Why the doom and gloom? (AFC Playoff picture)

[bloodsunday]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2668613
I draw your attention to two things:

1) Kansas City is ahead of us on a technicallity right now -- they have played fewer division games. They lose at San Diego and it opens up the door for us. Kansas City alos has TOUGH games left against Baltimore, J'Ville and San Diego. I predict they lose at least 2 of those, which means we can lose 1 more game and not have the division tie breaker be a factor.

2) Look at our conference record compared to Cincy, Kansas City, and J'Ville. We are whooping ass. You know whatelse, the rest of them have primarily conference foes left (the better conference) and we get the NFC West primarily.

Granted this team must play better, and soon. They ARE capable. We have beat some tough opponents this year, even on the road. We have hung with good teams liky Indy and San Diego as well. They need a shot of confidence and a bit of passion, that's all. No matter who the starting QB is on 12/3, the fans better tear the fn' house down!!!!!!!!!!

So quit mailing it in doom and gloomers. If we see Cutler it better to be "save" the season on not because "it all over". Common, be fans. Get behind these guys.

[Spider]

it is more then that ........ I look how Jake and the broncos preform in pressure , and so far all I have seen is the wheels come off , not saying it is all Jakes fault , but Jake is the leader , they pay him the Big bucks ....... Crunch time is when he earns it

[bloodsunday]

it is more then that ........ I look how Jake and the broncos preform in pressure , and so far all I have seen is the wheels come off , not saying it is all Jakes fault , but Jake is the leader , they pay him the Big bucks ....... Crunch time is when he earns it

I don't think its pressure as much as just a funk. Winning games against good teams like Baltimore, NE, and Pittsburgh is pressure. But yeah you are absolutely right they must figure it out for anything I said to happen.

[Spider]

I don't think its pressure as much as just a funk. Winning games against good teams like Baltimore, NE, and Pittsburgh is pressure. But yeah you are absolutely right they must figure it out for anything I said to happen.

I sure hope it is a funk , I hope to hell I am wrong ......... But going back to the plauyoffs last year , and the year before, Jake seems to come apart , I know it isnt all his fault , but he is the leader .............

[BlaK-Argentina]

Good thread. We're still in the hunt, but after the last too games fans (myself included) have lost confidence in this team as they have played half-assed, uninspired football lately.
Can they turn it around? Sure, we could make a run, I hope it happens, but I'm not holding my breath.

Right now I'm looking forward to see what Jay can do, and getting him ready for next year. If he can give the team a boost this year and they make a run... GREAT, but I'm not expecting that to happen.

Anyway, GO BRONCOS! :) Love them, no matter what.

[Iowanian]

I think you should feel some uncomfortable sensations about your team right now.

Your offensive line is hurting and letting Plummer get drilled, the Running game is struggling, your Defense is giving up passing yardage and can't seem to stop the run, on a 2 game division losing streak, preparing to play Shaun Alexander and Ladanian Tomlinson again.

I'm not doing victory dances yet though....very tough games vs Balt, Sandy Eggo and Jax for KC.

[SlipperyPete]

1) Kansas City is ahead of us on a technicallity right now -- they have played fewer division games. They lose at San Diego and it opens up the door for us. Kansas City alos has TOUGH games left against Baltimore, J'Ville and San Diego. I predict they lose at least 2 of those, which means we can lose 1 more game and not have the division tie breaker be a factor.
But they get two of those three tough games at home. In December. When they haven't lost a home game in 10 years.

Barring critical injuries, I don't think there's any chance of J'Ville going to KC at the end of the season and pulling out a win, especially if there's a playoff birth on the line and the atmosphere is like it was last night. And KC has never lost to the Ravens. They've played either three or four times, KC has won all of them, and all of the games were at Baltimore. They've had Billick's number, for whatever reason. And now they'll get them at home.

Their road game at San Diego is a pretty safe loss. Then again, so is ours, so that doesn't help a whole lot.

[ludo21]

We are in a good position to make a run.

We are 7-4, yes we are on a slide, but this team is still good enough to make the playoffs imo.

We dont have any "easy" wins left at this point caz of the way were playing, but things will turn around.

[WoodMan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2668613

So quit mailing it in doom and gloomers. If we see Cutler it better to be "save" the season on not because "it all over". Common, be fans. Get behind these guys.

Been reading alot of this lately here. Really the past three weeks.
:vermeil: If we don't have a Superbowl victory guaranteed, I am going to bitchout my team! :vermeil: Makes me question how good of fans these so called fans around here really are. I could name names, but you all know who they are. Usually they are the ones who yell loudest about what great fans they are. Just a bunch of whiney Quittersons if you ask me. Part of football is dealing with losses and not giving up. I haven't seen that yet from this team. Alot of struggling, but no quitting. Here is too making the playoffs this season. Screw next year.

