Denver Broncos’ Schedule Looking Softer After Three Games

Three weeks into the 2009 NFL season and the Broncos are 3-0.

Personally, I fully expected a 3-0 record after games against the Bengals, Browns, and Raiders based on past performance from these teams, but the way the Broncos beat each team was very impressive.

During this preseason, many professional analysts predicted that the Broncos would struggle greatly through the regular season. Most notably, John Clayton from ESPN predicted that the Broncos would finish this year with a 3-13 record.

I think we can all agree that the Broncos are not about to finish out the season 0-13.

Let’s take a look at the schedule that lies ahead for the Broncos:

Dallas @ Denver – I have watched all of the first three games for Dallas and with the Broncos boasting the No. 1 defense in the NFL, I find it hard to believe that Tony Romo and crew can eke out another victory.

New England @ Denver – The Pats are 2-1 and could easily be 1-2 after the Bills failed to finish the job on MNF. This game will be huge as McD will meet his old boss. New England has had Denver’s number lately and I think this game could go either way.

Denver @ San Diego – The Chargers’ only loss has come at the hands of the Ravens, but this is another team that could easily be 1-2. San Diego will easily be the favorite for this game but the Broncos are playing inspired football and if they can enter this game 5-0, I have no doubt the Broncos could take care of business.

Denver @ Baltimore – So far, Baltimore is 3-0 and ranked #1 on the power rankings. When you look at who they have beaten, the only team of any quality is San Diego. They may be good, but giving up 24 points to the Chiefs says overrated! Home field may tip this game in their favor though.

Pittsburgh @ Denver – This is not the same team that dominated last year. Losing back-to-back games to Chicago and Cincinnati on the road lets me like the Broncos’ chances of putting another mark in the win column.

Denver @ Washington – Who just lost to Detroit? Denver should win this game easily if things don’t change for the Skins.

San Diego @ Denver – I’ve picked Denver to win on their visit to San Diego and because of that, I am cautious in picking Denver again. Sure they are at home, but San Diego always seems to get one to split the series.

New York Giants @ Denver – While the G Men are 3-0 right now, I am not overly impressed with their play. Beating the Skins by less than a touchdown and barely squeaking a win out of Dallas makes me pick the Broncos in this one.

Denver @ KC – Who knows how far Matt Cassell and the Chiefs will have progressed by now, but this is a no-brainer.

Denver @ Indianapolis – The Colts looked great against Arizona and are on a roll. By this game, the Colts might only have two losses to Baltimore and New England. Both those games are toss ups and I think this is another. I give the edge to the Colts.

Oakland @ Denver – By this time, Jeff Garcia might have turned this sad team into a team worth preparing for. Or Al Davis might have decided to play QB. Either way, Broncos should handle with ease.

Denver @ Philadelphia – McNabb is out and Kolb is rolling. I see no reason to stop his momentum but who knows where the Eagles will be by this game. Either way, they are a respectable team but I think Mr. Dawkins will have a little more motivation this game that should be the edge.

Kansas City @ Denver – By this game, the Broncos should be locked in for the playoffs. A loss here due to sitting starters is very possible, but the second team might just get a win against this terrible team.

Overall, I think it is reasonable to expect the Broncos to go 12-4 this year. We will be able to tell a lot more after the Dallas game, but with a +46 point differential, the No. 1 defense, and the No. 9 offense, I am feeling very positive.

Let me know what you think!

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Film Study Shows That Denver Broncos Defense Dominates In Oakland

Prelude to the Film Studies

At the end of my last article I made a bold prediction about combining the Oakland and Cleveland game studies into one article each for offense and defense.  That is until my computer with the Cleveland game was entirely scrubbed, though the article was backed up; it’s with my technician not me. 

So, my personal apologies, I will get the Cleveland game review out later in the week with a little luck.  In the meantime, the first installment focuses on Denver’s top notch effort against Oakland.

Finally after the film segments I hope to have some interesting thoughts regarding the Dallas Cowboys game with Denver over the coming weekend.

For now, do the mental reps as you recall the game and enjoy the film study segment.

 

Denver’s Defense Leads the NFL and Earns an A+ Rating in Oakland

On the first possession by the Raiders the Broncos defense established control.  On first down the front seven got good penetration to shut down the Raider run in the middle. 

The very next play was a screen that proved the Broncos had good lateral pursuit and the play lost two yards.  Third down, the Broncos had great coverage and forced the screen pass which they shutdown.  The most important piece was that it set the tone early, three and out.

—

 

The second series for the Raiders starts at their own one yard line after denying the Broncos the end zone.

On first down JaMarcus Russell shows his lack of touch by throwing the ball a little high and hard off the hands of his fullback Luke Walton.  Champ Bailey just misses out on an interception.  On second down, the Raiders go deep and it is intercepted by Renaldo Hill who returns the ball to the Raider 23 yard line, putting the Broncos back in business.

While the Broncos did not have a great pass rush on the play, they did have good penetration and that may have caused an early release.

