Broncos Ended Their Own Season

In a game where a simple win would send them to the playoff, the Broncos once again collapsed to a 17 unanswered points after a comfortable 13-0 points lead that sent a cruel end to their season at 9-7, eliminated from the playoff contention from head-to-head records against the Chiefs (who beat the Jaguars earlier 35-30).

Cutler was hit hard in the second quarter leading to a brief off-moments, replaced by Plummer who was intercepted yet again once from his only two passes. It was a disappointing performance by the Broncos, including yet another fumble by Tatum Bell (although he managed to get the needed yardage to reach 1000 yards for the season), and the inability for either the offense to move the ball forward in the OT or the defense to hold-off Gore throughout the game (especially in the middle with the absence of Al Wilson due to back injury) . Three red-zone trips didn’t materialize with TD, and that sort of display summarized the Broncos’ night –albeit a huge credit to Cutler for rallying the team with a TD drive to fellow rookie TE Schiffler with 19 yards pass that capped the 80 yards drive which tied the score at 23 at the end of the regulation.

As Shanahan put at the press conference, with the way the Broncos playing today, even if they went into the playoffs, they wouldn’t go far. I agree with him, and I guess the Broncos need more depth in their roster. The absence of Al Wilson and safety Nick Ferguson since the season-ending injury a few weeks ago have had huge effects into Broncos’ defensive coverages. On the offense, another big play wide receiver might help them capitalize on Cutler’s strong arms.

Broncos’ season has ended, but there’s always a silver lining to each cause. At least the Broncos could go into off-season knowing they have a QB who has the chance to do something very special for the franchise, and a cornerback in Bailey who plays like a champ. That and with a few additions to the jigsaw might get the Broncos to do what the team is capable of doing.

Raiders Hold the Key to the AFC Playoff

Yes, that sounds absurd!!

But if you look at the remaining AFC teams and their records, if the Oakland Raiders do beat the Jets, there will be a four way ties at 8-7 in the AFC. If that happened, considered all other AFC teams winning, it’ll be the Broncos and the Bengals going into playoff as number 5 and 6 seed.

However, if the Bengals lost to Pittsburgh, the improbable will happen, that is the Tennessee Titans will take one of the spot — and I think that’s the first time in the NFL history that a team with a 0-5 start heads into playoff. So, really is what the Raiders can do will impact or rather mess-up the whole AFC playoff picture.

Looking at Jets record at home 3-4 (and 5-2 on road), they obviously playing better away, it doesn’t seem to be too impossible for the Raiders to pull off that possibility. But then again, Raiders is 0-7 on the road, and 1-10 in the AFC ! What a year for them! Although you never know, football is wicked, and only when it ticked to 0-0 can you know who came out on top.

Let’s watch and see!! Oh yeah!!

BENGALS 23 – BRONCOS 24 !!!

What a game!! As Kenard Lang of the Broncos said, this only happened on PlayStation game!! Who would imagined the Bengals would’ve missed the snap on the extra point that would’ve sent the game into overtime with psychological advantage for the Bengals. Nevertheless, at 9-7 a win against the 49ers at home on the final week of the regular season would ensure Broncos a wild-card spot at the number 5 seed.

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It was a great performance by Cutler, showing his strong arms and a better decision making, especially on when to take the sack. The defense also came up big with 2 interceptions, from both corners, Bailey who now leads the league in interceptions with 9 picks, and Darrent Williams who has his first pick of the season.

Awesome Broncos!! One more job to be done and we’re in the playoff!! Remember the Steelers last year!!!

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Race to the AFC Wild Card (UPDATED)

After the Colts’ convincing 34-16 victory in Monday Night Football (under a magnificent performance from Peyton Manning with 4 TDs, of which 3 of them went to the marvellous Marvin Harrison), the Bengals found themselves being one of the 4 AFC teams with 8-6, and throwing into the mix are the back into contention Steelers, Titans, Bills, and Chiefs at 7-7. This is one of the most interesting race in the recent years with teams in the contention have remaining games playing each other.

Again, Jets and the Broncos (the key game will be at Invesco at Mile High against the Bengals on Dec 24th) should’ve led the packs looking at the opponents’ records, but this is the NFL, and going into the last 2 weeks of the season with playoff at stake, only the spiral will do the talking. Let’s the game begins!!

