For the longest time, it appeared the Broncos were fibbing.
They were trying to say this new ditty by a swing band called Big Bad Voodoo Daddy was a touchdown song. A field goal song, perhaps. A reason to celebrate the accurate leg of Jason Elam, maybe.
But a touchdown song it wasn’t. Finally, at the two-minute warning of their second home game, Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer lofted a beautiful 4-yard pass toward the right corner end zone. Rod Smith, the Broncos’ all-time leading receiver, fell as he cradled the pass.
Not only did the Broncos have their first touchdown at Invesco Field at Mile High this season, that play clinched their hard-fought, shoulder pad-to-shoulder pad, 13-3 victory Monday night against the previously undefeated Baltimore Ravens.
To the chilled, rain-soaked sellout crowd, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy never sounded so good. Despite facing one of the NFL’s toughest early-season schedules, the Broncos are 3-1, tied with San Diego for the AFC West lead.
Neither of these stout, hyperactive defenses needed the help, but Mother Nature smiled down upon them anyway. An all-game rain and 39-degree temperature made for punishing offensive conditions.
By halftime, with the score all but predictably tied at 3, neither quarterback was dealing well with the elements. The Broncos’ Jake Plummer tried using grip-enhanced gloves, but that didn’t halt his first-half performance from approaching a slippery slope.
As he settled into the warmth of the halftime locker room, Plummer had an embarrassing 6.2 quarterback rating on just 3-of-8 completions for 6 yards and an interception.
Baltimore’s Steve McNair was slightly more efficient, but he also made the game’s most costly mistake late in the first half. After splitting a zone, McNair connected with Derrick Mason for a 26-yard gain. The Ravens had a first down on the Broncos’ 11.
Three plays later, McNair lofted a pass in the right corner of the end zone. Right side for the offense means left side of the Broncos defense – where cornerback Champ Bailey roams. Bailey was waiting on the pass almost from the time it left McNair’s hand and easily outjumped intended receiver Clarence Moore for the ball.
It was Bailey’s first interception of the season after getting nine last year, including the playoffs. Opposing quarterbacks have mostly avoided Bailey this year, and while the strategy has prevented him from making big plays, he has also essentially helped cut off half the field.
Bailey’s presence may help explain why the Broncos’ defense has allowed just one touchdown – and that came after they had built a 17-0, fourth-quarter lead against New England – through four games this season.
As for the Broncos’ offense, when the best effort comes from a braided, mohawk-coiffed defensive back, it’s a sign the first half isn’t going well. Darrent Williams, who plays opposite Bailey on the right corner, set up the Broncos’ only first-half score with a 33-yard punt return into Baltimore territory. The next four plays went to Tatum Bell, who picked up just enough yards to put Jason Elam in field goal range. Bell finished with 92 yards on 19 carries, not bad considering Baltimore entered the game as the league’s top rushing defense at 63.3 yards a game.
When Elam was true from 43 yards 4:54 before halftime, the Broncos tied it 3-3.
Early in the fourth quarter, the score remained 3-3. Finally, the Broncos discovered some offensive rhythm. It seemed to be a 10-yard shank by Baltimore punter Sam Koch that got them started. A well-protected Plummer began hitting receivers Javon Walker and Smith on short and intermediate routes.
The Broncos got deep enough in Baltimore territory to bring in Elam for a 44-yard field goal, giving the kicker his fifth home field goal this year.
Staff writer Mike Klis can be reached at 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
