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!

Broncos Ready To Collapse Again

Once again the Denver Broncos are hitting full stride in their annual December collapse. Sunday's 20-19 loss to Oakland in Denver was a carbon copy loss of the other brutal and dissapointing losses the Broncos have suffered since 2006. This was just as bad as the '06 Niner Game, the '07 Bears defeat, and the '08 Raiders and Bills games. I was just numb as JaMarcus Russell drove his team down the field late in the game to bury the Broncos. It doesn't matter if it is a different head coach, defensive coordinator, quarterback or anyone else, this collection of Broncos from the last four years is nothing but choke artists. My one suggestion for the organization is that the Broncos should draft a quarterback in the first round this year. That is the way you win and how you win big games in the NFL. You need a game changer at QB. Ask the Chargers about that. Look how good they've become with Philip Rivers calling signals for their franchise. I don't care if it is Jimmy Clausen, Sam Bradford, Ryan Mallet, Colt McCoy or even Tim Tebow. Give us some hope for the future please. Anyway here are my Week 16 picks....

Last Week's Record: 6-9-1
Overall Record: 107-110-8
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

TENNESSEE (-2) over San Diego
Seattle (+15) over GREEN BAY
Oakland (+3) over CLEVELAND
CINCINNATI (-13) over Kansas City
ATLANTA (-7) over Buffalo
MIAMI (-3) over Houston
NY GIANTS (-3) over Carolina
NEW ORLEANS (-14) over Tampa Bay
Jacksonville (+8) over NEW ENGLAND
PITTSBURGH (-2) over Baltimore
St. Louis (+15) over ARIZONA
SAN FRANCISCO (-10) over Detroit
INDIANAPOLIS (-3) over New York Jets
Dallas (-4) over WASHINGTON
Minnesota (-6) over CHICAGO

PHILADELPHIA (-7) over Denver: The Broncos are done. They are walking into a lion's den this week in Philly. Another December collapse will be complete on Sunday. Eagles-31 Denver-10

Playoff Itinerary

With the Broncos at 8-5 and looking to secure a playoff berth, I decided to play around with the Yahoo playoff generator. This is one of the greatest technological devices ever created. Seriously, this is up there with NFL Sunday Ticket and NFL Redzone channel. Anyway, after playing around with different results and combinations, I came up with a realistic view of what could take place the last three weeks. Also, I broke down what teams we should root against and what games will have the most significance.

Here is what I came up with:

1-Denver could go 10-6 and not qualify for the playoffs. If we go 10-6, then the best situation for us is to win the games against Oakland and KC and lose the Philly game. The Oakland and KC wins would help us in tiebreakers because of conference record.

2-Root for Miami to lose this week at Tennessee. The Dolphins have a better chance of losing this week at Tennessee than losing at home to Houston in Week 16 and Pittsburgh in Week 17.

3- Root for Pittsburgh to play spoiler against Baltimore in Week 16 and at Miami in Week 17. Even if the Steelers win out, it will be hard for them to get a wild card berth based on tiebreakers, but the Steelers still have pride and are the defending Super Bowl Champs. Hopefully, they can play like it the last two weeks.

4-Root for Atlanta to upset the Jets this week or Indy to play their starters and defeat the Jets in Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 16.

Week 15 Picks!

Here we go with Week 15 picks in the National...........Football.............League......

Last Week's Record: 11-5

Overall Record: 101-101-7

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

NEW ORLEANS (-7) over Dallas: It is hard to pick against the Saints in the Dome. The Cowboys aren't totally dead in the NFC playoff picture, but it is hard to see them picking off the Saints this Saturday.

PITTSBURGH (-1) over Green Bay: The Packers are going to win 10 games and get the 5th seed in the NFC, but they will fall at Heinz Field this week. The Steelers should play hard until the end of the season.

TENNESSEE (-2) over Miami: The Fins will have a chance to make the playoffs after starting -3, but they will fall to the Titans this week. Chris Johnson will make too many plays to help the Titans keep their faint playoff hopes alive.

New England (-7) over BUFFALO: The Pats get it going this week with a rare and solid road win in Buffalo.

Arizona (-10) over DETROIT: The Lions can't stop anyone, and the Cards will be ready for a big bounce back game after their loss to the Niners on Monday Night.

San Francisco (+9) over PHILLY: The Eagles should win, but this game will be closer then you think. Philly is hot right now, but don't you get the sense they are suckering in their fans for another January disappointment?

Atlanta (+4) over NY JETS: The Jet fans are already figuring out how they are going to make the playoffs with Mark Sanchez and Rex Ryan leading the way. I think their dreams end this week at the hands of the banged up Falcons. Call it the "Hunch of the Week."

