Broncos Lose Heartbreaker to Jets

The Broncos suffered a devastating defeat to the NY Jets on Sunday in Denver. The Jets pulled out a 24-20 win that was helped in large part to a pass interference call late in the game on Denver's Renaldo Hill. Hill did grab and tug at Santanio Holmes at the Bronco 2 yard line, and the Jets punched it in on a LaDainian Tomlinson run on the next play to take the 24-20 lead with under two minutes to go. Denver moved the ball into Jet territory but Kyle Orton botched a shotgun snap and the Jets recovered for the win. The game went back and forth and the Broncos certainly had their chances. Knowshon Moreno fumbled deep in Jet territory and the Broncos mishandled a field goal snap early in the first quarter. Denver picked off Jets QB Mark Sanchez as well. The Jets took a 7-0 second quarter lead on a Sanchez to Braylon Edwards touchdown. Tim Tebow entered the game, and he carried 6 times for 22 yards including a 5 yard touchdown run to tie it up at 7. Sydquan Thompson intercepted Sanchez late in the 2nd quarter, and Matt Prater hit a 59 yard field goal to give Denver a 10-7 halftime lead. The Broncos took a 17-10 lead when Demaryius Thomas caught a touchdown pass from Orton late in the 3rd quarter. The Jets tied at 17-17 with a LT touchdown run midway through the fourth. The Broncos mustered together a drive to get a Prater field goal to take a 20-17 lead. Sanchez drove the Jets to just inside the 50 when he threw up a prayer on a fourth and 6. Holmes was covered by Hill who did grab Holmes' facemask and it drew the penalty flag. Unfortunately for Bronco fans, a day that was billed as "Orange Sunday" was ruined by a little yellow flag at the most untimely moment. Here are my quick hits for the game......

1) This was a very tough loss to endure. This was a classic "Stand Up" game. What I mean by that is that I basically stood up the entire game while I was watching it. The Broncos have had some really bad losses since 1998, and this one ranks up there with some of those games. I really wanted to see Denver pull this off, and they played really hard and gutsy. This was the kind of game that could have really turned things around, but the Broncos fell short and it was the way that it ended that made it so hard to swallow.

2) This game had three things that I wanted to see happen. First, the Broncos picked off Mark Sanchez twice. Sanchez had previously not thrown an interception all year. Second, Tim Tebow played significant moments and even rumbled in for a touchdown. Third, the Broncos beat Darrelle Revis on a touchdown pass. I wanted to see all of those things happen and each one did happen, but the Broncos still lost.

3) The crowd and the atmosphere was simply awesome. Just watching this game from home, you could see how into it the crowd was. Watching the camera shake really reminded me of some of those 80s Bronco games at the old Mile High.

4) I love the alternate orange jerseys so much. I actually think they should go with the orange jerseys now for good at home.

5) The Bronco run defense did a really nice job against the Jets. After getting manhandled by the Ravens, the defense stepped up and played well, considering they were all banged up.

6) The running game improved a little with Knowshon Moreno back. The Broncos actually gained over 100 yards on the ground, and they did it against a stout defense. The Broncos might be able to piecemeal yardage on the ground with Moreno, Correll Buckhalter, Laurence Maroney and Tim Tebow all chipping in.

7) The Broncos basically shot their load this game against the Jets. They threw everything they had at the Jets and they still lost. It is tough to get up like that every week. This week they have the Raiders coming into town. The Broncos owe the Raiders because they have lost to them at home the last two years. This is a big game for Denver because if they can win this week and next week in London against the 49ers, then 4-4 would put them in the race in the AFC West. KC stands a 3-2, San Diego and the Raiders are also 2-4. The Broncos are certainly not out of it and they have all 6 of their division games left.

8) I'll end with this: At this time last year, the Broncos had just defeated the Chargers on MNF to go to 6-0. I wrote a column about how the Broncos were going to win the AFC West, and I started to think about playoffs and homefield advantage. Well, the Broncos lost 8 out of 10 and missed the playoffs. This year, Denver stands at 2-4 at the same exact time, but their schedule really eases up. Maybe the Broncos will get hot the last 10 games this year. Could the Broncos win 8 out of 10 to finish at 10-6? I don't see why not. They have all six of their division games, three games against the NFC West (SF in London, home vs. Rams, at Arizona) and they host the Texans in Week 16. Seasons can turn on a dime. Perhaps the Broncos will finally finish hot instead of falling apart down the stretch. Let's just start by pounding the Raiders this week at home.