The Tim Tebow era could soon come to an abrupt halt if the Denver Broncos quarteback doesn’t show signs of improvement during the Broncos’ next game this Sunday.

That was the message coach John Fox gave to the media at a press conference on Monday. For now, though, Fox said he’s sticking with the polarizing quarterback even after the Detroit Lions had Tebow praying for dear life on the ground instead of on one knee on Sunday in a 45-10 pounding at the hands of the 6-2 Detroit Lions.

Fox made it clear, however, that Tebow must quickly improve as a pocket passer to remain the starter beyond Week 9′s game against division rival Oakland Raiders, who have the second best rushing attack in the NFL.

Tebow has completed less than 50 percent of his passes and been sacked 13 times in his two starts, including a win at Miami in which he played poorly for 55 minutes, despite leading the Broncos to a comeback overtime victory. He replaced an ineffective Kyle Orton at halftime against the San Diego Chargers on Oct. 9.

Tebow’s mechanics and anticipation of receiver location have been the most troubling signs of struggle. He has been criticized for an elongated throwing motion, which results in him getting pounded in the pocket, and throwing erratically behind and in front of receivers, which indicates his anxiousness of the pass rush. And, although his scrambling ability can get him out of and away from the pocket amid a collapse of oncoming defenders, it hasn’t done wonders for the big chunks of passing yardage needed to move the Broncos downfield for faster scores.

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Against the Lions, Tebow threw for 172 yards and had 10 carries for 63 yards with a dismal quarterback rating of 56.8. More distinctly, however, he had two turnovers that were returned for touchdowns-cornerback Chris Houston had a 100-yard interception return and defensive end Cliff Avril turned a strip sack into a 24 yard return-and was sacked seven times-most notably by linebacker Stephen Tulloch who celebrated his sack by mocking the “Tebowing” craze right behind Tebow as he got up.

Tebow has a chance to solidify his starting job next week against a weak Oakland pass defense that ranks 25th in the league. The loss of Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Lloyd has in part hurt the passing game, no doubt. Nevertheless, Tebow has said he has trust in the present corps led by Eddie Royal and Eric Decker.

But, after next Sunday, will John Fox have enough trust in Tebow?

Read More: San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs both have identical records through four games: 1-3. One week ago, the Kansas City Chiefs were the last team in ESPN’s NFL power rankings after they lost to the San Diego Chargers and were 0-3. A win over the now 0-4 Minnesota Vikings has things looking slightly better for the Chiefs. They are now No. 28 in ESPN’s power rankings.

That isn’t good news for the Broncos, who drop one spot from No. 26 to No. 27. Their 49-23 loss to the undefeated Green Bay Packers certainly showed that the team is a far way off from being among the league’s best.

However, as ESPN’s write up suggests, hosting the Chargers this coming Sunday should be a better indicator of how things are coming along. Similarly, the Chiefs did defeat the Vikings, but Minnesota is among the league’s worst teams. They face the 0-4 Indianapolis Colts this Sunday, hardly a strong test.

For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report.

Read More: Brandon Lloyd (WR – DEN), Champ Bailey (CB – DEN), Elvis Dumervil (DE – DEN), Knowshon Moreno (RB – DEN), Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos will be without star defensive end Elvis Dumervil for another game as he was declared out for this Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans, reports the Denver Post‘s Lindsay Jones. Dumervil hurt his shoulder during practice before the first game of the season against the Oakland Raiders. He attempted to play through it, but the pain was too much. He played sparingly on third downs and obvious passing plays.

Then he missed last week’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, along with Champ Bailey, Brandon Lloyd and Knowshon Moreno. Those three players, along with D.J. Williams are traveling with the team to Tennessee, but are listed as questionable. Williams dislocated his elbow during the preseason while the other three picked up injuries against the Raiders.

UPDATE: Lloyd, it turned out, was listed as probable on the official injury report.

Receiver Eddie Royal, defensive tackle Marcus Thomas (groin), tight end Julius Thomas (high ankle sprain) and receiver Demaryius Thomas (Achilles, pinky) have also been declared out for the game.

