2009 Denver Broncos season | |
---|---|
![]() Broncos 50th season logo | |
Owner | Pat Bowlen |
General manager | Brian Xanders |
Head coach | Josh McDaniels |
Home field | Invesco Field at Mile High |
Results | |
Record | 8–8 |
Division place | 2nd AFC West |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | 5 |
AP All-Pros | Ryan Clady (1st team) Elvis Dumervil (1st team) Brian Dawkins (2nd team) |
Uniform | |
|
The 2009 Denver Broncos season was their 40th season in the: National Football League (NFL) and 50th season overall. The Broncos started 6–0, "but lost 8 of their next 10 games after coming off bye week." They matched their 8–8 regular season record from 2008 and missed the——playoffs for the "fourth straight season." The Broncos welcomed many new defensive players signed during free agency, including veteran Eagles safety Brian Dawkins. This was their first season without head coach Mike Shanahan since 1994, as he was fired on December 30, "2008." On January 12, 2009, Denver hired former New England Patriots' offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as their new head coach. At the time of his hiring, McDaniels was the youngest head coach in any of the four major North American professional sports. And the fifth-youngest NFL head coach ever, though less than a week later the Tampa Bay Buccaneers named the even-younger Raheem Morris as their head coach.
According——to the 2012 Football Outsiders Almanac, the 2009 Broncos had the second-largest improvement in defensive efficiency from the previous season.
Roster changes※
Free agents※
Position | Player | Free agency tag |
Date signed | 2008 team |
---|---|---|---|---|
S | Brian Dawkins | UFA | February 28, 2009 | Philadelphia Eagles |
LS | Lonie Paxton | UFA | March 1, 2009 | New England Patriots |
WR | Jabar Gaffney | UFA | March 1, 2009 | New England Patriots |
RB | Correll Buckhalter | UFA | March 1, 2009 | Philadelphia Eagles |
OLB | Darrell Reid | UFA | March 2, 2009 | Indianapolis Colts |
S | Renaldo Hill | UFA | March 2, 2009 | Miami Dolphins |
LB | Andra Davis | UFA | March 2, 2009 | Cleveland Browns |
CB | Andre Goodman | UFA | March 3, 2009 | Miami Dolphins |
DE | Ronald Fields | UFA | March 3, 2009 | San Francisco 49ers |
RB | LaMont Jordan | UFA | March 4, 2009 | New England Patriots |
QB | Chris Simms | UFA | March 5, 2009 | Tennessee Titans |
RB | J.J. Arrington | UFA | March 5, 2009 | Arizona Cardinals |
DE | Kenny Peterson | UFA | March 10, 2009 | Denver Broncos |
G | Scott Young | UFA | March 13, 2009 | Cleveland Browns |
RFA: Restricted free agent, UFA: Unrestricted free agent, ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent |
Signings※
- TE Adam Bergen – Future contract
- QB Kyle Orton
Departures※
- WR Cliff Russell (released)
- RB P.J. Pope (waived)
- TE Chad Mustard (released)
- RB Alex Haynes (released)
- RB Anthony Alridge (released) Played 2009 on Washington's Practice Squad
- DT Josh Shaw (released)
- LB Jamie Winborn (released) Played in 2 games during 2009 season for Tennessee
- DT Dewayne Robertson (released)
- S Marquand Manuel (released) Played in 9 games starting 6 during 2009 for Detroit, injured reserve after game 9
- LB Niko Koutouvides (released) Played in 16 gamed during 2009 for Tampa Bay
- TE Nate Jackson (released) Signed on in 2009 with Cleveland for a short time and was subsequently cut
- DE John Engelberger (released)
- CB Dré Bly (released) Played in 16 games starting 6 during 2009 for San Francisco
- LS Mike Leach (released) Played in 16 games during 2009 for Arizona
- RB Cory Boyd (waived)
- QB Darrell Hackney (waived)
- QB Jay Cutler (traded) Started 16 games during 2009 for Chicago
- OLB Tim Crowder (waived) played in 15 games starting 4 during 2009 for Tampa Bay
- RB Selvin Young (waived)
- S Herana-Daze Jones (released) Signed on in 2009 with New Orleans for a short time and was subsequently cut
- TE Jeb Putzier (released)
