Broncos end four-game skid with win over Giants

Published 8:07 am Friday, November 27, 2009

Four weeks after getting ripped for taunting opponents during warmups, Denver coach Josh McDaniels was caught on TV cursing at his bumbling Broncos.

This time, he was the object of an apology from the NFL Network instead of league-wide criticism for jawing with San Diego’s linebackers. Oh, and the Broncos finally won a game again, beating the New York Giants 26-6 on Thursday night.

McDaniels is an emotional coach who stocked his roster with passionate players, and that was on full display Thanksgiving night in the Broncos’ R-rated win that sent the Giants to their fifth loss in six games.

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Brian Dawkins’ inspired play led a Denver defensive revival and the offense did its part by controlling the clock in a win that snapped a four-game losing streak.

The NFL Network accidentally aired a clip of McDaniels cursing at his players after they committed three false starts and dropped a pass in a five-play sequence in the first half that really got his blood boiling.

“No — not our coach!” tight end Tony Scheffler retorted in mock surprise.

While the Broncos (7-4) still aren’t effective enough in the red zone and draw too many yellow flags for McDaniels’ taste, their month of misery is over.

Kyle Orton drove them on six scoring drives, Matt Prater kicked four field goals and Dawkins led a ferocious defense 48 hours after calling a players-only meeting that obviously struck a chord.

Elvis Dumervil dumped Eli Manning twice, extending his NFL-leading sack total to 14, and his second one resulted in a fourth-quarter fumble that sealed Denver’s first win since Oct. 19.

“Defense is all about emotion, wanting to get the ball,” Dumervil said.

So is offense, suggested