On to the Raiders

[Broncos6482]

Ok, so losing always sucks, but it's not the end of the season. In the grand scheme of things, this loss didn't really hurt the Broncos that much. They were extremely unlikely to pass the Patriots for the #1 seed, and a win at home against the Raiders will still lock up a first round bye (which this team desperately needs).

The Raiders have been playing better lately, so the Broncos need to take them seriously. I think the loss to the Bengals will light a fire under them and I expect a much better performance next week. The run defense especially needs to have a bounce back game.

Win the game, then get people healthy over the bye week. Go Broncos!

 

[randymon]

Ok, so losing always sucks, but it's not the end of the season. In the grand scheme of things, this loss didn't really hurt the Broncos that much. They were extremely unlikely to pass the Patriots for the #1 seed, and a win at home against the Raiders will still lock up a first round bye (which this team desperately needs).

The Raiders have been playing better lately, so the Broncos need to take them seriously. I think the loss to the Bengals will light a fire under them and I expect a much better performance next week. The run defense especially needs to have a bounce back game.

Win the game, then get people healthy over the bye week. Go Broncos!

Actually I think except for the 85 yd run by Hill, the run D was`nt so bad. You can attribute many of Cincy`s points to the special teams and the Denver offense really.

 

[Broncos6482]

Even taking away the 85 yard run, the Bengals still ran for 122 yards, still way above the Broncos season average.

 

[iknowftbll]

Even taking away the 85 yard run, the Bengals still ran for 122 yards, still way above the Broncos season average.

But that was on 36 rush attempts. 37 counting the big one. When you run at a team 37 times, you're going to pile some yards on eventually. The average yards per rush was 3.4 when filtering out the 85T run. (There's a couple ways to view that play. You can filter it out because it is a statistical anomaly. You can't filter it out because it actually happened, and was a great team play by the Bengals.) 3.4 isn't a great average, but it is pretty solid.

My biggest gripe with the defense is they show glimpses of greatness, but don't ever fully put together a complete game. They don't shut down the most important stat: opponent scoring. I believe the unit has greatly underperformed under Del Rio, despite still being a pretty solid unit.

But that's not on topic for this thread. On to the Raiders!

 

[Broncosr0k]

Yeah, the run game really started breaking down in the second half. Not sure exactly when. I know at one point Hill had 10 rushes for 20 yards if you ignore that 85 yarder.

One thing I would like to see against the raiders is improvement in special teams and defensive tackling. It was very sloppy last night.

Get the win this Sunday (would be a wonderful birthday present) and get healthy during that bye.

 

[TDs3nOut]

But that was on 36 rush attempts. 37 counting the big one. When you run at a team 37 times, you're going to pile some yards on eventually. The average yards per rush was 3.4 when filtering out the 85T run. (There's a couple ways to view that play. You can filter it out because it is a statistical anomaly. You can't filter it out because it actually happened, and was a great team play by the Bengals.) 3.4 isn't a great average, but it is pretty solid.

My biggest gripe with the defense is they show glimpses of greatness, but don't ever fully put together a complete game. They don't shut down the most important stat: opponent scoring. I believe the unit has greatly underperformed under Del Rio, despite still being a pretty solid unit.

But that's not on topic for this thread. On to the Raiders!

That is also my biggest concern. Add to that inconsistent defense the facts that special teams have been less than average and that the offense, for the first sustained period since PM's been here, seems to be struggling to find its identity. Not exactly encouraging, in my opinion.

Cinderella teams sometimes get hot in the playoffs, seemingly coming from nowhere to surprise the rest of the field and win a SB. Those teams (e.g., the Ravens and Giants, most recently) seem to have had pretty strong defenses that they could consistently rely on. Not saying that our defense isn't capable of playing at a high level consistently, but I would feel more confident if they were used to doing so by this point of the season.

Hopefully Ward's injury isn't too serious and we get Marshall back and playing well soon.

 

[Broncos6482]

That is also my biggest concern. Add to that inconsistent defense the facts that special teams have been less than average and that the offense, for the first sustained period since PM's been here, seems to be struggling to find its identity. Not exactly encouraging, in my opinion.

Cinderella teams sometimes get hot in the playoffs, seemingly coming from nowhere to surprise the rest of the field and win a SB. Those teams (e.g., the Ravens and Giants, most recently) seem to have had pretty strong defenses that they could consistently rely on. Not saying that our defense isn't capable of playing at a high level consistently, but I would feel more confident if they were used to doing so by this point of the season.

Hopefully Ward's injury isn't too serious and we get Marshall back and playing well soon.

The Ravens defense in 2012 was 17th in yards allowed and 12th in points allowed. The Giants defense in 2011 was 5th in yards but 25th in points allowed. Those defenses got it going in the playoffs, but they certainly weren't playing lights out before that.

