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Hurting Broncos come off bye to host Dolphins

Nov 2, 2008 - 2:05 PM MIAMI (3-4) AT DENVER (4-3), 4:05 pm EST

DENVER (Ticker) -- The Denver Broncos come out of their bye week hurting - physically and possibly emotionally.

With a number of players nursing injuries, the Broncos look to snap a two-game losing streak Sunday when they host the improved Miami Dolphins.

Prior to the bye, Denver suffered a brutal 41-7 loss at New England and now must guard against another second-half collapse which has become commonplace in recent seasons.

Last season, the Broncos lost four of their last six games following a 5-5 start. It followed an even worse tailspin in 2006, when Denver finished 2-5 after winning seven of its first nine games.

Despite the two-game losing streak, the Broncos (4-3) hold a 1 1/2 game-lead over San Diego in the AFC West but will finish the season without linebacker Boss Bailey, who is out for the year with a knee injury.

His brother, Champ, is expected to miss a month with a groin injury, while tight end Tony Scheffler (groin), wide receiver Brandon Stokley (concussion) and running backs Ryan Torain (elbow) and Selvin Young (groin) all are listed as questionable for Sunday's game.

There is some good news for the Broncos, as quarterback Jay Cutler is expected to play against the Dolphins after injuring the index finger on his throwing hand during the opening drive against the Patriots. The swelling in the finger has subsided, allowing Cutler to return to practice.

Cutler is fourth in the NFL in passing yards with 1,862 while throwing 13 touchdowns for an offense that ranks second in the NFL.

Even before the Baileys were injured, Denver's concern was on defense. The Broncos rank 30th against the run and 28th against the pass.

Chad Pennington will try to exploit the Broncos' weakness as the Dolphins (3-4) look to climb to .500, where Miami has not been this late in a season since 2003.

Signed by the Dolphins after being released by the New York Jets, Pennington has provided stability in Miami following last season's 1-15 nightmare. The veteran arguably is playing better than Brett Favre, his more celebrated replacement in New York.

Last week, Pennington completed 22-of-30 passes for 314 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions as the Dolphins rallied from a nine-point deficit to beat the Buffalo Bills, 25-16. It was Pennington's first 300-yard game since 2006.

Ted Ginn Jr. caught seven passes for a career-high 175 yards for the Dolphins, who snapped a two-game slide.