Broncos’ ‘Four Horsemen’ All Score Touchdowns, Denver Clinches Playoff Berth

Dec 8, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker (87) walks off the field after the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 51-28. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Broncos have a bit of a flair for the dramatic, don’t they?

It seems like every week is the same story. The Broncos either start slow, they face an early deficit, or they give up some wacky play on a return or turnover. Then, they come storming back to win the game like it was never even a contest in the first place.

That’s been the story for many Denver games this season, but the game against the Titans had a different kind of significance for the Broncos in a variety of ways. First and foremost, with their win against the Titans, the Broncos clinched a spot in the playoffs this season, ensuring their ticket to the big dance. That wasn’t ever really a question, but it’s just nice to know that it’s now official rather than something we have to wait even longer on.

Second, as the headline reads, the Broncos’ ‘Four Horsemen’ all scored touchdowns in the 51-28 romp of the Titans, which by my memory of box scores and game recaps is the first time that has happened all year long.

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, that last line means that all of Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Eric Decker, and Wes Welker scored touchdowns for the Broncos on Sunday, and Knowshon Moreno and Montee Ball threw their names in there as well with one rushing touchdown apiece.

It was perhaps the most complete and impressive offensive output we’ve seen from the Broncos to date, scoring six touchdowns and three field goals for a total of nine scoring drives and only two punts.

Best of all? No turnovers.

Peyton Manning had 20 incomplete passes, but without having re-watched the game I’d be willing to wager that half of those–or close to it–were drops, and Manning thwarted any stat or notion that he can’t throw the ball in the cold against a tough defense, and the Titans are that.

Leading into the game against the Broncos, the Titans had only allowed eight passing touchdowns all year.

Still not impressed?

How about the fact that after a scoring drive left just 1:50 on the clock in the second quarter, the Broncos’ defense came up with a stop and got the ball back for Peyton Manning and company, who drove the ball down the field to set up an NFL record 64-yard field goal by Matt Prater that gave the Broncos all the momentum going into the half?

The Broncos also forced two turnovers defensively, and if not for allowing some big plays on special teams and early in the game offensively, Denver would have probably looked a lot better than the 28 points they allowed defensively.

Denver’s offense had 39 first downs in this game, and the Titans had just 15. The Broncos dominated time of possession with nearly 40 minutes to 20, and the Titans simply were overmatched in nearly every phase of this game.

It was a glorious win for the Broncos, who have a quick turnaround to play San Diego on Thursday night.

In regards to the cold weather? Here’s what the ol’ Sheriff had to say:

“Whoever wrote that narrative can shove that one where the sun don’t shine,” Manning told Denver’s KOA-AM after the game. “I felt pretty good out there today.”