 

[TDs3nOut]

The Ravens defense in 2012 was 17th in yards allowed and 12th in points allowed. The Giants defense in 2011 was 5th in yards but 25th in points allowed. Those defenses got it going in the playoffs, but they certainly weren't playing lights out before that.

Good points. That is why they were the sort of Cinderella teams that Denver is apparently going to have to be in order to not come up short. Again, not saying it can't happen, only that I don't feel too confident. Then again, confidence about what will happen isn't always highly correlated with what does in fact happen.

 

[HOF-ELWAY-7]

The Rahduhs will play us tough. They are a much different team than they were when we played them earlier. They would love nothing better than to help knock us into the 3rd seed.

 

[randymon]

I`am going to say this one more time and that`s it forever I promise. If you go back to the Elway/ Orange crush day`s till present ( and I haven`t missed a game believe me) I can almost guarantee you that # 1 Denver has to be very close to being one of the best D`s on first and second down and if not at the bottom then very close to being one of the worst teams on 3rd down ever. The one thing that saved them alot then and now was being very stingy in the redzone and coming up with big plays/turnovers. Anyone that has truely watched Denver from then untill now will know exactly what I`am talking about. Why that is?? I have know clue. but I know I`ve seen way,way,way to many 3rd and longs succseeding against Denver that has me permanantly sitting on the edge of my seat hoping they hold them even when it`s 3rd and 20. That`s just "not right", but its unfortunetly the truth. Anybody thinks they can find those kind of stats, look it up. You`ll see that the words coming out of me mouth hold water

 

[DownSetHutch]

I've noticed the same thing, randymon. We have been great on 1st and 2nd down, and then we give up a 3rd and long. This season has been really bad with that, but I remember noticing it in previous seasons too. It's kind of a strange anomaly.

 

[iknowftbll]

I've noticed the same thing, randymon. We have been great on 1st and 2nd down, and then we give up a 3rd and long. This season has been really bad with that, but I remember noticing it in previous seasons too. It's kind of a strange anomaly.

I've noticed it too. But at the same time, the Defense leads the league in forcing 3 and outs. The ability is there, the aggression is where we are lacking.

If the Jets fire Rex Ryan I hope Elway places a call before the press conference is even over. Bring him on as a "defensive assistant" to work with Del Rio. (Sort of like the Pats hiring McD right before playing the Broncos in the playoffs a few years ago. Not that they needed any more help that year...) Del Rio has been good here, but this year he has not gotten all out of this unit he should have, and that bothers me. A fresh set of eyes in the playoffs may help.

 

[Broncos6482]

I think the 3rd down thing may be an example of confirmation bias. All that sticks out are the third downs that get converted, and that's why it seems like it happens all the time. But the fact is, the Broncos defense is allowing third down conversions only 37% of the time, good for 6th best in the league.

 

[cdumler7]

I think the 3rd down thing may be an example of confirmation bias. All that sticks out are the third downs that get converted, and that's why it seems like it happens all the time. But the fact is, the Broncos defense is allowing third down conversions only 37% of the time, good for 6th best in the league.

I have to agree with this. The issue in my opinion is giving up the 3rd downs that really stick out in your head. Such as I remember the 3rd down in the 1st Chiefs game of the season where it was 3rd and really long and we only brought 3 to bring pressure and Smith sat back and found a wide open receiver for a 1st down. Those kind of plays are the ones that stick out that I think make us think they struggle on 3rd down. The reality is though this team is actually pretty good but it does seem like we give up that 1 or 2 3rd and really long plays a game yet can stop teams on the 3rd and short plays. This pass rush needs to show up a bit more in my opinion. On a per rush attempt this year we are not that much better than last season. Yes we are getting a higher number of sacks per rush attempt but actually getting pressure not so much.

Anyway with on to the Raiders I honestly don't care how we win this one but just win it. Even if we look ugly doing it just make sure to secure the Bye week and get some rest for our ailing players. For the past 2 weeks we have had multiple players going down with the flu. We need to clean out that lockerroom and get these guys healthy. I honestly think some of the looking like we were draggin this past week has something to do with so much flu going through the team.

 

[iknowftbll]

I hope everyone had a good Christmas! Now that things are settling down around my abode I think it's high time to take another look at the pending game between the Broncos and Raiders.

Here is what's at stake: Win and the Broncos move to 12-4 and lock in a much needed first round bye week. Lose and they are relegated to watching the Steelers-Bengals. If the Broncos, Steelers and Colts all wind up 11-5 together the Broncos have the tie breakers and maintain that #2 seed. But if the Broncos lose to the Raiders and the Bengals beat the Steelers, the Bengals move to 11-4-1 and lock in that #2 seed.

