It being the Christmas season and all, Buffalo News columnist Jerry Sullivan was nice enough to refer to the Broncos as ordinary after Sunday’s loss at Invesco Field.
Ordinary? Dysfunctional maybe, but not ordinary.
Put me down as shocked that the Broncos blew a 13-0 lead and lost to the lowly Bills. And I’ll be beyond shocked if they can turn things around and beat the Chargers Sunday.
If not, the Broncos would have pulled off one of the most notorious choke jobs in NFL history. Three weeks ago, the Bolts were 5-8 and the Broncos were 8-5. Denver’s magic number stood at one, meaning any Chargers loss or Broncos win would have won the AFC West for Denver.
That’s one, and still counting.
So what is the Broncoss problem? Fact is, they never fit the profile of a division winner in the first place. They’re on pace to allow 400-plus points, usually the stuff of last-place teams, and they’re last in the NFL in turnover differential.
Therein lies the Broncoss biggest problem. The Broncos can’t steal the ball. They can’t put pressure on opposing quarterbacks and they can’t force turnovers. Frankly, it has reached the point of embarrassment.
Denver has coughed up the ball 28 times — 16 interceptions, 12 fumbles — and stolen it 13 times, on six INTs and seven fumble recoveries. The Giants or Titans couldn’t win with those kinds of numbers, much less a young team in need of rebuilding its defense.
For years, Mike Shanahan has assumed his offense was potent enough to withstand a so-so defense. But those days are gone. Shanahan has to rebuild this defense. Not tweak it, rebuild it. If he can’t do it, Jay Cutler is going to spend most of his career putting up big passing numbers and missing the playoffs.
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.