—

 

The next possession for the Raiders starts around their 20 yard line.  On 2nd-and-8, Darren McFadden runs a middle stretch.  Center Chris Morris immediately reaches the second level while right guard and former Bronco Cooper Carlisle cuts down the outside pursuit coming from the middle. 

Meanwhile the tackle and tight end allow the Broncos outside contain to over pursue and the running lane is created.  McFadden cuts back and gains an easy 15 yards.

True to the Oakland Raider fashion of the last few years, the very next play they shoot themselves in the foot.  They decide to mix up the play calling and throw in the area of Darrius Heyward-Bey who runs a deep hook. 

Russell may have been trying to hit Louis Murphy in the slot who was streaking.  Regardless, the Broncos had the perfect man-zone trap called.  These defenses ideally put a triangle of DB’s around a given throwing area.

Defenses like these are what make the NFL hard on young quarterbacks.  Essentially the Broncos line up in what could be man or quarter zone coverage.  The quarterback really doesn’t know. 

The biggest key he has to look for is where the safeties and cornerbacks are rolling to.  If there is some of that rotation it’s a zone and he needs to find the receiver in space. 

Technically Bey was open; however the Broncos had a perfect blanket coverage which forces the turnover.  When young quarterbacks force the ball into these areas they literally are making high risk—reward decisions. 

As this play developed, Champ Bailey rolls to the outside from his inside coverage position.  Over the top Andre Goodman and the safety Renaldo Hill converge on Louis Murphy’s streak route. 

JaMarcus Russell makes an OK read, but wastes his effort with an inaccurate throw that sails too high for Heyward-Bey and behind the streaking Murphy.  Andre Goodman makes a great read of the throw and makes an easy interception, returning it 20-some yards to around the original line of scrimmage.

—

 

The Raiders best drive of the day occurs after Matt Prater’s 48 yard field goal. 

The Raiders start with the ball on their own 14 yard line.  On 2nd-and-6, Darren McFadden catches a seven yard screen pass getting Oakland’s drive rolling.  Then a couple of recurring vulnerabilities the Broncos have are exploited by the Raiders.

The Raiders’ Michael Bush and Darren McFadden are able to run to the outside for a couple of big gains.  This will set up their short inside gains that help them to attain first downs.

Then Louis Murphy is able to make like Brandon Marshall on short cross routes to exploit the Denver defense for big gainers.  The Broncos defense doesn’t get off to a particularly good start on the pass rush and the release is early in dissecting the defense.

The Broncos benefit from a Raider penalty and a caused fumble by Mario Haggan that was recovered by Oakland along with some hard hitting along the way.  Finally on a key third down situation the Broncos show an all-out blitz and force a Raider timeout.   

Oakland connects on an underneath route to Zach Miller and advances the ball down to the Broncos 30 and has to settle for three.

—

 

On the first Raider drive of the second half, Oakland again works to establish a nice lane for McFadden to use on the outside of the offensive line.  A Raider tight end is able to establish contact with Elvis Dumervil and eventually turn him to the outside creating a running lane. 

Darren McFadden carries the ball for 10 yards where he is then de-cleated by Brian Dawkins.

Later in the drive the Raiders go for it on fourth down and the Broncos jump offsides to give them the first down.

Dawkins later has great coverage on Zach Miller and the ball goes incomplete.  Then Elvis Dumervil shuts down the Raider drive with a sack of JaMarcus Russell.

—

 

After the Broncos lose a fumble on their own 16, Oakland then runs a toss play on 2nd-and-5 to the right side.  The play picks up seven for a first down, however DJ Williams strips McFadden of the ball and Brian Dawkins makes a quick heads-up play to recover the fumble and snuff the Raiders’ last hopes of getting back into the game.

The key here is the defense never quit despite being put in a bad spot and they created some magic of their own.  With the turnover, the Broncos came away stealing the Raiders heart as they were pushing towards a touchdown in the south end zone of their fan faithful.

After the replay officials ruled that the play would stand in favor of the Broncos, Brian Dawkins drove home the final nail in the Raiders chance.  He simply signaled a slow point in the Broncos direction for a first down with a jubilant slant as an exclamation to the game.  There were still five minutes left in the third quarter, but this game was over.

 

Special Teams Does Things Well But Finds Room for Improvement  (Grade: B+)

Eddie Royals’ first punt return had very little blocking so the return went for a mere four yards.

—

 

After an interception drive goes nowhere.  Matt Prater connects on a 48 yard field goal that could have been good from 58 yards off the baseball dirt infield.  These are hard kicks for field goal kickers because their plant foot will usually slip a little bit on the swing of the kicking leg. 

No matter, perfect form results in a perfect kick and three more points for the Broncos.

On the play, the Raiders were able to get good penetration up front and this is an area Coach McDaniels said specifically the Broncos will be working on this week.  That is a real plus, since it happened on the next field goal and extra point try as well. 

The Raiders were over stacking eight players to one side and getting good pressure up the middle.

—

 

The following kickoff is six yards deep in the end zone and the Broncos stuff the return at the 14 yard line, allowing the defense to be set up for success.  On the next kick return for the Raiders they were stopped at the 15 yard line.