Now we know the Raiders would love to come into Denver and at least do their part to ruin Denver's chances. And despite an 0-10 start and a 3-12 record, the Raiders have been a lot better than many would believe just looking at the standings and box scores. Still, this is a team that is last in the league in rushing the ball and 25th in passing. Our defense is thin at LB, and Ward is Day to Day, but I still expect Del Rio to contain the Raiders. I've been saying this for about half the season now: JDR has squandered the health and talent available to him. I can only hope he is just tinkering and smoke screening before the playoffs. That's not what NFL teams do, though, so my hope is likely in vain. I hope they go back to the basics: Get after the QB and let your secondary play man. They have the talent to do it, so I fail to see why they wouldn't. Especially against a Raiders team that is in the bottom of the league on offense. Incredibly, the Broncos run defense is still ranked 2nd even after giving up 207 rushing yards in that Monday Night stinker. They have an opportunity for a quick tune up against the Raiders.

Offensively for the Broncos there really isn't a lot about this Raiders defense that should scare us. While they are in the middle of the pack statistically against the pass, they are in the bottom third against the run. Given the Broncos game winning formula in a 5 game stretch against playoff contenders, and given they went 4-1 in that stretch losing the only game in which they got away from the run, I imagine the Broncos will once again try to impose a run-heavy attack on the Raiders. The Raiders do have some decent pass rushers, so the O-line will have to keep Manning clean. The run game will help with this as well. I don't think the Broncos need to pile on 30+ to win this game, but I certainly wouldn't mind seeing it happen.

I'm not going to predict a score, but I will say I think the Broncos win. A 12-4 record against this slate will be damn impressive from this Broncos team. It won't be good enough for MFA, but this is a battle tested team that has excelled against one of the toughest slates, arranged in one of the toughest configurations in recent league history. The Broncos earn some much needed time off, and that should have them ready for the playoffs.

Go Broncos!

 

[HOF-ELWAY-7]

Yeah, Merry Christmas Bronco Nation.

As I have said many times as well, we got a glimpse of what the defense can be V the Chefs if they play an aggressive "we're going to dictate" type of game. As I also have said a million times I don't generally second guess the coaches, they watch the film, practice and know their players. That said I don't like JDR's defensive philosophy but who the he!! am I?

I'll be honest, it scares the he!! out of me to play NE with the trick em style of defense that got our butts handed to us the first time around. I have no faith in JDR and his game plans.

As I said in my other thread though, I'm just going to enjoy the ride and try not to think of what's next. Stay in the moment. Hopefuly Manning will put together a good game against the Rahduhs as will the defense and special teams and we can get that much needed bye to heal up. My biggest hope for Sunday is the O-Line keeps Manning clean and get him healthy for for the playoffs. It won't mean a hill of beans if we are the 2nd or 3rd seed if Manning is too beat up for the playoffs.

 

[cdumler7]

I hope you all had a great Christmas with Family and Friends! I know I had a great Christmas. My In-Laws actually got me (well really my upcoming first child) some Bronco pacifiers and a bib that says "I drool orange and blue." Probably one of the coolest Christmas gifts of my life. Anyway definitely ready for today's game. Not so much in the idea of us just blowing out the Raiders but just ready for us to clinch this 1st round bye and get some of these guys some much needed rest. Our team is limping into the playoffs right now and I think we are probably needing this bye more than most.


Looking back on this season I actually have been left impressed with where we are right now. We have actually played the toughest schedule of any potential playoff team by a decent margin other than the Chargers of course. We have spent a huge chunk of the 2nd half of the season on the road. We are just coming out of a section of our schedule going up against 5 straight teams with records above .500. So with all of that to still be having a chance to be the 2 seed is just down right impressive to me. This season was set up for us to fail. Heck even Manning and the coaches acknowledged this right after the official schedule came out. The scheduling people are definitely not Bronco fans this year. Yet the team has risen above that and are heading into an opportunity to make some noise in the playoffs. Here's to another division win over the very hated Raiders (love that Harbaugh picked going to a college program over them!) and a chance to relax during the Wild Card weekend.


Not sure there are that many story lines for this game. I am interested to see how Carr has matured through this season for the Raiders and most of all just hoping our team escapes without any more injuries.

 

[Malibu]

This shouldn't be a close game at all but if it is then the Broncos do have a problem. Should win by at least 20 and would be nice to have a game where all 3 phases of the team play very well and get some momentum going into the playoffs and some much needed rest for this team that has had a brutal schedule.

 

[iknowftbll]

It definitely would be nice to see the Broncos unveil a slaughter for the ages over the Raiders. In reality as long as they play a complete game with no injuries I'm good. To me a "complete" game means all three phases: offense punching in TDs, no turnovers; Special teams not giving up big gains and field position, or costing the offense possessions; Defense playing like they did against the Chiefs: forcing turnovers, making stops, getting pressure and forcing mistakes.

 

[wingsauce7]

I'd also like to see Denver have a productive day on both sides of the ball. They need to have a good day on special teams as well. I don't think putting the hurt on Oakland would be a hollow victory the way they have been playing recently.