WILD CARD AT A GLANCE

Bengals (8-6 overall, 6-3 in AFC, 4-3 at home, 4-2 on road)
Dec. 24 at Denver (8-6 overall, 7-4 in AFC, 3-3 at home)
Dec. 31 Pittsburgh (7-7 overall, 4-6 in AFC, 2-5 on road)
FOES: 15-13

Denver (8-6 overall, 7-4 in AFC, 3-3 at home, 5-3 on road)
Dec. 24 Cincinnati (8-6, 6-3 in AFC, 4-2 on road)
Dec. 31 San Francisco (6-8, 2-5 on road)
FOES: 14-14

Jets (8-6 overall, 5-5 in AFC, 3-4 at home, 5-2 on road)
Dec. 25 at Miami (6-8, 3-7 in AFC, 4-3 at home)
Dec. 31 Raiders (2-12, 1-9 in AFC, 0-7 on road)
FOES: 8-20

Jacksonville (8-6 overall, 5-5 in AFC, 6-1 at home, 2-5 on road
Dec. 24 New England (10-4, 6-4 in AFC, 5-1 on road)
Dec. 31 at Kansas City (7-7, 3-7 in AFC, 5-2 at home)
FOES: 17-11

Kansas City (7-7 overall, 3-7 in AFC, 5-2 at home, 2-5 on road)
Dec. 23 at Oakland (2-12 overall, 1-9 in AFC, 2-5 at home)
Dec. 31 Jacksonville (8-6 overall, 5-5 in AFC, 2-5 on road)
FOES: 10-18

Pittsburgh (7-7 overall, 4-6 in AFC, 5-2 at home, 2-5 on road)
Dec. 24 Baltimore (11-3 overall, 8-2 in AFC, 5-2 on road)
Dec. 31 at Cincinnati (8-5 overall, 6-3 in AFC, 4-3 at home)
FOES: 19-8

Buffalo (7-7 overall, 5-5 in AFC, 4-3 at home, 3-4 on road)
Dec. 24 Tennessee (7-7 overall, 4-6 in AFC, 3-4 on road)
Dec. 31 at Baltimore (11-3 overall, 8-2 in AFC, 6-1 at home)
FOES: 18-10

Tennessee (7-7 overall, 4-6 in AFC, 4-3 at home, 3-4 on road)
Dec. 24 at Buffalo (7-7 overall, 5-5 in AFC, 4-3 at home)
Dec. 31 New England (10-4 overall, 6-4 in AFC, 5-1 on road)
FOES: 17-11

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One Positive Game, Two More to Go

FINALLY!! The losing streak is gone after the Broncos finally found another “W” by beating the Cardinals in Arizona 37-20. It was by far probably the best offensive performance from the Broncos in the season. Cutler and Walker set the game in the right tone by combining with a huge play, a 54-yard TD after a play fake to left from Cutler, who demonstrated strong arms and potential for big plays.

The defense is not disappointing as well, with Bailey having two picks, making him a joint leader with Asante Samuel of NO with 8 picks. With KC losing at San Diego, and Jaguars losing to Titans, Broncos’ playoff hopes looks much better after this week. Their fate is back to their own hand. Having said that, the game against the Bengals next week at home will make or break Broncos’ season.

One down, two more to go, and we all remember how far the Steelers went from a near-playoff-elimination to the Big One. Oh yeah!! In the meantime, enjoy the game’s highlights.

4th quarter collapse might’ve ended Denver hopes

20 unanswered points in the 4th quarter took away all the come back story that Jay Cutler had put hopes into after rallying back with an impressive 17 unanswered points in the 3rd quarter.  So much for a defense that were hyped up as one of the best defense early in the season when they only allowed one TD during the first few games, although to be fair, losing Lepsis at left tackle and Nick Ferguson at safety would’ve cost any team significantly.  Having said that though, I thought the Broncos this year wasn’t really ignited by some sort magical run that ignited them last year before sourly beaten by turnovers in the AFC Championships.

With 3 games left, next week at Cardinals who has started showing great play under Leinart and James, at home against Bengals (who’re fighting for wild-card as well), and another home game against the 49ers, Denver could be in for a tough luck.  Especially the game next week, Cardinals with a poised Leinart and a back-to-form James might’ve sent the Broncos to the 5th consecutive losses (yes 5th, I haven’t heard that happened to Broncos for a long long time).

As a Broncos fan, let’s hope that would not happen, although doing a little reality check might be enough to tell us that we might need to start thinking about next year, especically with Cutler, Scheffler, and Tatum Bell all peaking, it might be a little more promising Broncos year.

Elway on Cutler

Check out what Elway has to say on Cutler.

It’s Crunch Time!

3 games, 3 losses, and the Broncos is facing a tough schedules ahead before meeting their fate to this year’s NFL playoff … all behind a rookie quarterback in Jay Cutler, and a stockpile of injuries to key starters.

