AFC CG pre game thread

[Morpheus]

Well, it's the match up the media was wanting.

So you won't have to watch ESPN all week, just read this next sentence and file it away.

"Manning vs Brady, BLAH BLAH BLAH weather not a factor BLAH BLAH BLAH Giselle says that Tom can't play defense either BLAH BLAH BLAH.

Moving on.

Brady vs Manning. I believe this will be the 15th time they have matched up and 5th time they have met in the playoffs.

While as fans we have a healthy respect for the Patriots and no one here is underestimating them, regardless of what Brady is telling the media, on paper, the Broncos are the better team and that is why they are favored.

Broncos Offense - If the Broncos can execute their game plan, they have the weapons of offense capable of putting up a lot of points.

The O-line has been playing outstanding the last few games and with temps expected in the 50's for this game and no wind so we should be able to do what we want on offense, pass or run.

Moreno and Ball have proven the last few weeks of the season that they are a formidable tandem and a balanced running attack will also lay the ground work for Denver's record setting passing game.

As long as they avoid the mental errors and don't turn the ball over, Denver should be able to put up 30+ points easily. They easily left 10 points if not more off the board with a missed FG and INT in the end zone against San Diego.

Denver did not punt once. Cut out the mistakes and Jammer replacing an injured Harris and getting exposed and that game was a blowout.


Patriots Offense - Everyone in the media is "surprised" by the Patriots run game and LeGarret Blount's sudden dominance. But I think it is just a matter of practicality. The Patriots last 2 games were against the #26 and #28 rush defense in the league in the Colts and Bills respectively and Belicek is smart enough to take what you give him and go after your weaknesses.

Denver had the 7th ranked regular season rushing D in the league and shut down the Chargers run game Sunday limiting Woodhead and Matthews to 56 rushing yards. They won't run the ball 46 times again.

They will go after the weak spot in the secondary and try to exploit Harris' absence due to injury. I expect a lot of short stuff over the middle and in the seam, also using Vereen and Blount on short passes out of the backfield.

They do not have the deep threat to stretch the field but Edleman and Amendola are both capable of making big plays so it will be interesting to see what Del Rio has in mind for scheme this week.

I don't see NE being able to keep up if it's a shootout. Brady simply does not have the weapons that Manning has. As long as Denver protects the football and avoids mental errors/penalties, they have home field and the better offense and a defense that really has stepped up at the right time.

34-21 Denver wins.

 

[cdumler7]

So of the 3 options who does everybody want to replace Harris? Tony Carter, Webster, or Jammer?


Me personally I want to see Webster. I know he has struggled of late but the guy is the best in run support of the 3 and has shown some ability to shut down receivers when called upon. Hopefully this time away from the field has given him some time to get his head and body right.


Now as for the game I think for the Broncos it will all be about eliminating the mistakes. This last game only stayed close because of the 2 turnovers (both times looking like we were driving down the field for at least a field goal) and then Bolden's penalty on the kick return resulting on a touchdown being called back, and then of course Decker's tripping over his own feet then dropping the onside kick. For not punting all game and for us to only score 24 points is about as bad we could have done offensively. Just can't have those against the Patriots. Throw in the 6-8 drops by the receivers (Welker please show up and make BB miss you). Just seemed like we kept shooting ourselves in the foot and giving the Chargers every chance to come back in that one. I just want to see the Broncos step on the gas and not stop until they are in New York/New Jersey.

 

[WalkerBoh]

I want to see a blowout of epic proportions. I want Denver to do for 60 minutes, what they did in 30 minutes to the Pats in NE. I want Brady to look at that scoreboard and hope to himself that he never has to visit our building again! I want to watch a game that becomes a 2 hour celebration of a SB berth for the Broncos. THAT'S how big a blowout I want to see, and I think we are fully capable. I want Brady and the Patriots to be the 49ers to our New York Giants (remember that game?) Well, you get the picture...... Basically I want to see the complete and total annihilation, distruction, and dismantling of the Patriots that people will talk about for decades to come! (And then, if the FB gods are willing, we return the favor against San Francisco for '89.)

GO BRONCOS!!!!!

 

[WalkerBoh]

I just want to see the Broncos step on the gas and not stop until they are in New York/New Jersey.

I want to see the Broncos slam down the gas pedal and only stop after they return FROM NY/NJ

 

[cdumler7]

I want to see the Broncos slam down the gas pedal and only stop after they return FROM NY/NJ

Haha good point.

 

[Morpheus]

Hell, I forgot about the 2 returns that almost went for scores. that would be 14 and 10 more if Decker catches that end zone INT and Prater makes that FG it would have been 51-10

Penalty by Bolden on Holliday's called back TD and Decker getting tackled by Manti 'Teo's invisible girlfriend.

