The first half of the Broncos-Redskins Sunday went almost according to plan for Denver.
Sure, the halftime score was close: 17-14 Denver. But the Redskins scored their second touchdown on a long fake field goal/fake punt pass from Hunter Smith to Mike Sellers on fourth-and-20. That bit of gadgetry was impressive, but the Broncos looked like the superior team.
Kyle Orton threw two long touchdown passes to Brandon Marshall and the team’s running game was revived. (Orton also missed a wide open Eddie Royal for another potential long score, a play that may haunt Broncos coach Josh McDaniels.)
Then Chris Simms happened.
Orton was unable to play in the second half because of an ankle injury, and Simms put together a performance that would make JaMarcus Russell blush. Showing no composure when facing any pass rush and slow to make decisions, Simms completed three of 13 throws for 13 yards and an interception.
“I thought [Simms] played well,” Orton said.
“It’s tough to come in, and obviously he hasn’t had a ton of reps the
last few weeks, so I thought he came in and played his hardest.”
Unable to possess the ball despite an excellent game from Knowshon Moreno, Denver’s defense eventually wore down, giving up 13 fourth-quarter points. The Broncos dominated the second half of games during their 6-0 start to the season. Now they’ve been outscored 41-0 in the fourth quarter the last three weeks.
For the Redskins, the win provides short-term relief during a miserable
season. Despite an avalanche of injuries, the team has shown improved play the last two weeks. Jason Campbell had a clean game, and the running game has
undeniably improved since Clinton Portis was hurt. Ladell Betts and
Rock Cartwright helped Washington rack up 174 yards on the ground.
This game, though, was ultimately about Denver blowing a chance to get back in the win column. It’s tempting to give Simms a pass because of all that he’s overcome to get back on the field. But he’s one of the better paid backups in football and this is the gig.
Simms essentially ended Denver’s chances of winning Sunday when he stepped on the field. Denver’s front office did an unbelievable job finding cheap free agent talent this offseason, but the decision to sign Simms could transform the season.
The Broncos, now 6-3, host San Diego next week with first place in the AFC West on the line.
The team can’t feel good about its chances if Simms is at quarterback.
The understatement of the day: “The team can’t feel good about its chances if Simms is at quarterback.”
Think of the the talent at QB in the AFC: Manning, Brady, Rivers, Roth, Palmer, etc.
The Donks are doomed w/o Orton (amazingly).
give the skins some credit. they smacked the broncos around all over the field…. andre carter and orakpo each 1.5 sacks.
I’ve heard that Chris Simms gets ZERO reps in practice. He hasn’t played a game in a couple of years. Why Denver expected a different result when they put him in is beyond me.
LOL @ the redskins pundits who are now avidly talking about the Redskins ‘running the table’. All they have to do is Beat Dallas 2x, the Giants, the Eagles, the Chargers. Of course they get that doormat, the New Orleans Saints. All super easy wins I’m sure.
At his post game press conference, Josh “Kiffen” McDaniels gives props to the “Charger’s coach Zorn.” Hmmm…didn’t they lose to the Redskins? I guess he really needed this game.
The Dolts come to town for the battle for first place. I guess he needed this game to keep pace, he’s already conceded defeat to the Dolts in his head. The Dolts are on fire, until Fake LT gets hurt again, and they’ll take the division when they spank the Donkeys in Denver!
Sweet! I can’t stand the Dolts but dislike the Donkeys, Orton hears a hoo and Josh “Kiffen” McDaniel even more.
I think you’re being a little too hard on Simms. Remember in the preseason how horrible Orton looked and how everyone thought Simms should get the job? Orton eventually settled down and started playing very well.
Simms was thrust into the lineup, and if he’s forced to start the next few games, I’m sure he’ll settle down and play well.
Doesn’t Josh McDaniels share some of the blame for not giving Chris Simms practice time? I assume Chris Simms has hardly practiced this year.
San Diego Super Chargers are on a roll after defeathering the Eagurls. Going to be a long day for the Donkeys if Simms is starting.
“I thought [Simms] played well,” Orton said.
Was there more than one Simms out there playing for Denver yesterday?
I am pretty sure not many Redskins pundit are thinking the skins are going to run the table.
Bitter much.
They scored in the first half. That in itself is a victory.
Way to go Skins. I knew the Broncos were nothing from the beginning. So many were slow to give Broncos credit for being a good team… and for good reason. Funny to see it all crashing down. Welcome to reality Bronco nation. You were soooo vocal when they were winning, what happened to the emotional fist pumping loser coach? Coach of the year? Seriously? Now go wipe the tears and pray for a wild card.
I give Simms a break for coming in cold after barely getting reps this entire season. But the Broncos might be tempted to rush Orton back from injury, and if they do, they will find out what the Bears found out last year and Purdue did in his last year, the man can’t play through pain.
mamedia says:
“Way to go Skins. I knew the Broncos were nothing from the beginning. So many were slow to give Broncos credit for being a good team… and for good reason. Funny to see it all crashing down. Welcome to reality Bronco nation. You were soooo vocal when they were winning, what happened to the emotional fist pumping loser coach? Coach of the year? Seriously? Now go wipe the tears and pray for a wild card. ”
Wow. What a post. Just like you know something.
This would have been insightful when there were 6-0. Now 6-3 you’re just beating up on the weak kid, you putz. Bye-bye mamedia. Or is that Mama Media? D-bag.
“I am pretty sure not many Redskins pundit are thinking the skins are going to run the table.
Bitter much.
They scored in the first half. That in itself is a victory.”