—

 

Conversely when the Raiders try a 48 yarder the Broncos get very little penetration and Sebastian Janikowski connects on the long attempt.

—

 

On the following kickoff Eddie Royal gets the ball out to the 22 yard line, good for a 27 yard return.

—

 

On the Raiders kickoff return following the Broncos second touchdown, the Broncos make a touchdown saving tackle at the 30 yard line.

 

contact Chaz @ sportsmanagement@gmail.com

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For Those of You Who Think Denver Has No Chance: This One Is For You

I am a bartender, so I get to watch ESPN all day at work and follow NFL Primetime, Live, and the whole nine yards. I see everything about all the teams.

All day I watch only to watch analyst give Denver zero credit. I understand they all made assumptions of how terrible we would be. I understand the tougher part of our schedule is coming up. Facts are facts though ladies and gentlemen and I am here to give you some.

Before I get to the facts, though, I read the Raiders articles. Raiders fans, just shut your mouth until you beat us again. Please just shut your mouth. You have a terrible QB and we dominated you in every aspect of the game.

The Baltimore Ravens are number one in power rankings, while Denver sits at 13: The only 3-0 team out of the top ten. Denver has won their games 62-16, so +46 in our favor against teams with a combined record of 3-6. Baltimore has won their games 103-53 so +50 in their favor against teams with a combined record of 2-7. Seems a little odd to me.

Have we played two weak teams?

Yes.

Wait though, weren’t we suppose to be one of those weak teams? A team that Cleveland, Oakland, and the Bengals could beat. The Bengals didn’t have things go their way, but lucky plays happen, just ask David Tyree.

Cincinnati scored 23 with 273 yards on the defending Super Bowl champs. We allowed 307 yards, but only seven points.

Broncos held Cleveland to six points and only allowed 200 yards. Minnesota gave up 17 and 268 yards.

Broncos held Oakland to a measly 137 yards and gave up three points. Chargers gave up 366 yards and 20 points.

We have the number one defense in the league. No one would have predicted that regardless of the teams we played before the season started. I’m tired of all analyst using our schedule as a scapegoat for their wrong predictions.

Just something to read and think about for a moment before you count Denver out.

Looking at our schedule coming up, it looked a lot scarier before the season than it does now. Cowboys without Felix, Patriots without Mayo, and Chargers with out Jamal Williams and maybe LT all look beatable to me. I’m not guaranteeing a win by any means, but they are games we can win.

Followed by that, we have the Ravens who look outstanding, but things may change by then. Steelers look beatable as well to me. Redskins we should beat if they keep at this pace.

With all the being said that still leaves two games against Kansas City and one more against Oakland in Denver.

I’m not saying were going 10-6 but we could and we very well may win the division. No we are not world beaters, but we do win.

“Denver rookie head coach Josh McDaniels doesn’t have a grasp on how to build a team,” said John Clayton, April 23rd, 2009.

I just want people like this to go back and say ‘maybe I was wrong.’ I’m not asking to pick us for the Super Bowl; just give us respect where we have earned it.

Denver fans, I leave you with this comment from recently signed veteran Vonnie Holliday.

“But when I was talking to some coaches on this staff, guys who were much older and much more experienced than Coach McDaniels, they said, ‘Don’t listen.’ They said some good things were happening here. They said Coach McDaniels was special … it didn’t take me long to realize they were right. There’s something about Josh McDaniels.”

Keep strong Bronco faithful as we shoot for 4-0.

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Early Thoughts on the Broncos-Cowboys Week Four Matchup

The Denver Broncos (3-0, First Place AFC West) are getting set to take on the Dallas Cowboys (2-1, Second Place NFC East) in what figures to be one of the top matchups in the fourth week of the NFL season.

Dallas is fresh off a dominant 21-7 victory over fellow NFC opponent Carolina, and the Broncos are still soaking in a 23-3 crushing of their bitter rival Oakland Raiders. 

The last time these two teams met was four years ago on a Thanksgiving night game on NFL Network, when Ron Dayne propelled the Broncos to one of their 13 victories with a big run in overtime to set up a Jason Elam field goal.

This early season contest features two of the NFL’s top rushing offenses, one of which could be without its centerpiece. Marion Barber, the Cowboys’ power back and Pro Bowl performer could be out when Dallas travels to Invesco Field at Mile High next Sunday afternoon, but do not expect the Cowboys to veer away from their running game.

Dallas is currently ranked first in the NFL in rushing, averaging an astounding 193.7 yards per game thanks to its trio of Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice. But the offensive power does not end at the running game. Quarterback Tony Romo has led this offense to roughly 430 yards per contest, averaging nearly 29 points in their first three games.

What Dallas does not have so far is a great pass rush, which seems odd considering they boast the league’s returning leader in sacks, DeMarcus Ware. In fact, until last night, the Cowboys did not have a sack or a turnover defensively.

The Broncos hope to bring out those apparent flaws in Dallas’ defense with their top-tier offensive line, led by All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady, who has yet to surrender a sack in his young NFL career. His tremendous play could force Ware to other positions on the field in order to have any kind of impact.