[RINGLEADER]

This is a good post. The Chiefs have a difficult road ahead although their tougher games are at home where they typically play much better. Road games against the Browns and Raiders won't be easy, but they're the easiest games left. That's with the exception of the Chargers who we both play one more time in their crib. I don't think either the Chiefs or Broncos win there but it could happen.

Because of their brutal schedules I think Cincy and Miami are out of it. Jacksonville has a shot but I don't see them going 5-1. The Jets could be a problem because they play no one -- easy to see them going 6-0 the rest of the way.

Anyway, the Chiefs, Broncos, Jets, and Jaguars are all gonna be battling for the final two playoff spots IMO. That's why I don't understand the move to Cutler at this point. He's going to be a fine QB I'm sure, but he's going to make some mistakes (even more than Jake) and I think you're going to have some real issues making a run with him behind center.

[RINGLEADER]

BTW, what's really sad is that both the Chiefs and the Broncos would be the number two seed if we were in the NFC. :)

[telluride]

Listen, if Cutler does indeed take over as of now, it's an entirely new season -- and an entirely new team. The WRs, the line, the running game -- even the defense -- will look dramatically different because of Cutler's style, his arm strength, and his seeming unflappability. Everyone should be damn excited, because I think I lot of this team's ills are going to vanish damn quick.

What I'm pissed about is that Shanny should have done this weeks ago. SD and KC were winnable games with Cutler. Hell, Indy might have been winnable.

[bloodsunday]

Barring critical injuries, I don't think there's any chance of J'Ville going to KC at the end of the season and pulling out a win, especially if there's a playoff birth on the line and the atmosphere is like it was last night. And KC has never lost to the Ravens. They've played either three or four times, KC has won all of them, and all of the games were at Baltimore. They've had Billick's number, for whatever reason. And now they'll get them at home.

Their road game at San Diego is a pretty safe loss. Then again, so is ours, so that doesn't help a whole lot.

Baltimore will eat them alive -- at least that is what I am counting on. They'll have to play more offense than LJ left, LJ right. Then a loss at San Diego, wala.

We are gonna have to win some games...we still control our destiny

[boltaneer]

I have a bad feeling Cutler is going to be a good one but as we've seen, throwing a rookie quarterback into the fire normally does not work, unless he:

a) has a great defense behind him. They're a solid defense. It's debatable... I think Denver's defense is a bit overrated but they're good enough for Cutler to win if he doesn't have too many 'rookie moments'.

b) has a strong running game to lean on. But Denver's run game isn't scaring anyone at the moment.

The good news is that the other teams in the wild card hunt all have tougher schedules, minus the Jets. But the Jets are nothing to be afraid of.

[Arkie]

But they get two of those three tough games at home. In December. When they haven't lost a home game in 10 years.

Barring critical injuries, I don't think there's any chance of J'Ville going to KC at the end of the season and pulling out a win, especially if there's a playoff birth on the line and the atmosphere is like it was last night. And KC has never lost to the Ravens. They've played either three or four times, KC has won all of them, and all of the games were at Baltimore. They've had Billick's number, for whatever reason. And now they'll get them at home.

Their road game at San Diego is a pretty safe loss. Then again, so is ours, so that doesn't help a whole lot.

:rofl: SlipperyPete is obviously a chef fan disguising himself as a Bronco fan. Read his 9 posts. He loves the Chiefs.

[yerner]

Our running game isn't hurting really. Our top running back is out. Tatum does more than most admit. Just his speed helps.

Plus, don't forget, Herm needs to win a few so he can crash miserably. Its his m.o.

[Circle Orange]

BTW, what's really sad is that both the Chiefs and the Broncos would be the number two seed if we were in the NFC. :)

That's IT! The Broncs need to switch conferences...the NFC West would work! ;D

[Los Broncos]

Even if we make it into the playoffs, where are we going? No where, Jake is sucks to much in 3rd downs and our D line gets no pressure.

[Crushaholic]

How spoiled are we? It's been awhile since we've lost back-to-back games. Whether it's with Plummer or Cutler, I trust Shanahan to figure out our team woes one way or another...

[Sarcastro]

Baltimore will eat them alive -- at least that is what I am counting on. They'll have to play more offense than LJ left, LJ right. Then a loss at San Diego, wala.

We are gonna have to win some games...we still control our destiny

KC owns Baltimore. We were owning Baltimore in Baltimore back before we had anything resembling a defense.

[KCGridironBeast]

Baltimore will eat them alive -- at least that is what I am counting on. They'll have to play more offense than LJ left, LJ right.

We didn't have to do much more than LJ left, LJ right against your supposedly elite defense...obviously we need to throw a bit more, but the "Run LJ" plan seems to work pretty well against the top Ds.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

You guys went from the #2 seed to the #6 seed in the span of two weeks. Oh yeah...doom and gloom is definitely on the menu.

