2007 Denver Broncos season


The 2007 season was the Denver Broncos' 38th in the National Football League and their 48th overall. A loss to the Houston Texans in Week 15 and a win by the San Diego Chargers the following Sunday knocked them out of playoff contention, marking the second year in a row they failed to make the playoffs. The Broncos' 7–9 record was their worst since 1999, their last losing season.

Offseason

The 2006–2007 off-season began as two members of the team died in less than two months after the season ended. Cornerback Darrent Williams was shot and killed in his H2 limousine on New Year's Day, just a few hours after the Broncos last game of the 2006 season. Soon after, Broncos 3rd string running back Damien Nash collapsed and died in a pick-up basketball game.
The Broncos traded running back Tatum Bell and offensive tackle George Foster to the Detroit Lions for former Pro Bowl cornerback Dre' Bly to compensate for the loss of Williams. In addition to the trade for Bly, the Broncos had made a trade to the Miami Dolphins for Dan Wilkinson, only to have that trade voided because Wilkinson did not show up to Denver for his scheduled physical.
Denver added running back Travis Henry, fullback Thump Belton, and tight end Daniel Graham through free agency. The team released linebacker Al Wilson during the month of April for health and salary cap reasons.
Denver also signed backup WR Brandon Stokley from the Indianapolis Colts and P/Kickoff Specialist Todd Sauerbrun.
Signed K Brandon Pace and C Mark Fenton on May 7. Released OL Tim Duckworth on May 7.

NFL draft

Personnel

Staff / Coaches

Roster

Greg Eslinger was moved to the practice squad at the beginning of 2007. On November 13, 2007, the Cleveland Browns picked him off the Broncos practice squad.
Domenik Hixon played 4 games for the Denver Broncos to start the 2007 season then was released in early October.

Preseason

Schedule

Standings

Regular season

Week 1: at Buffalo Bills

The Bills scored first on a 74-yard kick return by Roscoe Parrish. Denver then answered with a 10 play drive that led to a field goal by Jason Elam, making it 7–3.
In the second quarter Denver scored first with a 48-yard field goal. Bills kicker Rian Lindell then missed a 45-yard field goal. The Broncos drove deep into Bills territory at the close of the half but Cutler threw an interception to end the drive. The Bills then drove into Denver territory and tried a long field goal but failed due to a false start, then ended the half with an interception thrown to Elvis Dumervil.
On the opening kickoff for the second half, a scary injury occurred to Bills TE Kevin Everett, as he suffered a cervical spine injury while making a tackle on Domenik Hixon. Everett later underwent surgery that day. On September 11, 2007, Everett showed significant movement in his arms and legs, which led doctors to speculate that he might eventually be able to walk again. Indeed, Everett walked in public for the first time at Ralph Wilson Stadium before the home finale against the New York Giants on December 23, 2007.
The Broncos began the second half with a drive that ended with a missed 50-yard field goal. The Bills then made a nine play drive that ended with a 23-yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch. The Broncos responded with a drive ending with a touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall. They then attempted to tie the game with a two-point conversion but failed with an incomplete pass to Javon Walker.
The fourth quarter had little scoring. Elam missed a field goal, but the Bills failed to score or run out the clock, giving Denver the ball with a little over two minutes to play. After an ill-advised lateral bounced free, the Bronco's faced a seemingly insurmountable 3rd and 23 to go. Cutler immediately turned in the best clutch performance of his NFL career to date, one that drew comparisons to John Elway by both sportswriters and teammates.
Cutler's drive included two fourth down conversions to drive deep into Bills' territory, where, with no time outs, they rushed the field goal unit onto the field with ten seconds left and the clock ticking down. Execution by the field goal unit allowed Jason Elam to kick the game winning 42-yard field goal just as the clock ticked to 0:00. Buffalo ended up leading the game for over 51 minutes of the contest. Denver lead for one second.

Scoring drives

  • Q1 – BUF – 6:17 – 74-yard TD Punt Return by Roscoe Parrish
  • Q1 – DEN – 0:33 – Jason Elam 21-yard FG
  • Q2 – DEN – 7:51 – Elam 48-yard field goal
  • Q3 – BUF – 6:24 – 23-yard TD run by Marshawn Lynch
  • Q3 – DEN – 0:54 – 5-yard TD pass from Jay Cutler to Brandon Marshall
  • Q4 – DEN – 0:00 – Elam 42-yard FG

