It's funny how an NFL season can play out. When the Broncos and Chargers played in Week Two, the game was decided on one of the worst refereeing calls in NFL history. One of the many (printable) things that people said was how awful it would be if the Chargers wound up missing out on the playoffs because of that call. No Broncos were quoted as saying that, but, based on the way they've steadfastly refused to win the AFC West, some of them must feel that way. Because they are so giving, the Broncos must now go to San Diego and play the Chargers for a spot in the playoffs. The division title and the Week Two debacle give plenty of heft to the game, not to mention the long-simmering feud between Philip Rivers and Jay Cutler, which makes it a lot easier to ignore the fact that neither team has proven themselves particularly worthy of a postseason slot this season.
The Broncos certainly didn't today. They couldn't beat a Bills team with nothing to play for today even though they racked up 532 total yards on offense, 260 more than they allowed the Bills. The Broncos, who led 13-0 at one point, made every mistake in the game, however. They missed a field goal, fumbled to set up a Buffalo score and, most damning, Cutler threw a pick to Kawika Mitchell on the Buffalo goal line to erase a chance at a game-tying score.
The game was a microcosm of Denver's season. Cutler ran for two scores and threw for 359 yards, but his interception reminded everyone that he remains a work in progress under center. Their running game was stalled because of injuries to P.J. Pope and Selvin Young and their defense, good in spots, couldn't stop the Bills consistently enough to win the game.
There was also a coaching decision by Mike Shanahan that's sure to get some attention in Denver tonight. Leading 13-3 with two minutes to play in the first half, Shanahan elected to have Matt Prater try a 54-yard field goal instead of pinning the Bills deep. Prater missed, the Bills drove for a Marshawn Lynch touchdown and the game was closer than it should have been at the half.
And, so, it comes down to 60 minutes for the AFC West title. May the less worse team win.
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