Jekyll & Hyde offense

[MrDoc420]

Damn. When Hyde shows up these guys look completely inept out there. It's crazy to me how we can fly up and down the field one game, but the next, we have a hard time even getting first down for 2 quarters.

After last night it's pretty apparent what Wes Welker means to this offense. As if we didn't know before...

 

[Morpheus]

Pretty bad performance by the offense that also put the defense in a hole.

2-9 on 3rd down. (We missed Welker out there)

18 yards rushing.

Woefully unprepared and failed to execute.

 

[Broncos6482]

Offense, defense, special teams, and coaching all get an F for that pitiful performance last night. Absolutely disgraceful.

I find it very hard to believe that Welker makes that much of a difference to our offense. I think the whole team was just really flat and not ready to play last night. That was U-G-L-Y.

The good news is, as painful as that loss was, we still have 2 very winnable games left that can assure us the division and a first round bye. Unfortunately we need the Patriots to lose if we're going to secure home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The other thing is, I'd rather play a stinker of a game like that now than in the playoffs. I read last night that every Super Bowl champion since I think 2009 has lost a game to a sub-.500 team in December, so it's possible this loss could cause Denver to refocus and recommit to playing solid football.

 

[Broncos6482]

Here's a historical note as well; in week 16 of 2003, the 9-5 Broncos went to Indy to play the 11-3 Colts in a Sunday night matchup. The Broncos possessed the ball for a ridiculous 44:58 and beat the Colts 31-17. This clinched a playoff spot for the Broncos, while the Colts had to beat the Texans in their season finale to win the division. This loss also cost the Colts a chance for a first round bye.

The Broncos went back to Indy for a Wild Card game. Now keep in mind there were a lot of questions about the Colts ability to win big games. In fact, up to this point the Manning led Colts were winless in the playoffs. What happened? The Colts obliterated us 41-10. Manning was 22-26 for 377 yards and 5 touchdowns. Probable the most indelible play from this game is Marvin Harrison diving to catch a pass, and while the Broncos defenders argued about who blew the assignment, Harrison got up and ran for a touchdown. I'm sure everyone remembers that particularly awful game.

Anyway, just wanted to use this story as a reminder that our season isn't over. Still time to get this turned around.

 

[Malibu]

Pretty bad performance by the offense that also put the defense in a hole.

2-9 on 3rd down. (We missed Welker out there)

18 yards rushing.

Woefully unprepared and failed to execute.

When the offense struggles the defense has to pick up the slack. Cant expect the Denver offense to put up the numbers they have been putting up every game. Turnovers and 3 and outs by the defense to get good field position would help. The offense has been bailing out the defense all year it would be nice to see it the other way around for once.

 

[Malibu]

I expect by playoff time this defense to have some issues fixed with the LB situation and the secondary and see a good playoff run by the Broncos.

 

[Morpheus]

When the offense struggles the defense has to pick up the slack. Cant expect the Denver offense to put up the numbers they have been putting up every game. Turnovers and 3 and outs by the defense to get good field position would help. The offense has been bailing out the defense all year it would be nice to see it the other way around for once.

That is the way this team is built. High powered offense and a bend but don't break defense.

When we signed Peyton Manning, we went out and signed Welker, Tamme, and drafted Monte Ball and a Back up QB.

Other than Wolfe and Sly they have not done much on the defensive side other than sign DRC and Shaun Philips with Philips the only one really showing a major contribution this year with 10 sacks.

To me it seems the priority was to surround Peyton with weapons so we can score a lot of points and then let the defense be aggressive in going after the QB when they are forced to pass to play catch up.

This defense needs to be 100% and healthy in order to just be competent enough to keep teams under 20 points.

We simply do not have the depth, especially at D Line and LB to shut teams down.

 

[Morpheus]

Offense, defense, special teams, and coaching all get an F for that pitiful performance last night. Absolutely disgraceful.

I find it very hard to believe that Welker makes that much of a difference to our offense. I think the whole team was just really flat and not ready to play last night. That was U-G-L-Y.

The good news is, as painful as that loss was, we still have 2 very winnable games left that can assure us the division and a first round bye. Unfortunately we need the Patriots to lose if we're going to secure home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The other thing is, I'd rather play a stinker of a game like that now than in the playoffs. I read last night that every Super Bowl champion since I think 2009 has lost a game to a sub-.500 team in December, so it's possible this loss could cause Denver to refocus and recommit to playing solid football.

I agree with your assessment that they did not play well overall but that first drive was like clockwork. They did not come out flat.