    Week 2: vs. Oakland Raiders

In the first quarter, the Broncos were the first to score with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Cutler to WR Brandon Stokley after taking the ball from the Raiders with an interception by Alex Ludwig. The second quarter began with another interception by Marcus Thomas after a deflection by John Lynch. The game was then halted due to lightning, but resumed after several minutes. Denver failed to capitalize however, with Cutler throwing an interception that led to a Raider field goal by Sebastian Janikowski. Later however the Broncos capitalized on a 40-yard run by Selvin Young, finishing the drive with a 4-yard touchdown by Cecil Sapp. The Broncos then forced a punt by Oakland and drove for a 23-yard field goal by Elam, putting them up 17–3 at the half.
Denver began the second half with a drive that ended with a missed field goal by Elam. The Raiders responded with a 46-yard touchdown pass from Josh McCown to Jerry Porter. They then kicked an onside kick which they recovered but failed to drive due to penalties. However Gerard Warren then sacked Cutler in the end zone for a safety to begin the fourth quarter.
Oakland punted on their next possession, but Cutler threw an interception to Thomas Howard who returned it 44 yards for a score. Oakland made a two-point conversion, making it 20–17 Oakland. Later in the quarter Elam kicked a 20-yard field goal with 2:12 in time remaining to tie to score at 20–20. The Raiders failed to score, throwing an interception to Dre Bly to send the game into overtime.
The Broncos won the coin toss to get the ball first in overtime, but failed to score, punting it to Oakland. Raider Lamont Jordan then broke a 33-yard run to set up a 52-yard field goal attempt by Janikowski. Denver called time out just before the Raiders got the snap off and so Janikowski's successful kick did not count. On his next attempt he hooked it left, giving Denver the ball. The Broncos then drove to the Oakland 4-yard line, then kicked a game-winning field goal by Elam.

Scoring drives

  • Q1 – DEN – 9:58 – 9-yard TD pass from Jay Cutler to Brandon Stokley
  • Q2 – OAK – 4:34 – 38-yard FG by Sebastian Janikowski
  • Q2 – DEN – 7:26 – 4-yard TD run by Cecil Sapp
  • Q2 – DEN – 14:42 – 23-yard FG by Elam
  • Q3 – OAK – 9:41 – 46-yard TD pass from Josh McCown to Jerry Porter
  • Q4 – OAK – 0:45 – Safety, Cutler sacked by Gerard Warren in end zone
  • Q4 – OAK – 6:05 – 44-yard interception return by Thomas Howard
  • Q4 – DEN – 12:42 – 20-yard FG by Elam
  • OT – DEN – 9:12 – 23-yard FG by Elam

    Week 3: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Following their OT win over the Raiders, the Broncos stayed at home for an intraconference duel with the Jacksonville Jaguars. After a scoreless first quarter, Denver trailed early as Jaguars QB David Garrard completed a 3-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Williams. The Broncos tied the game with QB Jay Cutler completing a 1-yard TD pass to TE Nate Jackson. However, Jacksonville took the lead with FB Greg Jones getting a 4-yard TD run, while kicker John Carney nailed a 19-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, Denver continued to trail as the Jaguars increased its lead with Carney's 27-yard field goal, which was the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, the Broncos attempted a comeback with RB Travis Henry getting a 6-yard TD run. However, Jacksonville sealed their win with Carney kicking an 18-yard field goal.
With the loss, Denver fell to 2–1.

Week 4: at Indianapolis Colts

Game summary

Hoping to rebound from their home loss to the Jaguars, the Broncos flew to the RCA Dome for an intraconference fight with the defending-Super Bowl champions, the Indianapolis Colts. In the first quarter, Denver galloped to an early lead with kicker Jason Elam getting a 35-yard field goal, along with QB Jay Cutler complete a 7-yard TD pass to WR Brandon Marshall. In the second quarter, the Colts responded with RB Joseph Addai got a 14-yard TD run. The Broncos replied with Elam kicking a 22-yard field goal, yet Indianapolis took the lead with QB Peyton Manning completing a 9-yard TD pass to TE Dallas Clark.
In the third quarter, Denver began to struggle as Manning got a 1-yard TD run, along with completing a 3-yard TD pass to Clark. The Broncos got close with Cutler getting a 2-yard TD run. However, in the fourth quarter, the Colts sealed their win with Manning completing a 5-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Wayne, along with kicker Adam Vinatieri nailing a 22-yard field goal.
With their second-straight loss, Denver fell to 2–2.

Scoring summary

  • Scoring
First quarter
  • DEN – Jason Elam 35-yard field goal, 11:32. Broncos 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 47 yards, 3:28.
  • DEN – Brandon Marshall 7-yard pass from Jay Cutler, 2:19. Broncos 10–0. Drive: 10 plays, 86 yards, 5:28.
Second quarter
  • IND – Joseph Addai 14-yard run, 14:23. Broncos 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 2:56.
  • DEN – Jason Elam 22-yard field goal, 8:29. Broncos 13–7. Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 5:54.
  • IND – Dallas Clark 9-yard pass from Peyton Manning, 3:49. Colts 14–13. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 4:40.
Third quarter
  • IND – Peyton Manning 1-yard run, 11:46. Colts 21–13. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 3:14.
  • IND – Dallas Clark 3-yard pass, 8:55. Colts 28–13. Drive: 4 plays, 24 yards, 2:03.
  • DEN – Jay Cutler 2-yard run, 1:10. Colts 28–20. Drive: 14 plays, 79 yards, 7:45.
Fourth quarter
  • IND – Reggie Wayne 5-yard pass from Peyton Manning, 10:56. Colts 35–20. Drive: 10 plays, 83 yards, 5:14.
  • IND – Adam Vinatieri 22-yard field goal, 2:34. ''Colts 38–20. Drive: 13 plays, 76 yards, 5:59.''