Broncos/Chargers cannot wait!

[cdumler7]

Does anybody else think this season flew by after what seemed like a ridiculously long off season? Can't believe we are a week away from the playoffs starting up.

Anyway big game for so many reasons. The nice thing for the Broncos is they are actually relatively healthy.

Everybody has practiced this week except Brandon Marshall. Now some have been limited like Omar Bolden, TJ Ward, Todd Davis, and Owen Daniels but it looks like all of those guys are expected to be ready this week.

As for the Chargers they actually are not looking so hot. They stuck quite a few guys on IR (could be in some trouble as I heard Weddle was running sprints when the media were at practice today to show that he is not injured).

They also have Orlando Franklin, Chris Hairston, Trevor Robinson, Manti Te'o, and Jason Verrett missing practice so far. Attaochu, Dunlap, Herndon, Robinson, and Stevie Johnson have all been limited this week as well. I'm not sure what the update on any of these guys are but with most of them being on the OL I can't see Philip Rivers being too excited that in a meaningless game for his team that he is going against the best pass rush in the NFL.

 

[Mingo]

Not to jinx the Broncos or even speculate on the likelihood of it happening, but if the Broncos and Brock put up a 28 point lead in the first half - I say Brock should start the 2nd half, but after one drive (still up 28) - put Manning in for some reps.

 

[cdumler7]

Not to jinx the Broncos or even speculate on the likelihood of it happening, but if the Broncos and Brock put up a 28 point lead in the first half - I say Brock should start the 2nd half, but after one drive (still up 28) - put Manning in for some reps.

That would make sense. No reason to risk Brock injuring his should more plus gives our back up heading into the playoffs some meaningful snaps beyond just handing it off to the RB. Manning needs some live action snaps as so far all he has done is throw to ball boys in a very controlled environment.

 

[Mondo Jay]

I can't wait too! I will be at my first Denver game after being a fan since '77. Ridiculous that it has taken this long, but it is FINALLY happening!

 

[cdumler7]

I can't wait too! I will be at my first Denver game after being a fan since '77. Ridiculous that it has taken this long, but it is FINALLY happening!

That is awesome! It is quite an experience. what I have loved is it does seem like the old Mile High Magic of the crowd really influencing the game has started to come back. We saw in that Cincinnati game them having to use their timeouts very early in the halves because of the crowd noise really confusing the young QB. I haven't been to a game in years but as soon as my daughter gets old enough to actually remember and appreciate going to a game we will be there. Hopefully the team is still worth cheering for when that happens. So far I like what Elway is doing to make that a reality.

 

[cdumler7]

Just a quick update. Brandon Marshall is practicing today. The entire team is actually on the field as I type this for the first time in I don't know how long.

 

[randymon]

If you really want a memorable Broncos game experience, go to Raider Broncos game in Oakland wearing your team colors. Guarantee you won't forget it.

 

[CEH]

Denver is 5 yards behind JETS for #1 rushing D. They are #1 in passing and overall D.
Denver can set history on Sunday being the 1st D to lead in rush/pass/ and overall D though really the only stats on D trumps yards is points. #4 in that category.

#1 in sacks right now. #1 in defensive TDs.

 

[SpiritOf77]

And for a REALLY memorable experience, get in your Bronco gear and get to Giants Stadium to see a Broncos - Jets game

wow

 

[SpiritOf77]

On a somewhat related note:

Eric Weddle is done as a Charger .... I have always liked him as a player, and I know we have more pressing needs, but man, we were hurting at safety with these injuries

In reality, with Woodson retiring, I could see Weddle ending up a Raider

 

[randymon]

On a somewhat related note:

Eric Weddle is done as a Charger .... I have always liked him as a player, and I know we have more pressing needs, but man, we were hurting at safety with these injuries

In reality, with Woodson retiring, I could see Weddle ending up a Raider

You prob hit nail on head with Weddle and Raiders. I could def see that happening.

 

[SpringStein]

And they certainly have the cap room to sign some impact players.

 

[primetime714]

The Bronco offense needs to establish something this week and carry some momentum into the playoffs. if they can't get something going against a bad defense like SD I'm not feeling good entering the playoffs.

 

[cdumler7]

Injury update. Every player for the Broncos is probable except TJ Ward and Brandon Marshall. The team seems very hopeful that Marshall will be able to play and that TJ Ward will be a game time decision. Yesterday from what I read was the first time that every player on the 53-man roster actually practiced on the same day since September 23rd.

 

[iknowftbll]

^ The Broncos really need this win so they can lock in that bye week and be healthy for the divisional round and beyond.

Remember, we lost Ward early in the NE game. A lot of people have made a lot of noise about how the Pats had to play that game without Edelman and Amendola, but the Broncos lost Sly and Ward, two pretty key pieces of the defense early in the first quarter. Not to mention starting a QB who was making just his second NFL start!

It's funny how the excuse making surrounding this league works.

Boy, I got a little side tracked there, didn't I? Oh, I mentioned losing Ward in the NE game and the Broncos at the safety position have struggled without him. It's amazing how their passing numbers have held up, despite injuries mounting back there. If Ward is healthy going into the playoffs we will have a lot to be confident about.