To be honest, I think Decker was losing his balance when his leg hit the punters head and he was unable to recover. Not the best balance apparently when at full speed.

 

[cdumler7]

Hell, I forgot about the 2 returns that almost went for scores. that would be 14 and 10 more if Decker catches that end zone INT and Prater makes that FG it would have been 51-10

Penalty by Bolden on Holliday's called back TD and Decker getting tackled by Manti 'Teo's invisible girlfriend.

To be honest, I think Decker was losing his balance when his leg hit the punters head and he was unable to recover. Not the best balance apparently when at full speed.

Like I said the 24 points was about as bad as it could have been for the Broncos with how the offense was executing. Dropped balls, bad bounces (both turnovers were bad bounces), stupid penalty on Bolden, and Decker tripping eliminated at least 17-28 points from the Broncos. We just can't leave points on the field this next game. Thankfully I will say the weather should open up the offense even more than it was this last weekend with the wind not being an issue so the deep ball is back in play. The OL needs to do as good as they did against the Chargers and our offense should have no problem putting up at least 30-40 points in this one. The defense is the question mark but the play they have been showing lately gives me great hope that even without Chris Harris they will be fine.

 

[WalkerBoh]

Hell, I forgot about the 2 returns that almost went for scores. that would be 14 and 10 more if Decker catches that end zone INT and Prater makes that FG it would have been 51-10

Penalty by Bolden on Holliday's called back TD and Decker getting tackled by Manti 'Teo's invisible girlfriend.

To be honest, I think Decker was losing his balance when his leg hit the punters head and he was unable to recover. Not the best balance apparently when at full speed.

If I remember rightly, didn't the INT come in the same possession as the Decker return? Can't believe he tripped (again) He had a gaggle of Bronco blockers behind him too. He would have coasted right into the end zone. I STILL blame Buffalo Wild Wings. Either that or someone in Vegas who didn't want the Broncos to cover....

 

[cdumler7]

If I remember rightly, didn't the INT come in the same possession as the Decker return? Can't believe he tripped (again) He had a gaggle of Bronco blockers behind him too. He would have coasted right into the end zone. I STILL blame Buffalo Wild Wings. Either that or someone in Vegas who didn't want the Broncos to cover....

It was after Decker's return. The two times now that Decker has tripped over his own feet have then been followed up by an interception. Both times have been against the Chargers as well so maybe somebody should check to make sure Rivers isn't replacing Decker's shoes and tying the shoe laces all together.

I do have to say that I loved the Broncos tactic of putting Decker back on Punts. Holiday scares the heck out of me these days and just think he has become more of a liability at least in punt returns than an actual weapon. I think he is fine for Kick Off returns as he seems to do fine once he catches the ball it is just a matter of that first catch.

 

[WalkerBoh]

It was after Decker's return. The two times now that Decker has tripped over his own feet have then been followed up by an interception. Both times have been against the Chargers as well so maybe somebody should check to make sure Rivers isn't replacing Decker's shoes and tying the shoe laces all together.

I do have to say that I loved the Broncos tactic of putting Decker back on Punts. Holiday scares the heck out of me these days and just think he has become more of a liability at least in punt returns than an actual weapon. I think he is fine for Kick Off returns as he seems to do fine once he catches the ball it is just a matter of that first catch.

I think Holliday did just fine when he came in. He was especially smart and sure handed on that pooch kick. The key Special Teams mistake against the Pats last time wasn't on Holliday either.

 

[WalkerBoh]

Oh, forgot one thing: I want our DL and LB's to sack Brady so hard and so often that even his ancestors feel it

 

[cdumler7]

I think Holliday did just fine when he came in. He was especially smart and sure handed on that pooch kick. The key Special Teams mistake against the Pats last time wasn't on Holliday either.

Holiday did fine in this last game but he wasn't doing anything Punt Return wise. Now I think part of that was the 40 mph winds they felt it more beneficial to stick some sure hands to at least fair catch compared to that of the Holiday. I like him on Kick Returns and expect with the better weather the Broncos will do the usual Holiday on returns where there is plenty of field and Decker on obvious fair catch situations.

 

[HOF-ELWAY-7]

I was talking smack to some Charger fans at the game. How real is the Chargers chances of winning today? As real as Te’o's girlfriend. I used it a couple of times and one Charger fan even chuckled a bit.

But onto the Pats and this week......

 

[iknowftbll]

Here's something I noticed when reading fan comments on ESPN or NFL articles.

Fans of the Patriots and Broncos are for the most part engaging in some decent football conversation. There is a lot of mutual respect for both teams and the trollish comments are kept to a minimum (they're out there, of course. Every team has its trolls...). If you listen to the locker room buzz, it is very much the same: mutual respect. This game can go either way, and most Broncos and Patriots fans know it and are able to openly state so.

