Terrell Davis completed one of the finest seasons in league history with a 178-yard game against the Seahawks (Doug Pensinger / Getty Images)

On December 27th, 1998, the Denver Broncos didn’t have much to play for during their regular season finale. They had clinched home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs several weeks earlier when their record reached 13-0 after an epic victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. But when the Seattle Seahawks arrived at Mile High Stadium on that cold December afternoon, there was an electricity in the air. This game wouldn’t affect the playoff picture at all, but it could rewrite the history books when all was said and done, and everyone associated with the game knew it.

It was somewhat important to the Broncos in that they desperately needed a tune-up heading into the playoffs. The swagger that had carried them to a 13-0 start had disappeared after back-to-back road losses to the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins. The Broncos needed a solid win to build some confidence for their playoff push, and a victory would drive their final record to 14-2 which would be the best mark in team history.

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Detroit QB, John Kitna, might be right in his prediction about a 10 win season for the Lions. Who would have thought?

The Broncos on the other hand are obviously struggling with injuries, defensive stops, and offensive production. Jay Cutler left the game in the second quarter with a leg contusion, which was thought to be much more serious at the time. Travis Henry also left the game prematurely with an injury to his left leg. After the game, he said that he felt fine and could have gone back in, but coaches held him out.

 Coach, Mike Shanahan, has been embarrassed many times this season with more than one lopsided loss. Dre’ Bly says “we’re not a good football team right now…we’ve got to look in the mirror and see if we’re doing our jobs.” I hope that mirror is big enough for the entire team to stand in front of because it appears that no one is doing their job.

One positive spin on yesterday’s game came in the form of the Broncos special teams. Andre Hall had four kick-off returns for 119 yards. He put the offense in a position to get some points on the board, but they could not capitalize. Punter Todd Sauerbrun also had a great day averaging 41.7 yards per punt, and leaving the ball inside the Detroit 20 yard line three times.

I really need to stop picking the Broncos in my pool every week. I have a great deal of confidence in Shanahan and his ability to correct what is wrong, but I think with the nagging injuries and off the field shenanigans that have plagued this season, this is an unexpected rebuilding year.

As always, more post game quotes can be found at the Mile High Report.