Just another day at the notes column. …
A lightning delay? Overtime? A game-winning kick that wasn’t? For all the wild and crazy developments at Invesco Field at Mile High on Sunday afternoon, there was a certain sameness to the game.
The Broncos had a halftime lead and let it get away.
Last season, they lost four of their final five home games after leading each at the half. Sunday, they were ahead 17-3, but wound up going to overtime to beat the Raiders.
“A little bit,” said John Lynch, when asked if the game reminded him of last season. “We certainly have to have the killer instinct.” …
Until they do, it sure is going to make for some great theater. Case in point: Sunday, when the Raiders lost the game, won the game and lost it again after Sebastian Janikowski‘s do-over 52-yard field-goal attempt clanked off the top of the left upright.
For a split second or two, even some of the Broncos’ players didn’t realize Mike Shanahan had called a timeout seconds before Janikowski’s apparent game-winner split the uprights. What was that moment like?
“I was like, ‘Man, you’ve got to be kidding,”‘ Amon Gordon said. “When I saw the umpire waving his hands, I thought, ‘OK, we’ll run it back and try to do better.’ I’m definitely happy we pulled it together.”
Jason Elam‘s game-winning, 23-yard field goal came one week after his last-second kick beat the Bills by one point at Buffalo. Said Gordon: “It definitely raises your blood pressure. It’s been a heck of a ride thus far.” …
Their kicker has missed three field-goal attempts, one more than last season, and two of their defensive linemen have as many interceptions as Champ Bailey. They’ve won one game by a point and another by three in overtime. Shanahan’s early scouting report on his team: “I really don’t think our players like me. They’re trying to kill me.” …
Lynch on Shanahan calling time out seconds before Janikowski’s woulda-been game-winning kick: “I was right there with Mike, and I clearly heard him. He told him (the official) in advance, ‘I’m going to call a timeout.’ I said, ‘Do it, already.’ It was going right down to the wire.” …
By the numbers: The Broncos-Raiders series is 34-34-2 since 1972. …
OK, so the Lions can’t match the Broncos in the drama dept., but they have won twice, once after trailing in the fourth quarter, the other time on a field goal in overtime. They had lost 14 of their past 15 to the Vikings before Sunday’s OT win. …
How fired is Tom Coughlin? The Packers, who couldn’t muster an offensive touchdown in their opener, had five against the Giants. …
Not that the Broncos’ coaching staff has a great feel for diamonds in the rough at tailback, but Mike Bell had two 40-plus-yard runs last season, and Selvin Young had another Sunday. Both were undrafted rookie free agents. …
Just wondering: It’s Monday morning. Has Chad Mustard been cut yet this week? …
The most improved team in the league? What, you mean other than the Texans? They’ve allowed 24 points in two games, 43 fewer than their first two games in ’06. …
Streaking: The Performers Formerly Known as the Panthers have lost four straight home openers. …
How torn and tattered is the Saints’ secondary? The Bucs had 15 yards rushing at the half Sunday and led 21-0. If you’ve quit keeping score, that’s 72 points allowed by N’Awlins in two games – 111 if you count last season’s NFC championship game. …
The bottom line: “We’re still a team looking for an identity,” Lynch said. “It’s kind of exciting for me. … I have the feeling once we realize how good we can be, we’ve got great room for growth. We kind of peaked early in the past. Now it just feels like we’re on this ascension where we’re getting a little bit better every week. And we’re going to need to.”
Read Jim Armstrong’s Third & Short column on Sundays and the day after Broncos games. He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
