denver broncos 2008 weekly press release

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1 Issue Date: Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008 BRONCOS HOST BILLS; CAN CLINCH AFC WEST TITLE WITH WIN The Denver Broncos (8-6) can clinch their 11th AFC West title and 18th postseason berth with a win on Sunday in their regularseason home finale against the Buffalo Bills (6-8). Kickoff at INVESCO Field at Mile High is set for 2:05 p.m. MST, and the game will be televised on CBS with Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots calling the action. Denver saw its three-game road winning streak come to an end last week with a loss to NFC South-leading Carolina. The Broncos scored on their first two possessions of the game before the Panthers pulled away, breaking a first-quarter tie by scoring the game s final 20 points en route to improving to 11-3 on the season. Similar to last week, the Broncos enter Week 16 with the ability to clinch their division with a win or tie or a San Diego loss or tie in its game at Tampa Bay, which kicks off at 11 a.m. MST on Sunday. Denver s focus, however, remains solely on a Buffalo squad that is coming off a loss to the New York Jets. The Bills, who started the season with a 4-0 record and were 5-1 after their first six games, feature one of the NFL s top special-teams units along with a defense that ranks among the league s top 10 in both third down and red zone efficiency. Winners of their last five games against the Bills, the Broncos enter Sunday s game with a 6-0 record when posting an even or positive turnover ratio this season. Denver joins Arizona (7-0) and Indianapolis (8-0) as one of three clubs in the league with a perfect record when not losing the turnover battle. The Broncos roster is one of the youngest in the league and includes an NFL-high six rookies who have appeared in all 14 games. A total of 12 rookies (8 draft picks, 4 college free agents) have combined to play in 135 games for the club this year, including 50 starts at 10 different positions. Rookie left tackle Ryan Clady, a 14-game starter who has given up only half a sack, and rookie wide receiver Eddie Royal, who ranks sixth in the league in combined yards (1,623), have been key parts of a Broncos offense that ranks second in the NFL in yards per game (385.4). Quarterback Jay Cutler leads the AFC with 3,851 passing yards and is just 239 yards away from setting a Broncos single-season passing record. TV AND RADIO INFORMATION vs. BUFFALO TELEVISION: CBS (KCNC-TV 4): Ian Eagle (play-by-play) and Solomon Wilcots (color commentary) will call the game. LOCAL RADIO: KOA Radio (850 AM): Dave Logan (play-by-play) and David Diaz-Infante (color commentary) will call the game with Andy Lindahl reporting from the sidelines. LOCAL SPANISH RADIO: KBNO Radio (1280 AM): Fernando Sergio (play-by-play) and Yuri Vasquez (color commentary) will call the game. denver broncos 2008 weekly press release Regular Season Game #15 Denver (8-6) vs. Buffalo (6-8) Sunday, Dec. 21, :05 p.m. MST INVESCO FIELD AT MILE HIGH (76,125) Denver, Colorado MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACT INFORMATION Jim Saccomano (303) jim.saccomano@broncos.nfl.net Patrick Smyth (303) patrick.smyth@broncos.nfl.net Dave Gaylinn (303) dave.gaylinn@broncos.nfl.net Rebecca Villanueva (303) rebecca.villanueva@broncos.nfl.net Erich Schubert (303) erich.schubert@broncos.nfl.net The Denver Broncos have a media-only Web site, which was created to assist accredited media in their coverage of the Broncos. By going to members of the press will find complete statistical packages, press releases, rosters, updated bios, transcripts, injury reports, game recaps, news clippings, photos and much more. The 2008 Broncos Media Guide is available in PDF format on the media Web site as well as a complete archive of gamebooks and flip cards for every game in franchise history. BRONCOS 2008 SCHEDULE PRESEASON Wk. Day Date Opponent Site Time/Result TV/Rec. 1 Sat. Aug. 9 at Houston Reliant Stadium L, Sat. Aug. 16 DALLAS INVESCO Field at Mile High W, Fri. Aug. 22 GREEN BAY INVESCO Field at Mile High L, Fri. Aug. 29 at Arizona University of Phoenix Stadium W, REGULAR SEASON Wk. Day Date Opponent Site Time/Result TV/Rec. 1 Mon. Sept. 8 at Oakland McAfee Coliseum W, Sun. Sept. 14 SAN DIEGO INVESCO Field at Mile High W, Sun. Sept. 21 NEW ORLEANS INVESCO Field at Mile High W, Sun. Sept. 28 at Kansas City Arrowhead Stadium L, Sun. Oct. 5 TAMPA BAY INVESCO Field at Mile High W, Sun. Oct. 12 JACKSONVILLE INVESCO Field at Mile High L, Mon. Oct. 20 at New England Gillette Stadium L, Bye 9 Sun. Nov. 2 MIAMI INVESCO Field at Mile High L, Thu. Nov. 6 at Cleveland Cleveland Browns Stadium W, Sun. Nov. 16 at Atlanta Georgia Dome W, Sun. Nov. 23 OAKLAND INVESCO Field at Mile High L, Sun. Nov. 30 at New York Jets Giants Stadium W, Sun. Dec. 7 KANSAS CITY INVESCO Field at Mile High W, Sun. Dec. 14 at Carolina Bank of America Stadium L, Sun. Dec. 21 BUFFALO INVESCO Field at Mile High 2:05 p.m. MST CBS 17 Sun. Dec. 28 at San Diego Qualcomm Stadium 1:15 p.m. PST CBS 2008 AFC WEST STANDINGS Team W L T PF PA Home Road AFC NFC DIV Streak Denver Lost 1 San Diego Won 2 Oakland Lost 3 Kansas City Lost 2 DENVER VS. BUFFALO 1 sunday, DEC. 21, 2008

