The 2011Denver Broncosseason is the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League and the 52nd overall. It also marks the first season under new head coach John Fox, as well as the first with John Elway as the team's Executive Vice President of Football Operations. With a 7–5 record, the Broncos have exceeded their win total from 2010, in which the team set a new franchise record for losses in a single season, with a 4–12 record.[1] The Broncos selected linebackerVon Miller as the #2 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
On July 25, the NFLPA and NFL owners agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement, which was ratified on August 4.[2] The Broncos training camp began on July 28 at the team headquarters in Dove Valley, Colorado, and the preseason and regular season started on time.[3]
The first five weeks of the season were dominated by a quarterback controversy involving Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow, with fans voicing their displeasure with the play of Orton, which resulted in a 1–4 start, and the public outcry for Tebow to be moved to starter. On October 11, Tebow was named the starter for the team's Week 7 game at the Miami Dolphins on October 23, and has led the Broncos to a 6–1 record, despite constant criticism of Tebow's ability as a passer.[4] Orton was later waived on November 22.[5] On October 17, shortly after the quarterback change, the team traded wide receiverBrandon Lloyd to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for a conditional 2012 draft selection.[6]
On January 5, Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway was hired as the team's Executive Vice President of Football Operations. Brian Xanders will remain as general manager, but Elway will have the final word in all football matters. Joe Ellis, who served as the team's chief operating officer for the past three years, was promoted to team president.[7]
On January 17, the following changes were made to the Broncos' coaching staff: Clancy Barone was moved from offensive line coach to tight ends coach, replacing Bob Ligashesky. Dave Magazu was named the new offensive line coach. Tyke Tolbert was named the new wide receivers coach. Magazu and Tolbert both previously served on John Fox's staff with the Panthers. Brian Callahan was moved to the offensive quality control position, while Jay Rodgers was moved to the defensive quality control position. Eric Studesville, who served as the team's interim head coach for the final four games of the 2010 season, will retain his position as running backs coach.[9]
On January 20, Adam Gase, who served as the Broncos' wide receivers coach during the previous two seasons, was named the team's new quarterbacks coach, replacing Ben McDaniels. That same day, Jeff Rodgers, who served on John Fox's staff with the Panthers during the previous two seasons, was named the team's new special teams coach.[10]
On January 24, the Broncos hired former New Orleans Saints' secondary coach Dennis Allen as the team's new defensive coordinator, replacing Don Martindale.[11] The following day (January 25), the team hired Ron Milus as the new secondary coach and Richard Smith as the new linebackers coach. Milus previously served as the Broncos' secondary coach in 2000, while Smith previously served as the Broncos' special teams coach and linebackers coach in the mid-1990s, and both previously served on John Fox's staff with the Panthers during the past two seasons.[12]
On January 27, the coaching staff was finalized, when Keith Burns was brought back as the assistant special teams coach and Sam Garnes was hired as the teams' new assistant secondary coach. Garnes served on John Fox's staff with the Panthers last season.[13]
Pre-lockout roster changes[]
The Broncos made the following roster moves prior to the decertification of the NFLPA on March 11 and subsequent 2011 NFL Lockout:
Despite the 2011 NFL Lockout, the 2011 NFL Draft was held from April 28–30. However, no undrafted free agents were signed until after the lockout ended on July 25.[18]
The Broncos' preseason schedule was announced on April 12, 2011,[1] with kickoff times finalized on July 26, one day after the end of the 2011 NFL Lockout.[2]
On July 27, wide receiverDemaryius Thomas was placed on the non-football injury list. Thomas suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon shortly after the end of the 2010 season, and had surgery back in February.[31] Thomas later suffered a broken finger during practice on September 8, and missed the first six weeks of the regular season.[32]
On August 15, defensive tacklesMarcus Thomas and Ty Warren each sustained separate injuries in practice. Thomas suffered a strained pectoral muscle, and missed the first four weeks of the regular season. Warren suffered torn triceps, and was initially expected to return in November, but was placed on the season-ending Injured reserve on September 17.[33][22]
On August 27, linebackerD. J. Williams suffered a dislocated elbow during the team's third preseason game vs. the Seattle Seahawks, and missed the first three weeks of the regular season.[34]
Four days later, on September 3, the Broncos trimmed their roster to a regular season-maximum 53 players. Undrafted wide receiverJamel Hamler, running back Brandon Minor and cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson were each placed on Injured reserve, while the following 24 players were waived, unless indicated otherwise:[6]