While the Broncos do not appear to be a pass-heavy offense, quarterback Kyle Orton has been nothing but efficient and mistake-free for his first three games as a Denver Bronco, throwing three touchdown passes and no interceptions so far. Orton has been labeled a “game manager” throughout his career, and my question is “When did that become a bad thing?”

Orton and the Broncos are off to a hot 3-0 start, one that has been aided by the play of Denver’s new-look defense. Although it is early, the Bronco defense is on pace to be the best this franchise has ever seen, allowing only 16 points through their first three games, best in the NFL so far. They also have held opponents to an average of 214.7 yards per game, which also ranks first in the league.

The dominance of the Denver defense combined with the league’s fourth-ranked rushing attack has really paved the way for the Broncos, who are considered by many to be a surprise and quite frankly are not getting the national decorum they deserve.

Denver is ranked 13th in ESPN’s newest edition of “Power Rankings,” but even lead AFC West blogger Bill Williamson, who has been fairly skeptical if not critical of Denver throughout this offseason, agrees that the Broncos are a top 10 team.

Personally, I hope the Broncos stay under the radar. Teams can keep underestimating them and, not coincidentally, they will continue losing to them. 

I read an interesting line on Mike Florio’s blog at Pro Football Talk, where he said this: 

“Last week, some were calling the Broncos the worst 2-0 team in league history.

“Now, some are calling them the worst 3-0 team in league history.

“The way they’re going, they’ve got a chance to end up being something other than the worst 5-0 team in league history, too.”

How could that not be more true? People hopped off the Denver bandwagon the second Jay Cutler was traded, if they weren’t already trailing far behind when Mike Shanahan was fired. It is too easy to fear or doubt the unknown, but Josh McDaniels has this team believing, and it shows.

This is by no means a guarantee that the Broncos will beat the Cowboys, because, after last night, I realized that the Cowboys can be a fantastic team when they want to be. Which brings me to the next myth that needs debunking, which is that the Broncos have played three “easy” opponents so far.

Orton was quick to shoot down the fact that Dallas will be the Broncos’ first real test of the season, saying he has “never played an easy game in the NFL.” It is very easy, as NFL fans in this generation to look at a team like Cincinnati, the team of “Hark Knocks,” and honestly say they are a team that is worth playing in the NFL.

Well, two weeks after the “Immaculate Deflection,” the Cincinnati Bengals are looking like a team on the rise, having beaten Green Bay on the road and the reigning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers at home on a come-from-behind victory that included two fourth-down conversions on their final drive.

The Cleveland Browns have been abysmal this year, but how did anyone know they would be 0-3 when they played the Broncos? Cleveland fans, on this site at least, seemed to have hope if not confidence that their team would come into Denver and get a victory. 

Then came the Oakland Raiders, and their fans need no explanation. Ever since Week 12 of last season, Raider fans have been licking their chops to host the Broncos again, and many fans and analysts predicted them to get a win at home against the Broncos, who were supposed to be a team in disarray. A near shutout on the road has still not silenced the critics, though they are at least backing down a little.

John Clayton predicted at the beginning of the season that Denver would win three games, and that “Denver rookie head coach Josh McDaniels doesn’t have a grasp on how to build a team.”

He said that prior to the NFL Draft, and look who is laughing now, at least for the time being. Other than trading Cutler, the Broncos made a bevy of offseason moves to improve their team, which Clayton apparently failed to take into account when assessing McDaniels.

I read a very interesting piece on Mile High Report, a Broncos blog, about the effectiveness of the offseason moves Denver has made, and how they correlate to some of the more expensive, alternative options that potentially could have silenced the critics.

If the Broncos lose to the Cowboys, you can certainly expect the “haters” and “nay-sayers” to be in full form once again, but this Denver team certainly appears to be one to be reckoned with.

Check back on Thursday or Friday for my Keys to Victory for Denver!

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Denver Broncos Face Tough Schedule in Quest for Playoff Return

Let’s take a look back: It’s the end of the 2008 season. Mike Shanahan fired. Jay Cutler traded for Kyle Orton and picks. A defense in shambles, having allowed 28 points per game.

Brandon Marshall wanting to be traded and suspended during a portion of the pre-season.  2009 looking like a major rebuilding effort for rookie coach Josh McDaniels.

Fast forward to the end of September. Broncos are 3-0. Orton is playing mistake-free football. Offensive line protecting Orton and creating gaps for the running game as well as ever.

Defense has allowed a total of 16 points over three games, stuffing the run and pressuring the quarterback.

Excuse me?

Any Denver fan couldn’t be happier after a 3-0 start and an early division lead in the AFC West.

As McDaniels and crew will readily admit, there is still much work to do. The schedule does not lie.

The Broncos will face a decidedly stiffer slate of competition in the coming weeks, with stouter offenses and defenses to contend with. 

Can Denver’s offense, minus a prolific passing game, be balanced enough to hang with the big boys?  Can its defense, against better offenses than the anemic Browns and Raiders, continue to impose its will?

