Cardiac Arrest: Broncos Steal Win In Buffalo

In a game that had its fair share of of ups and downs, only one team prevailed Sunday afternoon. Thanks to a 42 yard field goal with one second on the clock via Jason Elam, the Broncos left Buffalo 15-14 victors.

Jay Cutler was off and on all day, but ended the contest going 23/39 for 304 yards with a touchdown and interception. In the backfield, Travis Henry impressed in his season debut rushing for 139 yards on 23 carries. After an option run that netted 30 plus yards, Henry struggled due to poor blocking on the offensive line in the first half, but came on strong to lead the Broncos down to multiple scores in route to victory.

Despite three drops by Javon Walker, when the game mattered he came up with a series of big catches on the teams final drive and finished the game with 9 grabs for 119 yards. Second-year wide out Brandon Marshall also looked impressive, coming up big with a fantastic endzone grab and had five grabs for 52 yards. Much to the surprise of many, Brandon Stokley was also impressive, coming up with three grabs that accounted for 65 yards. Travis Henry and Daniel Graham also made some splashes in the passing game, combining for six grabs that touched on 68 yards of total offense.

The Broncos only allowed seven points on defense coupled with only 184 yards of total offense. D.J. Williams was fantastic on opening day coming up with nine big tackles, including a sack to lead all defenders. Strongside linebacker Nate Webster also made some nice plays, and the coverage by Champ Bailey and Dre Bly limited Losman and friends from achieving even 100 yards through the air. Jeff Shoate also found himself in on a fair share of the plays, some good and some bad and his playing time was plentiful because Dominique Foxworth was sidelined halfway through the game with an ankle injury.

Other bright notes on the Broncos defense include the play of Nick Ferguson and John Lynch, and defensive ends Jarvis Moss and Elvis Dumervil who were able to get some pressure on Losman. Jarvis finished the day with four tackles, including one for loss and Dumervil registered two tackles and even an interception at the end of the first half.

Perhaps the most disappointing player on the Broncos defense today was Ian Gold, who missed several tackles and was out of position constantly, and continuously over pursued plays. Also, the Broncos run defense was off and on all day. It was more consistent than it was in the first half, but the Broncos let Marshawn Lynch gain three crucial third and longs by running the ball, so when the Broncos get back to Denver – working on their run defense should be a priority in preparation for next weeks game against the Raiders.

If any negatives were to be outlined today, it was the poor run blocking by the offensive line in the red zone and through the first half and most of all – the errors on special teams. Jason Elam missed two field goals, and outside Hixon’s first return – he struggled on both punts and kick-offs. Secondly, allowing Parrish to return a punt for a touchdown was a thorn in the Broncos side throughout the game, and the Broncos must improve their return and coverage units if they want to have any long-term success this season.

All and all, it was a gloomy day in Buffalo – and albeit a dirty game, the Broncos came out with the W and that’s all that matters. Now it’s time to look forward to next week as the Broncos have their home opener against the Oakland Raiders.

Broncos at Buffalo: Game Day Rants

Having to view this one on SopCast since the New England game is being televised here, but it’s fair quality (picture is great, sound is bad) so I’m able to diagnose the action correctly. I’ll do a series of analysis after each quarter and through it if anything in particular stands out at me.

First Quarter Analysis

The interior of the defensive line needs to be fixed. We cannot keep allowing solid chunks of yardage on the ground run after run. Along with that flaw, the offensive line has looked absolutely atrocious in run blocking, in particular Montrae Holland and Erik Pears who have established nothing on the right side. The Special Teams had a major breakdown allowing Parrish to scamper on a punt return for a touchdown, this area needs to be improved (coverage unit) but Hixon looked impressive on his 30+ yard return. Major props to DJ Williams who was able to get upfield on a blitz and shed a block from Lynch to down Losman for a fourteen yard loss. Those are the kind of big plays we need him to make.

Cutler outside the poor shovel pass has been reading his progressions well and made three nice completions, and Henry looked impressive on the option run. He runs with a lot of power, and where he doesn’t “dance” in the backfield, he uses his stiff-arm a little too much and rather than hitting the hole and going, he’ll try and out muscle defenders. It’s great he runs with power. He should use his vision a lot better. At this point in time, I feel more comfortable with Cutler throwing the ball than us being able to consistently run, which could be a problem.

Second Quarter Analysis

The defense has a fantastic stance at the end of the first into the start of the second with improvement against the run. A Jarvis Moss sighting as he teamed up with John Lynch to storm the outside and stop Marshawn for no gain. The first offensive possession of the second quarter was shaky, a few nice completions by Cutler – but two poor passes to Walker and Stokley that essentially brought the drive to a halt. Erik Pears having a false start didn’t help matters either.

