Welcome to Quarter Calls, DHF’s quarter-by-quarter breakdown of each Denver Broncos game. Instead of a live game thread, Quarter Calls is a quick-hit summary of the big story of each quarter. It can be a general mood or theme, play, penalty, injury, whatever.
If you prefer real time analysis and commentary, follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter. As always, I’ll be tweeting throughout the game.
Go Broncos!
1st Quarter
(7:19 p.m.) I’d like a do-over, please.
This quarter was marred by poor special team play, and by poor, I mean about as bad as it gets. Newly signed (and possibly soon-to-be-waived) return specialist Trindon Holliday muffed a punt, resulting in a San Diego Chargers field goal. A possession later, Omar Bolden turned the ball over on a kickoff return. The Chargers, who had started off cool, heated up and scored an easy, quick touchdown.
The Broncos defense, which spent 11:15 on the field in the 1st quarter played relatively well. The Broncos have looked uninspired offensively, with conservative – and questionable (remember that first third-and-short?) – play-calling.
2nd Quarter
(8:05 p.m.) Another quarter of suck.
The 1st quarter meltdown was brought to you by the Denver Broncos special teams. The 2nd quarter meltdown is courtesy wide receivers Eric Decker (Dear God, son, what did you trip over?) and Matthew Willis (Follow Peyton’s directions next time).
On a somewhat related note, this quarter did inspire me to nickname Denver’s wide receiver tandem of Demaryius Thomas and Decker ‘Fumbles and Stumbles.’ (Though Thomas has been noticeably quiet tonight.)
3rd Quarter
(8:57 p.m.) Call this the mixed bag of quarters…on one hand, the Broncos are finally scoring. On the other hand, it should have started two quarters ago, and Denver ended the quarter with back-to-back penalties.
Now down 24-14, thanks to touchdowns by Demaryius Thomas and Tony Carter’s fumble return, the Broncos are driving yet again. Too bad Denver enters the 4th quarter with a 3rd-and-16 when just two plays ago, that was 3rd-and-1. Stupid penalty monster strikes again.
At least we’ve got ourselves a game here.
4th Quarter
(9:47 p.m.) Well, that worked out.
I just, I mean, I don’t really even know what to think, say, or write. Holy flippin’ wow.
In the understatement of the night: We’ll have much to discuss as the Broncos enter the bye. Now let’s watch some postgame on this historic night.
Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.