Prior to its Week 7 bye, Denver faces Dallas and New England at home, before visiting San Diego for a Monday Night contest.  All playoff-quality teams with potentially explosive offenses.

Coming out of the bye, the Broncos pay a visit to the suddenly dynamic Baltimore Ravens, followed by a home date with Pittsburgh.

For Denver to entertain playoff hopes, it must come out of that stretch with at least two wins, probably three. That would leave the Broncos at 5-3 or 6-2.

With two games remaining with Kansas City, and a home date with Oakland, eight or nine wins would be nearly a certainty assuming no letdowns.

They’d then need a couple of wins in the other second-half games (at Washington, Indy and Philly, home for San Diego and the Giants).

No guarantees, since this team has not been severely tested, and has not shown a penchant for second-half surges in recent years.

Nevertheless, an optimistic outlook heading into October is certainly not what many experts saw coming out of the Mile High City, after a dismal 2008 season and winter of gloom and doom prognostications.

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Hey Raiders Fans: How Do You Like Your Crow? Smoked, Like Your Team?

Ah Raiders fans. They’re the only thing more entertaining than their sorry team to all other AFC West opponents’ fans.

Raiders fans are the ones that take fandom too far in the NFL, dressing up in their craziest garb from Darth Vader helmets and gorilla masks to silver and black face paint that rivals ’70s hair band KISS. Some think Oakland fans like to dress up to look more macho, as some wear shoulder pads with spikes and other decorations. Or is it that the fans are trying to make up for their team’s deficiencies?

Most likely it’s because the fans are honestly scared for their own wellbeing, as there’s no telling how out of control a Raiders player might get.

Really though, Oakland Raiders fans are the No. 1 audience on B/R, and they show out feverishly, with much fervor and ferocity. They back their team, even to the point of going onto rival team’s pages to trash talk about how the Raiders have been, are, and will be great.

Before this most recent Broncos/Raiders game, I wrote a prediction piece that also attacked Oakland’s organization because we all know they can and should return to their once great standing in the AFC West and the NFL. But as of now, and for the past 15 years, besides 2000-02, when they went to the playoffs but lost all three years.

I attempted to use statistics to explain to Raiders fans how bad they have been especially really recently, like the last seven years. I’ll say once again, Oakland has a measly 25 wins since 2003, and average of less than six a season.

But loyal “black holians,” or maybe “black hooligans” fits them more suitably, as they fought my logical statistics with a few of their own, and some more illogical comments as well.

Fingersrdrs Raiders wrote, “31-10 the Raiders beat Mr Ed the last time they played…” As Rick wrote in his piece “Raider Fan Trash Talk: A Premonition” Raiders fans can’t help but talk about the past, the last time their player did well or they beat your team, because they knew this time around could be trouble.

SR is one of the best examples of a Raiders fan that’s crazy for his team. “lol these horse fans crack me up with all these stats,were only 2 games into the season, u can throw all them stats out the window, u can think whatever you want, its about to go down in the town, black hole will be ready.”

That’s the greatest part though, Oakland natives, “real” Raiders fans, didn’t show out! The game was blacked out in Oakland because the stadium couldn’t sell out, even when a local grocer offered any fan that bought two tickets a $100 gift certificate.

Even Raider Card Addict, No. 3 in the B/R football writer rankings overall, couldn’t defend his team; just try to take stabs about the Broncos being bad since Elway retired.

That was until he brought up the storied history of the Raiders, where they have slight edges on the Broncos in many categories, and Oakland’s all-time head to head lead by 14 games was built in the ancient 1960s when the Broncos were horrible for the entire decade.

The point is, or points for that matter, is that the Raiders are not a great team, not even good and were destroyed by the Broncos 23-3, and it should have been worse.

Some Raiders fans talked bout how Richard Seymour and the Oakland defensive line was going to eat Kyle Orton and Denver’s running game alive; however, the opposite was true. Sure, Orton only passed for 157 yards, but he wasn’t sacked once, nor did he throw an interception.

As for the running game, Correll Buckhalter ran for 108 yards with a gaudy 7.7 yard per gain average, and rookie Knowshon Moreno carried the ball 21 times for 90 yards and a touchdown.

In total, the Broncos were dominant in total yards (372-137), first downs (21-9), turnovers (3-1), and average gain per play (6.8-1.8) among almost every other stat that could be measured.

The defense was remarkable as well, nabbing two easy interceptions early in the contest, only to have those turnovers translate into points, and adding a fumble recovery on three forced fumbles too. The Denver D held Oakland to 3-10 on third downs, some of which drew many boos from the black hole, or wherever most of the Raiders fans have fallen into.

Elvis Dumervil was the star of the game once again as he added two more sacks to bring his total to six for 2009, and Darrell Reid added a sack of his own. DJ Williams flew all over the field with a team leading seven tackles and a forced fumble also.

Denver played a compete game on both sides of the ball, won their first divisional game of the year, and remained undefeated at 3-0 leading the AFC West. Next up for the Broncos is the real meat of their schedule, as they start with Dallas and face many perennial playoff teams in a row.

