BRONCOS CLOSE SEASON LOSING AGAIN, 30-17
Rally from 27-3 Down Falls Short

The Broncos spotted the Houston Texans a 27-3 lead, twice surrendering
touchdowns on a short field after turnovers, before rallying back to cut the 
Houston lead to 27-17 in the fourth quarter. But another turnover, their
fourth of the game, ended the Broncos next drive and they never seriously
challenged Houston again. Houston finished with a 12-4 record, good for
second in the AFC East, while the Broncos lost for the 15th time in 16 tries
this season, tied for the worst record in the league with San Diego, the only
team Denver managed to beat. 

Houston scored two touchdowns and two field goals on their first four
possessions in building a 20-3 halftime lead, while the Broncos managed only
a lone field goal on their first possession of the game to end a five-play
drive where the big play was Culpepper hitting Dwayne Bowe over Cortland
Finnegan for 31 yards on a long pass.  

The Texans first touchdown came on an Eli Manning to Mark Clayton five-yard
completion to end a 59-yard drive - their longest scoring drive of the game -
and take an early 7-0 lead. After the Broncos cut it to 7-3, the Texans upped
it to 10-3 on a John Carney field goal to end a 12-play, 56-yard drive near
the end of the first quarter, then Willie Parker punched it over from six
yards out to make it 17-3 a minute later after a Daunte Culpepper fumble on a
scramble. It became 20-3 after Carney's 46-yard field goal after yet another
Bronco turnover, this time off yet another Culpepper scramble and fumble at
the Bronco 34. 

The Broncos missed a great opportunity to cut the halftime lead to 20-10,
when they drove from their own 26 to the Houston two, taking ten minutes off
the clock, but failed to convert a fourth and two when Lendale White was
stopped a yard short of the goal line. 

In the third quarter, with the Broncos trying to mount an opening drive to
get back into the game, Finnegan picked off Culpepper, and returned it 30
yards to the Bronco 8 yard line. Willie Parker ran three straight times, and
finally banged over from four yards out on third down to end that drive.  

After an exchange of punts, the Broncos finally got it going, putting their
first TD on the board, with Culpepper hitting Limas Sweed from 11 yards out
for the score, ending a crisp nine-play, 80-yard drive near the end of the
third quarter to cut the Texans lead to 27-10.  

The Broncos defense came up big on the Texans next possession, stopping a
fourth down try from the Broncos 29, and recent waiver acquisition Ashley
Lelie caught two in a row, for 17 and 38 yards, with the second one good for
the touchdown that cut the lead to 27-17 with 9:32 left in the contest.  

Chris Clemons sacked Eli Manning on the Texans next possession, forcing a
punt, but the Broncos 4th and two attempt from just inside Texans territory
was picked off by DE Randy Starks to end that threat, and set up the Texans
with an opportunity to extend their lead to 30-17, which was the way the game
ended.  

Season Notes: The Broncos finished 1-15, the worst record in their existence
and the fans are already calling for coach Sienzant's head on a stick. The
Broncos scored only 194 points and allowed 452. However, there were several
bright spots during the season. The Broncos like the development of their
young cornerbacks, Terrell Thomas and Tracy Porter, and think both can be
starters to build around. Safety Dawan Landry is a youngster who missed most
of the season, but is a very good player when healthy. The Broncos really
like their offensive line, especially the tackles, Joe Thomas and Ryan Clady.
Jermichael Finley has an opportunity to be something special down the road,
while the young wideouts, Devin Thomas and Limas Sweed, played well at times
and will be given an opportunity to start opposite Dwayne Bowe next year.
Bowe was the brightest young star, catching 94 for 1028 yards (10.9) in just
his second year. While this season wasn't one to remember, the Broncos
believe they have the nucleus in place to challenge  for a playoff spot in
the near future.