2 broncos 2008 weekly release BRONCOS vs. BILLS POINTS OF INTEREST The Broncos own a all-time record against the Bills in the regular season, including a mark at home... The two clubs last faced off in the 2007 season opener with Denver earning a comeback victory at Ralph Wilson Stadium... Sunday marks Buffalo s first visit to Denver since 2002 (28-23 Broncos win)... The Broncos and Bills have met once in the playoffs with Buffalo defeating Denver 10-7 in the 1991 AFC Championship Game... The Broncos have won their last five games against Buffalo, a streak that began in Denver can clinch its 11th AFC West title as well as its 18th playoff berth with a win or tie on Sunday or a Chargers loss or tie at Tampa Bay... Should they clinch their division, the Broncos would become the fifth team in the 16-game schedule era (since 1978) to have sole possession of first place in its division after every game The 2008 Titans (AFC South) also achieved that distinction this year... Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan (154 wins) can pass long-time Bills Head Coach Marv Levy for sole possession of 15th in NFL history in career wins with a victory on Sunday... An NFL-high six rookies have appeared in all 14 games for the Broncos this season... A total of 12 rookies (8 draft picks, 4 college free agents) have combined to play in 135 games with 50 starts (at 10 different positions) for Denver... Denver s four different rookies (T Ryan Clady, FB Peyton Hillis, FB/LB Spencer Larsen, WR Eddie Royal) to win Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honors mark the highest total for a team since the award s first year in Clady has given up half a sack in 14 starts at left tackle and has helped Denver tie for second in the league in sacks allowed (11) and rank third in the league in sack percentage per pass play (2.0 / )... The Broncos are 6-0 this season with an even or positive turnover ratio Denver joins Arizona (7-0) and Indianapolis (8-0) as one of three NFL teams this year undefeated with an even or positive turnover ratio... Quarterback Jay Cutler is third in the NFL with an AFC-best 3,851 passing yards He is 149 yards away from Denver s third individual 4,000-yard passing season and 238 yards short of tying the club s single-season passing record (4,089 yards, Jake Plummer, 2004)... Cutler also is fourth in the league in completions (326) and tied for fourth in TD passes (24) He needs 22 completions and three TD passes to tie Denver s single-season records... Broncos WR Brandon Marshall is tied for fifth in the league in receptions (88) and ranks seventh in receiving yards (1,081) He has posted at least 89 receiving yards in six of his 13 games this year... Marshall is on pace to join Rod Smith ( ) as only the second Bronco in club history with consecutive 100-catch seasons... Marshall s 18 catches vs. San Diego (9/14) tied for the second most in NFL history and helped him post a league record for catches in a five-game period (55) dating back to last year... Marshall and rookie WR Eddie Royal (75-847, 5 TDs) have accounted for nearly 50 percent of Denver s pass completions (163) and gross passing yards (1,928)... Royal leads all NFL rookies in receptions (75-847, 5 TDs) and has set every Broncos single-season rookie receiving record... Royal, who is Denver s primary special-teams returner, leads all rookies and is sixth in the league with 1,623 combined yards He has four 50+yard plays this year... TE Tony Scheffler leads all NFL TEs with a 15.6-yard reception average (33-514) that is the highest among all Broncos... LB D.J. Williams, who missed five games with a knee injury before returning to the field last week, is second in the NFL in tackles per game (8.9 / 80 total) according to press box totals... LB Jamie Winborn leads the Broncos with 99 tackles according to coaches film review and is one tackle short of his second career 100-tackle season (104 tackles, 2004, S.F.)... K Matt Prater s five 50+yard field goals (5-5) tie for the most in a season in Denver history... Prater s 19 touchbacks tie for the third-highest total in the league... Rookie P Brett Kern is fifth in the league in punting average (47.0) He is on pace to finish the year with a club single-year record for gross punting... The Broncos are second in the NFL with an AFC-best yards per game average, and they rank second with 302 first downs... On third downs, the Broncos are second in the NFL (47.8%)... Despite being forced to place five running backs on injured reserve and a lengthy injury to starting RB Selvin Young, the Broncos are fifth in the NFL in yards per rush (4.5)... Since their bye week (last seven games), the Broncos are allowing 1.1 fewer yards per rush ( ) and 29.0 fewer rushing yards per game ( ) than they gave up before the bye (first seven games)... LB Niko Koutouvides and Larsen are tied for the team lead with nine special-teams tackles. WEEKLY INFORMATION / SEASON NOTES BRONCOS/BILLS 2008 COMPARISON BRONCOS BILLS Record Division Standing st (AFCW)... 4th (AFCE) NFL Offensive Ranking nd rd Total Net Yards Per Game Offense-Points Per Game Possession Average : :26 Net Rushing Yards Per Game Net Passing Yards Per Game Had Intercepted/Yards Lost / /169 Sacks Allowed/Yards Lost / /244 Field Goals/FGA / /34 NFL Defensive Ranking th th Defense-Total Net Yards Per Game Defense-Points Per Game Defense-Rushing Yards Per Game Defense-Passing Yards Per Game Defense-Intercepted by/yards / /216 Defense-Sacks For/Yards / /157 Punts-Average Yards (Gross) Punts-Average Yards (Net) Punt Returns-Average Per Punt Returns-Average Per Allowed Kickoff Returns-Average Per Kickoff Returns-Average Per Allowed Penalties Against/Yards / /492 Fumbles/Lost / /14 Opponent Fumbles/Lost / /11 BRONCOS BILLS PASSING YARDS Cutler ,851 Edwards ,378 Ramsey Losman RUSHING YARDS Hillis Lynch ,002 Pittman Jackson Young Edwards RECEIVING YARDS Marshall ,081 Evans Royal Reed Scheffler Royal POINTS SCORED Prater Lindell Hillis Lynch Marshall Evans INTERCEPTIONS Bly McGee Bailey, Barrett Greer Paymah, Thomas McKelvin SACKS Dumervil Denney Ekuban Mitchell Peterson Stroud DENVER VS. BUFFALO 2 sunday, DEC. 21, 2008

