"It was a debacle," the Broncos kicker said of his first-quarter conversion try that struck the left upright.

But that wasn't the only thing missing.

After the game, Prater discussed a lack of leg strength that has dogged him since the bye week.

The first-year Denver kicker had a solid first half this season, including five straight field goals made from 50-plus yards.

Since Oct. 20, he has missed eight field-goal attempts, prompting talk about a new approach to his offseason.

"I've got to figure out a way to keep my leg more fresh, because I kind of fell off toward the end because my leg was getting worn out," he said. "Sometime after the bye week, my kickoffs were getting shorter and shorter. My field goals, I couldn't hit the ball as far. . . . I have to figure out what to do."

As an example, Prater mentioned that in warm-ups here, he hit a 61-yard field goal. But by the time the game began, his leg felt dead.

He didn't attempt a field goal and made his only other extra- point try.

Prater finishes his initial season in Denver, and first full NFL campaign, having hit 25-of-34 field- goal attempts, adding 19 touchbacks.

"My first full year. Was it good? No. But it wasn't bad," he said. "It could have been better. It's something to build off and learn from."

Prater competed last spring with Garrett Hartley, now with New Orleans, for the right to replace Jason Elam, who left via free agency. But he went unopposed in summer camp.

"I'll definitely have somebody compete," he said. "Even if I was perfect, they'd bring in someone. It's a part of the business. But I know if I'm kicking at my best, there's nobody who can beat me out."