It was a drive produced by men.
Young men, that is.
In one of the most adverse situations of the Broncos’ season, it was the rookies who made major contributions, digging the Broncos out of the worst possible hole and putting them in position to make the playoffs with a victory Sunday.
For as long as Jay Cutler, Tony Scheffler, Mike Bell and Brandon Marshall are contributors to the Broncos’ offense, the 99-yard drive against Cincinnati on Christmas Eve 2006 will be remembered as their arrival.
“We figured we better do something. We had no choice,” Bell said. “Maybe that will be what gets it all going for us. Maybe that’s what we’ll be remembered for.”
It’s certainly a good start.
“It’s been building for a few weeks, but those guys showed up on that drive and they have been showing up a lot,” Broncos assistant head coach Mike Heimerdinger said. “They’ve become more part of game plans because they are in the right places to make plays. They’re delivering for us.”
In the third quarter against the Bengals, the Broncos trailed 17-14 and took possession of the ball at their 1-yard line after a punt.
With everything on the line, Cutler and the Broncos had to go the length of the field. Cutler hit Scheffler, his tight end and new favorite target, for a 25-yard catch that carried the Broncos from their 16 to the 41. Bell ran for 30 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown run that completed the 14-play scoring drive. Marshall didn’t have any catches on the remarkable drive, but was the target on two of Cutler’s seven passes.
“We figured we’re rookies but we’re almost veterans, so it was time to go to work,” Bell said. “No excuses. We went and got it done.”
And 99 yards later, the Broncos (9-6) are heading into Sunday’s game against San Francisco needing a win at home to advance to the playoffs as the No. 5 seed in the AFC. Denver also can advance to the playoffs if Kansas City loses at home to Jacksonville earlier Sunday.
“We’ve been pushing for the playoffs, and we will continue,” Scheffler said. “Hopefully, we can all help out again.”
The rookies definitely will get their chances.
For Scheffler and Marshall, their rise in production since Cutler replaced veteran quarterback Jake Plummer on Dec. 3 is startling.
Scheffler, who started last weekend, has nine catches and three touchdowns in four games since Cutler took over. His three touchdowns in the past three weeks lead NFL tight ends.
Scheffler, inactive for the three games before Cutler’s promotion, had only six catches in the first 11 games of the season.
Marshall, who is playing extensively in three-receiver formations, has doubled his receptions since Cutler took over. He has 12 catches in the past four games for 213 yards and has been the master of the spectacular grab.
“The young guys are definitely coming through,” Marshall said. “I knew at least one of us had to, but we’re all doing it.”
Bell, solid all season after going undrafted out of Arizona, has continued to produce in December. He has had good games the past two weeks, getting the majority of carries, and takes a season total of 611 yards rushing into the San Francisco game.
Bell has three touchdowns in December and eight for the season. He is one shy of the league record for undrafted rookies. Dominic Rhodes scored nine TDs for Indianapolis in 2001.
“We’ve all gotten comfortable as the season has gone on,” Bell said. “We all feel good that we’re contributing.”
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