3 broncos 2008 weekly release WEEKLY INFORMATION / SEASON NOTES 2008 TEAM COMPARISON - OTHER KEY AREAS CATEGORY (NFL RANK) BRONCOS BILLS 3rd Down Offense 47.8% (2) 38.6% (18) 3rd Down Defense 43.1% (25) 36.0% (8) Red Zone Offense TD Pct. 59.6% (7) 47.8% (24) Red Zone Defense TD Pct. 55.3% (21) 44.4% (5) Takeaways 13 (32) 20 (18t) Giveaways 26 (25t) 29 (29) Turnover Ratio -13 (31) -9 (28) BRONCOS/BILLS SERIES BREAKDOWN (REGULAR SEASON) Series Meetings: 33 Broncos Record: (Home: / Away: 11-11) First Game: Den. 27, at Buf. 21 (9/18/60) Last Game: Den. 15, at Buf. 14 (9/9/07) Current Streak: Won 5 Longest Den. Win Streak: 4 (9/3/95-12/17/05) Longest Buf. Win Streak: 9 (10/28/62-10/8/67) Last Den. Home Win: at Den. 28, Buf. 23 (9/22/02) Last Den. Home Loss: Buf. 17, at Den. 16 (10/8/67) Last Den. Road Win: Den. 15, at Buf. 14 (9/9/07) Last Den. Road Loss: at Buf. 27, Den. 20 (9/26/94) Den. Shutouts: None Buf. Shutouts: None Most Den. Points: 38, 2x, last (10/28/62): Buf. 45, at Den. 38 Most Buf. Points: 45 (10/28/62): Buf. 45, at Den. 38 Total Den. Points: 734 Total Buf. Points: 768 Average Den. Points: 22.2 Average Buf. Points: 23.3 Largest Den. Win: 30 (10/21/84): Den. 37, at Buf. 7 Largest Buf. Win: 24 (10/5/75): at Buf. 38, Den. 14 Most Points, Both Teams: 83 (10/28/62): Buf. 45, at Den. 38 Fewest Points, Both Teams: 16 (10/25/81): at Buf. 9, Den. 7 WEEKLY CONFERENCE CALLS Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan and a Broncos player will be available to the Buffalo media via conference call Wednesday with Shanahan at approximately 1:25 p.m. MST and the Denver player at approximately 2 p.m. MST. Bills Head Coach Dick Jauron (11:45 a.m. MST) and a Buffalo player (12 p.m. MST) also will speak to the Denver press on Wednesday. WEEKLY MEDIA SCHEDULE: BRONCOS vs. BILLS SUNDAY, DEC. 21, 2008 **Beginning of practices are open to local media for viewing and photography. Access during open locker room sessions is for interview purposes only No still photography is allowed.** TUESDAY, DEC. 16 PLAYERS DAY OFF NO MEDIA AVAILABILITY WEDNESDAY, DEC :05 a.m.-1:05 p.m practice 11:45 a.m dick Jauron conference call 12 p.m bills player conference call 1:05-1:50 p.m locker room open to media 1:05 p.m mike Shanahan press conference 1:55 p.m jay Cutler press conference THURSDAY, DEC :05 a.m.-1:15 p.m practice 1:15-2 p.m locker room open to media 1:15 p.m brandon Marshall press conference FRIDAY, DEC :20 a.m.-12:05 p.m practice 12:05-12:50 p.m locker room open to media NFL SCHEDULE - REGULAR SEASON WEEK 16 Thursday, December 18 Indianapolis at Jacksonville (NFLN) 8:15p (ET) Saturday, December 20 Baltimore at Dallas (NFLN) 7:15p (CT) Sunday, December 21 Cincinnati at Cleveland :00p (ET) New Orleans at Detroit :00p (ET) Miami at Kansas City :00p (CT) Atlanta at Minnesota :00p (CT) Arizona at New England :00p (ET) San Diego at Tampa Bay :00p (ET) San Francisco at St. Louis :00p (CT) Pittsburgh at Tennessee :00p (CT) Philadelphia at Washington :00p (ET) Buffalo at Denver :05p (MT) Houston at Oakland :05p (PT) N.Y. Jets at Seattle :05p (PT) Carolina at N.Y. Giants (NBC) 8:15p (ET) Monday, December 22 Green Bay at Chicago (ESPN) 7:30p (CT) DENVER VS. BUFFALO 3 sunday, DEC. 21, 2008

4 broncos 2008 weekly release WEEKLY INFORMATION / SEASON NOTES BRONCOS VS. BILLS: DENVER RECORD BY MONTH (REGULAR SEASON) Month Overall Home Away August (.000) (.000) (.000) September (.643) (.750) (.600) October (.286) (.000) (.400) November (.357) (.500) (.333) December (.400) (.000) (.500) January (.000) (.000) (.000) TOTALS (.470) (.409) (.500) BRONCOS/BILLS ALL-TIME RESULTS (REGULAR SEASON AND POSTSEASON) Date W/L Score Site Sept. 18, 1960 W Denver 27, at Buffalo 21 War Memorial Stadium Nov. 27, 1960 T at Denver 38, Buffalo 38 Bears Stadium Sept. 10, 1961 W Denver 22, at Buffalo 10 War Memorial Stadium Nov. 19, 1961 L Buffalo 23, at Denver 10 Bears Stadium Sept. 15, 1962 W Denver 23, at Buffalo 20 War Memorial Stadium Oct. 28, 1962 L Buffalo 45, at Denver 38 Bears Stadium Nov. 3, 1963 L Buffalo 30, at Denver 28 Bears Stadium Nov. 9, 1963 L at Buffalo 27, Denver 17 War Memorial Stadium Sept. 20, 1964 L at Buffalo 30, Denver 13 War Memorial Stadium Dec. 13, 1964 L Buffalo 30, at Denver 19 Bears Stadium Sept. 19, 1965 L Buffalo 30, at Denver 15 Bears Stadium Oct. 24, 1965 L at Buffalo 31, Denver 13 War Memorial Stadium Dec. 18, 1966 L at Buffalo 38, Denver 21 War Memorial Stadium Oct. 8, 1967 L Buffalo 17, at Denver 16 Bears Stadium Nov. 19, 1967 W Denver 21, at Buffalo 20 War Memorial Stadium Nov. 24, 1968 W at Denver 34, Buffalo 32 Bears Stadium Sept. 28, 1969 L at Buffalo 41, Denver 28 War Memorial Stadium Sept. 20, 1970 W Denver 25, at Buffalo 10 War Memorial Stadium Oct. 5, 1975 L at Buffalo 38, Denver 14 Rich Stadium Sept. 25, 1977 W at Denver 26, Buffalo 6 Mile High