Game Thread: Kill Bills vol. 1

[TDs3nOut]

Also just a quick question...Does anybody else think Manning is having a bit of trouble adjusting to our new mindset on offense? He seems to be forcing a few more throws in knowing he isn't going to get the chances that he usually gets. I'm just hoping he and the passing offense can get it figured out because these turnovers just cannot happen in the playoffs.

I've also wondered about that. Still got three more games to make the adjustment if that is the problem.

 

[Broncos6482]

You definitely make a good point. It's really only when the conservative, "prevent" style of defense actually prevents a team from winning that it should be called into question.

Exactly. This takes me back to 97. In Kansas City, the Broncos were protecting a small lead and went into prevent. The Chiefs were able to drive down the field and Stoyanovich hit a 54 yard field goal to beat us. The Broncos swore off the prevent after that.

Fast forward to the AFC Championship game: the Broncos hold a 24-14 lead over the Steelers late in the 4th quarter. The defense goes into prevent, the Steelers score a touchdown to cut the lead to 24-21. The Broncos offense proceeds to run out the clock. It worked.

Seems to me that if it's so late in a game that a team is going to need a touchdown, an onside kick, and another touchdown just to tie the game, going into prevent and trading yards for time is the smart choice.

 

[Broncosr0k]

He has been making more questionable decisions over the past few weeks. Maybe another aspect to it is that Welker and Tamme have dropped some balls and Manning feels more comfortable forcing it to Sanders and Thomas than trying the previous 2.

Just speculation on my part.

 

[cdumler7]

He has been making more questionable decisions over the past few weeks. Maybe another aspect to it is that Welker and Tamme have dropped some balls and Manning feels more comfortable forcing it to Sanders and Thomas than trying the previous 2.

Just speculation on my part.

I could see that too. Tamme has just fallen off the map this year. I actually was pretty impressed with him last year. I thought he had the best hands on the team and Manning seemed to trust him on those key 3rd down situations but this season the drops and now the stupid fumble on a drive that really could have just completely put the game away just cannot happen. You can tell Peyton is getting a bit frustrated right now with where the passing game is and I do think part of that is the receivers just not quite getting it done.

Also have to remember that yesterday D. Thomas was not a 100%. He just didn't have the get up and go that he usually has. I would say 1 of Peyton's interceptions falls right into that of he thought DT would blow by the defender to just have Gilmore stay with him step for step.

 

[{+}Mother-Marge{+}]

Also do the 2007 New York Giants ring a bell?

Lol,......the 2014 giants ain't ringing any bells....!

 

[cdumler7]

Lol,......the 2014 giants ain't ringing any bells....!

Well that is true...How Coughlin still has a job at this point I have no clue.

 

[{+}Mother-Marge{+}]

Bronco fans and Patriot fans said the exact same thing just a couple of years ago to then have to watch the Ravens go on to win the Super Bowl. They have a defense that is clicking and will get one of their best pieces back in the playoffs in Ngata. They have an offense that can beat you different ways. They have a quarterback that does seem to elevate his game in the playoffs. They are probably the one borderline team for the playoffs that I just don't want to play.

Never say never. Seen too many times the Broncos were favored to win and see them fall flat on their face. yet other times they were big time underdogs and somehow pull out the victory.

My point = I just think this is the best pats team on all 3 phases......(offense,def.,special-teams)......since the 2003,2004 years.

 

[cdumler7]

I would agree with that...the issue though becomes when the playoffs are a win or go home. Like I said the one team I probably do not want to play in the playoffs as I could see them putting that 1 good game together is that of the Ravens. They have a history of showing up big in the playoffs. They also have a team that can travel well on the road in my opinion with a great Red Zone defense, a good pass rush that could cause Brady and Manning problems, and a run game that can help neutralize some of the home field advantage. Plus a quarterback that when he is hot can play as good as any quarterback in the league in my opinion.

 

[WalkerBoh]

Well that is true...How Coughlin still has a job at this point I have no clue.