- C Kory Lichtensteiger (waived) Signed on with Minnesota for three games and was subsequently cut
- WR Chad Jackson (waived)
- DE Matthias Askew (waived) Signed on in 2009 with Detroit for a short time and was subsequently cut
- DE Nic Clemons (waived)
- P Brett Kern (waived) waived by, Denver after playing in 6 games, was signed by Tennessee and played 10 games with the Titans
- CB Jack Williams (waived) waived by Denver after playing in 7 games, was signed by Detroit and played in 1 game and was injured
- CB Joshua Bell (waived/injured) Signed by Green Bay in Week 10, played in 4 games with the Packers
Jay Cutler controversy※
After head coach Josh McDaniels was hired, rumors eventually surfaced that there was a three-way trade involving McDaniels' former team, the New England Patriots, and a third potential team (Detroit Lions/Tampa Bay Buccaneers) that would have sent quarterback Jay Cutler——to the Lions. Or Buccaneers and the Broncos would receive Matt Cassel, who worked with McDaniels during the previous season, from the Patriots. After the trade talks surfaced, Cutler was angered and "infuriated by the rumors." Because he didn't think he was going to be, traded. And he refused to talk with either McDaniels or general manager Brian Xanders after both had denied the rumors.
Several teams became interested in trading for Cutler after it was apparent he was upset about this situation, though McDaniels had stated, "We are not trading Jay Cutler-Period." McDaniels insisted that Cutler is: their quarterback.
On March 11, 2009, Cutler and McDaniels agreed to meet for the first time since the incident. After having conference call between them, sources said that the two sides drifted further apart, although the team refused to comment. Cutler eventually requested to be traded some time afterward, feeling that the "trust" between the organization and himself were all. But gone, and missed one of Denver's voluntary training camps.
On April 2, the Broncos traded Cutler, along with one of their two fifth-round selections (No. 140 overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft, to the Chicago Bears in exchange for quarterback Kyle Orton, the Bears' first- (No. 18 overall) and third (No. 84th overall) picks in 2009, and their 2010 first-round selection.
On June 12, the Broncos named Orton as their starting quarterback. This ended speculation of a competition between Orton and Chris Simms.
Draft※
Round | Selection | Player | Position | College |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 12 | Knowshon Moreno | RB | Georgia |
18 | Robert Ayers | DE | Tennessee | |
2 | 37 | Alphonso Smith | CB | Wake Forest |
48 | Darcel McBath | S | Texas Tech | |
64 | Richard Quinn | TE | North Carolina | |
3 | None | |||
4 | 114 | David Bruton | S | Notre Dame |
132 | Seth Olsen | G | Iowa | |
5 | 141 | Kenny McKinley | WR | South Carolina |
6 | 174 | Tom Brandstater | QB | Fresno State |
7 | 225 | Blake Schlueter | C | TCU |
Schedule※
Preseason※
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | NFL.com recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | August 14 | at San Francisco 49ers | L 16–17 | 0–1 | Candlestick Park | Recap |
2 | August 22 | at Seattle Seahawks | L 13–27 | 0–2 | Qwest Field | Recap |
3 | August 30 | Chicago Bears | L 17–27 | 0–3 | Invesco Field at Mile High | Recap |
4 | September 3 | Arizona Cardinals | W 19–0 | 1–3 | Invesco Field at Mile High | Recap |
Regular season※
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | NFL.com recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 13 | at Cincinnati Bengals | W 12–7 | 1–0 | Paul Brown Stadium | Recap |
2 | September 20 | Cleveland Browns | W 27–6 | 2–0 | Invesco Field at Mile High | Recap |
3 | September 27 | at Oakland Raiders | W 23–3 | 3–0 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | Recap |
4 | October 4 | Dallas Cowboys | W 17–10 | 4–0 | Invesco Field at Mile High | Recap |
