After losing rookie Ryan Torain to an ACL injury for the season and shuffling around whatever they have left in the running back tank, the Broncos signed former Detroit Lion and Denver Bronco Tatum Bell.

Given what was available and the condition of the Broncos backfield, I like the move. He may take some time to get to playing shape but he knows the system and has proven he can run in it. He also brings the home run threat with his breakaway speed. The only negatives in my mind are that he is not exactly a tackle-breaking runner and tends to fumble the rock. Even with all that, I like this move. Reports are that he may be ready to go this Sunday for the Falcons game.

Apologies for anyone keeping score or regularly visiting my blog. Last week was a busy one, so I did not get to do a preview or post-game on the Miami game. They won, we lost...that about sums it up. This week, on a Thursday, Denver will visit the Cleveland Browns. This week's preview will also be sort of an injury update and player moves all rolled into one, bonus!

Offense

At quarterback, Cleveland has chosen to start Brady Quinn over Anderson. Quinn has a total of 8 attempts in the NFL, completing 3 of them. While I think he certainly has the talent to be Cleveland's future, I have to give the edge to Cutler in the comparison. Cutler started off great but has been losing games for the Broncos (ok, at least in part) lately. Despite that, Cutler should bounce back against a reeling Browns team this week.

At running back, Denver is hurting. They may get Selvin Young back this week and they have Ryan Torrain but who knows what that will bring. The Browns feature Jamal Lewis and a good offensive line, I will give them the edge as Denver has yet to roll out a consistent running game this year.

At wide receiver, I call it fairly even. Braylon Edwards is just dangerous, and they have many other weapons. Denver has Marshall, Royal and hopefully Scheffler back this week also. The same goes for the offensive lines, they are very even in talent and give good pass protection when they need to.

Overall I call the offense, even with both teams.

Defense

I won't even discuss this in depth. Denver lost DJ Williams this week, making both defensive team captains unavailable for a few weeks (Champ being the other) and leaving an already weak defense even weaker.

Advantage Cleveland until the Broncos prove me wrong

Special Teams

Both teams are very even here with Dawson and Prater being reliable with kicking for their respective teams as well as Zastudil and Kern with punting. Cleveland is pretty good in the return game, already taking one to the house this year and Denver is improving, but lacks the defense on special teams to win me over.

I give the special teams advantage to Cleveland but it is pretty close in reality

Prediction

I predicted a Denver loss in my preseason prediction and I am sticking with it. Denver is very banged up this week and is madly shuffling their roster around to make up for it. Cohesiveness is a key, as well as good defense and holding onto the ball when it comes to winning. Denver has had none of that in the past 5 weeks. The most embarrassing part for me is, we still lead the AFC West. Denver will drop to 4 - 5 on the season and lose this game 20 - 38.

As I expected, the Broncos made a few player moves today after some injuries this season at key positions.

One of the more interesting choices was the signing of wide receiver Chad Jackson. He was picked up off waivers after competing for a roster spot with the Patriots this past year. He has a lot of potential as a receiver and return man, this looks like a pretty decent signing on paper.

Denver also signed tackle Matt Murphy who was let go by the Bills this year. He brings a veteran presence and has seen time at both tackle and tight end which is always useful.

In addition to Jackson and Murphy, Denver moved the recently acquired cornerback Josh Bell to the active roster from the practice squad. Denver picked up Bell last month, and with Champ getting injured last week he might see some time at any number of positions in the secondary.

The Broncos also added center Greg Eslinger and cornerback Rashod Moulton to their practice squad.

This one is going to be short and sweet, Denver got demolished, embarrassed and exposed on a national stage Monday by the Patriots. The final score was 41 - 7, I had to stop watching at 27 - 0 and a Champ Bailey injury. The Broncos fall to 4 - 3 on the season with a bye this week.

Some of my favorite quotes from other Bronco fans across the Internet so far basically sum it upa€¦

"I am never embarrassed or ashamed to be a broncos fan, but last night, I came pretty fricking close to it.

After the INT by Lowry was overturned, I left my brothers living room, went into his garage, layed down on the floor, drank my beer, and cried a little.

God dammit."

"I definitely cried in my beer last nighta€¦and this morning"

"im about to commit suicide"

"yeah.. its just $#@!&% great that Boss is out the whole $#@!&% season and Champ is down for 4-6.. $#@!&% awesome. Hate to say it, but we"re lookin to lose for 4-6 now.. well technically 3-5 with the bye.. but either way you turn it.. it $#@!&% sucks."

As if the Denver Broncos needed more bad news after being demolished Monday night 41-7 at the hands of the New England Patriots, they found out that corner back Champ Bailey will be out for 4 to 6 weeks with a groin tear. Champ suffered the injury during the game Monday, and this is a crushing blow to an already weak defense. Champ was easily the Broncos best defender this year and this will leave Dre Bly (ugh) likely to fill in against the top receivers the Broncos face this year with rookie Jack Williams taking the other spot.