Name	Position	Injury	Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Status
Champ Bailey	CB	Hamstring	DNP	DNP	DNP	Questionable
Elvis Dumervil	DE	Shoulder	LP	LP	DNP	Out
Brandon Lloyd	WR	Groin	LP	FP	FP	Probable
Knowshon Moreno	RB	Hamstring	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Eddie Royal	WR	Groin	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Demaryius Thomas	WR	Finger	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Marcus Thomas	DT	Groin	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Julius Thomas	TE	Ankle	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
D.J. Williams	WLB	Elbow	LP	LP	LP	Questionable

For more on this game, visit our Broncos blog Mile High Report and our Titans blog Music City Miracles.

It doesn’t get a whole lot tougher than the Denver Broncos have it in 2011. They play one of the hardest schedules in the NFL as they take on the NFC North and AFC East, in addition to their own division, which is no cakewalk. If he finally becomes the full-time starter, Tim Tebow, possibly the most polarizing player in the NFL, is going to have a rude introduction to his first full season as an NFL starter.

Check out the full schedule below, courtesy of NFL.com:

Week 1 Monday, Sep. 12 vs. Oakland Raiders, ESPN 10:15 pm

Week 2 Sunday, Sep. 18 vs. Cincinnati Bengals, CBS 4:15 pm

Week 3 Sunday, Sep. 25 at Tennessee Titans, CBS 1:00 pm

Week 4 Sunday, Oct. 02 at Green Bay Packers, CBS 4:15 pm

Week 5 Sunday, Oct. 09 vs. San Diego Chargers, CBS 4:15 pm

Week 6 BYE

Week 7 Sunday, Oct. 23 at Miami Dolphins, CBS 1:00 pm

Week 8 Sunday, Oct. 30 vs. Detroit Lions, FOX 4:05 pm

Week 9 Sunday, Nov. 06 at Oakland Raiders, CBS 4:05 pm

Week 10 Sunday, Nov. 13 at Kansas City Chiefs, CBS 1:00 pm

Week 11 Thursday, Nov. 17 vs. New York Jets, NFLN 8:20 pm

Week 12 Sunday, Nov. 27 at San Diego Chargers, CBS 4:15 pm

Week 13 Sunday, Dec. 04 at Minnesota Vikings, CBS 4:05 pm

Week 14 Sunday, Dec. 11 vs. Chicago Bears, FOX 4:05 pm

Week 15 Sunday, Dec. 18 vs. New England Patriots, CBS 4:15 pm

Week 16 Saturday, Dec. 24 at Buffalo Bills, CBS 1:00 pm

Week 17 Sunday, Jan. 01 vs. Kansas City Chiefs, CBS 4:15 pm

Visit SBNation.com for every 2011 NFL schedule. For more coverage of the Denver Broncos, visit Mile High Report and SB Nation Denver.

Breakdown: The John Fox era will start in the national spotlight. The Broncos will host Oakland on Monday Night Football, Sept. 12 on ESPN on the back end of a doubleheader. This has become an AFC West tradition. The Raiders and Broncos opened the season in this game in Oakland in 2008.

The Broncos lobbied hard for this gig. It is the first time they have opened at home since 2004. So, this spotlight game will be a special way to begin the John Elway-Fox era.

If the Broncos are going to improve in 2011, they must start early. After playing Oakland to start the season, Denver hosts Cincinnati in Week 2. It plays at Tennessee on the road the next week before traveling to Super Bowl champion Green Bay in Week 4. The Broncos have to take advantage of the early slate because they are tied for the third toughest schedule in the NFL.

Complaint department: The Broncos will play all three of their AFC West roads games in a four game stretch, spanning weeks 9-12. These are the dog days of the season. If the Broncos haven’t faded by their ninth game, they must buckle down and try to stay in the division race with this tough stretch.

Bring a parka: The Broncos’ four final games should all be cold-weather affairs. Denver has three home games in that stretch. It’s one roadie is Dec. 24 at Buffalo. It should be a white Christmas Eve for the Broncos.

Broncos Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)
Week 1: Monday, Sep. 12, Oakland, 10:15 PM
Week 2: Sunday, Sep. 18, Cincinnati, 4:15 PM
Week 3: Sunday, Sep. 25, at Tennessee, 1:00 PM
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2, at Green Bay, 4:15 PM
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9, San Diego, 4:15 PM
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23, at Miami, 1:00 PM
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30, Detroit, 4:05 PM
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 6, at Oakland, 4:05 PM
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 13, at Kansas City, 1:00 PM
Week 11: Thursday, Nov. 17, NY Jets, 8:20 PM
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27, at San Diego, 4:15 PM
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4, at Minnesota, 4:05 PM
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11, Chicago, 4:05 PM
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18, New England, 4:15 PM
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 24, at Buffalo, 1:00 PM
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1, Kansas City, 4:15 PM

Breakdown: The John Fox era will start in the national spotlight. The Broncos will host Oakland on Monday Night Football, Sept. 12 on ESPN on the back end of a doubleheader. This has become an AFC West tradition. The Raiders and Broncos opened the season in this game in Oakland in 2008.

