Training camp was winding down, and Mike Shanahan had a few words of advice for all the doubters. Well, one, anyway. That would be the guy typing this paragraph.
“If you want to look good,” Shahahan said, “pick us to make the playoffs.”
And so, of course, I didn’t do it. I started at 7-9, the same record the Broncos had last season. And then, in a moment of illumination, I ratcheted it up to 8-8.
If you’re keeping score, and I know you are, the Broncos would have to finish 4-7 to get there. That probably won’t happen. Then again, this is the NFL. I quit trying to figure out this league a long time ago.
There is one thing, though, that I can say with certainty: The salary cap is the best thing that ever happened to Sunday football.
The cap has rendered every team in the same predicament. In the process, it has created unpredictability, which in turn has generated excitement. That term “Any given Sunday”? It’s nothing but a coach’s cliche. Unless, of course, you played the Chiefs two weeks ago.
Here’s the drill with salary-cap football: Nobody has any depth. And no team has a glut of talent on both sides of the ball, what with the cap and free agency having spread the difference makers throughout the league.
What, you think the Broncos have issues? You’re not convinced they’re a legit 4-1 team? Get in line, Sparky. In Buffalo, they’re questioning the 4-1 Bills for beating four teams, two of which have fired their coaches.
In Dallas, home of another 4-1 team, they’re wondering how the Cowboys lost a home game to Washington and had to rally in the fourth quarter to hold off lowly Cincinnati.
Even the unbeatens are attracting questions. Three of the Giants’ four wins have come vs. Seattle, St. Louis and Cincinnati, they of the combined 1-12 record. The Titans, meanwhile, have scored 11 offensive touchdowns, four fewer than the Broncos.
What’s a Broncos fan to do? Three things. First, thank God you don’t live in Missouri. Second, don’t expect too much from the defense. It’s shaky at best, and the injuries haven’t begun to pile up. Third, sit back and enjoy the view. Because whatever happens, whether the Broncos miss the playoffs or win the West, it will be an interesting ride.
Follow Jim Armstrong’s sports updates on The Jimmy Page at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. And read his columns on Sundays at .
He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
