Brandon Stokley News

As the rift between the Denver Broncos ' rookie coach, Josh McDaniels, and his star quarterback, Jay Cutler, widened last off-season, more than a few executives in the N.F.L. suggested that McDaniels should make nice with Cutler for the good of the team.

The Broncos certainly have fallen on run defense, a vertigo-inducing drop to the No.

The Broncos' Brandon Marshall, right, celebrates with fellow wide receiver Brandon Stokley after Marshall's 40-yard TD reception on the first drive of the game Sunday at FedEx Field.

Quarterback Kyle Orton sat out the second half of the Denver Broncos' 27-17 loss to the Washington Redskins on Sunday with an injured left ankle and wasn't sure whether he'll be able to play next week.

It's been nearly two months, and if you listen closely, you can still hear Gus Johnson's call lingering in the air.

Now's a good time as any to give out grades through eight games . Here's a position-by-position grade and my take on each position: OFFENSE Quarterback: B. After two consecutive losses, the safe way is to pile on Kyle Orton.

My question is for "fans" of the Broncos . Why don't these season- ticket holders who sell their tickets to the opposing team's fans give up their rights to tickets to fans on the waiting list? Monday's game against the Steelers was embarrassing.

The temptation - the hopes and prayers as far as Broncos fans are concerned - is to look at the upcoming week and expect Denver to treat the Washington Redskins like the bottom-feeding dregs they're supposed to be and put an emphatic end to its two-game slide.

Tyrone Carter intercepted a Kyle Orton pass and raced 48 yards for the score, giving the Pittsburgh Steelers a 7-3 lead over the Denver Broncos at halftime Monday night.

ENGLEWOOD At 37 years old, Mike Tomlin is the old man in his coaching matchup this week.

He scored a touchdown on a 51-yard catch and set up two others with returns of 77 and 48 yards.

The Denver Broncos are unbeaten because they have the top-ranked defense in the NFL and a quarterback who is very protective of the football.

On what he sees in the Broncos' film that explains why they play so well defensively in the second half: "Well, I think they get after it.

The Denver Broncos are unbeaten because they have the top-ranked defense in the NFL and a quarterback who is very protective of the football.

For Denver Broncos fans and Baltimore Ravens fans alike, the bye week is finally over and it is time to get back to work.

Things are becoming worse for the Washington Redskins , and it's only Week 7. On Monday, the team said that Sherman Lewis, a 22-year N.F.L. assistant who had been retired since 2004 before being hired as a consultant two weeks ago, would take over play-calling from Coach Jim Zorn.

Almost every week, an NFL game is guaranteed to give you something you have never seen before.

Posted by Anthony Stalter 1. Royal is making his presence felt in other facets of the game After hauling in 91 receptions for 980 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie last year, Eddie Royal has largely been a bust in his second year.

One by one, game by game, the Denver Broncos have mastered six NFL opponents. Monday night, next on the list was the San Diego Chargers.

Eddie Royal became the first player in Broncos history to return a kickoff and punt for a touchdown in the same game, as Denver beat San Diego, 34-23, in Week 6 action from Qualcomm Stadium.Royal returned a kickoff 93 yards and a punt 71 yards to paydirt for the Broncos , who have their bye next week.