The Broncos lobbied hard for this gig. It is the first time they have opened at home since 2004. So, this spotlight game will be a special way to begin the John Elway-Fox era.

If the Broncos are going to improve in 2011, they must start early. After playing Oakland to start the season, Denver hosts Cincinnati in Week 2. It plays at Tennessee on the road the next week before traveling to Super Bowl champion Green Bay in Week 4. The Broncos have to take advantage of the early slate because they are tied for the third toughest schedule in the NFL.

Complaint department: The Broncos will play all three of their AFC West roads games in a four game stretch, spanning weeks 9-12. These are the dog days of the season. If the Broncos haven’t faded by their ninth game, they must buckle down and try to stay in the division race with this tough stretch.

Bring a parka: The Broncos’ four final games should all be cold-weather affairs. Denver has three home games in that stretch. It’s one roadie is Dec. 24 at Buffalo. It should be a white Christmas Eve for the Broncos.

Broncos Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)
Week 1: Monday, Sep. 12, Oakland, 10:15 PM
Week 2: Sunday, Sep. 18, Cincinnati, 4:15 PM
Week 3: Sunday, Sep. 25, at Tennessee, 1:00 PM
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2, at Green Bay, 4:15 PM
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9, San Diego, 4:15 PM
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23, at Miami, 1:00 PM
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30, Detroit, 4:05 PM
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 6, at Oakland, 4:05 PM
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 13, at Kansas City, 1:00 PM
Week 11: Thursday, Nov. 17, NY Jets, 8:20 PM
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27, at San Diego, 4:15 PM
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4, at Minnesota, 4:05 PM
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11, Chicago, 4:05 PM
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18, New England, 4:15 PM
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 24, at Buffalo, 1:00 PM
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1, Kansas City, 4:15 PM

San Diego Chargers vs Denver Broncos Live Broadcast on CBS - Routinely entering the final game either battling to lock down a playoff seed or resting starters in anticipation of a deep run, the Chargers are merely playing out the string this time around as they prepare for a schedule-ending Sunday against the Denver Broncos.

Live from Invesco Field at Mile High (Denver, Colorado), the San Diego Chargers vs Denver Broncos will start at exactly 4:15 pm ET, Sunday, January 2, 2011.

Apparently, San Diego’s four-year stranglehold on the AFC West was broken last weekend, when they lost at Cincinnati and Kansas City won against Tennessee, giving the Chiefs the division crown.

San Diego (8-7) overcame slow starts to win division titles in each of Turner’s previous three seasons as coach. It appeared the Chargers might do the same this year, opening 2-5 before reeling off four straight wins and six in seven games.

However, surprising Kansas City never gave up first place and clinched the West crown last Sunday when the Chargers were stunned 34-20 by Cincinnati, which entered with the AFC’s worst record.

Chargers team president Dean Spanos greeted the elimination with predictable frustration, but nonetheless maintained that the drop from the league’s elite would not prompt major upheaval in the franchise’s front office.

On the other hand, for the Broncos, it’s a work in progress to identify who’ll be part of the foundation going forward.

Controversial first-round draft pick Tim Tebow solidified his claim for a piece of that future last week, rallying Denver from a 17-point halftime deficit against Houston to a 24-23 victory, his first as an NFL starting quarterback.

Denver (4-11) already made a coaching change, firing Josh McDaniels in early December and replacing him temporarily with running backs coach Eric Studesville. The Broncos are 6-17 since McDaniels won his first six games last season, and they need a victory Sunday to avoid posting the most losses in franchise history.

“There definitely was progress,” Studesville said. “He got much better. He made plays and he scrambled and did some things. He threw the ball well, got the ball down the field, and he continues to keep developing. And that’s what it is: the more he plays, the better he’ll get.”

Which team do you think will win this final matchup for this Week 17 of the NFL Season 2010. The San Diego Chargers vs Denver Broncos match will have a live coverage via CBS on the said date and exact time. Please stay tune here for more updates of the game specially the match results and live scores.