Just as how good this kid is, everyone knows he got the talent, tools, and poise to do well in the league, but the real question is, can Denver fans wait for him to develop the kind of game that he’s best at with the kind of time that a rookie would need? Tough question, and we all know how Brian Griese, who is one of the most accurate short-passer, has turned into after all the high expectations following a back-to-back Super Bowl in the late 90s. I hope Cutler’s fate won’t end up like that, and we all know that the Broncos defense might hold the key to how far the Broncos would be able to go this year. Having said that, the offense needs to produce, albeit knowing Plummer has been benched and Cutler now needs to learn fast and avoid the rookie mistakes (such as the need to take sack rather than forcing a throw that ends up in the wrong endzone, and even worse, ignited the whole opponent’s teams).

Well, as a Bronco fan, I hope we beat the Chargers and the over-hyped Rivers this week at San Diego. Tough game, lots of injuries, facing a team on a winning run, this is not the type of game that you’d love to play when you needed a win badly. BUT that’s exactly the opposite, this is exactly what characters are made of, and what every great team needs to go through. As unlikely as it is, I can see Broncos pull out a shocker here. BRONCOS 24 – CHARGERS 21 ... Elam kicking a 55-yarder to win the game!!

It’s All Over Steelers!

The Broncos (6-2) effectively ended Steelers’ season by sending them to a 2-6 records, piling on the misery that they have this season, not too long after the Steelers effectively ended the Broncos hope of going back to the Big One by punishing them from a number of turnovers in the AFC Championsip Game early this year.

In a game where the Steelers have 8 fumbles, yes, no kidding, 8 fumbles, the Broncos showed why they should be respected a little more than what they’ve been shown in the past couple of years. Champ Bailey had 2 picks, Javon Walker had a huge game with a little over 200 yards for both rushing and receiving, and Plummer had 3 TDs passes of which a couple went to Walker and one to the all-time favorite, Rod Smith. The AFC has been a tough division during the past few years, and with 2-6, even winning the next ten games won’t guarantee a playoff spot for the Steelers, and in today’s NFL games, winning 10 games in a row is no less equal to impossible.

Rooney, Denver, and kernel …

You might’ve wondered what does Rooney has to do with Denver, and what the heck are those related to kernel? Have I gone out of my mind? Oh, well you’ll find out!!

The Rooney Show

By far, Manchester United 4-0 performance against Bolton away at Reebok stadium last Saturday is the best team performance this season, led by the tenacious birthday boy Rooney’s brilliant hat-trick. Everyone is involved in the game, from van der Sar, who made an important save just before half-time to keep the score 2-0 to Carrick who showed why he is worth over 19 million pounds. Two assists including a magnificent inch perfect long pass to Saha who setup the third goal for Cristiano Ronaldo. The scoreline might’ve been a little unfair to Bolton who showed their resiliency midway through the first half and showed some promises in the beginning of the second half, although at the end of the day Manchester United fully deserved to win, and not only winning, but winning with style, a flowing football style that was the characteristic of the Cantona-led team during the 90s that ignited the English football. Brilliant!!

The defense finally leaked

In a game where Peyton Manning showed the world why he got picked first before Ryan Leaf –oh yeah if anyone still remembers this guy — Denver defense finally leaked, and not only leaked out but is sent back from immortality that was hyped after an inspiring start to the season. It didn’t surprise to me that they finally gave up the TD, but to give up over 30+ points playing at home against a team that has lost their running game is a little too disappointed. The Broncos offense finally contributed positively, with Plummer’s ratings above 100, but it’s the same story that keeps repeating in each of every Broncos’ lost to the Colts, a weak secondary that is overly exposed by Manning’s perfection in reading coverage and adjusting the play at scrimmage. This time, it wasn’t Lenny Walls, but it’s Darrent Williams, who prior to this game hasn’t been that much exposed and contributed hugely to the Denver’s defense from the successful secondary focused draft class.

It’s a disappointing loss, especially when it happened at home, breaking up a streak, but losing this game early on is much better than rollin’ high only to lost like this in the playoff. I’m speaking with the assumption that the Broncos will make it to the playoff, and I do believe they will, although competition is now tight with both Chargers and your truly Broncos sitting altogether at the summit of AFC West at 5-2.

Next stop: @ Pittsburgh!!

Kernel

These few days I’ve been busy with recompiling my Linux 2.6 kernel to include support for DRI, of which I need to have my brand new 1440×900 widescreen LCD to show-up nicely. It’s been quite a while since I last messing around with the kernel, and I need to refresh some of my memory, especially on changing the Makefile and where to find my config file! I’ll post more on this later on.

Oh and back to the beginning of the story, well, that’s it folks. It’s almost Wednesday here in Singapore, have a good the rest of the week!