... the next play mike bell slipped... Then Jake did a good job of avoiding the sack only to throw one in the dirt. We just didn't execute.Exactly Dave. We had run for 116 yards in THE 4TH QUARTER!!!!!!!! There is no way Shanny screwed us. Had Mike not have slipped that play was wide open for at least a first down run. Maybe more. We'd have killed the clock, and won the game. You are an a$$hat, a retard, an artard, a moron, and you probably watched the game with eyes closed if you truly think that we lost because of Mike Shanahans play calling at the end. Their defense was absolutely gassed and there was no reason to think that we wouldn't be able to run the same exact play 5 more times and not get a touchdown. 2 slips lost that game.

And no pass rush.

[admac4]

Today goes to show what I've been saying all year. It's not Jake, Shanny's game calling has been too conservative!!!

Granted, the Bells clanked at the end, but what about the other games? 17 pts against the Browns? Come on!! It's like Mike doesn't want to answer the QB questions so he's cut back on the game plan. If that's the case, put Cutler in and play for next year. If that's not the plan, then call the game the way it's been for the last 10+ years.

[Garcia Bronco]

I felt like we were in 4 down territory and should have run it twice to get a first

[spdirty]

Today goes to show what I've been saying all year. It's not Jake, Shanny's game calling has been too conservative!!!

Granted, the Bells clanked at the end, but what about the other games? 17 pts against the Browns? Come on!! It's like Mike doesn't want to answer the QB questions so he's cut back on the game plan. If that's the case, put Cutler in and play for next year. If that's not the plan, then call the game the way it's been for the last 10+ years.

116 rush yards in the 4th quarter after the 50+ run. What the hell makes you think we wouldnt have been successful keeping it on the ground and running it in at the end? Don't be stupid.

[Barry Ramey]

Unfortunately, the first play in that situation was wasted with a run by Tatum who did what he did the whole game and fall over himself and got nothing.

[admac4]

Keeping it on the ground would've been fine, but it's been like this all year. While I agree that Jake is NOT the future and to get back to the SB it'll take someone else. Shanahan has not done much to ease the pressure from Plummer. Granted, Jake makes some dumb plays, but he isn't the only reason the offense isn't clicking. No one's talking about Kubiak's departure.

[fatcard]

I felt like we were in 4 down territory and should have run it twice to get a first

yup... we couldn't even afford to give the colts a minute left the way they were going, and we were averaging 8 per carry in the 4th quarter or something ridiculous.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

It would have required a pass, and Shanahan has NO CONFIDENCE in his quarterback.

[theAPAOps5]

Tatum: slip!
Mike: slip!


3rd down and 9...
Offensive line: SLIP

and that was the end of our offense.

Than you. MBell slipped and had some daylight. That play and the previous play just made it really hard to do anything. It was obvious throwing down and they forced Jake to pocket pass and go pressure. Kudos to Jake for slipping the sack and keeping FG range.

Time to get longer cleats!!!!

[fatcard]

they knew we were running and they still couldn't stop us (we stopped ourselves in the end)... unlucky really

[fatcard]

in hindsight... after getting the first down at the 30, wind the clock, take a TO and let Mike Bell catch his breath. tatum was doing nothing at that point.

[DeuceOfClub]

Shanahan tried to repeat what he did so successfully in the end of the first half.

[broncosteven]

Had both Bells not slipped & actually converted we would have been able to run down the clock. Had we passed on 1st & 2nd they would have had more time & we would have ran risk of Plummer INT.

[Kaylore]

Im sorry people but the broncos got beat by the better team today. The offense did everthing it could do but didnt have the ball last .

I agree. I was pretty sore about that fumble, but other than that, if your offense scores 31 points, that's all you can ask. All our drives were long and put points on the board, mostly touchdowns. Shanahan had run on them at will and then both backs fell down at the end there. It just bounced the Colts' way.

