Wednesday, Champ Bailey, shrewd as he is skillful, simply listened. And he listened.
This is Chad Johnson who Bailey was hearing about. It takes time. Bailey wasn’t biting. Bailey departed the conversation – after hearing all the nice things Johnson said about him to the Denver media – fully under the assumption the suddenly humble and gushing Johnson was trying to fish him in. Bailey wasn’t going to allow it to affect him when he faced Johnson.
He didn’t.
In a game critical to the Broncos’ and Bengals’ playoff hopes, Bailey won. Johnson lost. The Broncos are in great shape in the playoff race and the Bengals likely will be going home after their final game next Sunday.
In the process, Bailey made a strong case for being named the NFL defensive player of the year as he kept the boisterous Johnson quiet for much of the game won by the Broncos 24-23 at Invesco Field at Mile High.
“What a surprise,” a facetious and jubilant Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said when asked about Bailey’s huge impact in a wild game Christmas Eve.
While Bailey played all over the field, also helping control the Bengals’ other big-play receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chris Henry, his biggest impact came at the expense of Johnson.
On the next-to-last play of the first quarter, Bailey stepped in front of Johnson and intercepted a pass by Carson Palmer at the Broncos’ 43. He took it back to the Cincinnati 37 to set up a Denver touchdown that tied the game at 7-7. It was Bailey’s ninth interception of the season, a career high.
On the Bengals’ next series, Johnson caught a pass at the Bengals’ 49 for a first down, but safety Domonique Foxworth came in and forced Johnson to fumble. Bailey scooped up the ball and brought it to the Bengals’ 39. On the next play, Denver took a 14-7 lead on a pass from Jay Cutler to Javon Walker.
Bailey, who departed the locker room without talking to the media, starred while Johnson slumped. The Bengals receiver also dropped an easy first-down pass and was called for an illegal shift on what would have been a 75-yard touchdown pass from Palmer to Henry that would have given Cincinnati the lead.
Johnson ended up with a quiet 32 yards on three catches.
“It was usual Champ,” said Broncos safety John Lynch, who played his best game of the season. “He kept Chad pretty quiet.”
Johnson said the first half of the game probably was his worst half of his career.
“It just didn’t play out the way it should have,” Johnson said. “It’s just one of those games you have to play perfect and we didn’t.”
Johnson called going up against Bailey a “friendly competition,” but said the game wasn’t about “individual matchups.”
Defensive tackle Gerard Warren was gushing about Bailey’s performance.
“The best cornerback in the history of the game,” Warren said of Bailey. “And I’m not just talking. He’s awesome in run support, in the passing game, it’s nonexistent. The best ever.”
Broncos defensive coordinator Larry Coyer said the game should cement Bailey’s case for the defensive player of the year, which will be awarded Jan. 5. Bailey’s top competition for the award likely will be Miami defensive end Jason Taylor, Chicago linebacker Brian Urlacher and San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman.
“It’s got to be Champ,” Coyer said. “It’s not even close.”
Bailey’s performance Sunday made up for his toughest game with the Broncos on a Monday night at Cincinnati in October 2004. Johnson beat Bailey several times and had seven catches for 149 yards and a touchdown. Last week, the suddenly gracious Johnson called it luck. Bailey said he has improved greatly since that game, especially in the nuances of the game.
Sunday, the Broncos benefited from it as Bailey moved all over the field in an attempt to stop the passing game. Coyer said the key to the game was that Palmer was held to 209 yards passing and the Bengals averaged 4.6 yards per play.
“There were no explosive plays,” Coyer said. “That was the game.”
Of course, Bailey came up with his own explosiveness.
“We knew Champ would make those plays,” right cornerback Darrent Williams said. “That’s what Champ does.”
Champ’s big day
Broncos reporter Bill Williamson breaks down the matchup between Denver star left cornerback Champ Bailey and Cincinnati receiver Chad Johnson:
BAILEY
First quarter: Bailey stepped in front of a pass by Carson Palmer at the Broncos’ 43-yard line and got his hands in front of Johnson for an interception he ran back to the Bengals’ 37. It was Bailey’s ninth interception of the season, a career high. It set up Denver’s first touchdown.
Second quarter: Johnson made a 13-yard catch to the Bengals’ 49. Safety Domonique Foxworth hit Johnson and forced him to fumble. Bailey came in for support and picked up the ball at the Bengals’ 39. It set up Denver’s second touchdown.
JOHNSON
First quarter: Johnson dropped an easy first-down pass in Denver territory.
Second quarter: Johnson lost a fumble that Bailey recovered.
Third quarter: Johnson was called for an illegal shift, nullifying a 75-yard touchdown pass from Palmer to receiver Chris Henry that would have given the Bengals a lead.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
