It didn’t take long. Von Miller made the hit that caused the fumble. Rahim Moore recovered it. The Broncos defense did its job. The offense and Kyle Orton took over IN THE RED ZONE AT THE OAKLAND RAIDERS 15 YARD LINE. The scene was set. The season rested in the outcome of this drive. 15 yards from paydirt. EVERYONE IN THE STADIUM KNEW TIM TEBOW WOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE BALL IN THE ENDZONE! But what would Kyle Orton do? Fail as he had so many times the last two NFL seasons and settle for a field goal? That was what we expected to happen. And it did. Game, set, match. Turn out the lights, the season’s over.
Yes, we know Orton is great between the 20’s. Heard it before. Great in practice too. Can’t seem to score touchdowns when it counts. But surely this new year with new coach and improved defense would make it easier. And here it was. Time to man up and score a touchdown. Orton stepped up alright. 1 for 3 passing on this drive for five yards. Played it safe. No heroics. Threw one out of bounds and one into the stands and grabbed the sure 3 points the defense created. Nice job, Kyle. No INTs. No guts, no glory. Manage the game. Makes me want to vom… change the channel.
The Broncos fell behind 16-3 at halftime after that and didn’t come close to a touchdown. I fell asleep in my wasy chair and woke up at the end of the 3 rd quarter to see a 16-13 score! Wow, Tebow must have come in and managed a TD was my sleepy thought process. But no, it was a 90 yard punt return. Orton leading a TD drive when it mattered never occurred to me. I was right. Wake me again when the Broncos change QBs.