Post Game Thoughts

[DownSetHutch]

First of all, losing always sucks. However, as pointed out on the game thread, this loss will hurt about as little as a loss can hurt. Seattle are the defending champs, and we took them to OT. Plus, it's a non-conference game, so it won't hurt too much in the standings and tie-break procedures for playoff seeding. Plus, it may just serve to fire up the team, because they weren't quite good enough to beat the champs. We'll see how they respond from this game going forward.

This team is pretty close to where I thought they would be at this point in the season. I expected the offense to take a step back initially, at least statistically, and the defense to be improved. True in both cases.

The offense needs to get more physical and establish a rushing attack. Our RBs, for their sizes, are pretty tough runners. The line just needs to get more push so they are not getting hit in the backfield on every other play. I think this will happen as they begin to gel as a unit over the course of the next few games. The receivers need to get better at dealing with physical DBs and LBs. The Squawks got away with a lot of physicality, but the they just need to respond to that kind of defense by fighting through it. I'm not sure if this is going to happen, but it's important to winning a championship.

The defense looked good for the most part. The DBs did very well, given that they had to cover receivers for extended plays. The main weakness that I saw was that our D-line got pretty well handled by the Seattle O-line. Part of that could have been covered up if we ran a few more blitzes, but they were still beaten for the most part. At least we were rushing 4, instead of 3 for most of the game. We may see the D get more aggressive and creative in the coming weeks. Getting Danny Trevathon back for the next game should help out the entire D quite a bit.

Our coverage teams have been doing pretty well at keeping other teams from making big kick returns. They are better right now than they have been in years, IMO. This is a testament to the team having better depth, and that is due in large part to our good drafting over the last few years.

We're 2-1going into the bye week, and that's just fine. What's most important is that we will come out of the bye week 100% healthy. And the team will have 2 weeks to stew over this loss. I have a feeling that Arizona is going to feel their wrath.

 

[TDs3nOut]

First of all, losing always sucks. However, as pointed out on the game thread, this loss will hurt about as little as a loss can hurt. Seattle are the defending champs, and we took them to OT. Plus, it's a non-conference game, so it won't hurt too much in the standings and tie-break procedures for playoff seeding. Plus, it may just serve to fire up the team, because they weren't quite good enough to beat the champs. We'll see how they respond from this game going forward.

This team is pretty close to where I thought they would be at this point in the season. I expected the offense to take a step back initially, at least statistically, and the defense to be improved. True in both cases.

The offense needs to get more physical and establish a rushing attack. Our RBs, for their sizes, are pretty tough runners. The line just needs to get more push so they are not getting hit in the backfield on every other play. I think this will happen as they begin to gel as a unit over the course of the next few games. The receivers need to get better at dealing with physical DBs and LBs. The Squawks got away with a lot of physicality, but the they just need to respond to that kind of defense by fighting through it. I'm not sure if this is going to happen, but it's important to winning a championship.

The defense looked good for the most part. The DBs did very well, given that they had to cover receivers for extended plays. The main weakness that I saw was that our D-line got pretty well handled by the Seattle O-line. Part of that could have been covered up if we ran a few more blitzes, but they were still beaten for the most part. At least we were rushing 4, instead of 3 for most of the game. We may see the D get more aggressive and creative in the coming weeks. Getting Danny Trevathon back for the next game should help out the entire D quite a bit.

Our coverage teams have been doing pretty well at keeping other teams from making big kick returns. They are better right now than they have been in years, IMO. This is a testament to the team having better depth, and that is due in large part to our good drafting over the last few years.

We're 2-1going into the bye week, and that's just fine. What's most important is that we will come out of the bye week 100% healthy. And the team will have 2 weeks to stew over this loss. I have a feeling that Arizona is going to feel their wrath.

Pretty much agree with all of that. Particularly appreciate your point about covering punts. That was a big reason we were able to hang around and had a chance to win. Your point about what a boost getting Trevathon back figures to be is also a good one.

I actually thought the d-line played pretty well. Wilson and Lynch are unusually tough to defend. Also glad to see that Ward made some nice plays, since he hadn't really lived up to what I'd expected the first two weeks.

