Week 8 GB at Denver on Sunday Night

[cdumler7]

The Broncos are actually beating the Packers in a certain passing stat this season. The Broncos have 5 passing plays for 40 yards or more where the Packers only have 3.

One of the other things I forgot to mention about the interview with Plummer and the others is they said that one of the best things about Kubiak is his ability to listen to players. Plummer said that Kubiak would call him up to his office and show him what he had seen on tape of the things that were great but also the things that he needed to work on then would ask Plummer what plays he really likes to run and what formations/routes does he feel most comfortable with. Today while reading Elway had talked about how Manning went up to Kubiak to mention to him that he really liked that Hillman was becoming a 3-down back and mentioned that he was very impressed with his blocking recently. I think we might be in store for more Hillman on the field which honestly I think he fits this offense better than CJ right now.

Also just further read on Sambrailo and while he is listed as doubtful the coaches were going to spend a good chunk of this afternoon reviewing the tape of practices and then decide if they should upgrade him or not for the game. Still a small chance he starts in this one as Kubiak did say he did have a very good week of practice.

Rod Smith is going to speak to the team before the game this week. I've been listening to him speak a bit this week and man that guy has some fire for this Broncos team. I honestly thought if anybody spoke one bad word about Bowlen that he would have beat the crap out of said person. He was really having a hard time holding back just how much he really loves that man.

1st Quarter stats for the Broncos so far is they have yet to allow a single 1st quarter point. They are the only team in the league to have done that. Green Bay on the other hand has an NFL high of 66 points in the 1st quarter or about 11 points a game in the 1st quarter. Going to be interesting to see how the two teams battle in that department. I think if we can survive that 1st quarter without falling too far behind I like our chances.

 

[cdumler7]

So burning the midnight oil as they say. Working on some pretty tedious stuff so watching some of the past Packers games to see what I can see.

1) Not as impressed with the offensive play calling as I thought I might be for such a high powered offense. They remind me of the Broncos some in the past where even when the run game was working they would sometimes still abandon it even with the lead.

2) They definitely like to get the big play 20 or more yards down the field. Our Pass Rushers are going to have some opportunities to get to Rodgers. He is not as much of a timing route quick West Coast offense style. He likes to dance around a bit and let the play develop.

3) Because of that here is how I would attack it. DL wise I would run 5-6 guys up to the LOS. Through that only bring 4 but mix and match who comes. Rodgers most likely can get it figured out but you can confuse the OL with some of that. Also then run a decent number of DL stunts to try and get somebody through. You have to be careful not to get too aggressive as Rodgers will kill you with his feet.

Coverage wise man up on the outside with 2-Deep safety in my opinion. I think our Linebackers can handle coverage on the RB/TE. This takes away those big strike plays that Rodgers loves so much.

Now to the offensive side of the ball

1) For the Packers being 2nd in the NFL for sacks I actually wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be with the unit. They seem to struggle earlier in games where the threat of the run game is still an option. IF we keep the game close I think we keep their pass rush at bay. It is when they can pin their ears back that they love to send pressure up the middle or the right side. We cannot fall behind early. I can't emphasize that enough.

2) There are 2 passes that I am hoping the Broncos are practicing like crazy this week. The first being the deep comeback. The Packers play a ton of man coverage. They have taught their corners to bail as to not give up the big play. This means then that right when they bail make that come back to pick up that 10-15 yards. The other is the shallow slant especially with the RB slipping out of the backfield. The Chargers had a ton of success with Woodhead running this play and having a ton of field to run with it. I think Hillman could have a huge receiving day if we give him the chance.

3) They are actually a very good run defense. We obviously can't abandon the run game but they are an impressive group at getting penetration. The linebacking group also has a ton of speed so not sure the outside runs will be a big possibility in this one.

4) You can get a ton of yards on this defense. They are a bend but don't break defense that waits for you to make a mistake. We cannot get the stupid penalties that kill drives or turn it over. I don't think they are as good of a defense as ours but so far this has been the best defense I have watched so far this year that isn't ours.

5) Finally the bootleg needs to produce one big play in my opinion. If we hope to have a run game in this one that back side DE has to respect the idea of Manning running to the outside hitting the big play. I would say 1st drive maybe even first play of the game running a naked bootleg with Sanders running a deep crossing route. We hit that play and honestly I think our offense could come alive in this one surprising the whole country.