BALTIMORE (-10) over Chicago: The lock of the week in the NFL. This line can't be high enough. The Bears are done, and Jay Cutler is one of the biggest disappointments of the 2009 season. The Ravens have a very viable chance of running the table and making the playoffs.

KANSAS CITY (-2) over Cleveland: The Chiefs are in danger of not selling out Arrowhead for the first time since 1990. Plus, doesn't it seem that every home game the Chiefs played this year was a dark, cloudy, and cold day? It is symbolic of the Todd Haley Era.

Houston (-10) over ST.LOUIS: Do you wish the Giants and Steve Spagnuolo were still together on the same sidelines. Of course the Texans will play hard and win this week. There is no pressure on them. They will crumble next week at Miami to put an end to their playoff dreams.

SAN DIEGO (-5) over Cincy: The battle for the number 2 seed in the AFC goes to the Chargers. The Bengals lack the big play and big score ability on offense and the Chargers are flying right now. Indy wants no part of SD in the playoffs.

SEATTLE (-6) over Tampa Bay: Josh Freeman looks very JaMarcus Russell-like the last few weeks. The Seahawks are better at home and get the job done this week.

Minnesota (-8) over CAROLINA: The Panthers will play hard and this game has all the makings of a back door cover, but the Vikings want to keep the train rolling and they will this week. Why was this game not flexed out by NBC and the NFL. SNF should be Dolphins-Titans this week.

WASHINGTON (+3) over New York Giants: The 'Skins have played hard the last four games, and Jason Campbell has played well. They will give the Giants all they can handle in this NFC East rivalry on MNF.

Oakland (+13) over DENVER: How bad is JaMarcus Russell? The Raiders are starting 3rd stringer Charlie Frye this week in Mile High. I know this is great matchup for Denver, but divisional and rivalry games make me nervous. The Broncos should win, but it will be closer than people think. Final Score: Denver-17 Oakland-10

Thursday Night Pick!

Indy (-3) over Jacksonville

Week 15 Picks!

Broncos Fall to 8-5 with Loss at Indy

The Broncos bid to topple undefeated Indianapolis did not come to fruition as the Colts beat Denver 28-16 in Indy on Sunday. The Colts raced out to a 21-0 lead early into the second quarter. The Broncos rallied to make the game a 21-16 affair with just over nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. From there it was all Peyton Manning. He directed an 80 yard drive and nailed Dallas Clark with the game-clinching touchdown pass. The loss puts Denver at 8-5, but the Broncos still hold on to one of the wild card spots in the AFC. Here are some of my game points regarding Sunday's game against Indy.....

1) I don't understand all of the hoopla surrounding Josh McDaniels' decision to defer to the second half and give Peyton Manning the ball to start the game. The Broncos even had an opportunity to take advantage of that decision because they were trailing 21-7 with the ball at the end of the half, and they received the ball first in the second half. The Broncos failed to convert those opportunities into points. If they did, they might have won this game.

2) The Broncos offense has been inconsistent all season long, and it will prevent them from beating a good team on the road or in the playoffs. The Broncos moved the ball up and down the field on the Colts, but the same miscues keep stalling drives. Penalties, short-yardage issues, a turnover, and a missed field goal really killed Denver in the second half. Their offense really had the chance to win this game, and they weren't able to capitalize.

3) Kudos to Brandon Marshall for breaking the NFL single game record for receptions. Marshall's 21 catches were amazing, and it seemed like he was open every throw. Now, please pay the man this offseason, and give him an offer more than someone like Roddy White in Atlanta got.

4) Tip your cap to the Broncos defense. They picked off Manning three times and really kept him and the Colts offense out of rhythm from the beginning of the second quarter until the last drive of the game in the fourth quarter. If the Bronco defense can play like this, especially their secondary, they will have a very good chance of making the playoffs.

5) Josh McDaniels didn't have his best day calling a football game. When you play Indy, you have to take chances and play for touchdowns and not field goals. You have to call plays with a gambler mentality- high risk and high reward. McD failed to do that. Twice he was conservative on third down calls the first three series of the game. At that point the Broncos were down 21-0. Also, his play calling on short-yardage situations was awful. It was obvious that they weren't going to be able to run the ball in those key moments on the Colts defense, and he still called runs up the middle, and Indy stuffed it every time.

6) Denver now stands at 8-5. Three games left and two of those three games are at home against Oakland and Kansas City. If they can't beat the Raiders and Chiefs at home, then they don't deserve to make the playoffs.