[Mile High Shack]

he didn't, we were running the ball really really well, so why not continue doing what is working.

our offensive line blew it on the 3rd down play and it was only due to a great play by Plummer we even had a chance to kick the FG to tie

[Garcia Bronco]

bottom line...we got clowned and everybody lost this close one.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Give me a break Slug... Do you honestely think that Shanahan got down to the 32 and then decided to play for the tie. NO

Problem was that on the next play Tatum ran head first into a pile (again)... the next play mike bell slipped... Then Jake did a good job of avoiding the sack only to throw one in the dirt. We just didn't execute.
If he wasn't then why did we hand the ball off to Tatum Bell up the middle who was hardly able to walk all game let alone run the ball and then Mike Bell up the middle? They were stacked against the run on both plays. You don't think play action or a bootleg might have worked down there to get another first down getting us closer to getting a TD?

And like I said, Do you think Manning and the Colts would have run up the middle twice or tried to score a TD and take the lead?

[Smiling Assassin27]

Give me a break Slug... Do you honestely think that Shanahan got down to the 32 and then decided to play for the tie. NO

Problem was that on the next play Tatum ran head first into a pile (again)... the next play mike bell slipped... Then Jake did a good job of avoiding the sack only to throw one in the dirt. We just didn't execute.

it was obvious. when it was 2nd and 10 after bell fell down, this team shut down. you have javon who was getting open all day long and shanny decides to take the colts into OT. bad decision.

[OrangeShadow]

do you honestly think the way the _efense was playing manning wouldnt of scored a touchdown?

[x123z]

Tater had two turf toes. He could barely walk.

[Rohirrim]

We were at Colt's 32 yard line with 3:24 to go and basically sat on the ball to go for a tie.

Does anyone here think Manning and Colts would have played for a tie in that position or went for the win?

Why didn't we throw the ball down there and try and get a TD to win the game?

I thought one of the biggest mistakes Shanny made was not calling a timeout after that huge run by MBell at the end of the fourth. I was screaming for it. Instead, he rushes into two bone headed up the middle running plays that everybody is too friggin winded to execute with a hurting RB and a gassed RB. That was the crucial moment of the game. Take a minute. Gather your forces. Everybody get a breather. Everybody get on the same page.

I agree. It looked like Shanny wanted to tie it up. All I know is that the second Elam kicked that field goal, I turned to my friends and said, "There's a minute-forty-nine on the clock. We just lost that game." I went outside and didn't watch the rest.

[defenseman]

I thought one of the biggest mistakes Shanny made was not calling a timeout after that huge run by MBell at the end of the fourth. I was screaming for it. Instead, he rushes into two bone headed up the middle running plays that everybody is too friggin winded to execute with a hurting RB and a gassed RB. That was the crucial moment of the game. Take a minute. Gather your forces. Everybody get a breather. Everybody get on the same page.

I agree. It looked like Shanny wanted to tie it up. All I know is that the second Elam kicked that field goal, I turned to my friends and said, "There's a minute-forty-nine on the clock. We just lost that game." I went outside and didn't watch the rest.

I did the same thing, asked the wifey what's on other than this? She said , but the games not over, I immediately said , yes it is. Agreed, a timeout was warranted at this point in time. they needed to accomplish two missions, score a TD, and eat up the clock as much as possible, neither was accomplished. M. Bell was gassed for sure.....shanny gets a slap for this one in my book...dman

[bronco_diesel]

Give me a break Slug... Do you honestely think that Shanahan got down to the 32 and then decided to play for the tie. NO

Problem was that on the next play Tatum ran head first into a pile (again)... the next play mike bell slipped... Then Jake did a good job of avoiding the sack only to throw one in the dirt. We just didn't execute.

spoken for truth.
mike bell had a huge hole if he had not slipped. i think they would have been looking at 3'rd and 2 or 1st down.

i think the bigger mistake was not going for it on 4th down. i know it was a long shot...but it was suicide to give the ball back to manning with that much time.

[TheDave]

If he wasn't then why did we hand the ball off to Tatum Bell up the middle who was hardly able to walk all game let alone run the ball and then Mike Bell up the middle? They were stacked against the run on both plays. You don't think play action or a bootleg might have worked down there to get another first down getting us closer to getting a TD?

And like I said, Do you think Manning and the Colts would have run up the middle twice or tried to score a TD and take the lead?

Did you see the size of the holes on both those plays..... If Tatum doesn't run into the back of his lineman its a 1st down... If M. Bell doesn't slip it's a freaking Touchdown. Guys we were averaging almost 10 yards a carry for the 2nd half. Shanahan did the right thing... we just didn't execute.