Stadium Dec. 2, 1979 W Denver 19, at Buffalo 16 Rich Stadium Oct. 25, 1981 L at Buffalo 9, Denver 7 Rich Stadium Oct. 21, 1984 W Denver 37, at Buffalo 7 Rich Stadium Nov. 8, 1987 L Buffalo 21, at Denver 14 Rich Stadium Sept. 18, 1989 W Denver 28, at Buffalo 14 Rich Stadium Sept. 30, 1990 L at Buffalo 29, Denver 28 Rich Stadium Jan. 12, 1992 L at Buffalo 10, Denver 7* Rich Stadium Dec. 12, 1992 L at Buffalo 27, Denver 17 Rich Stadium Sept. 26, 1994 L at Buffalo 27, Denver 20 Rich Stadium Sept. 3, 1995 W at Denver 22, Buffalo 7 Mile High Stadium Oct. 26, 1997 W Denver 23, at Buffalo 20 (OT) Rich Stadium Sept. 22, 2002 W at Denver 28, Buffalo 23 INVESCO Field at Mile High Dec. 17, 2005 W Denver 28, at Buffalo 17 Ralph Wilson Stadium Sept. 9, 2007 W Denver 15, at Buffalo 14 Ralph Wilson Stadium * - AFCChampionship Game WHAT TO WATCH FOR: vs. BUFFALO (12/21/08) TEAM (AFC WEST TITLE / PLAYOFF BERTH) - Can clinch its 11th AFC West title as well as its 18th playoff berth with a win or tie against Buffalo or a San Diego loss or tie at Tampa Bay. TEAM (WINNING RECORD) - Can post its 25th all-time winning record for a season with a victory on Sunday. TEAM (5,395 YDS.) - Can tie the 2003 team for the 10th-most yards (5,598) in a season in club history with 203 yards on Sunday. The 1987 team (5,624) ranks ninth, the 2005 team (5,766) ranks eighth and the 1996 team (5,791) ranks seventh in club history for yards in a season. TEAM (259-GAME SCORING STREAK) - Can tie the Minnesota Vikings (260 games, ) for the third-longest scoring streak in NFL history on Sunday. HEAD COACH MIKE SHANAHAN (154 WINS) - Can pass Pro Football Hall of Fame Head Coach Marv Levy (154) for sole possession of 15th in NFL history in career wins with a victory on Sunday. QB JAY CUTLER (3,851 YDS.) - Can post the third 4,000-yard passing season in Broncos history with 149 passing yards on Sunday. He also is 238 passing yards away from tying Jake Plummer (4,089, 2004) for the most passing yards in a season in club history. QB JAY CUTLER (24 TDS) - Can tie Jake Plummer (27, 2004) and John Elway (27, 1997) for the most touchdown passes by a Bronco in a season with three on Sunday. QB JAY CUTLER (326 COMP.) - Can tie John Elway (348, 1993) for the most completions by a Bronco in a season with 22 on Sunday. WR DARRELL JACKSON (497 CAREER REC.) - Can become the 107th player in NFL history to reach 500 career receptions with three catches on Sunday. WR BRANDON MARSHALL (210 REC.) - Can Floyd Little (215) for 12th in Broncos history in career receptions with five on Sunday. K MATT PRATER (FIVE 50-YD. FGS) - Can set a Broncos singleseason record with his sixth 50+yard field goal on Sunday. WR EDDIE ROYAL (847 REC. YDS.) - Can become the first rookie in Broncos history to reach 1,000 receiving yards with 153 yards on Sunday. WR EDDIE ROYAL (75 REC.) - Can tie Earl Cooper (83, 1980) for fourth and Reggie Bush (88, 2006) for third in NFL history in receptions by a rookie on Sunday. TE TONY SCHEFFLER (1,349 REC. YDS.) - Can tie Gene Prebola (1,419) for fourth in Broncos history in career receiving yards by a tight end with 70 on Sunday. TE TONY SCHEFFLER (11 TDS) - Can tie Clarence Kay (13) for fourth in Broncos history in career receiving touchdowns by a tight end with two on Sunday. LB JAMIE WINBORN (99 TACKLES) - Can post the second 100- tackle season of his career with one tackle on Sunday. DENVER VS. BUFFALO 4 sunday, DEC. 21, 2008

5 broncos 2008 weekly release AFC WEST LEADERS WIRE-TO-WIRE Should they clinch the AFC West title on Sunday (win/tie vs. Buffalo or a San Diego loss/tie at Tampa Bay), the Broncos would become just the fifth team in NFL history during the 16-game schedule era (since 1978) to have sole possession of their divisional lead after every game in a season. Two weeks ago, the Tennessee Titans accomplished this feat when they clinched the AFC South. TEAMS TO MAINTAIN SOLE POSSESSION OF DIVISION LEAD AFTER EVERY GAME, NFL HISTORY, SINCE 1978 (16-GAME SCHEDULE) Year Team Division Reg. Season Playoffs 1985 L.A. Rams NFC West 11-5 Lost NFC Championship 2004 Atlanta NFC South 11-5 Lost NFC Championship 2007 New England AFC East 16-0 Lost Super Bowl XLII 2008 Tennessee AFC South 12-2? 2008 Denver AFC West 8-6? Since the AFC West was formed in 1970, the Broncos have never held sole possession of first place after every game of a season. In fact, this season marks only the second time in club history that Denver has maintained sole possession of its division lead through at least the first 10 games of a season. Denver s 1997 team held sole possession of first place of its division through the first 13 games of the year but ended up finishing second to Kansas City in the AFC West with a 12-4 record. The Broncos did end up winning Super Bowl XXXII as a Wild Card team that year. DENVER SEEKS 11TH DIVISION TITLE The Broncos are seeking their 11th AFC West title as well as the franchise s 18th playoff berth. Denver last won the AFC West and went to the playoffs in 2005 with a 13-3 record. Its 10 division titles are the second most (trailing Oakland, 13) since the AFC West s first year in The Broncos have won the AFC West three times under Head Coach Mike Shanahan (1995-Pres.) and a divisionalbest eight times under President/CEO Pat Bowlen (1984-Pres.). BRONCOS 10 ALL-TIME AFC WEST TITLES Year Head Coach Final Record Playoffs 1977 Red Miller 12-2 Lost Super Bowl XII 1978 Red Miller 10-6 Lost Divisional Playoff 1984 Dan Reeves 13-3 Lost Divisional Playoff 1986 Dan Reeves 11-5 Lost Super Bowl XXI 1987 Dan Reeves 10-4 Lost Super Bowl XXII 1989 Dan Reeves 11-5 Lost Super Bowl XXIV 1991 Dan Reeves 12-4 Lost AFC Championship 1996 Mike Shanahan 13-3 Lost Divisional Playoff 1998 Mike Shanahan 14-2 Won Super Bowl XXXIII 2005 Mike Shanahan 13-3 Lost AFC Championship MOST AFC WEST TITLES, ALL-TIME (SINCE 1970) Team Titles Last 1. Oakland Denver San Diego Kansas City Seattle* * - Seattle was in the AFC West from WEEKLY INFORMATION / SEASON NOTES BRONCOS ALL-TIME YEAR-BY-YEAR RECORDS YEAR PRESEASON REG. SEASON PLAYOFFS (S.B. loss) (S.B. loss) (S.B. loss) (S.B. loss) (S.B. win) (S.B. win) TOTAL (.538) (.530) (.531) DENVER VS. BUFFALO 5 sunday, DEC. 21, 2008

