Eagles Edge Broncos 30-27- Broncos On the Verge of Another Disaster

Denver's 30-27 loss to Philly on Sunday was another tough defeat at the hands of a quality opponent. Denver trailed 27-10 late in the third quarter, but they were able fight back and tie the game up valiantly at 27 late in the fourth quarter. The key play was Donovan McNabb's scramble for a first down on 3rd and 25 from his on ten yard line. The Eagles eventually punted, but that play flipped field position and it backed Denver up. The Broncos were forced to punt, and the Eagles got the game-winning field goal with four seconds left. The field goal was set up by a dynamic McNabb to Jeremy Maclin throw and catch on a second and eight to give the Eagles the ball at the Bronco 11 yard line. It was a fantastic throw by McNabb and an even better catch by Maclin. David Akers' game winner gave the Eagles the victory and sent the Broncos hobbling into the last game in the season. Denver's playoff chances took a big hit, and the Broncos now have to rely on the following unlikely scenarios to make the playoffs: A Denver win over KC (Not a formality), and either a Jets loss (Unlikely since the Bengals are going to rest their starters) and a Pittsburgh loss (50/50 shot at Miami) or a Baltimore loss (Highly unlikely as they head to Oakland). The Broncos could also get in by beating KC, having Houston beat New England and getting either a Jet loss or a Baltimore loss. The bottom line is Denver should not be in this position because it should have found a way to defeat the Raiders last week. With that said, I'm not going to go into all the details of this latest Broncos' collapse until after the season is completed. I'll save that column for another day because that will break the record for longest column of my career and the number of expletives uttered in my column. I will say this: The Broncos swoon at the end of the season simply comes down to execution and making the plays at the opportune time of the game. They made those plays in wins over Dallas (Champ Bailey's goal-line stand on Romo), New England (Orton's big throws late in the game and in OT), and San Diego (The defense shutting down Rivers in the 2nd half). The Broncos could not make those same type of plays in losses to Pittsburgh (Big Ben's late 3rd and long TD pass), Washington, Indy (Giving up a game clinching TD to Manning), Oakland (JaMarcus Russel's game winning drive late in the fourth) and Philly (McNabb's two big plays). Bill Parcells always said that you are what your record says you are, and the Broncos are 8-7 and that is basically what they should be. The difference is that Denver started out 6-0, and by going 2-7 since it then confirms the fact that this season is a huge disappointment and another second half collapse.

Here are my other random thoughts on the playoffs and the Colts lack of perfection technique.

1) I understand the fact that the Colts don't care about going 16-0, and that their philosophy dictates that they would rather rest players than risk injury when everything is locked up, but what transpired on Sunday was a crime. The fact that Jim Caldwell pulled Peyton Manning and the rest of the starts when they were winning 15-10 midway through the fourth quarter at home was a disgrace. If he was going to do that, then just let Peyton start the game, run the ball three times, punt and then call off the dogs. I really hope the Colts lose in the playoffs. I think team's should embrace the 16-0, and at least give your home fans the chance to close out their home schedule with a win. It was awkward, weird, and it felt like it was shady. I don't like it, and I hope it comes back to bite them in the playoffs.

2) The Jets will go down as the luckiest team ever to make the playoffs. They were given a gift by the Colts. I'm not saying it isn't fair to Denver because if Denver didn't lose to the Raiders, then they wouldn't be in this mess, but the Jets are so lucky it isn't even funny. I don't want to hear Rex Ryan talk about respect and how the Jets earned the victory over the Colts. The bottom line is that the Jets would have lost to the Colts in that game. There is no doubt in my mind. The Jets got lucky and got a forfeit from the Colts. They also will get another break this week because they play Cincy, who also will rest their starters with nothing to play for as well. So, the Jets, who were 7-7 after losing at home to Atlanta, now will make the playoffs at 9-7 by beating the Colts and Bengals, who both rested their starters. All I will say is that I can't wait to be against Mark Sanchez in the first round of the playoffs. The Jets will be at Cincy in the first round, and they will be one and done. You can mark it down now.

3) The Ravens are also lucky to be in a win and in game at Oakland. The Raiders won't show up, and for the second year in a row, the Ravens will have an easy opponent to beat in Week 17 to get in the playoffs. The Ravens haven't looked like a playoff the second half of the season, but they will get in because they played Detroit, Chicago, and Oakland in three of their last four games.

4) The Eagles are flying and the Chargers are rolling right now, so my Super Bowl prediction looks like it has a very good chance of actually taking place.

5) The NFC is wide open, and the AFC looks like a two horse race, but watch out for New England in the AFC. Everyone has kind of forgotten about them.

6) If next week's games play out like they should here is what the playoff schedule for the Wild Card will probably look like:

Saturday 1/9/2010

4:00 pm (NBC) Green Bay (5) at Arizona (4)

8:00 pm (NBC) Baltimore (6) at New England (3)

Sunday 1/10/2010

1:00 pm (FOX) Dallas (6) at Minnesota (3)

4:00 pm (CBS) Jets (5) at Cincy (4)

*If Dallas beats Philly in Week 17, then just insert Philly (5) at Dallas (4) on Sunday at 1: 00pm on FOX

I'll be back later in the week with my Week 17 picks!