No. 7 – Jake Plummer
Sept. 7, 2003 at Cincinnati Bengals
Win, 30-10
Passing: 12-for-25, 115 Yds, 0 TD, 3 INTs
Yes, you read that correctly. Despite throwing for just 115 yards, with no touchdowns and three interceptions, Jake Plummer led Denver to a 20-point victory to open the 2003 season in the Bengals’ backyard for his Broncos debut. Denver never trailed in the game, and led 30-3 with under 4:00 to play in the game.
Plummer was aided by a 120-yard, 2 touchdown effort from Clinton Portis and an Ian Gold pick-six. Gold’s interception was one of four Cincinnati turnovers on the day.
Jon Kitna was picked off twice and fumbled once, while Kelly Herdon forced a fumble by Brandon Bennett on a kickoff.
Kitna and Plummer traded interceptions in the second quarter. Plummer was picked off on a home-run ball to Ashley Lelie in the third, then again in the fourth trying to hit Rod Smith. The defense bailed out Plummer, though, with a strip sack on Kitna on the very next play.
Broncos fans would be hard pressed to find another 20-point win in which their quarterback had a worse day. The Broncos escaped with a victory – despite Plummer’s poor play – but it’s why both Danny Kanell and Steve Beuerlein would earn starts later in this very tumultuous year at the quarterback position. The seed of doubt that ultimately led to Plummer’s ouster at the hands of Cutler three years later were planted right here for Mike Shanahan.
