Mediocrity comes in bunches. (Unless you're Jake Plummer who has it delivered by the truck-load.) The Broncos have had two mediocre games. They lost the first and won the second, but both were characterized by mediocre play-calling, complascent coaching, and an inability to make big plays. There's no excitment in the Mile-Hi City, and the natives are getting restless.

Not only do the Broncos need to win on Sunday, they need to win convincingly. A victory against New England at New England would in itself be convincing. But, it would be better if Plummer threw a touchdown; it would be better if some guy named Bell could contol the game by running hard; it would be better if the defense got some backup from the offense. And by the by, the Denver D just might be the best in the league. Right now they're suffering from the Jr. Seau dilemma - great defense hampered by a woeful offense. And all those San Diego teams on which Seau featured so prominently were absolutely, unquestionably mediocre. Oh, and they didn't win any Super Bowls either.

If there's someone to blame (and there's always someone to blame), it's got to be offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger. He can redeam himself on Sunday, but the odds are against him. Broncos 17, Pats 20.