Broncos Fall to 1-2 at Hands of Manning and the Colts

Once again, Peyton Manning gunned down the Broncos this time at Invesco Field at Mile High on Sunday in a 27-13 win. Manning, who threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns, got hot in the fourth quarter and he made a great throw to Austin Collie midway through the fourth quarter. Later in the drive, he hit Collie again on touchdown pass to give the Colts a two touchdown lead and essentially the ballgame. For the Broncos it is a disappointing loss when you look at the fact that the Broncos had 5 trips in the red zone and failed to score a single touchdown. You need to match Manning with touchdowns and the Broncos failed to do that; therefore, the Broncos now find themselves at 1-2 and on the ropes early in the 2010 season. Here are my quick hit thoughts on the Week 3 loss to Indy...........

1) Kyle Orton threw for 476 yards and played very well, but Sunday still proved why he is not an elite level quarterback and not a franchise guy. He couldn't make a big throw in the redzone and for the second time in three weeks he failed on a fourth and 3 inside the 20 with about eight minutes to go and down seven. That is the problem with the Broncos and the problem with Orton.
2) The Broncos defense really played well in this game. It won't look like it on the stat sheet and in the final score, but the Bronco defense played their best game all year. They completely shut down the run, they shut down Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne, and they forced Manning off the field on third downs in the first three quarters. Obviously, Manning got the best of them in the fourth quarter, but give credit to Manning and some of the throws that he made in the fourth were just impossible to stop. Hopefully, the Broncos defense can build on this and get better each week. This was a good starting point for them, and Darcel McBath makes a difference in that secondary.
3) The Broncos need to somehow get a running game. This is really pathetic and I know that their O-Line is banged up, but they really need to get the running game going. I think it starts with more of a commitment up front.
4) The Broncos need to somehow use Tim Tebow in the short yardage and goaline plan. It is time for Josh McDaniels to get creative and help his team win. That is the job of the head coach. Use Tebow on first down and give the other defenses different looks and schemes. This needs to be done this week. It is time for Tebow!
5) The Broncos need to at least split the next two games for them to have any chance at making the playoffs. McDaniels is at a crossroads right now. He is 3-10 in his last 13 games as a Bronco head coach. The Broncos really need to get the win at Tennessee this week, and the pressure falls squarely on McDaniels. The Broncos need to somehow find a way to get a win on the road this week. Orton and offense have to produce in the red zone and the defense has to limit Chris Johnson.