Same reason Shanny kept his for so long ;-)

 

[cdumler7]

It is true both of them have had very similar career paths. Shanahan lived off those 97' and 98' championships for a long time. It is why so many teams were so willing to throw money at him the second the Broncos let him go. Now believe me I loved Shanahan and what he brought to this team but he is one that is like Chucky in can take a very talented team and win a Championship. Not sure he is that great at taking a mediocre team though and seeing them succeed. And not always that great in personnel decisions. I'm hoping we never go back to the day of having our coach be both coach and GM. It just rarely seems to work.

 

[TDs3nOut]

Same reason Shanny kept his for so long ;-)

Agreed. Winning SBs buys a coach some time, even when those trophies start getting very dusty.

 

[Malibu]

To everyone complaining about the defense letting teams back into games late, have you ever thought that maybe Denver is willing to concede yards for time? Why risk going after a big play when you can force the offense to make long drives the length of the field?

Here's a list of teams that this strategy has worked against this season:
Colts
Chiefs
Jets
Chargers
Dolphins
Chiefs
Bills

Here's a list of teams it failed against:

That's oh well and good but have that thinking in the playoffs vs Brady and the Patriots and that would be something I wouldn't want to see. Why not just stop Orton and the Bills on that 4th and long on the Bills side of the field and end the game? Why give a team any hope? Put your foot on there throats and end it and trust me if you saw J.D.R.'s reaction after that TD given up to the Bills to cut it to 7 points he was pissed. Nothing better then seeing an onside kick and possibly having one of the Broncos players get shit rocked and injured. It's a dangerous play all around and playing with fire and letting off the gas during playoff time isn't an option. Just saying.

 

[Malibu]

It's just common sense that it's better off to just stop the Bills on one of the 4th down plays and end the game then have to recover an onside kick and give the Bills any hope. Just saying.

 

[randymon]

Also just a quick question...Does anybody else think Manning is having a bit of trouble adjusting to our new mindset on offense? He seems to be forcing a few more throws in knowing he isn't going to get the chances that he usually gets. I'm just hoping he and the passing offense can get it figured out because these turnovers just cannot happen in the playoffs.

Actually I`ve had this conversation. I`am starting to wonder if maybe his arm is feeling fatigued. Up untill Raider game,Denver was throwing prob about 75%. He`s not getting any younger, its been gruelling season so far and he isn`t that far gone from a major injury. Seriously. You have to consider the possiblity. Maybe he`s not telling the coaches/docs that he`s having some issues. Could be too that they are seeing it in practices and are lightning his load on purpose. IDK but something is not right with him lately.

 

[{+}Mother-Marge{+}]

Is shanahan officially retired...?,......I know he's getting paid from $nyder (still),.....I figured he'd do some tv.....?

 

[HOF-ELWAY-7]

Actually I`ve had this conversation. I`am starting to wonder if maybe his arm is feeling fatigued. Up untill Raider game,Denver was throwing prob about 75%. He`s not getting any younger, its been gruelling season so far and he isn`t that far gone from a major injury. Seriously. You have to consider the possiblity. Maybe he`s not telling the coaches/docs that he`s having some issues. Could be too that they are seeing it in practices and are lightning his load on purpose. IDK but something is not right with him lately.

Could be fatigue. He had at least 3-4 really really bad throws. Could be out of rhythm too, I think someone said he didn't throw a ball yesterday for like 45 minutes. The long pass to Sanders that was intercepted was thrown very late. There was also a pretty good breeze blowing into his face at the time and he put some air under it. I wonder if they are using the games as extra practice and getting the O-Line more run blocking work? While I love the run game, they are running too much IMO. You don't want to get the pass game out of synch especially this late in the season.

As far as the D is concerned, I thought they played pretty well but that last TD drive shouldn't have happened. JDR was getting a little too cute in the first half but settled down in the second. I thought they could have been a little more aggressive with the blitz against the statue Orton.

Barth is accurate but doesn't have a big leg.