6 broncos 2008 weekly release WEEKLY INFORMATION / SEASON NOTES TRACKING DENVER S 2008 REGULAR-SEASON OPPONENTS Opponent Date/Result 08 Rec. LAST GAME THIS WEEK Oakland W, 41-14, L, Lost vs. New England, (Dec. 14) vs. Houston (Dec. 21) San Diego W, 39-38, Dec Won at Kansas City, (Dec. 14) at Tampa Bay (Dec. 21) New Orleans W, Lost at Chicago, OT (Dec. 11) at Detroit (Dec. 21) Kansas City L, 33-19, W, Lost vs. San Diego, (Dec. 14) vs. Miami (Dec. 21) Tampa Bay W, Lost at Atlanta, OT (Dec. 14) vs. San Diego (Dec. 21) Jacksonville L, Won vs. Green Bay, (Dec. 14) vs. Indianapolis (Dec. 18) New England L, Won at Oakland, (Dec. 14) vs. Arizona (Dec. 21) Miami L, Won vs. San Francisco, 14-9 (Dec. 14) at Kansas City (Dec. 21) Cleveland W, Lost at Philadelphia, (Dec. 15) vs. Cincinnati (Dec. 21) Atlanta W, Won vs. Tampa Bay, OT (Dec. 14) at Minnesota (Dec. 21) N.Y. Jets W, Won vs. Buffalo, (Dec. 14) at Seattle (Dec. 21) Carolina L, Won vs. Denver, (Dec. 14) at N.Y. Giants (Dec. 21) Buffalo Dec Lost at N.Y. Jets, (Dec. 14) at Denver (Dec. 21) Combined 2008 preseason record of opponents: (.500) / Combined 2008 regular-season record of opponents: (.446) SHANAHAN AGAINST THE BILLS Mike Shanahan s 5-1 record (.833) against the Bills marks his best record in the regular season among teams he has faced at least five times. He has won all five of his games against the Bills as Denver s head coach (1995-Pres.) and was 0-1 against Buffalo as the Raiders head coach ( ). MIKE SHANAHAN TOP WINNING PCT. VS. AN OPPONENT (REG. SEASON, MIN. 5 GAMES) Team Record Pct. 1. Buffalo Oakland New England San Diego Cincinnati SHANAHAN CLIMBING ALL-TIME WINS LIST With a win on Sunday against the Bills, Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan can pass Pro Football Hall of Fame Head Coach Marv Levy for sole possession of 15th in NFL history in career wins with his 155th. Levy coached the Bills from after a five-year stint ( ) as the Chiefs head coach. Shanahan s all-time coaching record stands at (.604). MOST WINS BY A HEAD COACH, NFL HISTORY Coach Reg. Post. Total 1. Don Shula Mike Holmgren Joe Gibbs Paul Brown Bud Grant Bill Cowher Mike Shanahan Marv Levy ROOKIES CONTRIBUTING Eight different rookies have combined to make a total of 50 starts at 10 different positions for Denver this year, including Spencer Larsen, who started on both offense (fullback) and defense (middle linebacker) at Atlanta on Nov. 16. A total of 12 rookies (8 draft picks, 4 college free agents) have combined to play in 135 games with 50 starts for Denver this year. An NFL-high six Broncos rookies have appeared in all 14 games this season, and Denver features nine rookies with at least 10 games played. KEY ROOKIE CONTRIBUTORS FOR DENVER, 2008 Player Pos. Drafted GP/GS Ryan Clady T First Rd. (12th, Boise State) 14/14 * - Given up 0.5 sacks this season and committed just three penalties Eddie Royal WR Second Rd. (42nd, Virginia Tech) 13/13 * - Leads all NFL rookies in receptions and combined yards Wesley Woodyard LB College Free Agent (Kentucky) 14/6 * - Started the last 6 gms. at LB, averaging 7.0 tackles per game Peyton Hillis FB/HB Seventh Rd. (227th, Arkansas) 12/6 * - Tied for team lead with six offensive TDs (5 rush, 1 rec.) Josh Bell CB College Free Agent (Baylor) 7/5 * - Started the last 5 gms. at LCB in place of Champ Bailey Spencer Larsen FB/LB Sixth Rd. (183rd, Arizona) 13/3 * - Has started at both MLB and FB, including once in the same game Brett Kern P College Free Agent (Toledo) 14/0 * - Ranks 5th in NFL in gross punting average (47.0 yds.) Safety Josh Barrett (4/1), center Kory Lichtensteiger (14/0), tackle Tyler Polumbus (14/0), running back Ryan Torian (2/1) and cornerback Jack Williams (14/0) round out Denver s rookie class contributors. DENVER VS. BUFFALO 6 sunday, DEC. 21, 2008

7 broncos 2008 weekly release WEEKLY INFORMATION / SEASON NOTES BRONCOS AWARDS UPDATE DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK (WK. 1) - WR EDDIE ROYAL Royal totaled the sixth-most receiving yards (146) in NFL history for a debut and registered a franchise-record nine catches, including one touchdown, in Denver s win at Oakland on Sept. 8. MOTOROLA NFL COACH OF THE WEEK (WK. 2) - MIKE SHANAHAN Shanahan led Denver to a win against San Diego on Sept. 14, snapping its four-game losing streak against the Chargers. The Broncos became the third team in NFL history to give up the opportunity for a tie and win a game with a successful two-point conversion in their victory. AFC OFF. PLAYER OF THE WEEK (WK. 2) - WR BRANDON MARSHALL Marshall tied for the second-most catches in NFL history for a game with a club-record 18 