Perspective is perfect remedy for Denver Broncos indigestion

 

Two days later, and the loss to the Oakland Raiders still lingers like the severe heartburn you get after downing an extra spicy bowl of chili.

You burp and swallow hard as it sneaks up your throat.

Not even a jumbo bottle of Tums will cure this episode. The Denver Broncos just have to suck it up, deal with it and move on.

That’s exactly what Gary Kubiak had to tell his team on Monday as the preparations for the Pittsburgh Steelers began. As we all know so well at this point, “We’re on to Pittsburgh.”

There’s nothing the Broncos can do about the loss to Oakland. They can’t replay the game and obsess over how they should have scored just one measly touchdown in the first half to all but end it.

There was talk after the game and on Monday about “division” in the Denver locker room. It all supposedly stems from the defense being fed up about the lack of offensive production.

“I’m hot,” Broncos cornerback Chris Harris told the media on Sunday. “We were not supposed to lose that game. We played terrible in the second half, gave them the ball every time. So we’ve just got to be smarter. We can’t beat ourselves. This is going to be a tough team to beat if we don’t beat ourselves.”

Folks, it’s one game.

Yes, yes, Denver made it incredibly difficult to get the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs because of this loss. The road to the Super Bowl, unless the Broncos win out and get some help, goes through Foxborough.

None of that matters. Denver cannot think about that. The Broncos must turn their focus to Pittsburgh.

As for the possible “division” in the locker room, no chance. Do you really think a team that could win the Super Bowl is going to throw it all away because of one game? As the guys on ESPN Monday Night Countdown so eloquently state: “C’mon, man!”

Kubiak and his coaching staff have been here and done that. It’s a week-to-week league. Remember, this is the same team and offense that beat New England. You learn what you can, take a day, and move on. Get better for the next one. Don’t get too high with the wins, too low with the defeats.

One can imagine Kubiak telling his players on Monday: “I’m glad so many of you are pissed off. But take that emotion and put it toward Pittsburgh. Let it go. Learn from it and those type of things. The fact that you’re pissed off shows how much you care. I’m pissed off. But let’s use that to get better and get where we eventually want to go. It’s one game. It’s in the past. We’re on to Pittsburgh. Let’s have a great week of practice and make it right.”

For some context and perspective, let’s go back in history.

Mid-November 1997 in Kansas City, John Elway and the Denver offense scored just one touchdown with multiple trips into Kansas City territory that resulted in Jason Elam field goals. Had the Broncos scored just two measly touchdowns, they would have won the AFC West.

They also proceeded to lose back-to-back games in December to the Steelers and San Francisco 49ers.

Alas, Denver finished 12-4 and had to play in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, then go on the road to Kansas City and Pittsburgh to even get to Super Bowl XXXII.

Heck, even the 2000 Baltimore Ravens lost three-straight games because of their offense’s inability to score touchdowns.

Far too often, fans and media carry over what happened in prior weeks to the present. Before you know it, one troublesome game becomes the Gospel for things to come the rest of the season.

Do yourself a favor, spare yourself from stress and look at it like those in the game do.

It’s a week-to-week league. It’s a tired cliche but it’s true. Remember, this is the same team that beat the Patriots. It moved the ball and made plays in the fourth quarter when they were needed. It scored touchdowns.

Losses in the NFL happen. Bad losses in the NFL happen. Injuries happen. Head-shaking plays happen. The key is to make sure you don’t let those negative moments define your team or season. Move on, learn what you can and get better. Don’t overreact.

Perhaps this is an overly positive take, but despite the putrid second half and rank offense, Denver only lost by three points. If one play was made – Vernon Davis doesn’t mimic Demaryius Thomas, Thomas earns his paycheck, Brock Osweiler doesn’t pull a Manny Ramirez and heave the ball out of the stadium – they would have won.

Learn where you can, strive to get better and use the emotions to ensure that happens. Work extra hard in practice and focus a little harder on the playbook.

Despite the lingering effects of the tough loss, that’s all the Broncos can do. Turn the attention to Pittsburgh.

Though two days later, some Tums sure would help.