Have you ever had those strange feelings when walking into a place that you’ve only just then had visited for the 1st time, that you’ve seen it all before? That something about it is familiar?

Welcome to Invesco Field.

Yes, this loss today by the Denver Broncos (now 6-4 on the season)  at the hands of the hated San Diego Chargers (now 7-3 and 1 full game ahead of Denver) by a score of 32-3.

Denver, as I recall, 2 years ago, was only able to muster 3 points?

Denver did something even more familiar, they had control of their own destiny and let it slip away with an almost ghostly ability.

Denver had control of their own destiny last year and went on 3 game losing skid to hand the Chargers the AFC West division title. 

What’s that you said? They are doing it again this year? But they have a new coach and staff and players? How can they be doing the same exact thing as last year?

I’ll tell you how AND why; “misery loves company.”

There will be those who will point fingers at Kyle Orton and I will let them have their delusional beliefs. I will smile and wonder what game “they” were watching?

Did they know that Orton had a passer rating of 134% for that game before he got injured? Did they know that Chris Simms (who many of you wanted to start over Kyle at the beginning of the season) had a passer rating of 7%?

Oh my, defenses beware.

No, Kyle was doing what was asked of him. He isn’t the reason the Broncos went from “the biggest surprise in the league: to “the biggest disappointment” in the league. Kyle did what was asked of him and I will not nail him to a cross for doing what he was supposed to do.

Many will blame Josh McDaniels for his poor game planning after game 6.

Yes, he got very conservative in his gameplan the past 4 games. Yes, he seemed to show a lack of “urgency” in moving the ball downfield when Denver fell behind. His running when they should pass became bothersome.

But he is not the main reason that Denver is struggling. No, there  is another “culprit” lurking in the shadows.

It’s penalties and inability to gel. It’s youth and new faces from “walk-ons” that are causing the problems.

Think about it, Denver starts a good drive then “BAM” Denver gets called on a hold or false start or facemask or….

Get my drift?

Now Kyle is faced with a 3rd and 12 rather than a 3rd and 2. This pattern is repeating itself, time after time after time. It totally kills a drive.

This is caused by lack of concentration. An inability to stay focused. Mental errors. Players haven’t gelled yet and try to do too much and mistakes happen. They over-think the situation. They lose their intensity and the flag gets thrown.

During the 1st 6 games, they were having fun. They were relaxed.

Maybe too relaxed.

The Broncos came back from their bye week and got their tails handed to them in a hat by Baltimore. They lost their focus during their week off and I believe they lost some of their confidence as well. When they lost to the Ravens, the loss planted that seed of doubt in them.

Then, like a bad apple in a basket, it slowly spread. I believe that’s why the Broncos seem to get worse each game. The snowball effect.

Let us not also forget the turnovers. Last night was a prime example. Moreno fumbling at the goal line was the biggest example of a person not thinking. You don’t throw your arm out there to try and cross the goal line. Too many bodies in that small pocket. Excellent chance of getting into trouble and maybe fumbling the ball.

Oops, wait, too late.

The players are trying too hard. Not having fun anymore. They need to remember what got them the 1st 6 wins.

They need to get their confidence back.

That can start with this Thanksgiving Day’s game. They are playing the Giants, who, like Denver, are struggling. Giants won today,so may have a little swagger back. Denver needs a boost. Get some of their confidence back.

But what they don’t need is another loss. We need to finish strong.

Denver plays KC twice and Oakland again. Unfortunately, Denver also plays the Giants this short week on Thursday. They also face Indy and the Eagles, Indy and Philly worry me. Both games are on the road. I hope Denver is up for the challenge? Oakland beat the Panthers today and KC beat, believe it or not, the Steelers. So we can’t take either team too lightly.

Denver needs to win the games that they are supposed to win (like the Redskins), not lose like they have done in years past.

I don’t need anymore “deja vu.”

Dynamicdave

dthew@fanhuddle.com

This entry was posted on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 1:41 am and is filed under Most Recommended, News Headlines. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.