Welker is a pretty clutch 3rd down guy. I am way too busy today to look up the stats for the season on his receptions for 3rd down conversions but I am willing to bet it is a significant number.

Converting on 3rd down just a few times last night would have sustained some drives, kept the defense rested, stopped the Chargers from getting the ball and scoring.

We had 3 straight 3 and outs in the 2nd quarter. We convert on just 1 or 2 of them and the Chargers don't get extra possessions and we hold them to maybe 1 TD instead of 2 at the least.

And Peytons INT was the last straw. O-line struggled both times protecting him where in the games in between they did a fabulous job in protection.

 

[Broncos6482]

I know what you're saying about the first drive, but I don't think just adding in Welker suddenly turns the Broncos into a 40 point team last night. They were just off. Manning simply wouldn't challenge downfield. The line struggled, as you mentioned. Guys made mental errors, there were tons of missed tackles, everything was just off.

I think the Broncos just failed to adjust to playing Thursday night. They looked ill prepared.

 

[MrDoc420]

Here's a historical note as well; in week 16 of 2003, the 9-5 Broncos went to Indy to play the 11-3 Colts in a Sunday night matchup. The Broncos possessed the ball for a ridiculous 44:58 and beat the Colts 31-17. This clinched a playoff spot for the Broncos, while the Colts had to beat the Texans in their season finale to win the division. This loss also cost the Colts a chance for a first round bye.

The Broncos went back to Indy for a Wild Card game. Now keep in mind there were a lot of questions about the Colts ability to win big games. In fact, up to this point the Manning led Colts were winless in the playoffs. What happened? The Colts obliterated us 41-10. Manning was 22-26 for 377 yards and 5 touchdowns. Probable the most indelible play from this game is Marvin Harrison diving to catch a pass, and while the Broncos defenders argued about who blew the assignment, Harrison got up and ran for a touchdown. I'm sure everyone remembers that particularly awful game.

Anyway, just wanted to use this story as a reminder that our season isn't over. Still time to get this turned around.

I absolutely remember that playoff game against Indy. I remember a lot of talk about that game how Denver had a great shot because they had beaten the Colts earlier in the year. Then Peyton went on to maul us. That play where our saefties just watched Harrison fall down and then get up and run for the score was just the icing on the cake that day.

 

[MrDoc420]

Actually it may have been Reggie Wayne now that I think about it. Whatevs. Sucked either way.

 

[MHSL82]

As an outsider, I had a question. How much of this negative feeling is from high expectations of being head and shoulders (and maybe more) over everyone else but then losing a few versus having the expectations of being one of the top playoff teams with a high chance of going all the way? I see the Broncos as a team that has as good or better chance of winning a SB as any and a scary team to play. But if I were to ask myself if you guys were a lock (as much as one can be), I'd say that since the bye week, I'd question it.

In other words, if you were to look at it with lowered expectations of dominance (not lowered expectation of winning), would you feel better? I expect you all still believe you can or will win, it just might be harder than you expected?

I don't mean to imply anything, so apologies if it comes off that way. I'm not trying to call you over-confident, arrogant, homers, or the like. This team did start out pretty darn hot.

 

[Broncosr0k]

As an outsider, I had a question. How much of this negative feeling is from high expectations of being head and shoulders (and maybe more) over everyone else but then losing a few versus having the expectations of being one of the top playoff teams with a high chance of going all the way? I see the Broncos as a team that has as good or better chance of winning a SB as any and a scary team to play. But if I were to ask myself if you guys were a lock (as much as one can be), I'd say that since the bye week, I'd question it.

In other words, if you were to look at it with lowered expectations of dominance (not lowered expectation of winning), would you feel better? I expect you all still believe you can or will win, it just might be harder than you expected?

I don't mean to imply anything, so apologies if it comes off that way. I'm not trying to call you over-confident, arrogant, homers, or the like. This team did start out pretty darn hot.

That probably is my case. Only 3 losses is still good. I am worried about the Pats and chiefs being right behind us. (Pats could be ahead come Sunday.)

 

[MrDoc420]

As an outsider, I had a question. How much of this negative feeling is from high expectations of being head and shoulders (and maybe more) over everyone else but then losing a few versus having the expectations of being one of the top playoff teams with a high chance of going all the way? I see the Broncos as a team that has as good or better chance of winning a SB as any and a scary team to play. But if I were to ask myself if you guys were a lock (as much as one can be), I'd say that since the bye week, I'd question it.

In other words, if you were to look at it with lowered expectations of dominance (not lowered expectation of winning), would you feel better? I expect you all still believe you can or will win, it just might be harder than you expected?

