Can Kubiak?

So you want to fire Gary Kubiak, huh?

Sounds excessive, especially considering your Denver Broncos – and their head coach – are just one win away from playing in Super Bowl 50. But hey, we all watched the game on Sunday. The frustration that suffocated Broncos Country for the vast majority of four, mind-numbing quarters was palpable. If you didn’t have a rooting interest, you’d have been napping by halftime. The Broncos won in spite of a game plan so vanilla that calling it that is unfair to the bean, the ice cream or the wafer.

While even Denver’s dominant defense seemed to have a “bend but don’t break” mentality on Sunday – which was more or less excused, as everyone, including and especially Wade Phillips, wanted to see what an injured Ben Roethlisberger was capable of – it was the formerly high-powered offense that seemed to be asleep at the wheel. I say “formerly” referring to the offensive success of the 2012 and 2013 teams, back when Peyton Manning and friends were playing video game football.

Heading into Super Bowl XLVIII, that Manning-led offense ranked first in total points (606), total yards (7,317), passing yards (5,444), first downs (435) and yards per play (6.3). Compare those numbers with this season’s output: 355 total points (19^th), 5,688 total yards (16^th), 3,970 passing yards (14^th), 314 first downs (19^th) and 5.4 yards per play (19^th). How could a team that’s essentially not even half as good on offense make it to the Super Bowl?

The easy answer is defense. But look at 2012, when the Broncos were unceremoniously bounced from the postseason, playing at home against the Ravens in the AFC Divisional round. That defense was good, damn good. It ranked first in the AFC in points allowed and second in the entire NFL in yards allowed. The offense that year still rated in the top four of every important statistical category. That’s a pairing that seemed unbeatable, yet, the Broncos were beaten.

As we collectively screamed at our televisions on Sunday, it looked like Kubiak was more than content hanging around a gun fight with nothing more than a knife. The Broncos offense just kept plodding – or, more accurately, kept playing not to lose. They dinked. They dunked. They handed off. And then they’d kick or punt, neither of which were wildly celebrated.

Yawn.

“This game plan is awful!” we screamed. “Can the coach!”

This was not Manning’s fault. And, if his successor were in the game, it wouldn’t have been Brock Osweiler’s fault, either. If the Broncos had lost, we’d have pinned it on the head coach. And by golly, if the Broncos pitter-patter around on offense and don’t beat the Patriots on Sunday, everyone will be calling for Coach K’s head once again.

Everyone except John Elway.

Keep in mind that throughout the year and this past Sunday – especially this past Sunday – Kubiak did exactly what he was hired to do. He took one of the NFL’s most celebrated offenses and changed its entire approach on the fly. Elway wanted physical; Kubiak has given it to him. Elway favored balance over statistical magic; like it or not, Kubiak’s ball club ranked 14^th in passing attempts (606) and 17^th in rushing attempts (411).

Whether it was pretty or not, Kubiak’s methodical approach led the Broncos to the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. And on Sunday, warts and all, it eventually wore down the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. That’s what a team that plays at an elevation of 5,280 feet should do – exhaust its opponent over the course of 60 minutes.

And like a boxer delivering body blows round after round, the Broncos finally delivered the knockout punch when it mattered most. When only a touchdown would do, that’s exactly what Manning and Co. produced. Sure, it took 57 minutes to get it done, but C.J. Anderson’s one-yard touchdown plunge, followed by a crafty two-point conversion pass and catch to Demaryius Thomas, marked Manning’s 56^th game-winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime. And it was all that mattered.

In addition to changing the offensive philosophy, Elway also pleaded for kicking and screaming. Brandon McManus kicked and we screamed. But in the end, the Broncos fought tooth and nail for a playoff win. As James Merilatt pointed out yesterday, they don’t hand out Lombardi Trophies for style points.

Come Sunday, rest assured that you’ll be shaking your head at a few of Gary Kubiak’s play calls. You’ll be angered by the fact that the Broncos aren’t leading by two touchdowns – or that they haven’t even scored two touchdowns. You might even be calling for Kubiak’s head once again.

Beating the Patriots won’t be easy, but win or lose, don’t blame the head coach. He’s simply doing what the boss wants him to do. As painful (or boring) as that might be, it could be the difference between 43-8 and winning.