2008 Woodie Awards
Cutler's Comeback Drive Results in Victory
By Jason Fish
9/17/07 - Sports
Broncos fans are looking to young starting quarterback Jay Cutler to take the lead on the field as the 2007 season unfolds. On Sunday, September 2, in Denver's first game, he earned some faith from the die-hard fanatics taking his team to a 15-14 win over the Buffalo Bills.
Opening regular play with a game against the Buffalo Bills, Denver looked to be the favorite with a strong offense powered by veteran wide receiver Javon Walker and the usual solid defense spear-headed by safety John Lynch and cornerback Champ Bailey.
Yet, by halftime, the game had gone slowly with Buffalo in the lead 7-6. Denver had earned all of its points on two field goals by kicker Jason Elam.
In the second half, the Bills began to dominate, strangling the Broncos' passing and rushing games and forcing two more field goal attempts. Elam missed both opportunities. Meanwhile, Buffalo eked out another touchdown, increasing their lead to 14-6.
What appeared to be a close, hard-fought game looked much different in the statistics. The Broncos had substantial advantages in total yardage and first downs, yet could not put up the crucial play into the end zone.
As the final minute ticked by in the third quarter, Denver finally managed a touchdown on a pass by Cutler, but failed to convert on a two-point attempt, hoping to tie the contest. Instead, they found themselves without the ball again.
The final quarter saw six drives between the Broncos and the Bills, all of them hampered by both defensive lines as passes and rushes inched the ball forward. It seemed Denver would be stifled by Buffalo, only two points behind.
The Broncos regained possession very near the 2:00 minute warning and prepared for a final drive. Tens of thousands of Bills fans were getting louder and louder, urging their team on to put a stopper in Denver's last hope.
Cutler stepped onto the field with two timeouts and 66 yards to victory. Two plays later, he fumbled the snap and only some quick thinking by running back Selvin Young stopped the clock as he batted the loose ball out of bounds, killing the play.
At 3rd down and 23 yards to a first, the prospect looked grim for the Broncos as they still sat on their own 31 yard line. Several huge receptions by Javon Walker produced two first downs and Denver found themselves nearing Jason Elam's field goal range.
With only 20 seconds remaining and Cutler calling the shots on his own, an 11 yard pass to Walker brought the game to the Bills' 24 yard line. No timeouts were left for Denver and Cutler called out the kicking team instead of spiking the snap.
In perfect dramatic fashion, Jason Elam redeemed his two missed field goals with a long, smooth kick, propelling the ball through Buffalo's uprights. The clock read 00:01. Broncos win, and the first week ended in a Denver victory.
Opening regular play with a game against the Buffalo Bills, Denver looked to be the favorite with a strong offense powered by veteran wide receiver Javon Walker and the usual solid defense spear-headed by safety John Lynch and cornerback Champ Bailey.
Yet, by halftime, the game had gone slowly with Buffalo in the lead 7-6. Denver had earned all of its points on two field goals by kicker Jason Elam.
In the second half, the Bills began to dominate, strangling the Broncos' passing and rushing games and forcing two more field goal attempts. Elam missed both opportunities. Meanwhile, Buffalo eked out another touchdown, increasing their lead to 14-6.
What appeared to be a close, hard-fought game looked much different in the statistics. The Broncos had substantial advantages in total yardage and first downs, yet could not put up the crucial play into the end zone.
As the final minute ticked by in the third quarter, Denver finally managed a touchdown on a pass by Cutler, but failed to convert on a two-point attempt, hoping to tie the contest. Instead, they found themselves without the ball again.
The final quarter saw six drives between the Broncos and the Bills, all of them hampered by both defensive lines as passes and rushes inched the ball forward. It seemed Denver would be stifled by Buffalo, only two points behind.
The Broncos regained possession very near the 2:00 minute warning and prepared for a final drive. Tens of thousands of Bills fans were getting louder and louder, urging their team on to put a stopper in Denver's last hope.
Cutler stepped onto the field with two timeouts and 66 yards to victory. Two plays later, he fumbled the snap and only some quick thinking by running back Selvin Young stopped the clock as he batted the loose ball out of bounds, killing the play.
At 3rd down and 23 yards to a first, the prospect looked grim for the Broncos as they still sat on their own 31 yard line. Several huge receptions by Javon Walker produced two first downs and Denver found themselves nearing Jason Elam's field goal range.
With only 20 seconds remaining and Cutler calling the shots on his own, an 11 yard pass to Walker brought the game to the Bills' 24 yard line. No timeouts were left for Denver and Cutler called out the kicking team instead of spiking the snap.
In perfect dramatic fashion, Jason Elam redeemed his two missed field goals with a long, smooth kick, propelling the ball through Buffalo's uprights. The clock read 00:01. Broncos win, and the first week ended in a Denver victory.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Tom Garza
posted 9/17/07 @ 3:15 PM MST
Boy you thought that was speacial, yesterday I turned the TV off thinking the sticking Raiders had beaten us in our own back yard .... I couldnt beleive the news this morning. (Continued…)
Post a Comment