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The Denver Broncos will formally interview interim coach Eric Studesville for the team’s head coaching job following the season, according to The Denver Post on Friday, citing several team officials.

The Post revealed that the Broncos plan to be more deliberate with this offseason’s search process than they were two years ago before hiring Josh McDaniels. It will be at least mid-January before the new coach is named, according to the newspaper.

Studesville faces the San Diego Chargers this Sunday, in his final appearance as interim coach. The Broncos are 1-2 under Studesville after going 3-9 under McDaniels, who was fired on Dec. 6.

“Certainly, in our business, the won-loss record is the bottom line,” Studesville told the newspaper. “I feel like I’ve put every bit of myself into this opportunity. I don’t regret a moment. I don’t regret a decision.”

NFL tampering laws prevent the Broncos or any team from contacting potential coaching candidates currently under contract until Monday. Denver is also finalizing a deal to make former Broncos quarterback John Elway the head of football operations.

It’s likely the Denver Broncos will have a new coach next season. It remains to be seen if the San Diego Chargers will.

These AFC West teams have been big disappointments, though Norv Turner’s Chargers clearly are the bigger one going into their season finale against Tim Tebow(notes) and the Broncos on Sunday.

San Diego (8-7) overcame slow starts to win division titles in each of Turner’s previous three seasons as coach. It appeared the Chargers might do the same this year, opening 2-5 before reeling off four straight wins and six in seven games.

However, surprising Kansas City never gave up first place and clinched the West crown last Sunday when the Chargers were stunned 34-20 by Cincinnati, which entered with the AFC’s worst record.

The loss kept San Diego out of the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

“I think we know the things that kept us from winning and we fixed a lot of those things in the second half,” Turner said. “But when you start 2-5 you can put yourself in a position where it’s awfully hard to overcome it.”

The Chargers, though, had grown accustomed to doing so. They followed last year’s 2-3 start by winning 11 straight, opened 4-8 in 2008 but won their final four and started 1-3 in 2007 before finishing 11-5.

A loss Sunday would mark a second 8-8 record in three years for a San Diego team widely considered to have the talent to be much better, and that could cause the Chargers to make changes at the top. However, team president Dean Spanos reportedly said this week he plans to bring back Turner and general manager A.J. Smith.

Denver (4-11) already made a coaching change, firing Josh McDaniels in early December and replacing him temporarily with running backs coach Eric Studesville. The Broncos are 6-17 since McDaniels won his first six games last season, and they need a victory Sunday to avoid posting the most losses in franchise history.

It does not appear Studesville will keep the job next year – the Broncos are 1-2 since promoting him – but at least they may have found their quarterback of the future.

Tebow will get a third straight start Sunday, even though former starter Kyle Orton(notes) is healthy enough to play after being bothered by sore ribs. Orton probably could have played last week, but Tebow got the start and helped Denver end a five-game losing streak with a 24-23 victory over Houston.

“There definitely was progress,” Studesville said. “He got much better. He made plays and he scrambled and did some things. He threw the ball well, got the ball down the field, and he continues to keep developing. And that’s what it is: the more he plays, the better he’ll get.”

The first-round pick was 16 of 29 for 308 yards with one touchdown and an interception, and he ran six yards for the winning TD with 3:02 to play. Tebow provides the Broncos with much more mobility than Orton, having run for 27 yards last week after gaining 78 in his first career start against Oakland.

“I love his will to win,” receiver Jabar Gaffney(notes) said. “As long as he has that, we’ve got a chance. Everything else we can work on.”

Gaffney had 90 yards receiving last week while Brandon Lloyd(notes) had 111 to raise his season total to 1,375, second most in franchise history behind Rod Smith’s(notes) 1,602 in 2000.

Lloyd was the Broncos’ lone Pro Bowl selection while the Chargers had three, including Antonio Gates(notes). The tight end, though, will sit out for the sixth time in eight games due to a foot problem.

Philip Rivers(notes) also made the Pro Bowl and might be in the running for league MVP if it weren’t for his team’s disappointing record. He’s set a career high with 4,397 passing yards, his 66.7 completion percentage is the best of his career and he has 30 touchdown passes – four off his personal best from 2008.

“We have the right makeup. We have the right approach. It’s just a matter of getting it done,” Rivers said. “It’s disappointing. I’m dealing with knowing we’re not going to the postseason. It will be tough, but it’s reality.”