 

[CEH]

The Broncos are actually beating the Packers in a certain passing stat this season. The Broncos have 5 passing plays for 40 yards or more where the Packers only have 3.

One of the other things I forgot to mention about the interview with Plummer and the others is they said that one of the best things about Kubiak is his ability to listen to players. Plummer said that Kubiak would call him up to his office and show him what he had seen on tape of the things that were great but also the things that he needed to work on then would ask Plummer what plays he really likes to run and what formations/routes does he feel most comfortable with. Today while reading Elway had talked about how Manning went up to Kubiak to mention to him that he really liked that Hillman was becoming a 3-down back and mentioned that he was very impressed with his blocking recently. I think we might be in store for more Hillman on the field which honestly I think he fits this offense better than CJ right now.

Also just further read on Sambrailo and while he is listed as doubtful the coaches were going to spend a good chunk of this afternoon reviewing the tape of practices and then decide if they should upgrade him or not for the game. Still a small chance he starts in this one as Kubiak did say he did have a very good week of practice.

Rod Smith is going to speak to the team before the game this week. I've been listening to him speak a bit this week and man that guy has some fire for this Broncos team. I honestly thought if anybody spoke one bad word about Bowlen that he would have beat the crap out of said person. He was really having a hard time holding back just how much he really loves that man.

1st Quarter stats for the Broncos so far is they have yet to allow a single 1st quarter point. They are the only team in the league to have done that. Green Bay on the other hand has an NFL high of 66 points in the 1st quarter or about 11 points a game in the 1st quarter. Going to be interesting to see how the two teams battle in that department. I think if we can survive that 1st quarter without falling too far behind I like our chances.

The last point is spot on. Denver's D must step up and stop GB early.

 

[Mingo]

I don't know how Aaron Rodgers does it - he throws a large amount of passes with both feet off the ground - and when he gets hit - he is not anchored on anything. This really is an amazing ability and I am eager to see the Broncos perform against him. The Packer WRs are are beat up and Jordy Nelson is missing. I fear Rodgers making a play down field - the Packer Run game and the Packer LBs.

I agree with CD on the Comeback routes - that would be a DT - Manning special - could be a big day for D. Thomas - if he makes the first guy miss.

 

[cdumler7]

Good morning ladies and gentlemen! Cannot wait for tonight.

 

[SpringStein]

Good morning ladies and gentlemen! Cannot wait for tonight.

Good morning from Steelers territory. Will be a truly late game for what I'm used to!

 

[cdumler7]

Good morning from Steelers territory. Will be a truly late game for what I'm used to!

My wife had a family funeral that she and my baby were gone for the week just getting back last night. She was all excited that tonight we will get some family time together. When I reminded her of the Broncos game being the Sunday Night game let's just say she wasn't too excited knowing I won't be coming to bed with her and the baby. Maybe just have to hope for a blow out (in our favor of course) then can go to bed a bit early.

 

[iknowftbll]

Good morning from Steelers territory. Will be a truly late game for what I'm used to!

I live on the East Coast. I'll be up late as well watching this one. Go Broncos! Make it worth my while!

 

[Malibu]

"I'll get all the sleep I need when I'm dead." Great quote from what movie? Anyone?

 

[Great Dayne]

I don't know how Aaron Rodgers does it - he throws a large amount of passes with both feet off the ground - and when he gets hit - he is not anchored on anything. This really is an amazing ability and I am eager to see the Broncos perform against him. The Packer WRs are are beat up and Jordy Nelson is missing. I fear Rodgers making a play down field - the Packer Run game and the Packer LBs.

I agree with CD on the Comeback routes - that would be a DT - Manning special - could be a big day for D. Thomas - if he makes the first guy miss.

Packers have no run game just make sure Eddie Lacy doesn't eat your players. When Starks is running well we bench him and either stop running or run mr obese. Don't worry about the LB's, just throw passes up the middle of the field, and throw agains Shields. It's an automatic completion. Rodgers is on his worst 3 game stretch I've ever seen. This season he's made the least amount of 20+ and 40+ completions this late into the season. We have no deep threat without Nelson, we have terrible TE's and if MM the coach is calling the shots you know that on third and short we throw low % bombs for incompletions. Literally, I will be shocked if the Packers win this. We're 1-9 over the last 10 games vs .500+ teams on the road.

Denver 24
Packers 20