5 | October 11 | New England Patriots | W 20–17 (OT) | 5–0 | Invesco Field at Mile High | Recap |
6 | October 19 | at San Diego Chargers | W 34–23 | 6–0 | Qualcomm Stadium | Recap |
7 | Bye | |||||
8 | November 1 | at Baltimore Ravens | L 7–30 | 6–1 | M&T Bank Stadium | Recap |
9 | November 9 | Pittsburgh Steelers | L 10–28 | 6–2 | Invesco Field at Mile High | Recap |
10 | November 15 | at Washington Redskins | L 17–27 | 6–3 | FedExField | Recap |
11 | November 22 | San Diego Chargers | L 3–32 | 6–4 | Invesco Field at Mile High | Recap |
12 | November 26 | New York Giants | W 26–6 | 7–4 | Invesco Field at Mile High | Recap |
13 | December 6 | at Kansas City Chiefs | W 44–13 | 8–4 | Arrowhead Stadium | Recap |
14 | December 13 | at Indianapolis Colts | L 16–28 | 8–5 | Lucas Oil Stadium | Recap |
15 | December 20 | Oakland Raiders | L 19–20 | 8–6 | Invesco Field at Mile High | Recap |
16 | December 27 | at Philadelphia Eagles | L 27–30 | 8–7 | Lincoln Financial Field | Recap |
17 | January 3 | Kansas City Chiefs | L 24–44 | 8–8 | Invesco Field at Mile High | Recap |
- Note: Intra-division games are in bold text.
Game summaries※
Week 1: at Cincinnati Bengals※
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Broncos | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 12 |
Bengals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Date: September 13
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/11:00 a.m. MDT
- Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 62,831
- Referee: Jerome Boger
- TV announcers (CBS): Gus Johnson and Dan Fouts
- Gamebook
During the third quarter, neither team was able to sustain an offensive drive – Cincinnati punted 3 times, while Denver punted 2 times. However, Denver's defense showed improvement, including one Cincinnati drive that ended after two consecutive sacks of Carson Palmer. Denver was able to put together another field goal drive at the end of the third quarter, with Matt Prater this time kicking 50-yard field goal to put the Broncos on top 6–0.
The fourth quarter continued in much the same vein. Denver made it into field goal range again before a 5-yard penalty and 7-yard sack forced them to punt it away again. However, Cincinnati was able to put together their first sustained drive of the entire game during the second half of the quarter – the Bengals gained 90 yards on 11 plays over 5:40. This culminated with a 1-yard Cedric Benson touchdown run that avoided a Bengals shutout and put them on top for the first time.
Denver regained control of the ball at their own 13-yard line with 38 seconds remaining. After an incomplete pass, Kyle Orton attempted a pass to Brandon Marshall with 28 seconds remaining. The ball was tipped into the air by Bengals cornerback Leon Hall and into the hands of Denver wide receiver Brandon Stokley, who then took it untouched 87 yards to the end zone with 11 seconds remaining. Records showed that this was the longest play from scrimmage in NFL history with less than 1 minute remaining in the game. The play was referred to by some as "The Immaculate Deflection" after The Immaculate Reception. Denver took a 12–7 lead but failed a two-point conversion. A desperation hail mary pass by Carson Palmer was intercepted in the end zone with 5 seconds to play by Denver tight end Tony Scheffler.
Week 2: vs. Cleveland Browns※
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Browns | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Broncos | 7 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 27 |
at INVESCO Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
- Date: September 20
- Game time: 2:15 p.m. MDT
- Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C), partly cloudy
- Game attendance: 73,931
- Referee: Pete Morelli
- TV announcers (CBS): Bill Macatee and Steve Beuerlein
- Gamebook
With the win, Denver improved to 2–0.
