TUESDAY TIDBITS: "Not Really Sure What I Just Watched"

By TJ Troup 

Broncos take down Jets' QB Justin Fields

Which game was the most compelling drama this past weekend, and why? Sure would relish hearing all of your thoughts. Watching the highlights of Carolina's victory over Dallas with Dowdle running with fury, I thought, "Why did the Cowboys let this guy leave?"

Many teams this past weekend showcased their rushing attack, and while that is always enjoyable to watch, the emphasis of my column today will be on the pass rush. Should I cut Brandon Walker some slack? He stated that the '85 Bears set the standard of 72 sacks, when in fact those nasty Bears set the record in '84. No doubt, though, no team will ever match 136 sacks for back-to-back years. 

Watching the strategically flawed and pathetic Jets just before the half and Kurt Warner's appropriate and entertaining comment (the title of this week's column), we all no doubt wonder when the Jets will win a game. 

Since Fields "gained" -11 passing due to a handful of short completed passes, and the lost yardage from the aggressive and effective Bronco pass rush, the question quickly comes to mind: has a team ever lost more yardage than the Jets? 

September 20th, 1998, Ryan Leaf completed 1 of 15 for 4 yards, but lost 23 yards in sacks for -19 yards. Ouch! The Chargers did win five games that season; will the Jets win five? 

Back to the pass rush and Denver, which takes me back to October 19th, 1969, when the 2-3 Broncos are at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati to take on the 3-2 Bengals. 

The Broncos gain a season high 421 yards in total offense, including 272 rushing. In their first 118 games as a franchise, the Broncos had just seven individual rushing performances of 100 yards. 

Floyd Little

Floyd Little sets a team rushing record (at this point in team history) with 166 yards rushing. Denver leads 16-6 in the 2nd quarter when Little scoots 48 yards for a touchdown. Later in the quarter, Steve Tensi throws his second touchdown pass of the game as Denver leads 30-6 at the half. Cincinnati rallies behind Sam Wyche's two second-half touchdown passes, yet Denver hangs on to win 30-23. 

Rich Jackson

The key to the Denver defense is a record-setting pass rush, which registers 10 sacks; four of which are by All-AFL left defensive end Rich "Tombstone" Jackson. Possibly the Broncos believe October is pass rush month? 

See ya next week.