Fans of the Seahawks and 49ers are for the most part engaging in a fierce war of words, and are taking over the conversations even in articles about the AFCCG. Fans of both teams consider their team the supreme lock for the Lombardi, regardless of who they face in the Super Bowl. One Seahawks fan said they have the tools to "blow out" the Broncos , but for the most part they are directing their trash talk to each other. Accusations of "band wagon" fans run high. Fans of both teams consider the other team to be full of thugs. And from what I've seen, the buzz from the locker rooms in that game is somewhat consistent with the fan behavior. Of course, it's probably because they are division rivals. Richard Sherman called the game in SF a "glorified practice" before his Seahawks lost 19-17. The 49ers have not played a good game in Seattle in a long time.

Just an interesting observation. It's been a long week and I am ready to stop reading about the game and actually watch it.

Go Broncos!

 

[cdumler7]

Another cool fact is the Patriots haven't played in a road game since the 2006 season in the playoffs. They beat the Chargers then lost to Indy in the Conference Championship in Indy. Since 2005 they have played a total of 3 road games in the playoffs and are 1-2 during that span. Now this really isn't a knock on them as having homefield in the playoffs shows success during the season and in the playoffs as well.


Now to this season the Patriots are 4-4 on the road. Hopefully we can make that 4-5.

 

[WalkerBoh]

Here's something I noticed when reading fan comments on ESPN or NFL articles.

Fans of the Patriots and Broncos are for the most part engaging in some decent football conversation. There is a lot of mutual respect for both teams and the trollish comments are kept to a minimum (they're out there, of course. Every team has its trolls...). If you listen to the locker room buzz, it is very much the same: mutual respect. This game can go either way, and most Broncos and Patriots fans know it and are able to openly state so.

Fans of the Seahawks and 49ers are for the most part engaging in a fierce war of words, and are taking over the conversations even in articles about the AFCCG. Fans of both teams consider their team the supreme lock for the Lombardi, regardless of who they face in the Super Bowl. One Seahawks fan said they have the tools to "blow out" the Broncos , but for the most part they are directing their trash talk to each other. Accusations of "band wagon" fans run high. Fans of both teams consider the other team to be full of thugs. And from what I've seen, the buzz from the locker rooms in that game is somewhat consistent with the fan behavior. Of course, it's probably because they are division rivals. Richard Sherman called the game in SF a "glorified practice" before his Seahawks lost 19-17. The 49ers have not played a good game in Seattle in a long time.

Just an interesting observation. It's been a long week and I am ready to stop reading about the game and actually watch it.

Go Broncos!

They do realize the Super Bowl isn't a home game for Seattle, don't they?

Pete Prisco (yeah, yeah, I know) actually had a decent pair of articles discussing keys to the championship games and even intelligently broke down different plays showing strengths and weaknesses. One of the BIG weaknesses that both the 49ers and the Seahawks have on defense is they tend to overpursue. They are susceptible to mis-direction and change-of-direction plays. I'm sure Manning has at least a few of those up his sleeves.

Pete also doesn't think the Patriots will be able to run as effectively against our defense as they have the past couple games. Knighton is the key. That will be the key for us. If we stop their run game, even Tom Brady admits the Pats would be hard pressed to win.

 

[grim rpr]

Obviously very nervous about this game but weather looks great and its time to play 60 minutes !! Webster scares me very badly and so does Jammer so I think it will have to be someone else stepping up ! Champ needs a great game and our D line needs to stop the run like we have all season and get them off the field !

I see Denver 35-21

 

[MrDoc420]

Has there been an answer on how the defensive backfield will look on Sunday? I'm torn on whether I'd prefer Carter or Webster starting opposite of DRC. I just pray they don't go with Jammer again.

If it were up to me I'd go with TC just because he has shown previously to be a somewhat good cover corner. Not so much this year, but he did play pretty damn good for a better part of last year.

 

[MrDoc420]

I like the potential I see in Webster, but I can also see Brady tearing the poor kid apart on Sunday.

 

[Broncosr0k]

Webster scares me very badly and so does Jammer so I think it will have to be someone else stepping up !

Like who? Carter? I am more comfortable with Webster over Jammer.

Champ needs a great game and our D line needs to stop the run like we have all season and get them off the field !

I would agree with this. Champ needs a good game. I think DRC and Champ need to be on Edelman and Amendola. Beyond that I am not worried about having an elite secondary covering the rest. The rest of the patriots receivers are not very good so that should help offset having Webster/Jammer/Carter in there. To be honest I am more worried about the run game and short passes than anything else on defense.