On August 16, 2011, Sports Authority, a sporting goodsretailer based in Englewood, Colorado, took over the naming rights of INVESCO Field at Mile High. Invesco held the original naming rights to the Denver Broncos' stadium since it opened in 2001, and Invesco's naming rights agreement was set to expire in 2021. INVESCO Field at Mile High officially became known as Sports Authority Field at Mile High, in time for the Broncos' first preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on August 20.[37]
Regular season[]
Schedule[]
The Broncos' 2011 regular season schedule was announced on April 19, 2011.[38]
On September 20, the Broncos signed former Cincinnati Bengals' wide receiverQuan Cosby and waived running back Jeremiah Johnson, who had been promoted from the practice squad four days earlier.[42]
On October 17, wide receiver Brandon Lloyd was traded to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for a conditional sixth-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft that was later upgraded to a fifth-rounder after Lloyd made a minimum of 30 receptions with the Rams.[44][45] To fill Lloyd's vacant roster spot, the Broncos signed safetyRafael Bush away from the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad.[46]
On November 14, running back Knowshon Moreno was placed on Injured reserve, after he suffered a torn ACL in the team's Week 10 win over the Kansas City Chiefs the previous day. His roster spot was filled, when running back Jeremiah Johnson, who was previously waived on September 20, was promoted from the practice squad.[47]
On November 28, cornerback/kickoff returnerCassius Vaughn was placed on Injured reserve, after suffering a broken bone in his leg during the team's Week 12 win over the San Diego Chargers the previous day. To fill his roster spot, in addition to the spot vacated after quarterbackKyle Orton was waived six days earlier (November 22), the team promoted safety Kyle McCarthy and linebacker Mike Mohamed from the practice squad.[48]
Quarterback controversy[]
On October 11, Tim Tebow was named the Broncos' starting quarterback for the team's October 23 game at the Miami Dolphins in Week 7 (the Broncos had their bye in Week 6).[49] Tebow started the last three games of the 2010 season, and the team was considering trading incumbent Kyle Orton to the Dolphins before the start of training camp,[50] however, Orton was eventually named the starting quarterback in training camp by head coach John Fox and John Elway, the team's Executive Vice President of Football Operations.[51] After a 1–3 start and public outcry from fans, an ineffective Orton was benched for the second half of the team's 29–24 loss in Week 5 to the San Diego Chargers, and replaced by Tebow, who nearly engineered a fourth-quarter comeback.[52] On November 22, Orton was waived, ending a two and a half year run as the team's starting quarterback.[53]
Game summaries[]
Week 1: vs. Oakland Raiders[]
Week One: Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos – Game summary
The Broncos donned their alternate orange jerseys and kicked off their 2011 season at home against their AFC West rival Oakland Raiders, the Broncos' first regular-season home opener since 2004. The Broncos took an early lead in the first quarter, with a 28-yard field goal by placekicker Matt Prater. Oakland reeled off 16 unanswered points in the second quarter, with a 3-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jason Campbell to fullback Marcel Reece, followed by three field goals of 37, 21 and 63 yards by placekicker Sebastian Janikowski, the latter of which tied the record for the longest field goal in NFL history. The Broncos responded in the third quarter, with kick returner Eric Decker returning a punt 90 yards for a touchdown, followed by a 30-yard field goal by Prater. Oakland increased their lead in the fourth quarter, with a 1-yard touchdown run by Campbell. The Broncos tried to rally, with quarterback Kyle Orton throwing a 9-yard touchdown pass to running back Lance Ball. However, Oakland would run out the clock.[54]
With the loss, the Broncos began the season at 0–1.
Week 2: vs. Cincinnati Bengals[]
Week Two: Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Bengals
0
3
12
7
22
Broncos
7
3
7
7
24
at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
Following their Monday night loss to the Raiders, the Broncos remained on home turf to face the Cincinnati Bengals. The Broncos took the lead in the first quarter, with a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Willis McGahee. Cincinnati got on the board in the second quarter, with a 45-yard field goal by placekicker Mike Nugent. The Broncos responded, with a 34-yard field goal by placekicker Matt Prater just before halftime. In the third quarter, the Broncos extended their lead, with a 25-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kyle Orton to wide receiver Eric Decker. However, Cincinnati reeled off 12 unanswered points, with a 37-yard field field goal by Nugent, a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Andy Dalton to wide receiver Andre Caldwell (with a failed two-point conversion attempt), followed by a 23-yard field goal by Nugent, narrowing the Broncos' lead to 17–15. In the fourth quarter, the Broncos once again increased their lead, with a 52-yard touchdown pass from Orton to Decker, but Cincinnati responded, with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Dalton to running back A. J. Green. The Broncos' defense prevented any more scoring.[55]
With the win, the Broncos improved to 1–1.