But Denver should focus on this huge win right now, and Raiders fans should enjoy their crow and eat up. So, Rai “duhs” fans, what are you going to say now until your team plays the AFC West leaders again? Now you can’t rely on the popular, “we beat your donkey asses last year, remember, like nine months ago,” routine.

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Promising Broncos’ Keep On Truckin’, and Runnin’, Through Opponents

One of the golden rules in the NFL is that teams who take care of the ball on offense and create turnovers on defense will usually find a way to win the game. That’s a rule that the Broncos haven’t followed for a while now, and it may have very well cost them a playoff berth each of the past three seasons.

Actually, there’s a lot of reasons why they missed the playoffs each of the last three years, but that was the one that sounded the best in an opening sentence. Don’t judge me.

Often times an opening sentence is followed by a thesis statement, and whether you have any clue what a thesis statement is or not, just know that I believe that this year’s Broncos are for real. And yes, so far they are strictly adhering to the golden rule I mentioned before.

Through three games, the Denver defense has given up just 16 points. Kyle Orton has yet to throw an interception. The running game has its swagger back thanks to the two-headed monster of Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter.

The best part? Josh McDaniels has yet to wear a hoodie with the sleeves cut off on the sideline. Yes, that annoys me that much.

One of the things that stands out to me the most about Denver so far is that there are no glaring issues on the team. Kyle Orton isn’t a superstar, but he’s a proven winner. The offense isn’t fancy, but they are efficient and nearly mistake free.

If there was a coordinator of the year award, Mike Nolan would be the early favorite. He’s taken the worst Broncos’ defense in over 30 years and transformed them into a physical unit that, *gasp*, can actually stop the run and force three-and-outs. 

Some of the so-called “experts” will argue that the Broncos haven’t played anybody yet, so their good start is meaningless; but aren’t good teams kind of supposed to manhandle bad teams? Just last year this team gave up 31 points to the Browns and 45 combined points to the Raiders.

Not only that, but they held the same Bengals offense that put up 31 points on the Packers and 23 points on the Steelers to only a mere 7 points.

Progress is progress. 3-0 is 3-0.

If you’re surprised or pissed off at the lack of recognition the Broncos are getting outside of Colorado, don’t be. The reality check is that no one will really believe in them unless they take down some of the media’s darling teams. They’ll get their first chance next week against Dallas. 

And while it is still early, I feel that it is time for me to eat my words. While they may regress as the season goes on, the Broncos’ defense is not nearly as dreadful as I predicted them to be. This is why Josh McDaniels gets paid to make these decisions and I have to pay to go to school.

I’m sorry, Broncos fans. I admit that I was wrong and I hope that I can be forgiven. If they keep playing how they’re playing, I won’t be the last one to say that.

Now, it’s John Clayton’s turn.

 

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Broncos and Fans Buying Into McDaniels’ System: They’re Lovin’ It

If the 2009 Denver Broncos were fast food, I would call them a “Happy Meal” thus far into the campaign. Pleasant. Satisfying. Fun. Making their fans, you know, happy.

Oh, and yes I did mean those Denver Broncos.

Six months ago the Broncos were a franchise in turmoil.  The team had fired its stalwart head coach, Mike Shanahan, who led to the franchise to its two Super Bowl titles. Then Denver replaced him with a 33-year-old offensive whiz kid, Josh McDaniels, who had never been a head coach at any level. 

To make matters worse, franchise quarterback Jay Cutler was trying force his way out of town after hearing McDaniels and the team listened to offers for another quarterback, presumably sending Cutler to another team.

Once Cutler was traded to the Chicago Bears, wide receiver Brandon Marshall suddenly demanded a trade, saying he didn’t trust the Broncos. McDaniels had no choice but to suspend Marshall for a good chunk of the preseason for conduct detrimental to the team. 

What a way for McDaniels to start his NFL head coaching career.

He had more pressure on him than anyone, and he had not even coached a single game.  People were calling for his head before the season started and others thought he’d be one (year) and done.

It’s amazing what a 3-0 start can do for your image, isn’t it?

During all this drama, McDaniels kept saying his players were ignoring the potential distractions and focusing on doing their jobs and making sure everyone was putting forth a “team first” attitude.  The suspension of Marshall proved McDaniels meant that.

However, many fans and media types blew that off as McDaniels saying what any coach would say—regardless of what was really going on in the background. Thanks to these distractions, said the critics, the Broncos would be lucky to win five games.

Well, we’re not even a quarter of the way through the season and the Broncos are already past the halfway point to five wins and many people are in shock.

Why?

Because the players actually are buying into McDaniels’ system.  Everyone is focusing on doing their jobs and trusting their teammates to do theirs.  McDaniels’ a system that has paid off in the form of three Super Bowl rings for the Patriots and it’s one that has the Broncos starting fast out of the gate.

The players believe. They’re smiling on the sidelines, and McDaniels even got a Gatorade shower after Denver’s victory over the Browns last week.

See, the players notice the little things.  McDaniels let the top participants in offseason workouts to create a playlist on an iPod to be played during practices in training camp.  Instead of simulating crowd noise, the players heard all kind of music from country to the late Michael Jackson.  It was a touch the players definitely appreciated.

