It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in the Rocky Mountains.  A crisp 70 degrees after about a foot and a half of snow earlier in the week.  And conforming to standard, it was all melted.  Rather than rake the 12 inches of leaves I have piled up in my front yard, I decided to pick up the telephone when it rang.  I have three tickets to the Broncos-Colts game...You want them?  Hell yes!

So after having a few pregame beverages, I make way to my seat witha great view in the first level.  The festivities before the game were great, as usual.  The National Anthem was tremendous, and capped by the fly over.  A great start I say to myself.  After grabbing a brewski before the kick-off, I settle in for a great game and hopefully a bronco victory.  The Colts elect to receive.  They are going to be on the end that I am on.  I am going to stand up and cheer my #### off, in an attempt to throw off Mannings audibles.  I stand and cheer on first down.  I stand and cheer on second down.  I stand and cheer on third down.  I then get tacpped on the shoulder..."Excuse me, we are all season ticket holders and aren't use to standing, could you please sit down so we can see".  Quitely in my mind without being disrespectful I say to myself "Are you #### kidding me?  This is the first series of the game between the 5-1 Broncos and 6-0 Colts and I can't try to help my team out with a little noise?"  But, I consent to the "season ticket holder" who should probably have season tickets for the opera if he wants to warm his hands all day.  This is another issue to address, but I digress.

The first half is somewhat of the defensive battle I expected, with a halftime score of 14-6, Broncos.  I am starting to think we have a good shot to win this game, but in my heart I know the offense is going to have to move the ball in the second half.    You can't sit on an 8 point lead against the Colts like we could as if we were playing Oakland.  To my surprise, the Bronco Offense came to play today.  They put up 31 points total, Can't remember the last time that happened.  Anyway, during the second half, I threw caution to the wind and stood and cheered for my team.  The way I figure, if the stadium were full of fans like myself, instead of the wine and cheese crowd, we would not just be good, but great.  

So, on to my final point.  The Broncos are down 31-28.  I am a little nervous just because the offense has struggled all season long, but has looked good today.  So let's see what happens.  First play from scrimmage, Mike Bell, who is having the game of his life tears off a huge run...We are in Elam FG position.  First down, a conservative run.  Second Play, Conservative run.  Is it me or are we playing for the tie?  Two minute warning time.  Get up and stretch, pound the rest of my beer.  I am ready for the win!  I lean to my good friend sitting next to me and say, "we are playing for the tie, I think that is ####.  Expect a running play to the middle to set up the field goal, or a screen pass.  Something that will keep the clock running. "  Boy was I wrong.  After two conservative up the middle run plays, Shanny calls a 3rd and 10 pass, which almost winds up in a sack out of FG range, but ends up in an incomplete pass.  We make the FG.  YES!  We are tied.  With all of the so called "season ticket" holders happier than a dog with two ####, I sit in frustration. 

Why didn't we make more of an effort to score a touchdown and win this damn game?  If we are playing for OT, then why did we decide to leave the greatest QB in the game currently, 1:50 worth of time to operate.  Well, you know what happened next.  Manning marches down the field, and the Colts kick a field goal.  Game Over.  El Fin.  Did I mention that Manning had approximately all day to throw the ball  at this game?  I dont think we pressured him once. 

I am upset about the loss, but at least we found some offense to be optimistic about.  And hey, we are still better than the Raiders and Chiefs.  But what a shame that Plummer finally shows worthy in a game and when it matters, on a drive at the end to win the game potentially, Shanny shows no confidence in the offense and we play conservative, and we lose. 

Hopefully we can rebound against the Steelers, who lost to a miserable Oakland team.  Both teams should be pissed off going in to this one.  WE will see.  Later.