 

[cdumler7]

^ The Broncos really need this win so they can lock in that bye week and be healthy for the divisional round and beyond.

Remember, we lost Ward early in the NE game. A lot of people have made a lot of noise about how the Pats had to play that game without Edelman and Amendola, but the Broncos lost Sly and Ward, two pretty key pieces of the defense early in the first quarter. Not to mention starting a QB who was making just his second NFL start!

It's funny how the excuse making surrounding this league works.

Boy, I got a little side tracked there, didn't I? Oh, I mentioned losing Ward in the NE game and the Broncos at the safety position have struggled without him. It's amazing how their passing numbers have held up, despite injuries mounting back there. If Ward is healthy going into the playoffs we will have a lot to be confident about.

I agree getting Ward and really Stewart both healthy for the playoffs would be huge. The street pick ups we have had playing back there just really are not cutting it. They are missing tackles (not crazy to think that our 2 worst tackling games of the season have been when both of those guys have been out), they are blowing coverages (we win the Oakland game if Keo isn't in the wrong spot leaving their TE wide open for a touchdown), and honestly I do think our Corners have had to press a bit more. As you said this is why getting that extra week off to make sure they and others are 100% would be huge. On the offensive side of the ball to me getting Anderson healed up from all of his injuries would be huge. It seems like every week he adds a new injury to his list so getting him a week off and ready to go in the playoffs would make our offense actually a little scarier for a defense to face. He is the one guy that can really blow up for a big play by breaking some tackles.

Just escape with a win that is all we need. I don't care if it is a blow out or a 1 point victory that we were lucky to get. I will feel much better about our chances with that 2-seed than the 5 or 6 seed.

 

[iknowftbll]

I agree, CD. People want to see a blowout win and while it would certainly be nice to see a big win, ultimately the only thing that matters is winning. I suspect we'll see some pretty vanilla offense tomorrow. Which is okay, no need to give playoff opponents extra tape to study if you can win in a base offense.

The thing about those street pickups is this: They were street pickups for a reason.

I do want to see Anderson get some carries this week but keep him limited. Once the playoffs begin I think Kubiak needs to feed him more carries than Hillman. A limited number of carries tomorrow plus an extra week of healing may put him in prime condition once we face off against our opponent in the divisional round.

 

[cdumler7]

I agree, CD. People want to see a blowout win and while it would certainly be nice to see a big win, ultimately the only thing that matters is winning. I suspect we'll see some pretty vanilla offense tomorrow. Which is okay, no need to give playoff opponents extra tape to study if you can win in a base offense.

The thing about those street pickups is this: They were street pickups for a reason.

I do want to see Anderson get some carries this week but keep him limited. Once the playoffs begin I think Kubiak needs to feed him more carries than Hillman. A limited number of carries tomorrow plus an extra week of healing may put him in prime condition once we face off against our opponent in the divisional round.

Exactly which is why I do like our chances more as we move forward. Our defense has been missing some major pieces over the last 8 weeks. Thankfully it was not season ending and we are at a point that most of these guys look like they could be 100% by the time the playoffs actually would start. We could be looking more like the defense at the beginning of the year that was playing at historic pace even with an offense turning the ball over 2-3 times a game. I don't think people outside of Denver understand how many times our offense put our defense in terrible situations to start the season yet they still came out on top. So if our offense can keep from turning the ball over at terrible times I think we could easily make a nice run in the playoffs on the back of our healthy defense. Heck we could see them go back to causing lots of turnovers like they did earlier in the year. A healthy DeMarcus Ware to me will be the biggest difference.

 

[randymon]

If Denver is serious about going deep into playoffs or SB, they better whip the crap out of a SD team that is riddled with injuries and just flat out done for the year. Denver has a lot on the line here and it's not just the W. They need to show up and build confidence and momentum for playoffs. I know I won't feel good about their chances if they just squeak by SD and look mediocre doing it. By all accounts they should be fired up and win this game handily. Especially if before kick off NE loses to Miami!!!. No excuses in this one. Get that train rolling the right way and it starts with an ass-whipping on a team that is not very good period.You can settle,but I won't.

 

[cdumler7]

The more I think about this game honestly I do get a bit more confident at our chances of really running away with this one. Knowing now that King Dunlap and Orlando Franklin are out really our pass rush should dominate and not even need to blitz all that much. I mean that is a lot of fire power on that left side of the line missing in both the run and pass game. Then you throw out chance that Verrett and for sure Weddle being out and it should open up our passing game.

Really to me if the Chargers are to win this game they have to get 3 turnovers. Which hey with Schofield blocking on one side there is a chance that some crazy things can happen. Now thankfully Osweiler has shown a great tendency to protect the football this year so it would take a very very bad game I think for us to lose this one. Hopefully I didn't just jinx us. The good thing though that we have seen is that when the lights are brightest this team seems to shine brightest.

Anyway here is to 5 AFC West Crowns in a row! May this ride we are on never end!