D.J. Williams News

Ladell Betts replaces the injured Clinton Portis, making his first start since 2006.

Champ Bailey For many players, five seasons is an NFL lifetime. For Champ Bailey, he has now surpassed that in his second NFL life, here in Denver.

The 6-2 Denver Broncos come to FedEx looking to break a two-game losing streak. After reeling off six wins to start the season the surprising Broncos have come back to earth a bit with consecutive double digit losses to Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

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.

Denver Post sports writer Mike Klis posts his Broncos Mailbag on Tuesdays during the 2009 NFL season.

By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Sports Writer DENVER -- Rarely has playing it safe paid off so well for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

His 6-foot-6 wingspan allows Elvis Dumervil to keep opponents at arm's length. He isn't so fortunate holding teammates at bay.

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is wrapped up and sacked by Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams during the fourth quarter of the NFL football game Monday, Oct.

Why aren't the Broncos taking shots downfield? It seems like 95 percent of their passing attempts are less than 15 yards.

Bronco of the week LB D.J. Williams: There weren't many highlights from Sunday's game in Baltimore, but Williams had a pretty good day.

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.

It is hard to find good IDP help out there.A I am not sure why.A In one of my leagues, points from my IDP guys are equally as important to any week's success.A For instance, the owner of Patrick Willis, LB, can expect an average of 12.5 points per week!!A That equates to any RB/WR getting 125 yards on the ground or in the air.A But for whatever ...

Who in their right mind would have thought when the season started that the only thing that looked like it could stop the surging Broncos was their Week Seven bye? After all, nothing else has been able to stop Denver from charging to a stunning three-game lead in the AFC West over the Chargers with a spotless 6-0 record.

As much as the NFL is a players' league, what separates the elite from the also-rans is quality coaching and a coherent plan.

Malcom Floyd can't haul in a fourth-quarter pass thrown slightly behind him as Champ Bailey and D.J. Williams lower the boom.

Most years, the Denver Broncos couldn't scramble out of the doors fast enough for a little rest and relaxation on their bye week.

They have won in orange, they have won in blue. They have won in mustard yellow, they have won in bratwurst brown.

Denver Post sports columnist Woody Paige posts Woody's Mailbag on Thursdays. The Broncos haven't looked so hot in third-and-short and fourth-and-short situations.

A Broncos fan gets scary on Sunday, October 12, 2009 at Invesco Field at Mile High.

Somehow, the least noticeable of the defensive players are the biggest and beefiest.