for 166 yards (9.2 avg.) with one touchdown in Denver s win against San Diego on Sept. 14. AFC OFF. PLAYER OF THE MONTH (SEPT.) - QB JAY CUTLER Cutler helped the Broncos to a 3-1 record and a first-place standing in the AFC West in September, completing 102-of-157 (65.0%) passes for 1,275 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions for a 98.6 passer rating. He led the AFC and ranked second in the NFL in both passing yards (1,275) and completions (102) while placing third in the league in touchdown passes (9). AFC SPEC. TMS. PLAYER OF THE WEEK (WK. 5) - K MATT PRATER Prater made all three field goal attempts (55, 40, 27 yds.) and his lone extra point try for 10 points while recording touchbacks on four-of-five kickoffs in the Broncos win against Tampa Bay on Oct. 5. AFC OFF. PLAYER OF THE WEEK / FEDEX AIR PLAYER OF THE WEEK (WK. 10) - QB JAY CUTLER Cutler tied for the third-highest single-game passing yardage total (447) in Denver history and registered his fifth-career fourth-quarter comeback during the Broncos win at Cleveland on Nov. 6, completing 24-of- 42 passes for 447 yards with three touchdowns and one interception for a passer rating. DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK (WK. 10) - WR EDDIE ROYAL Royal hauled in six passes for a game-high 164 yards (27.3 avg.), including a 93-yard touchdown (T-4th longest in team history), during the Broncos win at Cleveland on Nov. 6. DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK (WK. 11) - FB/LB SPENCER LARSEN Larsen became the first player in Broncos history and only the fourth player in the NFL since 1990 to start on both offense (fullback) and defense (middle linebacker) in the Broncos win at Atlanta on Nov. 16. He finished the game with seven tackles (6 solo). FEDEX GROUND PLAYER OF THE WEEK (WK. 13) - QB JAY CUTLER Cutler completed 27-of-43 passes for an NFL Week-13 best 357 yards with two touchdowns and one interception (94.8 passer rating) to lead Denver to a win at the New York Jets on Nov. 30. DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK / FEDEX GROUND PLAYER OF THE WEEK (WK. 13) - FB PEYTON HILLIS Hillis ranked fifth among all NFL players for the week with 129 rushing yards on 22 carries (5.9 avg.) with one touchdown in the Broncos win at the New York Jets on Nov. 30. WALTER PAYTON NFL MAN OF THE YEAR NOMINEE - CB CHAMP BAILEY Bailey was voted as the Broncos Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee for his work with the Denver Rescue Mission s The Crossing facility along with his support of several other team community efforts. BRONCOS AWARDS UPDATE, cont. FEDEX AIR PLAYER OF THE WEEK (WK. 14) - QB JAY CUTLER Cutler completed 80 percent (32-of-40) of his passes for 286 yards with two touchdowns and one interception (102.7 rtg.) while rushing for 16 yards on eight carries to account for 302 yards of offense in Denver s win against Kansas City on Dec. 7. DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK (WK. 14) - T RYAN CLADY Clady became the first offensive lineman to ever win Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honors (since 2004) after helping Denver not give up a sack for the third consecutive game and average 4.6 yards per rush (30-139) in its win against Kansas City on Dec. 7. BRONCOS SET RECORD FOR ROOKIE OF THE WEEK WINNERS Four Broncos rookies have combined to win five Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honors in 2008 through Week 15. The Broncos four individual winners mark the most by a team in a season since the award was created in Included in the total is T Ryan Clady, who after Week 14 (vs. Kansas City) became the first offensive lineman to win the award in its five-year history. MOST INDIVIDUAL DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK WINNERS IN A SEASON (award was started in 2004) Team No. Year Players (Selections) 1. Denver Eddie Royal, WR (2) Ryan Clady, T (1) Peyton Hillis, FB (1) Spencer Larsen, FB/LB (1) 2. Green Bay Mason Crosby, K (1) Brandon Jackson, RB (1) James Jones, WR (1) 3. Buffalo Trent Edwards, QB (2) Marshawn Lynch (1) Green Bay A.J. Hawk, LB (2) Greg Jennings, WR (1) New Orleans Marques Colston, WR (2) Reggie Bush, RB (1) Dallas Tyson Thompson, RB (1) DeMarcus Ware, LB (1) ON THIS DATE IN BRONCOS HISTORY Denver has a 3-1 all-time record in games played on Dec. 21: BRONCOS ON DEC. 21 Year Day W/L Result 1980 Sun. W Denver 25, at Seattle Sun. W at Denver 38, San Diego Mon. L at Miami 31, Denver Sun. W Denver 31, at Indianapolis 17 DENVER VS. BUFFALO 7 sunday, DEC. 21, 2008

8 broncos 2008 weekly release WEEKLY INFORMATION / SEASON NOTES BRONCOS 2008 WEEK-BY-WEEK RANKINGS PROGRESSION OFFENSE AFC DEFENSE OFFENSE NFL DEFENSE Week Total Rush Pass Total Rush Pass Total Rush Pass Total Rush Pass 1 (at Oakland) (vs. San Diego) (vs. New Orleans) (at Kansas City) (vs. Tampa Bay) (vs. Jacksonville) (at New England) (Bye) t (vs. Miami) (at Cleveland) (at Atlanta) (vs. Oakland) (at N.Y. Jets) (vs. Kansas City) (at Carolina) (vs. Buffalo) 17 (at San Diego) NFL-HIGH SIX ROOKIES HAVE PLAYED IN EVERY GAME FOR DENVER Denver features an NFL-high six rookies who have seen action in all 14 games this season. Included in the total is rookie T Ryan Clady, who is one of 11 rookies in the NFL to play in and start all 14 games in TEAMS WITH MOST ROOKIES WHO HAVE PLAYED IN EVERY GAME, NFL, 2008 Team No. 1. Denver 6 2. Atlanta 5 Kansas City 5 Miami 5 