Now, what about the fans?

Those who were calling for McDaniels’ job from the onset of the Cutler situation have been mysteriously silent as Cutler leads the NFL in interceptions and Orton has yet to throw a pick after three solid games.  Fans are jumping on the Broncos bandwagon by the bunches.

That saying that “winning cures everything”?  True, in this case.  Very true.

Now, we shouldn’t get too far ahead of ourselves.  The Broncos face a killer schedule the next few weeks, starting this weekend with a battered but potent Cowboys team coming to Invesco.  

However, if the Broncos remain as tight knit as they seem to be right now, they will weather this storm.  They enter this tough stretch as a team, and they will emerge from it as a team.

Buckle up, Broncos fans.  It’s going to be a fun ride.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

The AFC West: How Big of a Mess Is It?

It has now become very apparent that my Raiders have quite a few problems. But I’ve decided if I’m going to bash my own team I might as well bash the rest of the division.

Here’s my best shot at bringing down all the teams in the division with my Raiders.

So lets start off with my Raiders of course.

Aside from the Monday Night opener, the Raiders look horrible.

Not only that, but based on this season’s performances thus far the Raiders’ last three first round draft picks look like busts. JaMarcus Russell can barely hit the broad side of a barn and the only players he can occasionally hit in stride are Zach Miller and defensive backs.

Darren McFumble…I mean McFadden not only has the lowest yards per carry of the three Raider running backs but he averages a fumble about once every 10 carries. Definitely not living up to the hype.

And then there’s Darius Heyward-Bey. He can run very fast but that’s about it. So far this season he has one reception and two interceptions while he was being targeted.

To make things stranger the first round draft pick from four drafts ago, Michael Huff, who we were all convinced was a bust is now playing like a man on fire with four take-aways.

And then there’s Tom Cable.

Well he motivated the team and got them to buy into the “team first” and “53 men committed to one purpose” philosophy, blah blah blah.

But motivation and hope can only get you so far. Try hoping in one hand and shitting in the other and see which one fills up faster.

Unless Tom Cable can learn how to call an offense or finds someone who can, all that motivation will turn into false hope as team morale drops. 

Now onto the Chiefs.

Well the Chiefs aren’t just bad. They are horrible. And at 0-3 I would be surprised if they can match last years win total of two.

They are actually so bad that despite playing against the worst QB performance I have ever seen, the Chiefs failed to come up with a win or even a single interception.

The Chiefs also have three backup QBs and have already fired an offensive coordinator this preseason. Plus, they traded away possibly the best tight end in NFL history and their biggest offensive weapon.

Then there’s the consensus Super Bowl favorite of the last three years—the Chargers.

As of right now I would put them in second in the division but with the Raiders and Chiefs not far behind. And with the Chargers roster beginning to look like an ER, I wouldn’t be surprised if if they end up in third or even fourth in the division.

Despite being the most over-hyped team in the NFL three years running, the Chargers were dominated in nearly ever facet of the game by the Raiders. Funny, the Broncos did the same to the Raiders.

But in the end the Chargers were able barely skate by with a win. No thanks to some questionable officiating and a lead changing touchdown drive leaving 28 seconds on the clock.

Also in reality the Chargers have yet to defeat a quality team. Raiders are 1-2, and the Dolphins are 0-3.

Wow I just had deja vu.

Now, finally, onto the AFC west leading Denver Broncos. Or should I say AFC worst. Yes congratulations Broncos fans, your team is in the lead of the worst division in the NFL.

Oh wait, sorry. As a Raider fan I am not allowed to refer to them as Broncos.

Guess what horse riders? Despite being 3-0, every power ranking list to come out this week will still list the Chargers above your donkeys.

And of course you guys already know why. You have yet to even play a good team. You barely beat the Bengals. The Browns, despite scoring 20 against Minnesota, have still scored only one offensive TD in the last 36 quarters.

Notice how in the last week that 32 rose to 36. The Browns are horrible, and next week it will probably rise again to 40 quarters.

Then you played the Raiders. Well as you’ve read, the Raiders aren’t very good. Not to mention prior to this loss most NFL power rankings had the Raiders somewhere between 25 and 29.

 

 

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Broncos Show There Is Dominant In Team: Theme Crushes Raiders

To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them?

William Shakespeare – “Hamlet”

 

A Contending Early Autumn Wind

A new autumn’s dominant theme is changing the colors of the season from coast to coast. It’s absolutely caught up in the changing leaves and trees—it happens this time every year.  The change in green color to this season’s theme: it’s white, surprising purple, a myriad of orange with amazing black, and even blue.

These colors appear to be for real in this early autumn theme, turning pretenders into contenders in the early stages of chasing the dream.

In the autumn wind there is the ringing breeze of forceful winds that are cousins of the new cold fronts that bring them. Within that same gust of the new coming are some of the traditions of the past.

Football teams and their rivalries carry out those recurring dreams of rising up to their constant rivals. In this the young 2009 NFL season, we have seen the leaves change colors and maintain the theme of newness and unexpected results.

