Shanahan stays calm after loss to Raiders

ENGLEWOOD • Whether the Denver Broncos are much better or worse than their 6-5 record, they clearly have little margin for error in each game.

Coach Mike Shanahan didn't seem too upset with his team's effort or overall play Monday, a day after a shocking 31-10 home loss to the Oakland Raiders. He noted some things that Denver did well and a few breakdowns that were reasons for the loss - a fumble inside Oakland's 10-yard line, some special-teams errors and being unable to stop the Raiders on third down in the second half.

Shanahan didn't show much frustration about his team's overall inconsistency. The Broncos still have a two-game lead in the AFC West and won two weeks ago at Atlanta, which gives Denver some reason for optimism if it improves in some areas.

"I think that shows what we're capable of doing on both sides of the ball," Shanahan said.

"We're capable of beating a good football team on the road, and we're also capable of losing when we don't make the plays we normally make. Sometimes you beat yourselves. Other times they beat you."

To Shanahan, Sunday's loss to Oakland (3-8) was an example of a few problems ruining his team's chance to win. The defense gave up only 3.3 yards per rush through three quarters. Shanahan said the plan was to make the Raiders play from behind, which might have happened without a lost fumble at Oakland's 7-yard line or an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown by the Raiders.

The offense moved the ball well through the first few minutes of the third quarter. The fumble and two missed field-goal tries hurt the Broncos on the scoreboard.

"We did some good things offensively," Shanahan said. "You've got 21 first downs with 9 minutes left in the third quarter, you're doing some good things."

By getting a lead in the first half, the Raiders were able to wear down the Broncos by the fourth quarter with the running game. And Denver's offense couldn't sustain any drives after Oakland took a 17-10 lead with 5:26 left in the third quarter.

"It doesn't take a whole lot when you get behind against that type of football team," Shanahan said.

Despite all the despair in Denver over the loss, the Broncos have a cushion in the AFC West. San Diego is 4-7.

"I don't want to be in the playoffs off of those guys," receiver Brandon Marshall said after Sunday's game. "I want to be in the playoffs with what we do. We want to control our own destiny."

Shanahan sees some positives, such as an offense that ranks in the top five of the NFL in yards per pass play and per run play. Shanahan pointed to turnover margin, which is 31st in the league, as something that could be holding his team back.

With the Broncos in good position to make the playoffs, Shanahan hopes that in the final five weeks his team can improve and go into the playoffs playing well.

"We want to play at the level where if you do get in the playoffs, you have a chance to do something when you get there," Shanahan said. "That's the key."

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