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Cutler, Broncos aim for 3-0 start vs. Saints

Sep 16, 2008 - 9:48 PM New Orleans (1-1) at Denver (2-0), 4:05 pm EDT

DENVER (Ticker) -- Sometimes the calls just go your way.

Jay Cutler and the Denver Broncos hope they won't have to depend on a bad officiating call this Sunday when they host the New Orleans Saints.

Cutler, who passed for 650 yards and six touchdowns over the first two games, is certainly having a good season but he almost let one slip away last week - literally.

The Broncos trailed, 38-31, with just over a minute play and had the ball deep in San Diego Chargers' territory. Cutler fumbled when the ball slipped out of his hands and was recovered by San Diego at the 10-yard line.

But the officials ruled the play dead after an inadvertent whistle and gave the ball back to Denver. Three plays later, Cutler tossed a 4-yard TD pass to rookie Eddie Royal on fourth down to bring the Broncos within 38-37.

Then, Denver coach Mike Shanahan made gutsy call to go for a two-point conversion instead of a game-tying extra point. The gamble paid off as Cutler connected with Royal again to give the Broncos a 39-38 lead.

"You just got a gut (feeling) sometimes," Shanahan said. "I didn't want them to catch us on the coin flip. I wanted to do it then, and obviously it worked out."

The Broncos, who have sole possession of first place in the AFC West, have scored more points (80) than any other NFL team through the first two games of the season.

The Saints are coming off a 29-24 loss to the Washington Redskins last Sunday. New Orleans held a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter but allowed the Redskins to score two touchdowns in the final six minutes of the game.

Reggie Bush continues to struggle in the running game, compiling 74 yards on 24 carries this season. The second-overall pick in 2005 has helped in other ways, though.

Bush hauled in 15 receptions for 175 yards and a score this season. He also had a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter of Sunday's loss.