DENVER, Colo. - Bronco-maniacs, we all watched this one together: a horrible start against the Philadelphia Eagles, followed by a praiseworthy comeback, only to have the air sucked out by kicker David Akers.
More thoughts on the game, and the Broncos chances of making the postseason, in a moment. But first, some observations on the rest of the NFL.
I'm not quite sure I'm happy or angry that the Indianapolis Colts pulled Peyton Manning and waved the white flag against the Jets. I wish more teams would overtly chase perfection. Every team outwardly states that its goal is to win the Super Bowl, so why not chase that goal by trying to win every game?
The answer is simple, and obvious. Players are pulled to be protected against freak injury. I get it. Still, it'd be nice to see more NFL teams do like every college and high school team in the country: go for an undefeated championship season.
The class of the NFC suddenly looks vulnerable. The Vikings have been pedestrian as of late, and the Saints look like they're running out of gas. The best team in the conference right now could very well be the one that beat the Broncos on Sunday.
Also, don't count out the Arizona Cardinals getting back to the Super Bowl. I'm serious.
Jerome Harrison's fantasy stock is shooting through the roof, with 434 yards rushing in his last two games. Put him on your big board for next season.
Now, on to the Broncos:
At 8-7 on the outside looking in, their chances of snapping a three-year playoff drought look slim. They'll need to beat the Chiefs and get all sorts of help to make the postseason (click here for playoff scenarios). Will it happen? Odds are, it won't. But it's not impossible.
The key team in their chances isn't the Ravens, Jets, or Steelers, but the Houston Texans. If they can beat the Patriots in New England and have that paired with a Ravens or Jets loss, the Broncos get in (with the W over Kansas City, of course).
I like the chances of that happening. However, the Ravens would have to lose to Oakland (not gonna happen), and the Jets would have to lose to the already-clinched Bengals (don't see it happening).
Still, there's a shot. And entering the season, I think that's what every Bronco-maniac would wish for.
More thoughts on the game, and the Broncos chances of making the postseason, in a moment. But first, some observations on the rest of the NFL.
I'm not quite sure I'm happy or angry that the Indianapolis Colts pulled Peyton Manning and waved the white flag against the Jets. I wish more teams would overtly chase perfection. Every team outwardly states that its goal is to win the Super Bowl, so why not chase that goal by trying to win every game?
The answer is simple, and obvious. Players are pulled to be protected against freak injury. I get it. Still, it'd be nice to see more NFL teams do like every college and high school team in the country: go for an undefeated championship season.
The class of the NFC suddenly looks vulnerable. The Vikings have been pedestrian as of late, and the Saints look like they're running out of gas. The best team in the conference right now could very well be the one that beat the Broncos on Sunday.
Also, don't count out the Arizona Cardinals getting back to the Super Bowl. I'm serious.
Jerome Harrison's fantasy stock is shooting through the roof, with 434 yards rushing in his last two games. Put him on your big board for next season.
Now, on to the Broncos:
At 8-7 on the outside looking in, their chances of snapping a three-year playoff drought look slim. They'll need to beat the Chiefs and get all sorts of help to make the postseason (click here for playoff scenarios). Will it happen? Odds are, it won't. But it's not impossible.
The key team in their chances isn't the Ravens, Jets, or Steelers, but the Houston Texans. If they can beat the Patriots in New England and have that paired with a Ravens or Jets loss, the Broncos get in (with the W over Kansas City, of course).
I like the chances of that happening. However, the Ravens would have to lose to Oakland (not gonna happen), and the Jets would have to lose to the already-clinched Bengals (don't see it happening).
Still, there's a shot. And entering the season, I think that's what every Bronco-maniac would wish for.