[Kaylore]

It's uphill from here boys. The Chiefs are going to have a Hermish collapse. Watch. I would not be surprised if they lost in Oakland. We only need to tie the Chiefs and their horrible record against AFC teams alone will put us ahead of them. Don't forget they have the harder schedule and have to play a Jags team late that is getting pretty hot. We'll be fine.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

The Chiefs are going to have a Hermish collapse.

When has Herm ever had a collapse? He's had slow starts...but never really collapsed.


Don't forget they have the harder schedule and have to play a Jags team late that is getting pretty hot. We'll be fine.

We have the harder schedule. If you say so. It looks pretty favorable to me outside the San Diego game. The Jags will be lucky to score 10 at Arrowhead.

[Paladin]

Do you think the mullets would pi$$ and moan if they lost out on getting into the playoffs because of the Broncos? Wouldn't that be poetic justice? I would love it. And it is a realistic scenario.

A lot of mullets who come by here should remember that many Broncos' fans here predicted the Broncos would be 12-4 or maybe 11-5 this year, and mnay predicted the split with the mullets. The mullets have their heads up their rases when it comes to evaluating the standings. Of course, that's because they have had so little experience at it....

[bloodsunday]

I wanted to update this with today's action.

Here's the scoop, the final two spots will be decided between
Denver
KC
NY Jets
Cincinnatti
J'Ville

Denver has 3 pretty easy wins IMO in the NFC West. They have a winnable and very important game against Cincy. I think that unless Cutler is awful, we go at worst 10 - 6.

KC I predict will lose to Baltimore and San Diego, also making them 10 -6. That could put them ahead of Denver based on Division record. Although they still have to go to Oakland which is playing pretty GOOD football at the moment. KC is playing good ball, but I still think they'll lose 2 more.

NY Jets have a pretty manageable schedule. However, they have a bunch of road games and a couple of tough ones (at Miami, Buffalo, Oakland). If they lose one more, it gives them 6 losses and they have a bad conference record (5 - 4). They'll likely lose at least 1 more IMO.

Jacksonville - screwed the pooch today. If KC takes care of em at Arrowhead, they'll be done. They actually have a TOUGH schedule to go: Indy, Miami, NE, KC. Count them out now. These guys could easily lose two or three more games.

Cincinnatti - they still have @Indy, @Denver, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. If they lose one they are pretty much out as they have a lousy conference record. Denver could do themselves a huge favor by winning this game. Cincy could easily lose two or three more games.

Do you guys see what I see? I'd say we are a lock if we can win 3 games. Three lousy games. Let's get the kid going and kick some ass. I think we have a shot even if we drop to 9 - 7 based on those outlooks. This way we get the best of both worlds, a playoff chance and the kid some playing time.

GO BRONCOS!!!!

[Natedogg]

I wanted to update this with today's action.

Here's the scoop, the final two spots will be decided between
Denver
KC
NY Jets
Cincinnatti
J'Ville

Denver has 3 pretty easy wins IMO in the NFC West. They have a winnable and very important game against Cincy. I think that unless Cutler is awful, we go at worst 10 - 6.

KC I predict will lose to Baltimore and San Diego, also making them 10 -6. That could put them ahead of Denver based on Division record. Although they still have to go to Oakland which is playing pretty GOOD football at the moment. KC is playing good ball, but I still think they'll lose 2 more.

NY Jets have a pretty manageable schedule. However, they have a bunch of road games and a couple of tough ones (at Miami, Buffalo, Oakland). If they lose one more, it gives them 6 losses and they have a bad conference record (5 - 4). They'll likely lose at least 1 more IMO.

Jacksonville - screwed the pooch today. If KC takes care of em at Arrowhead, they'll be done. They actually have a TOUGH schedule to go: Indy, Miami, NE, KC. Count them out now. These guys could easily lose two or three more games.

Cincinnatti - they still have @Indy, @Denver, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. If they lose one they are pretty much out as they have a lousy conference record. Denver could do themselves a huge favor by winning this game. Cincy could easily lose two or three more games.

Do you guys see what I see? I'd say we are a lock if we can win 3 games. Three lousy games. Let's get the kid going and kick some ass. I think we have a shot even if we drop to 9 - 7 based on those outlooks. This way we get the best of both worlds, a playoff chance and the kid some playing time.

GO BRONCOS!!!!

I think you're right about KC and Denver getting the spots. I could see KC losign to Jville though.

Nice AV :)

[Malcontent]

BTW, what's really sad is that both the Chiefs and the Broncos would be the number two seed if we were in the NFC. :)

Right on! The NFC sucks bad! Chicago was outplayed, and beaten soundly by the Patriots..who are in the 2nd tier of the AFC playoff teams.. The world champs will come out of the AFC, which is really why it stings that the broncos aren't in a better situation. Dang!!!