Broncos Drop to 1-3 After Thumping in Lambeau

In 1998, the Broncos were on their way to a 14-2 record and their second straight Super Bowl title. In Week 2, the Broncos hosted the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys were the team of the 90s and were only a few years removed from their third Super Bowl in four years. By 1998, it looked as if the Cowboys were going to be back and make a run to the NFC Championship. Denver came out and absolutely destroyed the Cowboys 42-23. This game was highlighted by Terrell Davis' back-to-back touchdowns gallops of 63 and 59 yards. As the game was winding down, you could see Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, and Deion Sanders looking across at the Broncos and realizing that they were simply no match for this Denver team, and that they were not even close to being were the Broncos were. It was the classic example of a benchmark game. The Broncos were the NFL's elite at that time, and the Cowboys realized that they were not close at all to being at that level again. Denver's loss on Sunday at Green Bay reminded me of that 1998 game in some regard. Obviously, the 2011 Broncos are not as talented as the 1998 Cowboys, but the Broncos went up against the best team in the NFL, and realized they were simply no match for them. The Broncos want to eventually become what the Packers currently are, but yesterday's 49-23 game at Lambeau showed how far the two organizations are. One is the epitome of drafting well and developing your own talent, and the other one was a team that was hoping that one day in the future they can have the same type of system established. Hopefully, there will be brighter days in the future for the Broncos, but the Packers seemed to remind them they those bright days might take a little longer to get to then we all would like.

Here are my thoughts and observations on the game.......

1) You can't pin this game on Kyle Orton. Unfortunately, he began looking like an All-Pro after the Broncos trailed 21-3, but you can't kill him for this game. Yes, his pick-six to Charles Woodson was a big play and made it 14-3, but this game wasn't all Orton's fault. One thing is for sure though: Aaron Rodgers is a franchise QB and Kyle Orton is not. It is just that simple.

2) It seems like John Fox just threw the fans a bone and use Tim Tebow on one running play for -1 yard. It seemed like Fox just did it to appease the fans, and when it didn't work, then he just scrapped it. How on Earth the Broncos can't figure out a way to get this guy some touches is beyond me? It is almost like they are trying to really be spiteful about it.

3) Willis McGahee looks like our best runner. He had 101 yards on 15 carries, and he looks like our best option as an inside runner. Knowshon Moreno looks like he is going to be nothing more then a third down back.

4) Eric Decker continues to be a pleasant surprise with two touchdown catches in the second quarter. Decker is the real deal, and one of the pieces on offense this team can build on.

5) There is little a defense can do when you are facing Aaron Rodgers and this Packers offense. Rodgers and his weapons are so good, that it is virtually impossible for a defense like Denver's to slow him down. Forget about scheme, coverage, and the fact that the Broncos were without Champ Bailey, there was nothing they could've done differently to matchup with the Pack.

6) Von Miller continues to impress, and he recorded two more sacks yesterday. He is still solid in the run game, and he continues to play at a high level. He is another young piece that we can build on, and it will be fun to watch him continue to develop as the year goes on.

7) At 14-3, the Packers went for a surprise onside kick and got it, and they converted that possession into an Aaron Rodgers touchdown run to make it 21-3. After Denver came back to make it 21-17, but Rodgers answered with a touchdown pass before the half, and then he ran for another one right after the half, and the next you know it is 35-17, and that was pretty much the ballgame.

8) CBS' Phil Simms made some very good points regarding the Broncos and their overall organization. On the subject of Tim Tebow, Simms said that as a first round pick he needs to eventually get a chance to start. No matter what Kyle Orton does, if he doesn't win then at some moment Tebow needs to be given a chance. On the subject of the Broncos as a whole, he mentioned that he feels John Fox will turn it around, but it will take some time. He also mentioned that the Broncos are not as bad as the score indicated, but rather the Packers are just that good for not only the Broncos but the NFL as a whole.

9) The Broncos fall to 1-3 and return home to take on the San Diego Chargers, who are sitting at 3-1. My only request is that if the Broncos lose this game and fall to 1-4, then they have to address the QB situation and make a switch for the following game after the bye week. I know this probably won't happen, but you can't help but wish for it.