[bjeffrey]

Bottom line: Shannahan blew it by taking Elam's field goal to tie with 1:49 left. His choices were to attempt a 1st down or give Manning the ball with that time left and Colts needing only 3 pts to win. Granted, a first down was a less than 50/50 proposition--but, What were the odds of our D stopping the Colts at that stage? Zero. If he gets a 1st down, he doesn't need a TD, he just needs to do what the Colts ultimately did: Burn the clock, kick one and go home.

[bjeffrey]

Oops! Sorry. Brain-F**t. Get the 1st down and you can do no worse than a FG for OT. OT is (in this game at least) a coin flip to win or lose.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Did you see the size of the holes on both those plays..... If Tatum doesn't run into the back of his lineman its a 1st down... If M. Bell doesn't slip it's a freaking Touchdown. Guys we were averaging almost 10 yards a carry for the 2nd half. Shanahan did the right thing... we just didn't execute.

OK Dave, I did see the size of those non-existent holes (I got some clips for you).

This is the 1st down play. Let's count how many guys the Colts have stacked near the line scrimmage. More clips coming.


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[DHBRONCO]

After MBell got that long run, shanny should have told him to stay out there as a decoy (like he did with TD in Superbowl) and do a bootleg on first down. I think Colts would have bit on that play, one because they did all game and second, MBell just ran up the gut on them for a huge run, so they were stacking the middle of the line. This play either gives a low risk pass or a run by Plummer. After that, second and short, a screen play would have worked good. I can second guess him all I want, but the one play he never should have done, is on third down, keep Plummer in the pocket. That is not his strenght, you have a new LT in the game, roll him out and give him the chance to do make a play with his legs if nothing is there. This at least keeps the clock running. That win could have change our entire season. It is a tough loss and hopefully the offense continues to improve and the D bounces back.

[Bronx33]

Tatum: slip!
Mike: slip!


3rd down and 9...
Offensive line: SLIP

and that was the end of our offense.



One of the most pivitol set of downs in the game IMO.

[TheDave]

OK Dave, I did see the size of those non-existent holes (I got some clips for you).

This is the 1st down play. Let's count how many guys the Colts have stacked near the line scrimmage. More clips coming.


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The video isn't loading for me... anyone else having this problem

[Taco John]

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[Crushaholic]

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Good. I thought it was just me...

[TheDave]

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I'm not sure i want to see any of BeerSlugs "Private videos"... (((Shudders)))

[Bronco_Beerslug]

I'm not sure i want to see any of BeerSlugs "Private videos"... (((Shudders)))

:)

Should work now.

Here's the second down play...

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[TheDave]

Thanks slug... Both plays they were running 8 in the box, personally i would run against indy's 8 man front without fear.

As for tatums run... I was completely wrong on this there was a hole with 2 LB's waiting right behind nothing good was going to come of that.

As for Mike Bells run... The hole was huge and if mike makes that cut to the outside we are looking at a new set of downs.

Shanahan did the right thing... Players didn't execute

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Thanks slug... Both plays they were running 8 in the box, personally i would run against indy's 8 man front without fear.

As for tatums run... I was completely wrong on this there was a hole with 2 LB's waiting right behind nothing good was going to come of that.

As for Mike Bells run... The hole was huge and if mike makes that cut to the outside we are looking at a new set of downs.

Shanahan did the right thing... Players didn't execute
Another LB and the Safety were filling the gaps (waiting) on Mike Bell's run too. I just think we should have seen 8 crowded in there and audibled out of those up the middle runs to a play action or a bootleg, especially since Tatum Bell was worthless and should have NEVER been in the game unless as a decoy..

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Did anyone else listen? Tatum's take on the last offensive series was interesting.

Tatum said that after Mike Bell's long run, he had to into the game even though he was too hurt to be effective because Mike was tired from the run and Kyle Johnson was already out of the game so that Sapp had to play FB and could not fill in at RB.

I have to say that's poor coaching. If you are down two RBs, you don't run an injured player into the middle on a critical play. You either (i) pass, (ii) call a time out, or (iii) put Sapp in in a single back set.

This is what I'm talking about. Tatum should have never been in the game and Mike Bell was still so winded he couldn't run either.