We are finding out that there are some new up and comers—teams that are proving they are for real.

The New York Jets sported their old New York Titans jerseys against the Tennessee Titans—who donned their old Houston Oilers jerseys.  In the end, the Titans of New York won the game behind rookie sensation Mark Sanchez.

In Minnesota that age-old staelwierthe (stalwart) himself, Brett Favre, in his new purple adornment, proved he could still get it done when it mattered most. The Minnesota Vikings are now a serious contender for the Super Bowl. 

Carson Palmer and the Bengals proved they are tougher than most had given them credit for. They beat the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers with last second heroics and altered the outlook of their season. So add them to your list of contending teams.   

Out west it was Raider Nation taking on the Denver Broncos. It beckoned a number of questions for the football minds who could see.

The Raiders local telecast was blacked out because the game was not a sellout. These are peculiar times indeed. The current economical situation has affirmed that, but if it’s Raider Nation—tell us all, why do they flee or fail to show?

 

Oakland—Raider Nation Has a Problem

Anytime you can beat a team at home it’s a great thing.  When it’s your archrival, better yet.

There was apparently a spirited exchange prior to the on-field battle that sent along a needed message this fall. Regardless of the change at the helm for the Denver Broncos the Raiders are still the ultimate team rival, whether for good or ill.

So they call it Raider Nation?  However, it has proven not to be. A once intense and great rivalry started to slip with fan apathy on an eminence front.

The devastated local economy coupled with obsolete NFL rules aimed to sell more tickets to home games is backfiring and weaning fans off NFL products in one of the league’s most legendary markets.

An archive of NFL films has stated that the autumn wind is a pirate or even a Raider, like a legendary tale of yore.

No matter to the Broncos—who somewhere along the line decided they were only concerned with themselves. They knew the domination that they sought was in shutting down the pirate ship.

A little secret to pass along when it comes to beating down the Raiders: the Broncos know the old pirate fable that “dead men tell no tales.”

In football terms this translated to the objective that was to make the Raiders one dimensional with a simple philosophy. Make Jamarcus Russell beat them. The response was just as simple—he couldn’t.

Meanwhile the Broncos offense racked up 215 yards on the ground courtesy of Correll Buckhalter and rookie Knowshon Moreno.

Moreover, Brandon Marshall brought his best against the Raiders and caught five passes for 67 yards and caught his first touchdown of the season. Marshall proved his issues off the field are behind him at least for now.

The defense was its now solid, usual self. It yielded only three points by racking up two interceptions and one key fumble recovery, and had three sacks on the day.

So it’s now well known what happens when the pirate ship gets pillaged. 

It’s a blackout in the black hole with the Broncos going home in first place atop the AFC West—a game ahead of the San Diego Chargers.

 

The Denver Broncos Are For Real

Call it a welcomed surprise or a hopeful premonition. 

The Broncos have found a way to move their record to 3-0 on this young season.  Regardless of the personal views and takes in the offseason—reaching this record the way they have could not have been easily predicted.

The Broncos deserve to be undefeated.

The Cincinnati Bengals also deserve to be undefeated with their last minute drive to seemingly ice the Broncos. Somehow the Broncos escaped week one with a deserved victory.

The following week the Bengals promptly beat Green Bay at Lambeau Field and came home only to upend the World Champion Steelers.

The Bengals are for real and deserve to be undefeated.

Strangely enough, so are the Broncos.

Denver’s dominating defense has set the tone in all three of its games. The Broncos are physical on offense and defense. A surprise for many, but the team on paper appeared to be heading in this direction during the offseason.  It’s just a sight for sore eyes to see in action. 

The Broncos have quelled the opposition to the tune of less than 215 yards per game, outdistancing the next closest defense by a full 30 yards.

They are the top rated defense in the NFL. 

The most impressive stat is the one that matters most. The Broncos have yielded a total of 16 points over three games for an average of 5.3 points per game. 

The Broncos rate fifth in the NFL in interceptions with a total of five.  They also have 10 sacks, which ties them for first in the NFL with the Bengals and the Eagles. They have also recovered three fumbles.

Meanwhile, the offense is finding ways to protect the ball and control the battle of field position and time of possession. 

Currently they only rank 14th, but they do have an average of nearly 21.0 points per game. The team is rated ninth in total yards with an average of 374.0 yards per game. They boast the fourth best ground attack in the NFL, which may be the mortar of their physical team approach to the game. 

The special teams haven’t been incredibly special.

They have fumbled one opening kickoff return and missed three field goals due to wind. This aspect of the game should improve throughout the season. 

The point here is that the Denver Broncos are not beating themselves—they are beating their opponents into submission.

Thus far, this team is proving they are for real—there really is no question.

 

Regarding This Week’s Film Study Segment

Due to some technical problems last week’s film study vs. Cleveland and this week’s vs. Oakland will be combined for offense and defense.

Next up on the schedule for the Broncos is the Dallas Cowboys in Denver on Sunday afternoon.

 

Chaz Mattson

sportsmanagement@gmail.com

 

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

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