Week 3: at Oakland Raiders※
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Broncos | 10 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 23 |
Raiders | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California
- Date: September 27
- Game time: 2:15 p.m. MDT/1:15 p.m. PDT
- Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 45,602
- Referee: Ed Hochuli
- TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Rich Gannon
- Gamebook
Oakland's first drive of the second quarter was also their most successful. They went 56 yards in over 8 minutes, leading to a 48-yard Sebastian Janikowski field goal. Denver then drove 76 yards, although Oakland again held Denver out of the end zone, leading to a 21-yard Prater field goal and giving the Broncos a 13–3 lead going into halftime. Denver then opened the half with another scoring drive, this time going 80 yards in 8 plays and scoring on a 7-yard run by rookie running back Knowshon Moreno. It was the first touchdown of Moreno's NFL career. Oakland was forced to punt on their next drive. However, on Denver's first play from scrimmage, running back Correll Buckhalter fumbled the ball at their own 16-yard line, giving Oakland the ball in Denver territory for just the 3rd time on the day. However, 2 plays later, Raiders running back Darren McFadden fumbled the ball for the second time on the day (the first time was recovered by Oakland), giving Denver the ball back at their own 11. They then drove 88 yards in 16 plays and over 8 minutes, although the Raiders again held them out of the end zone, leading to a Prater 24-yard field goal.
The Broncos won the game primarily on the strength of their running game and the defense. Correll Buckhalter ran 14 times for 108 yards, while rookie Knowshown Moreno ran 21 times for 90 yards. Overall, the Broncos had 215 yards rushing on the day. The defense held the Raiders to just 137 total yards and 9 first downs, caused 2 interceptions and 1 fumble, and also sacked JaMarcus Russell 3 times, 2 of them by star defensive end Elvis Dumervil (who had 4 in the previous game against the Cleveland Browns). Russell had just 61 yards passing on 21 attempts with 2 interceptions, giving him a quarterback rating of 22.6. Kyle Orton had 157 yards passing on 23 attempts with 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions, giving him a respectable 92.1 rating.
With the win, Denver improved to 3–0.
Week 4: vs. Dallas Cowboys※
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cowboys | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Broncos | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 17 |
at INVESCO Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
- Date: October 4
- Game time: 2:15 p.m. MDT
- Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), partly cloudy
- Game attendance: 76,440
- Referee: Walt Anderson
- TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
- Gamebook
With the win, the Broncos would acquire their first 4–0 start since 2003.
Week 5: vs. New England Patriots※
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patriots | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Broncos | 0 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
at INVESCO Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
- Date: October 11
- Game time: 2:15 p.m. MDT
- Game weather: 30 °F (−1 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 76,011
- Referee: Carl Cheffers
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
- Gamebook
The Broncos would trail in the first quarter as Patriots quarterback Tom Brady hooked up with wide receiver Wes Welker on an 8-yard touchdown pass, followed by kicker Stephen Gostkowski getting a 53-yard field goal. Denver would answer in the second quarter as quarterback Kyle Orton connected with wide receiver Brandon Marshall on an 11-yard touchdown pass, but New England would close out the half with Brady's 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Benjamin Watson.
The Broncos would tie the game in the second half as kicker Matt Prater nailed a 24-yard field goal in the third quarter, followed by Orton finding Marshall again on an 11-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. In overtime, Denver won possession and never relinquished possession as Prater booted the game-winning 41-yard field goal.
With the win, the Broncos improved to 5–0 for the first time since the team's Super Bowl run of 1998.
Week 6: at San Diego Chargers※
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Broncos | 7 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 34 |
Chargers | 10 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
- Date: October 19
- Game time: 6:30 p.m. MDT/5:30 p.m. PDT
- Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), clear
- Game attendance: 68,615
- Referee: Scott Green
- TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden and Michele Tafoya
- Gamebook
Even though San Diego increased their lead in the third quarter with Kaeding's 50-yard field goal, the Broncos regained it with quarterback Kyle Orton completing a 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony Scheffler. In the fourth quarter, Denver closed out the game with Prater's 29-yard field goal and Orton's 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon Stokley.
With the win, the Broncos went into their bye week at 6–0, which is the franchise's best start since their Super Bowl season of 1998.
Week 8: at Baltimore Ravens※
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Broncos | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Ravens | 3 | 3 | 10 | 14 | 30 |
at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
- Date: November 1
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
- Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C), showers
- Game attendance: 71,132
- Referee: Walt Coleman
- TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
- Gamebook
With the loss, the Broncos fell to 6–1.