On the Bills second possession, we force them to have a three and out. Nice coverage by Bly and Dumervil continues to get pressure on the outside. I have a strong feeling he’ll register a big sack sometime this game.

The Broncos are moving the ball well on their second possession with several nice throws by Cutler, and a good job of Henry running the ball, showing some burst and power on a fifteen yard gain that takes us to the 30 yard line. However,a drop by Walker and two poor throws but Cutler result in the Broncos attempting a field goal which is made by Jason “Automatic” Elam, but with a little help from the football Gods as it goes off the crossbar and through. Denver’s still down, 7-6 – but they just need to put it together to score some touchdowns.

Just as it looked like the Broncos were going to make it 3 for 3 on defensive stops, Marshawn comes up with a nice two yard run on fourth and short to keep the ball rolling for Buffalo, a short pass to Royal pushed Buffalo inside our red zone. But not so fast, John Lynch who seems to be drinking from the fountain of youth comes up with a huge sack that pushes the Bills back, back, back – far enough that Lindell misses the field goal!

Unfortunately after several solid throws, a low snap leads Cutler to panic and throw erroneously which stops the Broncos chance to get points before the half expires. It’s picked off and the Bills intend to score before half time, but Denver’s Dre Bly comes up big by not allowing Lee Evans to catch a deep ball on the sideline. A false start penalty by Butler leads for the field goal team to leave and the offense to come back on the field for an attempt to score before half time, but little big man Elvis Dumervil comes up with an interception to end the half.

Third Quarter Analysis

Hixon returns the ball to the Denver 20, but another Bill is down on the field and is being carted off. I can’t make out who it is, but I believe it’s TE Kevin Everett.

After two nice receptions by Walker and Stokley, the Broncos offense spudders as Walker drops his second pass of the game and Travis Henry and Selvin Young cannot do much on the ground. Elam misses a 50 yard field goal attempt, and it looks like Henry may have injured himself on that first-down run.

The Broncos looked to have stopped the Bills offense with Simeon Rice breaking down the receiver reverse, but Marshawn Lynch breaks off a big third down run and continues to drive for the Bills. The Broncos force the Bills into another third and long, but Marshawn Lynch scampers for a 23 yard score. It’s not looking good right now, could this be the third year in a row for a loss on opening day?

Injury Update: Foxworth has an ankle sprain and it’s unsure whether or not he’ll return. I guess that’s why we’re seeing so much of Jeff Shoate.

The offense is marching into Bills territory with several nice screen passes to Travis Henry and a nice slant pattern to Marshall that goes for fifteen. The running game is still iffy, but the Broncos seem to be on there way to some points here as the third quarter is winding down. With that said, Cutler hooks up with Marshall (showing some fantastic feet) for a touchdown, but Denver fails the two-point conversion. 14-12, Buffalo.

Fourth Quarter Analysis

Champ Bailey makes a nice third down play getting Lynch the backfield on a fantastic read to bring up fourth down. A hell of a punt, and Hixon dances around too much and loses yardage on the play.

Offense is on the field and Travis Henry breaks 100 yards in his Broncos debut. What first appeared to be a ten yard catch by Selvin Young was overturned. Two crazy plays lead to the Broncos being in third and long and not being able to convert, Bills ball at the 20 yard line after a Sauerbrun punt.

After a few close calls, the Broncos stop the Bills and become the beneficiaries of an interference call on the Bills that pushes us from the ten yard line to the twenty-five. It looks like we’ll be in business with about eight and a half minutes to go. Brandon Marshall coming up with a nice block on that Cutler scramble and reels in a twenty yard completion, he’s been great today displaying nice hands and has been pleasant in blocking for the run. Henry continues to pound the ball getting a Broncos first down and we are in field goal range.

A sack by John McCargo takes us out of range, but Henry gets us back in with a nice nine yard run. Much to our chagrin, Elam misses again. Lucky enough for Denver, we’ll have another opportunity as the Bills go three and out. I’m really shaky about trusting Elam unless it’s inside 40 yards.

I can’t even describe how crazy the last two minutes have been. Walker limps off the field, Denver converts on fourth down, and it’s 2 and 13 with a minute to go and the Broncos are a ways away from being able to hit a field goal.

Yet again, I cannot describe what just happened, but the Broncos made a field goal in the nick of time to beat the Bills 15-14.   This was a game we dominated on the stat sheet, but it was an ugly win.   Regardless, it’s a win.