DENVER —Perhaps Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels was protecting Kyle Orton. Or, he didn’t know that Orton was capable of starting at quarterback at less than full strength. Maybe McDaniels was too optimistic about Chris Simms’ ability to win a key game after a full week of practice.

No matter the reason, he miscalculated. McDaniels noted Orton, who didn’t practice all week because of a left ankle injury, wasn’t 100 percent during pregame warmups and went with Simms in a huge AFC West game against San Diego.
“Certainly, probably would have been a better situation if we could play the game with Chris, because he had practiced, and because he was healthy and because of Kyle’s situation,” McDaniels said. “If we could do that and kind of rest him, that was kind of the idea behind it. Certainly, it didn’t play out that way.”
Simms had three ineffective series and the Broncos were trailing 13-0 by the time Orton checked in. Denver never cut San Diego’s lead to less than 10, losing 32-3 at Invesco Field at Mile High to relinquish first place in the AFC West. Denver has lost four in a row after a 6-0 start.
McDaniels’ decision is easy to second guess in hindsight, based on the spark Orton gave the offense. He moved around well in the pocket, was sharp on his throws and played much better than Simms. Orton completed 15-of-29 passes for 171 yards, Simms completed 2-of-4 passes for 10 yards. However, McDaniels didn’t second guess himself.
“I don’t regret it at all,” McDaniels said of his decision to start Simms.
Had Orton been able to practice Friday as he wanted, maybe McDaniels would have given him the start. But Orton didn’t feel healthy enough to practice and he said the understanding at that point was Simms would probably start. Orton was deemed healthy enough to be the second quarterback, however.
The Broncos were behind 10-0 when McDaniels decided to make a change. He said part of the reason was the Broncos planned to alter their plan and go with more snaps out of the shotgun, which would suit Orton anyway.
“When he asked me in the second quarter if I could go in, I said ’Yeah,”’ Orton said.
The Chargers added a field goal as Orton warmed up. The crowd gave him a standing ovation when he went in, and completed his first three passes for 58 yards to San Diego’s 4-yard line. Running back Knowshon Moreno fumbled just before crossing the goal line on the next play, which was a huge blow to the Broncos’ chances.
The Broncos got a field goal early in the third quarter, but couldn’t recover a surprise onside kick and the Chargers marched in for a touchdown that took Denver out of the game.
However, the Broncos never seemed in the game because of the slow start with Simms under center. Even Chargers players seemed perplexed by McDaniels’ decision to go with Simms over Orton.
“I was surprised Orton didn’t start the game,” Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. “I saw him pregame and he looked good throwing the ball. He came in and they got moving. To their credit, they started moving, but we made more plays.”