The defensive player I think deserves the most criticism is Talib. He made a really nice play in the first quarter, then got beat over the top for a long TD, and then seemed to me to get a little gun shy in terms of playing up close to his man. He is obviously a very good player who I hope plays a little more consistently going forward.

The only other point that your post makes me think of is that the game against AZ is not one to take for granted. Their win over SF today was quite impressive. They have a very tough defense and some formidable offensive weapons.

Definitely a well played game overall, however, against a really good team at perhaps the toughest place to win. I really didn't think that we'd win today, but I was very encouraged by how we competed. Easily could have won had a bounce (or call) or two gone our way.

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

First thing that stood out to me was the Broncos defense is obviously improved since last year... Definitely showed some good stuff... I didn't think the game should a been as close as it was in the end BUT I credit the Broncos for showing allot of fight and not giving in.... I just feel like our O made some critical mistakes in the 4th quarter and our D blew some assignments on that last drive giving up the 80 yards TD in 50 seconds... 2 totally blown coverages in our zone which I assume was a prevent to protect the deep ball... @#!$%@#$^ that ticked me off.... You make one mistake with Manning and he'll find it, so to lose discipline in that situation was maddening... Again though I credit the Broncos for battling back and taking advantage... Definitely a great great game .... Much respect....

 

[randymon]

I think the D played exceptionally well and really don`t have any critism except for that drive in OT ( wish we won the toss) Many 3 and outs for Denvers offense and yet that D played physical thruout. As far as Tailb and the td he gave up, he seemed to stumble just a bit and it forced him to throw his hand up a tad earlier than he would of if he hadn`t lost his balance. Plus the throw by Wilson was about as perfect as you could get. I don`t have anything bad to say about the D but I certainly can`t say the same about the O,that`s for sure.

 

[cdumler7]

Well I happened to live in one of the few areas of the country that was not showing the game (Freaking Chiefs/Dolphins game...Who freaking cares about that game). Sorry still a bit upset about that. Had to work through part of the game anyway but still would have been nice to watch the parts I could have.


Thoughts after this game...


Manning--Manning did pretty well in this one. Nothing too crazy until the end but was very impressed with his poise. I think if he gets another shot on the field to start overtime we see a different outcome.


OL--This group baffles me. They were just down right impressive in pass blocking. It was night and day difference from what we saw in the Super Bowl. Manning had time and we saw what kind of difference that makes. On the other end of this though the run blocking is about as bad as I have seen it for the Broncos in a long time. Half the time I see our RB getting hit in the backfield and 3 of our OL players not even blocking anyone at that time. Hopefully this bye week gives this unit some time to gel and get some things figured out. If we could have run in that game with how our defense was playing I think we win by 10 points.


RB--Ball did decent for what he had. I saw him do his usual of make a few guys miss and pretty much work to get back to the LOS. I wish we could see what he could do if he had some decent blocking in front of him. The fumble though is unacceptable. Have to know playing the Seahawks that they pride themselves on knocking the ball out.


WR--Sanders is quickly making a name for himself as our best Off Season addition at this point. I love the defensive guys but just look at how much Sanders changes this offense. Where Decker was completely absent in the Super Bowl Sanders showed even against guys like Sherman he can make the tough catches and find ways to get open. Now we just need DT to pull it together during the Bye Week. I'm honestly starting to wonder if his grandmother dying has been a bigger deal than what we know. Reading stories of his relationship with his grandma and she seemed like his whole world before she went to prison. We need him though to be the DT of old if we are going to see both the offense and defense explosive.


TE's--fine as usual. Thought Julius would make a bigger impact than he did but hey our TE's had both of our Touchdowns in this game.


Defense!


DL--Russell Wilson might be the most frustrating quarterback to play against in the league. The guy seems to find a way to escape some of the most improbable situations and make a play. His running in overtime truly is why our defense could not stop them on that drive. Still our DL did pretty well. Lynch had an average game and Wilson was having to run out of the pocket quite a bit.


