And now for a few words I’ve seldom, if ever typed this season: The Broncos’ defense didn’t play that badly Sunday.
The Dolphins converted four out of 14 third downs. They scored 26 points, but six came off “drives” of 7 and 20 yards after Jay Cutler interceptions. Another seven points came directly via a Cutler pick that was returned 32 yards for a touchdown.
It has come to this: No matter how well or poorly the Denver defense plays, it can’t keep up with Cutler’s mistakes. The Broncos have had a ghastly 16 turnovers in their last five games after accounting for three in their first three.
The Broncos are in first place in the AFC West, but that’s more a function of the Chargers’ problems than Denver’s prowess. The Broncos rank last in the league at minus-11 in turnovers.
Not that Cutler is letting the boo birds or critics get to him.
“I’m not worried about that,” he said Sunday, when asked about being booed at Invesco Field at Mile High. “Whenever you throw two picks like that, the crowd is going to get on you.”
Now it’s on to Cleveland, where the Broncos must play Thursday night after preparing as though they were cruising through the drive-up lane at McDonald’s. We’re left to wonder how they’re going to play, but this much we already know: Their success, of lack thereof, will be directly related to how may mistakes their quarterback makes.
Follow Jim Armstrong’s sports updates on The Jimmy Page morning and afternoon Monday-Friday. And read his columns on Sundays at .
He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
