Embarrased at Mile High

Just when you think that the Broncos might be getting on a roll, they go out a lay an egg against the hated Raiders. The 31-10 loss at the hands of Oakland on Sunday was not surprising at all. The 2008 Broncos are the most up and down Denver team I have ever watched in my history of being a Bronco Fan. One week their offense is lights out and mistake free, the next week they turn it over and can't even move the ball. We all know their defense is bad, but to give up 24 points to the Raiders is sad. Throw in the fact that our special teams killed us all day (2 missed field goals and 1 punt return for a TD) and it had all the makings of one of the ugliest home losses in a long time. At least last year when they got killed 41-3 by the Chargers at home, San Diego was a good team. At 6-5 the Broncos stand alone atop the AFC West only because the Chargers are an underachieving 4-7. The outlook for the rest of the year is pretty tough to figure out. Look at Denver's schedule: at Jets, KC, at Carolina, Buffalo, at San Diego. Even if they win the home games, which road game are they winning to finish 9-7? Each game and each week is different. I look at this way, if Denver doesn't turn the ball over and their defense can limit the offense to more field goals instead of touchdowns on every drive, then maybe they have a chance to be in every game. It is frustrating because if Denver had beaten either KC, Jax, or Oak, they would be 7-4 and in the driver's seat. San Diego's schedule is set up like this: Atl, Oak, at KC, at Tampa, Denver. I think the Chargers will be 7-7 going to Tampa on Dec. 21. The last game of the season could be for all of the marbles in the AFC West. Do I want to make the playoffs as an 8-8 or 9-7 division winner? Hell yeah! Just give me something to root for and I will be happy. As for this week, Denver is in for a world of hurt. Going to New York against the red-hot Jets is going to be very tough. I think Denver is in big trouble. We'll see.

Playoff Projections:
AFC
1-Ten
2-Jets
3-Pitt
4-San Diego
5-Indy
6-Pats

NFC
1-Giants
2-Carolina
3-Arizona
4-Chicago
5-Tampa Bay
6-Washington