In addition to Champ, his brother Boss will miss the remainder of the season after having necessary micro fracture surgery on his knee. Backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey will also be out for the season with an elbow injury. All of this is on top of the already injured Brandon Stokley, Tony Scheffler and Selvin Young.

I am not sure that the news could have been worse for the team or the fans. Buckle up kidsa€¦we are in for a ride. The bye week could not have come at a better time.

In week 6 Denver was their own worst enemy. Turnovers and shoddy defense once again torpedoed a game that the Broncos could have and should have won. Denver lost to Jacksonville by a final of 24 - 17, and moved to 4 - 2 on the 2008 season. This week the Broncos travel to New England for a Monday night match up against a Patriots team that is having issues. My question this week is, are the Patriots so different than Denver right now?

Offense

At quarterback there is not much of a comparison. Matt Cassel by all accounts is in a tough spot. Stepping in for one of the best quarterbacks in the last decade and for a team that has dominated over the same span is not easy. The fact is, he is no Brady and not Cutler either.

At running back It is an advantage for Pittman and Hall of Denver over Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk of New England. Specific players aside, Denver has almost 200 yards more than New England this year so far. Denver just has a better overall running game, despite who is running.

The wide receiving corps at the moment may be equal, but barely. Denver has some injuries going in with Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley questionable and tight end Tony Scheffler doubtful for the game Monday. That leaves Brandon Marshall and Darrell Jackson for Denver against Randy Moss and Wes Welker. The tight ends are basically the same on both ends. Without injuries it wouldn't be close, but with the status quo I call this a draw.

The offensive line is where Denver could really make a difference. They have given up a total of 2 sacks on the season versus 20 for the Patriots. Better run blocking and pass blocking for the Broncos makes this a no-brainer.

Overall I give the offensive advantage to Denver.

Defense

On defense these teams are actually pretty equal, and that is a little scary as a Broncos fan. Denver has better corner backs in Bly and Bailey than the Patriots do in former Bronco Deltha O'Neal and rookie (and CU Buff) Terrence Wheatley. Linebacker might be the only other position where I feel Denver has a slight advantage, and I attribute that to DJ Williams who is playing outstanding. Both teams have pass rushing issues, and this will be a true test for New England as Denver has a pretty dominant offensive line this year. Denver showed some flashes against Tampa Bay then let us all down again last week against Jacksonville while New England made the goober in San Diego look like Joe Montana last week.

I call this a very slight advantage in favor of Denver, New England has some injury issues on defense and age playing a part.

Special Teams

Matt Prater is 13/14 on the year and Stephen Gostkowski is 11/12 in field goals. In terms of punting, Denver has a slight advantage in net yards but it is negligible as they both are in the same ballpark in terms of punts within the 20. New England actually has a decent punt and kick return game, and that could spell trouble for Denver. For that reason, because I have seen Denver give up the big plays on special teams, I give the special teams advantage to the Patriots.

Prediction

In my preseason prediction post I picked Denver to win this game. This was before Brady was hurt, and I based in on the fact that Denver plays the Patriots tough usually. As of today the Pats are favored by 3 at home to win, and this could very well be a Kansas City type trap game for Denver. These teams are not that far apart in terms of where their troubles are actually.

As I pledged last week after flip-flopping, I am sticking with my preseason picks from here on out no matter what visual trap the Broncos tempt me with. That being said, the Broncos will move to 5 - 2 on the season and win this game 38 - 17.

I knew it. I just knew I should have stuck with my original preseason prediction in which I said Denver would lose this game. I guess I let the homer in me come out, and I foolishly put my faith in the Broncos and changed my mind, predicting a win last week. Despite my faith, Denver managed to frankly piss away some opportunities and dropped their 2nd game of the season by losing to the Jaguars for the 2nd straight year in Denver and moved to 4 - 2 on the season. The final score was 24 - 17, here is what I sawa€¦

Denver had an impressive defensive performance in week 5 during their win over Tampa Bay. The Broncos moved to 4 - 1 on the season and maintain a 2 game lead in the weakened AFC West. This week the Broncos face a team very similar to the Buccaneers from last week, how will they fair? Read on to find out what I think!

After going 3 for 3 in field goal attempts from 55, 40 and 27 yards, an extra point and 4 out of 5 kickoffs resulting in touch backs Denver kicker Matt Prater will be named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. This marks the 2nd Bronco in a row to gain NFL Conference honors after quarter back Jay Cutler was named AFC Player of the Month during the month of September. This certainly answers any questions or doubts so far for me whether or not Prater can replace long-time Bronco icon Jason Elam.

Congratulations Matt!

broncos player moves from 10/6, Gandy dropped and Mustard signed.

A post-game recap and analysis of Denver's week 5 win of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers