REDSKINS THUMP SLUMPING BRONCOS

It seems like only yesterday that the Denver Broncos were a perfect 6-0, and quarterback Kyle Orton was the toast of the town.  How quickly fortunes can change in the NFL—on Sunday, the Broncos lost their third straight game with a 27-17 setback to the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field.  Denver led 17-14 heading into the fourth quarter before the Redskins scored the final 13 points of the game for the decision.  Adding to the Broncos woes, quarterback Orton injured his ankle just before halftime and had to be replaced by Chris Simms.  The Broncos dropped to 6-3 on the year while the Redskins upped their record to 3-6.

NFL football betting devotees who took the Redskins as +3’ home underdogs were rewarded with the outright victory.  The Broncos ATS fortunes have mirrored their straight up play—after covering their first six games of the season they’ve now dropped three straight to the number.  The Redskins have been pitiful against the NFL pointspread this season, but covered for only the second time in nine games in beating the Broncos.  The 44 combined points scored went OVER the posted total of 36.  The Broncos went OVER for only the second time this season (2-7 O/U) while the Redskins have a 4-5 NFL totals mark.

The Redskins got some momentum in the first half when punter Hunter Smith threw a touchdown pass off of a fake punt:

"The way we play as a team these days, with these close games, you really need momentum-builders and things like that. I thought it was the right call."

Broncos’ lineman Vonnie Holliday explained how his team bit on the fake:

"They were setting up something -- we knew it. They came back, and I think they may have even yelled out on their sideline, 'Let's just punt it. Let's just punt it.' And I guess we just bought into it, because we didn't lock in on the play and what was going on. It seems like it took forever to unfold. You've got to know coming into a game like this, with a team like this, to expect it."

Broncos’ safety Brian Dawkins gave this post game pep talk:

"Crisis? No. Tough spot? Absolutely. There's not going to be too many teams that's going to have a straight shot and not go through some adversity. ... You can't sit there and dwell on the piddly-poo of tears and worry about the last game. You have to move forward and that's what we're going to do."

Added injured quarterback Orton:

"It's a tough sport and it happens. You've got to try to play through it. I was hoping to come back out and I just wasn't able to. So hopefully I'll be able to go next week."

The Broncos will now play back to back home games, albeit against a higher level of competition.  They’ll host the San Diego Chargers next Sunday before taking on the New York Giants on Thanksgiving night.  They’ll then head out on the road to face the Kansas City Chiefs on December 6.  The Redskins next play their arch rival Dallas Cowboys on the road, followed by a road game against the Philadelphia Eagles the following week.  They’ll return home to host the New Orleans Saints on December 6.