Broncos notch December win in KC, first since Wade Phillips was coach.
Correll Buckhalter ran roughshod over the Chiefs, averaging 9.4 yards per carry
.All we hoped for was that the Broncos would bring a consistent effort, and finally eke out a win at Arrowhead in December. What we got was far beyond our wildest dreams – a record-setting 44-13 drubbing of the woeful KC squad. Just think Broncos fans – Matt Cassel could have been – and by all rights, should have been – your quarterback in 2009. The question is this – is Cassel that bad, or is Todd Haley in that far over his head? I’d say a little bit of both. I don’t think Cassel is that bad (the Chiefs are). I think KC is just in much deeper disarray than Cassel, Haley, or Pioli ever dreamed possible. Remember when Shanahan was linked to the Chiefs job just weeks after being fired? Wonder now why he stayed away? Perhaps the same reason he hasn’t been trotted out as the new coach in Buffalo… there are some really bad teams out there with deep organizational issues, and one of the resides just 8 hours to the east of Denver along I-70
Correll Buckhalter ran for 113 yards, Moreno added 86, and Peyton Hillis threw in 45 yards in garbage time to pile on 245 total yards rushing, compared to the 222 total yards the Chiefs managed to squeak out. The Denver defense wasn’t perfect – in fact early in the game, Chiefs wideout Wade somehow managed to slip past Champ Bailey. The safety coverage never came, and Wade was 15 yards in the clear behind the defense. Cassel’s pass, though slightly overthrown, was very catchable, and hit Wade in a single outstretched hand before falling harmlessly to the ground. After grabbing an INT on the opening drive, the Chiefs felt like they had a chance. After Wade’s drop, it was clear that the Chiefs’ season was encapsulated in that one embarrassing moment. Was there any doubt the game’s outcome was obvious after that play?
Even with that, I don’t think any of us expected the Broncos to keep piling on, and KC to keep getting worse. Let’s be fair about the 44 points though – the third quarter was as much about KC ineffectiveness as about Denver success. On the first drive of the second half, the Chiefs started with a WTF-inspiring fake punt leading to a Prater field goal. Next drive, Cassel intercepted by Goodman, Broncos drive from the KC 20, for a Marshall TD. Next drive, Cassel intercepted again, this time by Hill, leading to another Prater FG. Then, shortly thereafter, Goodman scoops up a fumble and goes to the house. Honestly, with the 2 field goals on that drive, Denver should have been able to break 50 points. Not to take away from the team – a good defense causes turnovers, and good teams take advantage of opponent’s mistakes.
There are still some areas of concern. Orton threw a red zone pick – only the third of his career. He was hit hard in the pocket to force a fumble twice – which means KO is holding onto the ball a bit too long. That’s not his typical style, he’s a good possession-care quarterback – so hopefully those 2 fumbles were an aberration.
All in all, it’s great to see the Broncos come out and just lay the wood on somebody – even better that it’s a divisional rival. I mean, I would have picked the Chargers, but this will do. Next week, the team on the other side of the field will not make the mistakes KC made. Peyton Manning is a far cry than Matt Cassel. (Which – incidentally – I think Manning is phenomenal. Only a fool denies his greatness. But can we stop the “greatest of all time” talk until the guy hangs up his spikes? Please? Can’t we just enjoy his relative greatness now, and deal with historical comparisons later? Thanks.)
The Broncos will enjoy this win, but they better get back to business quick, because next week in Indy will be no walk in the Arrowhead park.
