Pat Bowlen is getting a feeling about Invesco Field at Mile High. It’s starting to feel like the Broncos’ glorious old home.
“I really feel a comfort level at Invesco Field at Mile High that’s similar to the old Mile High. It’s getting that way,” the owner said Monday, one day after his Broncos improved to 5-0 at home with a 49-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. “It’s taken awhile, but there’s starting to be a special feeling.”
Of course, the next step for Bowlen’s team is to host a playoff game. That hasn’t happened in the five seasons the stadium has been in existence.
“We have to christen that place with a playoff game and a playoff victory,” Bowlen said. “I’d like to see us get two this year. We had so many memories at old Mile High of playoff games, and we have to start those memories at our new place. … That’s the next move.”
Though he said the Broncos have work to do, Bowlen believes they are on track toward earning a home playoff game.
“If you would have asked me at the start of the season if I’d take 6-2 at the bye,” he said, “I would have taken it.”
Bowlen said he has a different feel for this team, which started 5-1. Denver also started 5-1 the past two years but fell to 5-3.
Bowlen said Sunday’s victory over the Eagles was a “turning point” game. For the third straight game, the Broncos took – and lost – a big advantage. Against the Eagles, Denver saw a 28-0 lead turn to 28-21 before Domonique Foxworth’s interception in the end zone early in the fourth quarter turned the game back in Denver’s favor. The Broncos then exploded for three touchdowns.
“We had guys make plays,” Bowlen said. “They did things that didn’t always happen in the recent past. … It really showed something. That was a big win.”
Bowlen’s confidence, he said, is built on three issues: the play of quarterback Jake Plummer, the defense led by a new-look line and the coaching staff led by Mike Shanahan.
Plummer has attempted 171 passes without allowing an interception, and the Broncos have played 25-plus quarters since committing an offensive turnover. Plummer has three interceptions this year after throwing 20 last year. At the bye last year, Bowlen said he was a big fan of Plummer’s, but said the quarterback needed to cut down on the occasional “bonehead” mistake.
“That word isn’t even in my vocabulary anymore,” Bowlen said. “Jake has been terrific.”
On the Broncos’ nationally criticized decision to bring in four defensive linemen from Cleveland: “Nobody’s finger- pointing anymore on that one.”
On Shanahan and his staff: “Mike put together a very strong staff. They are doing very well.”
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