5. Baltimore 4 ROOKIES TO PLAY IN EVERY GAME, BRONCOS, 2008 Player Pos. Drafted GP/GS Ryan Clady T First Rd. (12th, Boise State) 14/14 Wesley Woodyard LB College Free Agent (Kentucky) 14/6 Brett Kern P College Free Agent (Toledo) 14/0 Kory Lichtensteiger C Fourth Rd. (108th, Bowling Green) 14/0 Tyler Polumbus T College Free Agent (Colorado) 14/0 Jack Williams CB College Free Agent (Kent State) 14/0 ROOKIE CLASS IMPRESSES The Broncos 2008 rookie class features eight draft picks and four college free agents who have combined to play in 135 games with 50 starts. Below is a look at the contributions of Denver s last five rookie classes in terms of games played and games started that season. ROOKIES WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR THE BRONCOS, LAST FIVE YEARS Year Draft Picks CFAs GP/GS Avg / / / / / / /17 9.3/ / /2.4 TURNOVER RATIO KEY FOR BRONCOS The Broncos have a 6-0 record this year with an even or positive turnover ratio, posting a 3-0 record with an even turnover ratio and a 3-0 record with a +1 ratio. Denver (6-0) joins Arizona (7-0) and Indianapolis (8-0) as one of three NFL teams this year with a perfect record with an even or positive turnover ratio. With a negative turnover ratio, Denver is 2-6 for the season. BRONCOS RECORD WITH AN EVEN OR POSITIVE TO RATIO, 2008 Game Take Give Ratio Result at Oak., 9/8/ W, vs. S.D., 9/14/ /-0 W, vs. T.B., 10/5/ /-0 W, at Cle., 11/6/ /-0 W, at Atl., 11/16/ W, at NYJ, 11/30/ W, DENVER VS. BUFFALO 8 sunday, DEC. 21, 2008

9 broncos 2008 weekly release WEEKLY INFORMATION / SEASON NOTES CUTLER ON PACE TO SET CLUB PASSING RECORD Quarterback Jay Cutler leads the AFC and is third in the NFL with 3,851 passing yards through Week 15. With two games remaining, that total already ranks fifth in team history for a single season. Named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September, Cutler opened the season with at least 300 passing yards in three of his first four games and has tied the Denver single-season record with six such performances this year. Averaging a club-record passing yards per game, he is on pace to set a Broncos single-season record with 4,401 passing yards. Denver s current single-season passing yardage record belongs to Jake Plummer, who threw for 4,089 yards in Cutler has thrown for at least 225 yards in nine of his 14 appearances this season. MOST PASSING YARDS, NFL, 2008 Player Att. Comp. Pct. Yds. TD INT Rtg. 1. Drew Brees, N.O , Kurt Warner, Ari , Jay Cutler, Den , Peyton Manning, Ind , Philip Rivers, S.D , MOST PASSING YARDS IN A SEASON, BRONCOS HISTORY Player Att. Comp. Pct. Yds. TD INT Rtg. 1. Jake Plummer, , John Elway, , John Elway, , John Elway, , Jay Cutler, , MOST PASSING YARDS PER GAME, SINGLE SEASON, BRONCOS HISTORY Player G Yds. YPG 1. Jay Cutler, , John Elway, , Jake Plummer, ,089* John Elway , John Elway, , * - Franchise record 2008 NFL REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS AFC East Team W L T Pct PF PA Home Road Div AFC NFC NYJ Mia N.E Buf AFC North Team W L T Pct PF PA Home Road Div AFC NFC z- Pit Bal Cle Cin AFC South Team W L T Pct PF PA Home Road Div AFC NFC z- Ten Ind Hou Jac AFC West Team W L T Pct PF PA Home Road Div AFC NFC Den S.D Oak K.C NFC East Team W L T Pct PF PA Home Road Div AFC NFC z- NYG Dal Phi Was NFC North Team W L T Pct PF PA Home Road Div AFC NFC Min Chi G.B Det NFC South Team W L T Pct PF PA Home Road Div AFC NFC Car T.B Atl N.O NFC West Team W L T Pct PF PA Home Road Div AFC NFC z- Ari S.F Sea Stl z - clinched division DENVER VS. BUFFALO 9 sunday, DEC. 21, 2008

10 broncos 2008 weekly release WEEKLY INFORMATION / SEASON NOTES CUTLER AMONG NFL LEADERS IN COMPLETIONS, TDS Quarterback Jay Cutler is fourth in the NFL in completions (326) while tying for fourth in the league in touchdown passes (24). He is 22 completions and three touchdown passes away from tying Denver s single-season records for those categories. Denver s single-season record for touchdown passes is 27 (Jake Plummer, 2004) and its single-season record for completions is 348 (John Elway, 1993). Cutler currently ranks third in Denver history for completions in a season and tied for sixth in touchdown passes. MOST PASS COMPLETIONS, NFL, 2008 Player Comp. Att. Pct. 1. Kurt Warner, Ari Drew Brees, N.O Peyton Manning, Ind Jay Cutler, Den Donovan McNabb, Phi MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES, NFL, 2008 Player No. 1. Drew Brees, N.O. 28 Philip Rivers, S.D Kurt Warner, Ari Jay Cutler, Den. 24 Tony Romo, Dal. 24 MOST PASS COMPLETIONS IN A SEASON, BRONCOS HISTORY Player Comp. Att. Pct. 1. John Elway, John Elway, Jay Cutler, John Elway, John Elway, MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES IN A SEASON, BRONCOS HISTORY Player No. 1. John Elway, Jake Plummer, John Elway, John Elway, John Elway, Jay Cutler, Frank Tripucka, NOTES FROM THE BRONCOS LAST GAME: at CAROLINA 30, DENVER 10 (12/14/08) The Broncos loss to the Panthers snaps their three-game road winning streak as well as their four-game winning streak against NFC opponents... S Josh Barrett, making his first NFL start, became the eighth Denver rookie to start for the Broncos this season... The seventh-round (220th overall) draft pick out of Arizona State is the first Broncos rookie to start at safety since S Sam Brandon started at free safety at Seattle on Nov. 17, He led the team with 11 tackles (7 solo) and had his first career interception, which