I don't mean to imply anything, so apologies if it comes off that way. I'm not trying to call you over-confident, arrogant, homers, or the like. This team did start out pretty darn hot.

Yah...I'd have to say that's right about where I'm at too. I didn't expect this team to go undefeated, but after the first few games I thought the sky would be the limit. The thing that bothers me the most is that we seem to go into these lackadaisical spells where we almost can't do anything right. Its really odd how it comes and goes. I still think this is the 2nd best overall team in the NFL, so we are absolutely still one of the favorites to win it all. Thing that hurts most about the loss yesterday IMO is that it pushed us all that much closer to having to go back to Foxboro again. That is the last place I'd want to have to go through again. Even if they don't have Gronk.....those douchers just have our number

 

[Morpheus]

I know what you're saying about the first drive, but I don't think just adding in Welker suddenly turns the Broncos into a 40 point team last night. They were just off. Manning simply wouldn't challenge downfield. The line struggled, as you mentioned. Guys made mental errors, there were tons of missed tackles, everything was just off.

I think the Broncos just failed to adjust to playing Thursday night. They looked ill prepared.

I didn't say adding Welker is the magic button but if they convert a few of those 3rd downs in the 2nd quarter, it's a different ball game.

Offense gets some confidence, gets into a rhythm, defense gets a break. Complimentary football.

 

[cdumler7]

That is the way this team is built. High powered offense and a bend but don't break defense.

When we signed Peyton Manning, we went out and signed Welker, Tamme, and drafted Monte Ball and a Back up QB.

Other than Wolfe and Sly they have not done much on the defensive side other than sign DRC and Shaun Philips with Philips the only one really showing a major contribution this year with 10 sacks.

To me it seems the priority was to surround Peyton with weapons so we can score a lot of points and then let the defense be aggressive in going after the QB when they are forced to pass to play catch up.

This defense needs to be 100% and healthy in order to just be competent enough to keep teams under 20 points.

We simply do not have the depth, especially at D Line and LB to shut teams down.

The coaching staff has done more than that for the defense. Wolfe, Sly, Knighton, and Phillips are all guys this coaching staff put together. They also drafted Von, Moore, Ihenacho (undrafted I guess you could say), Harris, and Trevathon. Webster has had an up and down year but looks like a sleeper for a good player in the next few years. Quanterus Smith is the guy I really want to see from this past draft.

 

[Morpheus]

The coaching staff has done more than that for the defense. Wolfe, Sly, Knighton, and Phillips are all guys this coaching staff put together. They also drafted Von, Moore, Ihenacho (undrafted I guess you could say), Harris, and Trevathon. Webster has had an up and down year but looks like a sleeper for a good player in the next few years. Quanterus Smith is the guy I really want to see from this past draft.

But we are so far behind in addressing the defense over the years that the injuries are really a setback because we lack a lot of depth.

Wolfe - Not playing, unknown when he will return.

Vickerson - Done for the year.

Rahim Moore - Done for the regular season at least, post season up in the air.

Quanteras Smith - Drafted with a torn ACL. I have no idea what his status is.

Ihenacho- Demoted to 2nd string.

Woodyard - Has not been the same since his injury and demoted to 2nd string.

We look vulnerable against the run recently and against the pass over the middle.

I can't remember the last time we contained a pass catching TE successfully.

The defense lacks depth. They don't lack quality starters, but when they are injured, it's getting pretty iffy out there.

 

[MrDoc420]

What is the deal with Quanteras Smith? Was he put on IR this year?

 

[Broncosr0k]

What is the deal with Quanteras Smith? Was he put on IR this year?

Yeah. It was estimated that he would not have been ready until closer to the midpoint of the season and being a rookie that could have been a heck of a set back.

Sidenote: Anyone remember Lerentee McCray? I am hoping he comes back next year and provides more depth for the linebackers.

 

[cdumler7]

Yeah. It was estimated that he would not have been ready until closer to the midpoint of the season and being a rookie that could have been a heck of a set back.

Sidenote: Anyone remember Lerentee McCray? I am hoping he comes back next year and provides more depth for the linebackers.

He was having an amazing preseason and I really thought the Broncos would try to find a way to make sure he stayed on the roster but just like Smith the coaching staff thought it better to give him another year to develop kind of thing. The Broncos took a few chances on a few guys with injuries hoping in a year or two it would pay off. I remember when they did this with Thomas and Decker in both were coming into the league injured and well that is obviously paying off big time so hopefully again that will be the case.