Week 3: at Tennessee Titans[]
Week Three: Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
Following their close win over the Bengals, the Broncos traveled to Nashville to face the Tennessee Titans. The Broncos took the lead in the first quarter, with a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kyle Orton to wide receiver Matthew Willis. Tennessee responded in the second quarter, with a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to wide receiver Nate Washington, followed by a 46-yard field goal by placekicker Rob Bironas. The Broncos re-claimed the lead in the third quarter, when Orton connecting with running back Willis McGahee on a 5-yard touchdown pass. However, after recovering a Hasselbeck fumble in Titans' territory late in the third quarter, the Broncos failed to capitalize on the turnover, as Tennessee's defense denied the Broncos from extending their lead with a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter. Tennessee later claimed the lead, when Hasselbeck, playing on his 36th birthday, threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Daniel Graham, who played with the Broncos from 2007–2010. Tennessee's defense thwarted the Broncos' final drive.[56]
With the loss, the Broncos fell to 1–2.
Week 4: at Green Bay Packers[]
Week Four: Denver Broncos at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Hoping to avenge their loss at Tennessee, the Broncos flew to Lambeau Field to face the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers. The Broncos took the early lead, with a 27-yard field goal by placekicker Matt Prater. However, Green Bay responded, with a 50-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers to wide receiver Jordy Nelson, followed by cornerback Charles Woodson returning an interception off Broncos' quarterback Kyle Orton 30 yards for a touchdown. After recovering a onside kick, Green Bay added to their lead early in the second quarter, with Rodgers scrambling 11 yards for a touchdown. The Broncos responded, with Orton throwing two touchdown pass to wide receiver Eric Decker: a 5-yarder, followed by a 33-yarder. Green Bay responded just before halftime, when Rodgers connected on a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Greg Jennings. Green Bay increased their lead on the opening possession of the third quarter, with Rodgers scrambling for an 8-yard touchdown run, followed by a 16-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to wide receiver James Jones. Green Bay continued their onslaught in the fourth quarter, with Rodgers hooking up with wide receiver Donald Driver on an 8-yard touchdown pass. The Broncos scored a late touchdown, when Orton connected with tight end Daniel Fells on a 7-yard touchdown pass (with a failed two-point conversion attempt), but the outcome of the game had already been decided in Green Bay's favor.[57]
With the loss, the Broncos fell to 1–3.
Week 5: vs. San Diego Chargers[]
Week Five: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Chargers
6
17
0
6
29
Broncos
7
3
0
14
24
at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
Hoping to rebound from their blowout loss at Green Bay, the Broncos returned home for an AFC West duel with the San Diego Chargers. San Diego took the early lead in the first quarter, with a 24-yard field goal by placekicker Nick Novak. The Broncos grabbed the lead, when cornerback Cassius Vaughn returned a interception off Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers 55 yards for a touchdown. San Diego responded, with a 32-yard field goal by Novak. The Broncos extended their lead in the second quarter, with a 32-yard field goal by placekicker Matt Prater. However, San Diego would re-claim the lead, with a 2-yard touchdown run by Rivers, a 28-yard field goal by Novak, followed by a 42-yard touchdown pass from Rivers to wide receiver Malcom Floyd, giving the Chargers a 23–10 halftime lead. After a scoreless third quarter, San Diego added to their lead, with a 51-yard field goal by Novak. The Broncos responded, when quarterback Tim Tebow scrambled for a 12-yard touchdown (with a two-point conversion run by running back Willis McGahee), then threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to running back Knowshon Moreno (with a failed two-point conversion attempt), to pull the Broncos to within 26–24 with just over three minutes left in the game. San Diego responded, with a 35-yard field goal by Novak. The Broncos tried to rally with 24 seconds remaining in regulation, but Tebow's last-second desperation pass into the end zone was unsuccessful, sealing the win for San Diego.[58]
With the loss, the Broncos dropped to 1–4, entering their bye week.
