I thought it appropriate to post this today to show how far the Eagles have come.
This is the Broncos' second straight game in the Keystone State, coming off the win on Monday Night Football in Pittsburgh, which Marv Albert and Bob Griese point out was the first road MNF win in Broncos history. It's not exactly an easy schedule week for Denver - a Monday night game on the east coast followed by an early Sunday game on the east coast.
The Eagles are not off to a great start in 1986, having lost their first two games, but this is their home opener.
Eagles return man Junior Tautalatasi fumbles the opening kickoff and the ball rolls back towards the goal line. It winds up batted out of the end zone for a safety. Following the free kick, The Broncos, not the Eagles, wind up running the first play from scrimmage in this one. Sammy Winder runs three times for 46 yards on the drive and Gerald Willhite runs twice for 15 yards and catches a pass for 4 yards. The drive stalls at the Eagles 12, but Rich Karlis comes on to kick the field goal and makes it 5-0.
If you thought Danny Reeves was gimmicky, meet new Eagles coach Buddy Ryan. He’s bringing in second year QB Randall Cunningham for Ron Jaworski on third down. Cunningham is picked off by Mike Harden (who also forced the fumble on the opening kickoff) and it's returned 30 yards for a touchdown. Now it’s 12-0, Broncos.
The Eagles put together a little bit of a drive but it stalls in Broncos territory so they line up for a punt. Punter John Teltschik takes the snap and cocks his arm, throwing it upwards with the trajectory of a punt. Gerald Willhite is back to receive and a flag is thrown after he makes contact with the intended “receiver” on the play. Clearly, the intent of the Eagles was to create confusion and draw a penalty. They don’t get pass interference, but they do get 5 yards and a first down. However, four plays later they later go for it on fourth and one and get stuffed. So they get nothing out of it.
After a Broncos punt, Jaworski is sacked on the first play and fumbles and the Broncos recover at midfield. The Broncos need six plays to find the end zone again, with Elway throwing a TD pass to Dave Stoddard on a tackle eligible play.
The Eagles go three-and-out and the Broncos take over once again at midfield. Elway goes deep for Steve Sewell who hauls it in for a 40-yard gain. Winder scores two plays later and it’s 26-0 midway through the second quarter.
This game, much like yesterday’s Super Bowl, is effectively over at halftime. And what’s more, the Broncos get the ball to start the second half. Gerald Willhite runs for 42 yards on the first play, and five plays later Winder scores on a 17-yard run. Broncos 33, Eagles 0.
The Eagles actually respond with a scoring drive of their own, with Randall Cunningham taking the field on third and 13 and connecting with Kenny Jackson for a 29-yard touchdown.
But the Broncos aren’t worried about a comeback. Gary Kubiak trots out in place of Elway for the next possession. I feel like QBs don't come out of blowouts as early as they used to. Has anyone done a study? It was not a particularly great statistical day for Elway (7 of 12 for 96 yards) but it doesn’t particularly matter as the running game and defense are taking care of business. Possibly Dan Reeves knew going in how terrible the Eagles were and decided they could take this one with minimal effort.
There’s no more scoring in this one so all that’s left is statistical milestones. Marv and Bob tell us that the Broncos are closing in on their first dual 100-yard rushers since 1974 against the Raiders, when Otis Armstrong and Jon Keyworth did it.
With the reduced activity in the passing game, Steve Watson is in danger of having his consecutive games with a reception streak broken at 49.
Winder reaches 100 yards on the ground, but Willhite falls short. Watson does not get a catch, and in fact Broncos wide receivers finish with only two catches for 14 yards. This game belonged to the running backs. Winder has 116 yards rushing and receiving on 21 touches, Willhite has 134 yards rushing and receiving on 15 touches, and Sewell has 5 catches for 87 yards.
The Broncos are 3-0 for the first time since their Super Bowl season of 1977.
