They hover threateningly, like a storm building on the horizon.
Not only does the Broncos’ future eventually figure to include Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, but perhaps Carson Palmer and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Behind these offensive powerhouses is the Broncos’ dream of playing in the season’s final game in Detroit. In front of these potentially menacing obstacles are the 31 points the Broncos’ defense just surrendered to the Kansas City Chiefs.
To get past the likes of Manning and Palmer and reach Super Bowl XL, it won’t be enough if the Broncos’ defense plays really well. It has to be great.
After what happened Sunday in Arrowhead Stadium, does anybody think the Broncos’ defense is going to scare Bengals receiver Chad Johnson into silence?
“One particular week when we don’t play well, it seems like everybody is wondering what’s wrong with the defense,” Broncos middle linebacker Al Wilson said. “That’s why we believe in one another and we could care less about what people on the outside are saying.”
In one sense, the Broncos’ 31-27 loss Sunday at Kansas City generates virtually no panic. The Broncos are 9-3 and their next three opponents are 4-8, 4-8 and 4-8. This seemingly “soft” portion of the schedule begins Sunday with the Baltimore Ravens visiting Invesco Field at Mile High. Then it’s on to the Bills in Buffalo, N.Y., and the Oakland Raiders back home on Christmas Eve.
Barring the unpredictable, the Broncos are in great position to bring a 12-3 record into their New Year’s Eve season finale at San Diego.
But this season no longer is about surpassing all expectations and winning the AFC West with an 11-5 or 12-4 record. It’s about getting the AFC’s No. 2 playoff seed, a first-round bye and second- round home playoff game. It’s about waiting until the AFC championship game before having to play the Colts at Indy.
It’s about getting to the Super Bowl, as the Broncos to a man stated from the first day of training camp. And after Chiefs quarterback Trent Green shredded their secondary in the first half Sunday and running back Larry Johnson ran through all defenders in the fourth quarter, it seems the Broncos have some work to do before they become a Super Bowl-caliber defense.
“One game does not define who you are as a team or as a player,” Broncos strong safety Nick Ferguson said. “Yeah, they won the game. Yeah, they had a running back get over 100 yards, probably the most we’ve given up in a while.
“But at the same time, we’re still the same defense. Nothing has changed. The personnel hasn’t changed. The scheme hasn’t changed. We still have the same confidence we had until this point. I guess it’s good for the media to start questioning.”
One concern Broncos coach Mike Shanahan quickly doused was the notion his defensive captain is unhappy with the staff’s decision-making. After the Broncos had stopped the Chiefs on first-and-goal and second-and-goal in the second quarter, two defensive substitutions were made against Wilson’s wishes.
When Johnson rammed into the end zone on third-and- goal, Wilson walked toward his sideline and gestured angrily.
“He was right,” Shanahan said. “We had the wrong personnel in the game. We had the nickel instead of our base or our goal line (defense). There was a communication breakdown on the sideline. There’s nothing wrong with that.
“Heck, I’m excited he was disappointed we didn’t get the right package in. Those things happen every game. It’s just when you see things like that on the goal line, it gets taken out of context.”
More troubling communication breakdowns occurred in the Broncos’ secondary, which Green exposed on touchdown passes to Dante Hall and Tony Gonzalez.
Although the Broncos have surrendered ample passing yards all year, ranking no better than 25th since the season’s fifth week, this was primarily blamed on Denver’s propensity to build double-figure leads.
But the opposing passing yards continued to pile up in the Broncos’ closely contested games recently against Dallas and Kansas City. The Broncos surrendered a combined four passing touchdowns in those two games and rank 29th in the NFL with 240.8 yards passing allowed per game.
Meanwhile, Manning and Palmer have moved to the top two spots in the NFL’s quarterback ratings and operate offenses seemingly capable of naming their score each and every week.
For now, all may be well for the Broncos. But once they’re through playing the Ravens, Bills and Raiders, can their defense consistently play at Super Bowl-caliber?
“Yes, definitely,” Wilson said.
“If we don’t make the mistakes. Don’t get me wrong, Kansas City made some plays, but there were some big plays they made where we gave to them by not being disciplined.
“We’ll be all right. Every team in this league has talent. Where you separate yourselves is by being a great, disciplined defense.”
The key word there is “great.” To stop the likes of Manning and Palmer, nothing less is expected.
Case for the defense
To reach Super Bowl XL, the Broncos’ defense may have to stop high-powered offenses such as Indianapolis and Cincinnati. Broncos reporter Mike Klis breaks down concerns for Denver’s defense:
Consistent pass rush: In their three losses, the Broncos didn’t sack the QB. They are tied for last in the NFL with 18 sacks.
Vagaries of youth: Rookie cornerbacks Darrent Williams, below left, and Domonique Foxworth, below right, have performed beyond expectations, but opposing QBs are increasingly throwing their way.
Talk before the play: Whether or not it was his fault, star cornerback Champ Bailey has been part of miscommunication blunders that resulted in touchdowns each of the past two weeks.
Linebacker splits: Al Wilson, Ian Gold and D.J. Williams are the NFL’s fastest linebacking trio, but the Chiefs seemed to catch them in between the medium-range pass and Larry Johnson runs.
Matching the intensity: Only twice have missed tackles been issues – in the second-half heat at Miami and fourth-quarter chill at Kansas City. The Broncos’ next three opponents, all 4-8, will play better if the Broncos don’t wrap up.
Staff writer Mike Klis can be reached at 303-820-5440 or mklis@denverpost.com.