he returned 34 yards in the third quarter... Broncos RB P.J. Pope, a second-year player, scored his first career touchdown and made his first career catch with a 7-yard scoring reception on Denver s opening drive... Pope, who played in his fifth career game, finished the contest with seven rushes for a team-high 51 yards (7.3 avg.) and three catches for 24 yards... Pope s 7-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter marked the fifth opening-drive touchdown of the season for the Broncos... With his 7-yard scoring toss to Pope in the first quarter, Broncos QB Jay Cutler (21-33, 172 yds., 1 TD, 1 INT, 74.3 rtg.) passed QB Charley Johnson (52) into fifth place in Denver history in career touchdown passes (53)... Broncos WR Brandon Marshall, who had five receptions for 48 yards, passed RB Gerald Willhite (207) and moved into 13th place in Broncos history in career receptions (210)... With his 43-yard field goal in the first quarter, Broncos K Matt Prater registered the 29th 100-point season by a Denver player and became the ninth different Bronco to reach that mark... Prater has 102 points on the season... With Pope s 7-yard touchdown reception on Denver s opening drive, the Broncos extended their scoring streak to 259 games... The streak, which started in 1992, is the longest current streak in the league and the fourthlongest all-time...the Broncos have scored on their first possession 101 times during the streak... Broncos LB D.J. Williams made his return to the starting lineup after missing five games with a knee injury WR Brandon Stokley appeared in his 100th career game... He finished with two receptions for 20 yards... C Casey Wiegmann started his 150th career game (his 125 consecutive starts represent the longest active streak by an NFL center) The Broncos averaged 5.3 yards per carry (23-121) Pope and RB Tatum Bell (7-43) combined for 14 rushes for 94 yards (6.7 avg.) WR Eddie Royal led Denver in receptions (6-48) Denver finished the game with a -1 turnover ratio (1 takeaway, 2 giveaways). DENVER VS. BUFFALO 10 sunday, DEC. 21, 2008

11 broncos 2008 weekly release DENVER S 3,000-YARD PASSING CLUB With his second consecutive 3,000-yard passing campaign in 2008, quarterback Jay Cutler has posted the 20th such output by a Bronco in club history. Below is a look at Denver s all-time 3,000-yard passers. BRONCOS 3,000-YARD PASSING SEASONS, TEAM HISTORY Player Year Att. Comp. Pct. Yds. TDs INTs Rtg. 1. Frank Tripucka , Craig Morton , John Elway , John Elway , John Elway , John Elway , John Elway , John Elway , John Elway , John Elway , John Elway , John Elway , John Elway , John Elway , Brian Griese , Brian Griese , Jake Plummer , Jake Plummer , Jay Cutler , Jay Cutler , CUTLER REACHES 50 TDS FASTER THAN ANY PLAYER IN CLUB HISTORY On Nov. 30 against the Jets, Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler became the fastest player in club history to 50 touchdown passes, reaching that mark in his 33rd career game with two scoring tosses in that contest. The record previously was shared by Brian Griese ( ) and Jake Plummer ( ), who reached that mark in 34 games. FASTEST BRONCOS TO 50 TD PASSES, TEAM HISTORY Player Years Gms. 1. Jay Cutler Jake Plummer Brian Griese Frank Tripucka Charley Johnson John Elway Craig Morton DENVER VS. BUFFALO WEEKLY INFORMATION / SEASON NOTES CUTLER TIES CLUB RECORD FOR FASTEST PLAYER TO 3,000 PASSING YARDS Four weeks ago against Oakland, Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler tied John Elway (1987) for the fastest in club history that a player reached 3,000 passing yards in a season, doing so in his 11th game. His passing total for the year stands at 3,851 yards With two games remaining, he is just 149 yards from posting only the third 4,000-yard passing season in Broncos history. Last season, Cutler registered 3,497 passing yards and reached the 3,000-yard mark in his 14th game of the year (at Hou., 12/13/07). FASTEST BRONCOS TO 3,000 PASSING YARDS IN A SEASON, TEAM HISTORY Player Year Gms. 1. Jay Cutler John Elway Jake Plummer Brian Griese John Elway John Elway John Elway GAME TD STREAK TO BEGIN THE YEAR Jay Cutler threw at least one touchdown pass in his first 10 games this year, and his 11-game streak with at least one scoring toss dating back to the 2007 season finale was the fifth longest in team history (longest since ). His streak ended vs. Oakland on Nov. 23 when he was held without a touchdown pass. This season, Cutler has thrown multiple touchdown passes in eight of his 14 appearances. LONGEST STREAKS WITH AT LEAST ONE TD PASS, BRONCOS HISTORY Player Year Gms. 1. Brian Griese John Elway John Elway John Elway Jay Cutler CUTLER AND 300-YARD GAMES Jay Cutler s two 300-yard games to start the year marked the first consecutive 300-yard outings of his three-year career and placed him with John Elway (1994) along with Frank Tripucka (1962) as one of three Broncos passers to begin the year in that fashion. The quarterback leads the AFC and is tied for third in the NFL in 300-yard passing games (6) this year. His six 300-yard passing games also represent a Denver single-season record. Cutler owns eight 300-yard passing games for his career The Broncos are 5-3 when he posts at least 300 passing yards in a game. MOST 300-YD. PASSING GAMES, NFL, 2008 Player No. 1. Drew Brees, N.O Kurt Warner, Ari Jay Cutler, Den. 6 Tony Romo, Dal Philip Rivers, S.D sunday, DEC. 21, 2008