Philly Clobbers Denver, 37-3

This was a statement game for Philly. The statement from Hank Sienzant of the
Denver Broncos isn't printable.  

Apparently the Bronco scoring offense scared the bejeebers out of the Philly
coaching staff, because they let their starting offense and defense play
until the final two minutes before substituting - and then only replacing QB
Jason Campbell with Jim Sorgi. 

With Rex Grossman at QB, the Broncos offense didn't crack 100 yards passing
until the fourth quarter and the ground game wasn't able to take up any of
the slack, as they were lucky to crack double digits rushing, averaging just
1.5 per rush with a long gain of five yards.  

Still, the Philly coaches must've seen something on film that they felt the
Broncos were about to break loose at any moment. With a 34-3 lead in the
fourth quarter, surely that was a good time to substitute and give some of
the bench-warmers some action? 

Nope, Philly apparently doesn't play that way. And with the Denver offense
coming into the game leading the league in one category - turnovers - Philly
must've felt no lead was too big and no lead too secure.  

The game was tight for the first quarter, with Philly moving the ball
effectively but failing to put up any points on their first possession . They
challenged the Denver defense early, going for it on a fourth and three from
the Denver 37, but Denver forced a fumble by Larry Johnson and blunted that
drive. The Broncos were unable to do anything and when Rex Grossman threw a
pass to Terence Newman - who plays for the Eagles - the Eagles were set up
near midfield. and Philly took it for a touchdown on a 10-play, 62 yard drive
that took nearly seven minutes off the clock, with Larry Johnson pounding it
in from four yards out. After  an exchange of punts, the Philadelphia Eagles
next score came on a 64-yard punt return by Will Blackmon to boost
Philadelphia to a 14-0 lead, and they added a field goal six minutes later to
extend their lead to 17-0 with 3:33 left in the first half.  

The Broncos finally put together one good play - about all they are good for
these days - as Rex Grossman completed a long pass to Nate Washington for 39
yards to get the Broncos into field goal range - but just barely - and Mason
Crosby nailed a 54-yarder to cut the Eagle lead to 17-3 with about over a
minute to go in the half. 

That was enough time for Campbell to engineer a full retaliatory response,
driving the Eagles to a field goal of their own to make it 20-3 at the half.
Cornerback Jason Craft stymied the Eagles drive and almost denied them the
field goal when he sacked Campbell on a second and 10, forcing the Eagles to
burn their last time out with just three seconds remaining in the half.
Outside of the one big play to Washington, the Broncos had 44 yards of
offense in the first half. 

But since the Broncos have only been outscored 52-12 in the third quarter
thru their first six games, now was not a time for Philly to relax. And they
didn't. Kicking off to the Broncos, The Eagles forced a fumble on Delanie
Walker's return and the Eagles got the ball at the Broncos 13. It took five
straight runs, but Larry Johnson finally pushed it in from a yard out to make
it 27-3.  

After an exchange of punts, the Broncos had their best march of the game -
outside of the one scoring drive - twice converting third downs and once
picking up a fourth and one, but on a fourth and four from the Eagle 35,
Grossman's pass intended for Dwayne Bowe was wide of the mark and the Eagles
took over. 

And it was more of the same offensive unit, driving for yet another
touchdown, this time for 65-yards in 8 plays to make it 34-3 with thirteen
minutes remaining, Even then, another two possessions for the Broncos came
and went and the Eagles put another three up on the board in between to make
it 37-3 with just over two minutes remaining and still no substitutions by
the Eagles. Maybe they saw something in the game film that lead them to
believe the Broncos were about to uncork a 35-point rally to win the game in
the final two minutes or something. It was only when the Broncos went
four-and-out and gave the ball back to Philadelphia with just over a minute
to play that Philly finally felt comfortable with their 37-3 lead and
substituted 'liberally', putting in Jim Sorgi for Jason Campbell.  

Philly - the city of Brotherly Love - which means, I guess, you take it up
the ass and learn to like it.