Broncos Win Game 3 - Excitment Builds in Denver

The highly touted Raiders had home field advantage, but they could not make things work very well all game. Broncos offense was effective and Orten made no big blunders. Defense again worked hard to stop the opposing team, and they did.

Kyle Orton of the Denver Broncos is rushed by Gerard Warren of the Oakland Raiders. (Getty Images North America | Jed Jacobsohn)

Against a supposedly fearsome Raiders front foursome, the Broncos ran off yardage in chunks. Correll Buckhalter got his first 100-yard rushing game and running back Knowshon Moreno added 90 yards. The passing game was a series of clear out routes with quarterback Kyle Orton efficiently connecting on the drag pattern underneath.

Kicker Matt Prater was 5-for-5 in kickoffs reaching the end zone 3-for-3 in field goals. Punter Brett Kern was 0-for-0 in punts until midway through the fourth quarter, when he finally had to boot. Special, indeed.

Renaldo Hill and Andre Goodman had interceptions, Brian Dawkins recovered a fumble, and Jabar Gaffney caught four passes. Even Brandon Marshall, who has let it be known he would rather be playing elsewhere, contributed to the cause, catching a 2-yard touchdown pass to start the scoring.

"We have the attitude that we want to win and we're going to do whatever it takes," stated Denver Broncos defensive back Champ Bailey about his teammates in the secondary. "Our chemistry has definitely come along faster than expected. We understand each other. We're veterans, so we don't expect anything else."

With the exception of the occasional struggle in finishing off a slew of first-and-goal situations, the Broncos' performance was clinical. With this kind of performance, and with the Broncos improving each week, it is concievable they could beat the Cowboys next week. After that the Patriots are in the wings, so they have their work cut out.

Amazing day. The Rockies won game 3 with the Cards, and are 2 1/2 games ahead in the wild card race. It has been a great day for our teams.