For the Broncos to shake their four-game losing streak and attempt to salvage a playoff spot, coach Mike Shanahan said it begins with him.
This is only Shanahan’s second four-game losing streak as the Broncos’ coach. They lost their first four games of the 1999 season. He has never lost five in a row. Denver last lost five in a row (plus one more) in 1990.
“It’s not a good feeling,” Shanahan said. “To go through a scenario like this is pretty tough, but this is a tough profession. What we’ve got to do is do something about it on a day-to-day basis. If you do that, then you’ve got a chance to change it. … I think everybody’s frustrated. If you’re not frustrated when you lose four games, then you’re in the wrong business.”
Denver is trying to become the ninth team since 1997 to endure a four-game losing streak and advance to the postseason. Only one team in the past 10 years, the 1997 Vikings, has lost five straight and made the playoffs.
“We’ll approach it day by day,” Shanahan said. “You don’t get it done just on game day. You get it done today and, obviously, Wednesday. Our team has worked extremely hard this season. We’ve lost some close games, and hopefully over the next three games, we’ll play our best football.”
Cutler talk
Shanahan said Monday that Jay Cutler is making big strides after two starts.
“He’s further ahead than anybody I’ve ever been around,” Shanahan said. “One of the reasons why he’s in the position he’s at is because we thought that he could handle the mental aspects. He could handle the pressure, he could handle the tough situations.”
Shanahan said he believes Cutler will get more comfortable with the center exchange with Tom Nalen. Cutler has fumbled snaps in both of his starts
“It takes time,” Shanahan said. “It’s getting better.”
Injury update
Shanahan said he expects right tackle Adam Meadows to be able to practice Wednesday in hopes of playing Sunday at Arizona.
Meadows suffered a hamstring injury Nov. 23 against Kansas City and hasn’t played since. He was replaced by George Foster.
Shanahan said there were no significant injuries in the loss to the Chargers. Linebacker Al Wilson (strained neck) and kicker Jason Elam (hamstring injury on his plant leg) did not suffer setbacks from injuries suffered in the Seattle game Dec. 3.
Footnote
The Cardinals will decide later in the week whether they will open the roof for the Broncos game. In Sunday’s game against Seattle, it was 65 degrees and the roof was kept on. It is expected to be in the mid-60s this weekend in the Phoenix area. … With three games remaining, the most likely scenario is that Denver will receive Washington’s third-round pick in 2007 and its fourth-round pick in 2008 as compensation in the Ashley Lelie trade.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
CHALK TALK
Is the shotgun formation here to stay with Jay Cutler at quarterback? Broncos reporter Mike Klis breaks down a strategic element from .
POINT, COUNTERPOINT: Jay Cutler has said he prefers operating from the shotgun, and coach Mike Shanahan learned during his days as facilitator between Dan Reeves and John Elway it’s important to call plays the quarterback feels comfortable running. However, Shanahan’s offense is built around deception, and there isn’t much chicanery involved with the shotgun, other than the occasional draw. The shotgun brought mixed results against the Chargers. Cutler completed 11-of-21 for 106 yards from the gun, but was 6-of-9 for 82 yards and two touchdown passes while starting from under center.
FUTURE PROSPECTS: In Shanahan’s perfect world, Cutler would always take snaps from under center because it would mean the Broncos were running the ball and in control of the game. But the Broncos have not been a good catch-up team since Elway retired, and it’s nice to know Cutler has the kind of big-play arm that can bring a team back in a hurry. Expect more shotgun on third-and-long and in two-minute drills than in the recent past.
EYE ON … The Cardinals
DENVER AT ARIZONA, 2:05 p.m., Sunday
For the record: The Cardinals are 4-9 and in last place in the NFC West.
Last game: Arizona is coming off its season highlight, a 27-21 home win over division rival Seattle.
Streaking: Something must give: The Cardinals are 0-2 against the AFC; the Broncos are 0-2 against the NFC.
Who’s hot: Running back Edgerrin James. The big-money free agent from Indianapolis started slowly but has come around. He had 115 yards against Seattle and became the first Arizona running back in three seasons to register back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. James has had success against Denver, and the Broncos’ run defense has been beatable lately.
Who’s not: Kicker Neil Rackers is not having a good year. After going 40-of-42 on field-goal attempts last season, Rackers is 20-of-28 this season. He has made 7-of-15 field goals this season from beyond 40 yards.
Key stat: Under rookie quarterback Matt Leinart, the Cardinals are starting to get in a groove on offense. They are staying on the field. Arizona held the ball 34 minutes, 39 seconds against Seattle.
FYI: Arizona coach Denny Green recruited and coached Broncos safety John Lynch at Stanford. When the two were NFC Central rivals in the 1990s and early this decade, Green joked that Lynch became an NFL star because of the great coaching he received in college.
Line: Broncos by 2 1/2 points.
Injury update: The Cards did not report any major injuries after the Seattle game.
Coachspeak: “I think he has played well. He’s a great competitor. He throws the ball. He comes out to put the dagger in them. He made a lot of third-down conversions early in the game.” – Green, on Leinart
– Bill Williamson