Week 7: at Miami Dolphins[]
Week Seven: Denver Broncos at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Hoping to snap their three-game losing streak, and coming off their bye week, the Broncos flew to Sun Life Stadium to face the Miami Dolphins, where the Broncos had never won in their franchise history. After a scoreless first quarter, Miami grabbed the lead in the second quarter, with field goals of 38 and 36 yards by placekicker Dan Carpenter. After a scoreless third quarter, Miami extended their lead in the fourth quarter, with quarterback Matt Moore throwing a 16-yard touchdown pass to tight end Anthony Fasano (with a failed two-point conversion attempt), followed by a 43-yard field goal by Carpenter, giving Miami a 15–0 lead. However, after each team traded punts, the Broncos staged a rally with just over five minutes remaining, with quarterback Tim Tebow throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas to pull to within 15–7 with 2:44 remaining. After the Broncos recovered an onside kick, they subsequently marched down the field, with Tebow connecting on a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Daniel Fells, which was followed by Tebow scrambling for a two-point conversion run to send the game into overtime. On Miami's second possession in overtime, Broncos' linebacker D. J. Williams forced a fumble off Moore, giving the Broncos possession at the Dolphins' 36-yard line. Four plays later, placekicker Matt Prater, who had missed two field goals in the first half, nailed the game-winning 52-yard field goal.
With the win, the Broncos not only improved to 2–4, but also earned their 400th win in franchise history, their first-ever win at Miami in eight tries, and became the first team since the AFL–NFL merger to win a game after trailing by 15 or more points with less than three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.[59][60]
Week 8: vs. Detroit Lions[]
Week Eight: Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Lions
7
17
14
7
45
Broncos
3
0
0
7
10
at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
Hoping to build on the momentum of their comeback win at Miami, the Broncos donned their alternate orange jerseys and returned home for an interconference duel with the Detroit Lions. The Broncos grabbed the early lead in the first quarter, with a 39-yard field goal by placekicker Matt Prater. However, Detroit would dominate the remainder of the game, beginning with a 41-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to wide receiver Titus Young, followed in the second quarter by a 50-yard field goal by placekicker Jason Hanson, a 1-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to tight end Tony Scheffler and a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Maurice Morris, giving Detroit a 24–3 halftime lead. Detroit continued their domination in the third quarter, with a 24-yard fumble return for a touchdown by defensive end Cliff Avril, a 56-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to wide receiver Calvin Johnson, followed in the fourth quarter by cornerback Chris Houston returning an interception off Broncos' quarterback Tim Tebow 100 yards for a touchdown. The Broncos finally got into the end zone, with Tebow throwing a 14-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eric Decker, but the outcome of the game had already been decided in Detroit's favor.[61]
With the loss, the Broncos dropped to 2–5.
Week 9: at Oakland Raiders[]
Week Nine: Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Hoping to rebound from their disastrous home loss to the Lions, the Broncos flew to O.co Coliseum for an AFC West rematch with the Oakland Raiders. In the first quarter, Oakland grabbed the early lead, with a 48-yard field goal by placekicker Sebastian Janikowski. The Broncos responded, with quarterback Tim Tebow hooking up with wide receiver Eric Decker on a 27-yard touchdown pass. Oakland re-claimed the lead in the second quarter, with quarterback Carson Palmer throwing two touchdown passes: an 11-yarder to running back Michael Bush, followed by a 40-yarder to fullback Marcel Reece. In the third quarter, the Broncos cut into the Raiders' lead, with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Tebow to wide receiver Eddie Royal. Oakland responded, with Palmer throwing an 18-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jacoby Ford, giving the Raiders a 24–14 lead. However, the Broncos would dominate the remainder of the game, with a 43-yard field goal by placekicker Matt Prater, followed by a 60-yard touchdown run by running back Willis McGahee at the end of the third quarter. The Broncos grabbed the lead with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, when Royal returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown, then pulled away with a 24-yard touchdown run by McGahee.[62]
With the win, the Broncos improved to 3–5.
Week 10: at Kansas City Chiefs[]
Week Ten: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Coming off their win at Oakland, the Broncos flew to Arrowhead Stadium for an AFC West duel with the Kansas City Chiefs. In the first quarter, the Broncos grabbed the early lead, with quarterback Tim Tebow scrambling for a 7-yard touchdown, followed in the second quarter by a 38-yard field goal by placekicker Matt Prater. Kansas City got on the board in the third quarter, with a 1-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Cassel to fullback Le'Ron McClain. The Broncos responded in the fourth quarter, with Tebow throwing a 56-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eric Decker. Kansas City tried to rally, with placekicker Ryan Succop nailing a late 32-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining, but the ensuing onside kickoff was unsuccessful, sealing the win for the Broncos.[63]
With the win, the Broncos improved to 4–5, matching their win total from 2010.