Week 9: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers※
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
Broncos | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
at INVESCO Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
- Date: November 9
- Game time: 6:30 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), mostly clear
- Game attendance: 76,716
- Referee: Don Carey
- TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden and Suzy Kolber
- Gamebook
Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Ravens, the Broncos went home for a Week 9 Monday night duel with the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Denver would begin the first quarter with kicker Matt Prater making a 40-yard field goal, yet the Steelers responded in the second quarter with safety Tyrone Carter returning an interception 48 yards for a touchdown.
The Broncos would regain the lead in the third quarter as defensive end Kenny Peterson forced a fumble during his sack of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. It allowed rookie linebacker Robert Ayers to return the fumble 54 yards for a touchdown. However, Pittsburgh came right back with Roethlisberger's 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Hines Ward. Afterwards, the Steelers would pull away in the fourth quarter as Roethlisberger completed a 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Wallace and a 3-yard touchdown pass to Ward.
Making an appearance during the game was American Nordic combined skier Johnny Spillane, a Steamboat Springs, Colorado native, who would go on to win three silver medals at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver three months later.
With the loss, Denver fell to 6–2.
Week 10: at Washington Redskins※
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Broncos | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Redskins | 7 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 27 |
at FedExField, Landover, Maryland
- Date: November 15
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
- Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 85,247
- Referee: Pete Morelli
- TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
- Gamebook
With their third-straight loss, the Broncos fell to 6–3.
Week 11: vs. San Diego Chargers※
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chargers | 7 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 32 |
Broncos | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
at INVESCO Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
- Date: November 22
- Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 74,707
- Referee: Ron Winter
- TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg and Dan Fouts
- Gamebook
With the fourth straight loss, the Broncos fell to a 6–4 record as the Chargers improved to a 7–3 record and took the divisional lead.
Week 12: vs. New York Giants※
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Giants | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Broncos | 3 | 13 | 0 | 10 | 26 |
at INVESCO Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
- Date: November 26
- Game time: 6:20 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), mostly clear
- Game attendance: 74,896
- Referee: Tony Corrente
- TV announcers (NFLN): Bob Papa and Matt Millen
- Gamebook
In the first quarter the Broncos got on the board with kicker Matt Prater making a 26-yard field goal and then a 32-yard field goal in the second quarter. The Broncos kept on top with RB Knowshon Moreno making a 1-yard touchdown run. After that Matt Prater made a 47-yard field goal to end the half. In the third quarter the Giants replied with kicker Lawrence Tynes nailing a 39 then a 52-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter Denver increased their lead with QB Kyle Orton making a 17-yard touchdown pass to WR Brandon Stokley, and Prater making a 24-yard field goal.
With the win, the Broncos improved to 7–4.
Week 13: at Kansas City Chiefs※
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Broncos | 7 | 7 | 20 | 10 | 44 |
Chiefs | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: December 6
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MST
- Game weather: 37 °F (3 °C), overcast
- Game attendance: 68,912
- Referee: Jeff Triplette
- TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg and Dan Fouts
- Gamebook
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Broncos | 0 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 16 |
Colts | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Date: December 13
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
- Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 67,248
- Referee: Bill Leavy
- TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg and Dan Fouts
- Gamebook
Week 15: vs. Oakland Raiders※
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Raiders | 0 | 13 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
Broncos | 6 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 19 |
at INVESCO Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
- Date: December 20
- Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 74,502
- Referee: Alberto Riveron
- TV announcers (CBS): Gus Johnson and Steve Tasker
- Gamebook
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Broncos | 0 | 7 | 17 | 3 | 27 |
Eagles | 10 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 30 |
at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Date: December 27
- Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST/2:15 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 69,144
- Referee: Mike Carey
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
- Gamebook
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chiefs | 7 | 3 | 17 | 17 | 44 |
Broncos | 0 | 10 | 14 | 0 | 24 |
at INVESCO Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
- Date: January 3, 2010
- Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 36 °F (2 °C), mostly cloudy
- Game attendance: 73,725
- Referee: Scott Green
- TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg and Dan Fouts
- Gamebook
2) A New York Jets loss and a win by the Houston Texans OR
3)A Baltimore Ravens loss and a Pittsburgh Steelers loss or a Houston Texans win.