AURORA, Colo. — The third Denver Broncos player arrested this season has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and battery stemming from an allegation of a domestic dispute over alleged infidelity.

Kevin Alexander entered the pleas in an Aurora court on Tuesday, a day after he was arrested and cut from the team. The Broncos released the rookie linebacker hours after the arrest, calling it a football decision to clear a roster spot for cornerback Chevis Jackson.

Alexander declined to comment through his attorney, Harvey A. Steinberg. Steinberg also represents rookie cornerback Perrish Cox in a separate sexual assault case.

The 23-year-old Alexander signed with the Broncos in April as an undrafted free agent out of Clemson.

Teresa Norman, 22, told police she was Alexander’s girlfriend and that he had assaulted her Sunday night at an apartment after an argument about his alleged infidelity, according to a police report.

Police said Norman said Alexander grabbed her several times, threw her to the ground, slapped or punched her, and grabbed her throat and pushed her against a wall. At one point, Norman told police she picked up a steak knife to keep Alexander away but didn’t injure Alexander.

She showed officers a cut in her lip and said two teeth felt loose.

Norman declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press on Tuesday. She told police that she didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize Alexander’s career but said she was upset about the incident.

Alexander surrendered at the scene without incident.

Alexander played in eight games for the Broncos, including Sunday at Oakland, where he was whistled for an illegal block on a punt return by Syd’Quan Thompson in the second quarter.

Alexander spent five weeks on Denver’s practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on Oct. 16. He finished with one tackle on defense and three special teams stops.

The Broncos were awarded Jackson, a third-year player, off waivers from New England. He has also played for Jacksonville and Atlanta.

Alexander’s arrest came less than two weeks after Cox’s arrest on Dec. 9 on suspicion of sexual assault. Cox faces between two years to life if convicted.

Linebacker D.J. Williams was stripped of his captaincy after his October arrest on suspicion of drunken driving.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

AURORA, Colo. — The third Denver Broncos player arrested this season has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and battery stemming from an allegation of a domestic dispute over alleged infidelity.

Kevin Alexander entered the pleas in an Aurora court on Tuesday, a day after he was arrested and cut from the team. The Broncos released the rookie linebacker hours after the arrest, calling it a football decision to clear a roster spot for cornerback Chevis Jackson.

Alexander declined to comment through his attorney, Harvey A. Steinberg. Steinberg also represents rookie cornerback Perrish Cox in a separate sexual assault case.

The 23-year-old Alexander signed with the Broncos in April as an undrafted free agent out of Clemson.

Teresa Norman, 22, told police she was Alexander’s girlfriend and that he had assaulted her Sunday night at an apartment after an argument about his alleged infidelity, according to a police report.

Police said Norman said Alexander grabbed her several times, threw her to the ground, slapped or punched her, and grabbed her throat and pushed her against a wall. At one point, Norman told police she picked up a steak knife to keep Alexander away but didn’t injure Alexander.

She showed officers a cut in her lip and said two teeth felt loose.

Norman declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press on Tuesday. She told police that she didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize Alexander’s career but said she was upset about the incident.

Alexander surrendered at the scene without incident.

Alexander played in eight games for the Broncos, including Sunday at Oakland, where he was whistled for an illegal block on a punt return by Syd’Quan Thompson in the second quarter.

Alexander spent five weeks on Denver’s practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on Oct. 16. He finished with one tackle on defense and three special teams stops.

The Broncos were awarded Jackson, a third-year player, off waivers from New England. He has also played for Jacksonville and Atlanta.

Alexander’s arrest came less than two weeks after Cox’s arrest on Dec. 9 on suspicion of sexual assault. Cox faces between two years to life if convicted.

Linebacker D.J. Williams was stripped of his captaincy after his October arrest on suspicion of drunken driving.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

AURORA, Colo. — The third Denver Broncos player to be arrested this season has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an allegation of domestic violence.

Kevin Alexander entered the plea in an Aurora, Colo., court on Tuesday, a day after he was arrested for investigation of misdemeanor assault and battery. The Broncos released the rookie linebacker hours after the arrest, calling it a football decision to clear a roster spot for cornerback Chevis Jackson.

Alexander declined to comment through his attorney.

A woman who said she was Alexander’s girlfriend told police that he had assaulted her Sunday night after an argument about his alleged infidelity.

The 23-year-old Alexander signed with the Broncos in April as an undrafted free agent out of Clemson.