Week 11: vs. New York Jets[]
Week Eleven: New York Jets at Denver Broncos – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Jets
0
3
7
3
13
Broncos
3
0
7
7
17
at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
Coming off their win at Kansas City, the Broncos returned home for an AFC duel against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football. The Broncos grabbed the lead in the first quarter, with a 37-yard field goal by placekicker Matt Prater. The Jets tied the game in the second quarter, with a 21-yard field goal by placekicker Nick Folk, then grabbed the lead in the third quarter, when guard Matt Slauson returned a fumble off Jets' running back Bilal Powell into the end zone for a touchdown. The Broncos tied the game, when cornerback André Goodman returned an interception off Jets' quarterback Mark Sanchez 26 yards for a touchdown. The Jets re-claimed the lead in the fourth quarter, with a 45-yard field goal by Folk. After each team traded punts, the Broncos got the ball with 5:54 remaining, when quarterback Tim Tebow led the Broncos on a 12-play, 95-yard drive, culminating with Tebow scrambling 20 yards for a touchdown with 58 seconds remaining. The Broncos' defense thwarted Sanchez' last-second desperation pass toward the end zone.[64]
With the win, the Broncos improved to 5–5, exceeding their win total from 2010.
Week 12: at San Diego Chargers[]
Week Twelve: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Coming off their win over the Jets, the Broncos flew to Qualcomm Stadium for an AFC West rematch with the San Diego Chargers. San Diego jumped out to a 10–0 lead, with a 53-yard field goal by placekicker Nick Novak in the first quarter, followed in the second quarter by a 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Philip Rivers to tight end Antonio Gates. The Broncos responded just before halftime, with an 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tim Tebow to wide receiver Eric Decker. San Diego added to their lead in the third quarter, with a 25-yard field goal by Novak. The Broncos countered just before the end of the third quarter, with a 41-yard field goal by placekicker Matt Prater. Novak missed a 48-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. Trailing 13–10 with just over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Broncos marched down the field and tied the game with a 24-yard field goal by Prater. The Broncos' defense subdued San Diego's final drive of the fourth quarter, sending the game to overtime. On San Diego's second possession in overtime, Novak's potential game-winning 53-yard field goal was blocked. However, head coach John Fox had called a timeout prior to the kick. Novak missed the second attempt. The Broncos' third possession in overtime began with 2:31 remaining, and Prater nailed the game-winning 37-yard field goal with 29 seconds remaining in overtime.[65]
With the win, the Broncos improved to 6–5, winning their fourth straight game.
Week 13: at Minnesota Vikings[]
Week Thirteen: Denver Broncos at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Coming off their overtime win at San Diego, the Broncos flew to the Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome for an interconference duel with the Minnesota Vikings. The game's first points came from Minnesota, when defensive end Jared Allen tackled running back Willis McGahee in the end zone for a safety. The Broncos grabbed the lead when linebacker Mario Haggan returned an interception off Christian Ponder 16 yards for a touchdown. Vikings' placekicker Ryan Longwell made a 40-yard field goal, then the Vikings reclaimed the lead in the second quarter, on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Ponder to tight end Kyle Rudolph, followed by another field goal by Longwell, this time from 25 yards, just before halftime. The Broncos narrowed Minnesota's lead in the third quarter, with a 21-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tim Tebow to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, but Minnesota countered with a 52-yard touchdown pass from Ponder to wide receiver Percy Harvin. The Broncos responded with a 41-yard touchdown pass from Tebow to Thomas. Ponder then threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to Harvin to give Minnesota a 29–21 lead. On the Broncos' next possession, McGahee rushed 24 yards for a touchdown and Tebow scrambled for a two-point conversion to tie the game at 29. Minnesota subsequently reclaimed the lead on Longwell's 39-yard field goal with 3:06 left in the game. The Broncos answered with placekicker Matt Prater's 46-yard field goal with 1:33 left to tie the game at 32. On Minnesota's ensuing possession, Broncos' cornerback André Goodman returned an interception off Ponder to the Vikings' 15-yard line. Six plays later, Prater nailed the game-winning 23-yard field goal as time expired to give the Broncos their fifth consecutive win.[66]
With the win, the Broncos improved to 7–5 and jumped into first place atop the AFC West, following the Raiders' 34–14 loss to the Dolphins.
Week 14: vs. Chicago Bears[]
Week Fourteen: Chicago Bears at Denver Broncos – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Bears
0
Broncos
0
at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
First half of the season: Sports Illustrated Defensive Rookie of the Year.[68] Week 10: AFC Defensive Player of the Week[69] November: Defensive Rookie of the Month[70]
Week 7: GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week (come-from-behind win)[72] Week 10: GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week (touchdown pass from Tim Tebow to Eric Decker)[73] Week 11: GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week (come-from-behind win)[74] Week 12: GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week (overtime win)[75]