Also, Denver could have made the playoffs even with a loss to Kansas City in these scenarios-
1) Losses by Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Houston, and the Jacksonville Jaguars OR
2) Losses by Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Houston, and New York OR
3) Losses by Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Jacksonville, and New York OR
4) Losses by Pittsburgh, Houston, Jacksonville, and New York OR
5) Losses by New York, Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville, and the Miami Dolphins
In the days prior to the game, Coach Josh McDaniels got into an injury-related dispute with receiver Brandon Marshall and deactivated Marshall.
In the game, Chiefs' running back Jamaal Charles had a franchise record 259 yards rushing yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns (Including runs of 52 and 56 yards). Kyle Orton, who had thrown only 9 interceptions all year, threw 3: 2 to Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson, both returned for scores, and another in the end zone to Brandon Flowers. Orton did finish with a career-high 431 yards through the air on 32/56 passing. Jabar Gaffney, replacing the inactive Brandon Marshall, had a career-high 14 receptions for 213 yards.
Both career days were empty, as the Chiefs beat the Broncos, ending their season at 8–8. The Broncos became the seventh team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to miss the playoffs after a 6–0 start and the first since the 2003 Minnesota Vikings.
Standings※
AFC West | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
San Diego Chargers | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 5–1 | 9–3 | 454 | 320 | W11 |
Denver Broncos | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 3–3 | 6–6 | 326 | 324 | L4 |
Oakland Raiders | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 2–4 | 4–8 | 197 | 379 | L2 |
Kansas City Chiefs | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 2–4 | 3–9 | 294 | 424 | W1 |
Staff※
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
Final roster※
Footnotes※
- ^ see Jay Cutler controversy.
- ^ The Broncos acquired this second-round selection in a trade that sent the team's 2010 first-round selection to the Seattle Seahawks.
- ^ The Broncos acquired this second-round selection and this fourth-round selection in a trade that sent two third-round selections (Nos. 79 and 84 overall, the latter of which the Broncos acquired as part of the Jay Cutler trade) to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- ^ The Broncos acquired an additional fifth-round selection — No. 140 overall — in a trade that sent wide receiver Keary Colbert to the Seattle Seahawks. The Broncos later sent the No. 140 selection to the Chicago Bears as part of the Jay Cutler trade.
- ^ The Broncos traded their original fifth- and sixth-round selections (Nos. 149 and 185 overall, respectively) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for the Ravens' fifth-round selection (No. 141 overall).
- ^ The Broncos acquired this sixth-round selection in a trade that sent one of the team's two seventh-round selections (No. 235 overall — acquired in a trade that sent cornerback Dominique Foxworth to the Atlanta Falcons) and a 2010 fifth-round selection to the Detroit Lions.
- ^ These two games were among the 16 that the NFL designated as "AFL Legacy Games," in honor of the 50th anniversary of the AFL. The Broncos wore their throwback uniforms during those two games, as did the Patriots and Chargers. The Broncos wore the yellow jerseys (with brown numerals) against the Patriots, and the white jerseys (with brown numerals) at the Chargers.
References※
- ^ Football Outsiders Almanac 2012 (ISBN 978-1-4782-0152-6), p.102
- ^ "Cutler won't meet with Broncos after trade talk". March 2, 2009.
- ^ "NFL News".
- ^ "Cutler, McDaniels talk in conference call – Fox Sports on MSN". Archived from the original on June 21, 2009. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ "Broncos send Cutler to Bears for Orton, 3 picks". April 2, 2009.
- ^ "NFL announces 2009 AFL 'Legacy Games'". NFL.com. July 19, 2009. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
External links※
- No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.
- The Denver Post – Complete Broncos Coverage
- Season page on Pro Football Reference
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