LB--Trevathan can you please hurry back! We need his coverage skills as this group has been struggling. They did decent in this one but again there was some miscommunications among this unit that just should not happen. Irving continues to show his skills though in the run game. Very impressed with him and I do think he is one of the biggest difference makers in our goal line defense of keeping teams out of the End Zone.


Corners--Decent game for them other than just 5 minutes in the 2nd quarter. I think this unit is showing more and more of how good they truly can be. Talib at this point should have 3 picks on the season. Every game he has found a way to get his hands on the ball. Just need him to start catching it every once in a while.


Safeties--Ward definitely showed up in this one. Made some nice hits. Moore was somewhat quiet but that is usually a good sign for your deep safety. Usually only have your name called for a bad play or an interception.


Coaching--This is where I am a bit disappointed. The WR screen play did not work once. It just doesn't work against Seattle. They are too fast and too smart to fall for it. Defensively I was impressed until the overtime drive. The Seahawks pretty much ran the triple option play over and over again and we could not stop it. Should have called a time out and told the defense what they needed to do to stop that play from beating us.


Refs--How in the world do they not call the neutral zone infraction. That was a huge play as we were almost at midfield driving right on down. That should have been a 1st down and great opportunity to get back in that game. The Call on Talib was ridiculous. They call him for that yet the hit on Welker by Thomas is not called? Very disappointed in such a big game for them to miss some big calls. I was glad they stayed out of the game for the most part and let these 2 teams play but the neutral zone infraction is the one that just cannot be missed.


All in all proud of our Broncos for competing. This was a great game to gauge just where our team stands against some of the best in the league and we showed we can play with just about anybody. We made some major mistakes that cost us big time like the turnovers but all in all very proud of how our team competed.

 

[Malibu]

The defense played a hell of a game. This is what I expect out of this defense every week. Turnovers, sacks, and slowed down the run. Wilson on PA and rolling out to a dump off pass was the only thing Denver had issues with. Hard to stop when you have to worry about Lynch on the fake or Harvin on the fake plus deal with Wilson's athletic ability. Considering Denver hasnt had any running game at all so far this year the o line is holding there own on pass plays. Teams are just going to go right after Manning and not respect PA at all. The running game plus ball security by Ball has to improve as the season goes on. DT just doesnt look right at all. Hopefully this bye week will help DT out of his funk. Nate Irving is getting better by the week. Against the run and his blitzing ability. Von Miller also looks like he is getting his groove back as well. I like how Denver fought back and didnt just give up. A loss blows but this somewhat reminds me of the Giants who lost to the undefeated Patriots in the regular season but hung with them and knew they could which led to a Super Bowl victory over those same Patriots. I know that was later in the year but Denver should take away some good from this game. Time to rest up.

 

[randymon]

I'll just say that I have more faith and confidence in this team even more so now after this game and if they could just get that running game going, they will be very tough to beat. Green hurt sucks too. Glad they have bye but going to be long two wks till...Arizona?. Another good test esp with our running game again.

 

[cdumler7]

Was reading a cool article this morning about Von Miller. Pretty much they talked about how he is really starting to show he is completely back. Against the Seahawks he ended up with ProFootBall Focus' best grade for the Broncos. He was elite in both run and pass defense for this game. They actually had him with 8 quarterback hurries in this one and one sack obviously. Not bad for a guy still not a year removed from an ACL tear. Give him another couple of weeks and this guy could turn into the best defensive player in the NFL.


I truly am loving how our defense is beginning to round into form. Throw in if nothing crazy happens over the bye week we will finally have our starting 11 actually all playing at the same time for the first time in a long time. I don't think once last year did we even come close to having that chance on the field. Definitely ready to see Trevathan on the field instead of Barrow or Nelson (not sure why they were on the field for overtime).

 

[TDs3nOut]

Miller definitely looked good. He is one of the very best defensive players in the league when he's on his game.

When the schedule first came out I hated seeing the bye come so early. Maybe it turns out that it comes at an opportune time, though, since it gives Trevathon more time to practice with all the new guys.