__________
I would guess by his moniker “Bill in DC”, that he’s privy to info from the DC talking heads more so than we are, at least those from outside the area.
Bill In DC says:
November 16, 2009 12:38 PM
“LOL @ the redskins pundits who are now avidly talking about the Redskins ‘running the table’. All they have to do is Beat Dallas 2x, the Giants, the Eagles, the Chargers. Of course they get that doormat, the New Orleans Saints. All super easy wins I’m sure.”
Can you name a pundit that actually said that? His airwaves should be revoked.
Woo go skins! I’m not here to talk trash because we aren’t good but it’s been awhile since we had a win and I forgot the feeling a win evokes. It’s just nice to feel upbeat after 4pm on a sunday and even somewhat throughout the week. Season has been tough and I am just glad we got a win.
Sure Simms coming in helped out the Skins, but for the author to say the Skins wore down the Bronco’s D at the end of the game and that led to the high rushing yard totals is not accurate. The Skins ran at will over the Broncos the entire game, and the patchwork O’line for the Skins did a great job. I only remember hearing Dummerville’s name once all day.
I have been a Skins fan to long to think this is the beginning of a playoff push, but I have watched enough football in my life to know when a team steals a win and a team earns a win. The Skins earned that win yesterday.
What I saw from the Skins today seems to be a carry over of the 2nd half of last weeks game against Atlanta. A true West Coast Offense. Feels good to root for a real football team again.
Orton was shredding the Redskins before he got hurt. They were about to put up 35 on the ‘Skins if he hadn’t gotten hurt. Good win for the Redskins that they really needed but Simms was really awful. The pick to D.Hall looked like a punt into the endzone.
ok bronco fans so how soes that 6-0 start look now?so orton got hurt, sane thing happened last year with the bears and they did not get any slack because of it and niether should you.that and the fact you were acting so holier than tho with your start.so are you ready to fire mcdaniels again like you were in pre-season?what happened to that great defense?what about the offense?shouldn’t the greatest coach ever be able to fix it?wait I know it’s all cutler’s fault right?let’s see 3 game losing streak defense can’t stop anybody is this starting to sound familar bronco fans?sounds alot like last year when you blamed everything on cutler,wait that wasn’t until after he got traded though right?enjoy the rest of the season with your boy orton
Bronc-haters make me laugh!
Take ANY team’s #1 qb out of the game and there will be a dropoff. Denver was winning before Orton went down – that isn’t a shock.
I know the Chargers fans already have them winning the division (and the SB), but they might want to remember what happened the last time these teams met…. The game wasn’t even close.
Different venue – same outcome. This time next week, Denver is 7-3 and #1 in the West.
If he was ever able to practice, Simms might be a better quarterback than Orton.
Okay, so the real Broncos are coming out. They got to 6-0 on luck…why? Because of luck beating the team that is at #2 in the AFC right now, and should only have one loss.
Look at the rest of their schedule to 6-0.
W CLE (cupcake)
W OAK (cupcake, but not for Russell)
W DAL (who was still getting their act together, and only lost by 7)
W NE (quality win, but Belichick seems to not be all there now)
W SD (quality win now)
So 2, maybe 3 of those wins were expected… but now we have a coach who jumps up and down and cheers when his defense gets a TD return, and five minutes later is yelling down his QB for throwing a pick…not the most professional way to act out there.
What happens:
L BAL (blowout)
L PIT (blowout)
L WAS (embarrassment)
Now of their last 7 seven games, Denver should win at least 4 of them, including against the Giants. But they won’t beat Indy, and shouldn’t beat Philly, although that game will depend on which Philly team shows up.
I think San Diego is wanting revenge next week.
Wow Cygnus X-1 sounds like you have a little bronco hating going on there. The Broncos are 6-3. Theyt were suppose to be 4-12 this year, remember? Name one rookie head coach who went an entire year unbeaten. Can’t name one can you. Take a breather and go back to hating life. This team will get it together and it maybe next week against those worthless chargers.
you people are overthinking this whole thing. Everyone knows the Redskins are going all the way. Right Florio????
Hail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Imagine the skins with good play calling all year and an offensive line of big time players…………………Here’s hoping…..
Put a fork in the Broncos without our MVP, Kyle Orton.
LMAO at that fact!
Yikes!
Without our MVP Kyle Orton, playoffs are impossible.
With our MVP Kyle Orton, playoffs are improbable.
Ok, actually B. Marsh and Dawkins are the MVPs but point remains.
Hey, nobody’s saying the Skins are gonna run the table. But, let’s give ‘em credit for putting together a winning effort.
I’ve been really critical of the team all year, but there’s no disputing the job they did yesterday. That patchwork O line did a pretty good job, and if Clinton Portis was missed — well forget it. He should go on IR now and hopefully retire before next year comes around.
Yes, the D gave up a couple blown coverages, but they settled down after that. Would Orton’s presence in the second half made a difference? Maybe, but that’s life in the NFL. If your starters get hurt then your backups better step in and do the job. If not, too bad for you.
Another loss. The boy wonder just another Mangina? Another dead limb on the Belichek coaching tree?
Stay tuned.
So, I’m wondering why posts here have to wait for “approval” by the moderator but then the profanity laden ones appear anyway?
What is the approval process for?
CYGNUS X-1 is just the latest PFT troll, saying whatever stupid $hit he can to get noticed – if only for being an idiot.
Has no clue whatsoever about what he’s talking about, regardless of the topic, and just spouts off inflamatory BS to get people riled up, on a variety of topics.
In other words, your typical twelve year old on mommy’s computer.