All of that said Buffalo is a good team and it was a quality win.

NE better watch out, if Tannehill keeps getting better and if Buffalo gets a QB. They aren't the pushovers they have been for over a decade.

 

[DownSetHutch]

The time for playing prevent defense is over. Period. First of all, it lets teams back into the game, and almost guarantees that they are going to score at least once. That's irritating to watch. Secondly, it sends the wrong message to the defense. It is like telling them, "play soft". We have seen in recent weeks how the defense has looked when they are allowed to play aggressive. They look great, and they play with a lot more energy. When they rush 3 or 4 guys on every play, they get their asses kicked.

The playoffs are right around the corner, and this team needs to develop the step-on-their-throat mentality. Playing prevent defense, even if it is only in the 4th quarter, is counter to the development of team character. Teams that win Super Bowls have swagger and attitude. Teams that play prevent defense don't have swagger and attitude, and don't win Super Bowls.

I can't believe that some fans argue in favor of the prevent defense.

 

[DownSetHutch]

Just wanted to note one thing about Buffalo. Some have mentioned how good their D-line is, but I was actually more impressed with their LBs and secondary. They are fast, and that team hits HARD. That is a really good D.

 

[WalkerBoh]

Could be fatigue. He had at least 3-4 really really bad throws. Could be out of rhythm too, I think someone said he didn't throw a ball yesterday for like 45 minutes. The long pass to Sanders that was intercepted was thrown very late. There was also a pretty good breeze blowing into his face at the time and he put some air under it. I wonder if they are using the games as extra practice and getting the O-Line more run blocking work? While I love the run game, they are running too much IMO. You don't want to get the pass game out of synch especially this late in the season.

As far as the D is concerned, I thought they played pretty well but that last TD drive shouldn't have happened. JDR was getting a little too cute in the first half but settled down in the second. I thought they could have been a little more aggressive with the blitz against the statue Orton.

Barth is accurate but doesn't have a big leg.

All of that said Buffalo is a good team and it was a quality win.

NE better watch out, if Tannehill keeps getting better and if Buffalo gets a QB. They aren't the pushovers they have been for over a decade.

In Barth's defense, he did kick a 50 yarder.

 

[HOF-ELWAY-7]

Actually I`ve had this conversation. I`am starting to wonder if maybe his arm is feeling fatigued. Up untill Raider game,Denver was throwing prob about 75%. He`s not getting any younger, its been gruelling season so far and he isn`t that far gone from a major injury. Seriously. You have to consider the possiblity. Maybe he`s not telling the coaches/docs that he`s having some issues. Could be too that they are seeing it in practices and are lightning his load on purpose. IDK but something is not right with him lately.

The time for playing prevent defense is over. Period. First of all, it lets teams back into the game, and almost guarantees that they are going to score at least once. That's irritating to watch. Secondly, it sends the wrong message to the defense. It is like telling them, "play soft". We have seen in recent weeks how the defense has looked when they are allowed to play aggressive. They look great, and they play with a lot more energy. When they rush 3 or 4 guys on every play, they get their asses kicked.

The playoffs are right around the corner, and this team needs to develop the step-on-their-throat mentality. Playing prevent defense, even if it is only in the 4th quarter, is counter to the development of team character. Teams that win Super Bowls have swagger and attitude. Teams that play prevent defense don't have swagger and attitude, and don't win Super Bowls.

I can't believe that some fans argue in favor of the prevent defense.

Well said. I argued with a guy that sits behind me and said exactly what you said. In this era of passing you don't need to throw the ball 20 yards down field to score quickly. With these spread offenses you just need to hit a couple of short ones and you will eventually get a 20+ pass play or a bunch of 10-15 yard plays when the D-Backs are 20 yards down field. I would much rather be aggressive and take my chances rather than sit back. I would think JDR has seen enough of that this season.

The Broncos are also develpoing a pattern of letting teams get back into the game late when they had opportunities to put the opposing teams away.