One problem the Broncos struggled with was getting off to a fast start, and against the Oakland Raiders, for at least the day, they figured that problem out. For the first time this season, Broncos offensively scored first, setting the tempo of the game with their opponent. Denver capped a 11 play, 80 yard drive that took nearly four and a half minutes off top off with a 22 yard strike to TE Joel Dresseen. The Denver defense had their ears pinned back and were ready to get after quarterback Carson Palmer.
Early on, it looked as though the defense was close, but wasn't quite going to get to the QB, but as the game went on, they were able to make Palmer comfortable with the turf. The defense got after the Oakland offense, sacking Palmer three times and letting knocking him down to the ground right times. They also slowed down the very dangerous running back in Darren McFadden. After his breakout performance for the season against the Miami Dolphins last week, they held the RB to 38 total yards on the afternoon. The defense had no problems of congesting the gaps, forcing the RB to bounce to the outside where he would be met with a slew of Bronco linebackers and defensive backs.
One problem the Broncos seemed to have also figured out for the week as getting off on third downs. After being able to get a reversed call on where the ball should have been spot after a catch and run to fullback Marcel Reese early in the second quarter, they were able to really diminish any opportunity for the Raiders to continue any drive on third down. On the afternoon, and astounding 1 for 12 on third down conversions and allowing 237 total yards on the day.
After their first scoring drive, we saw the Bronco offense open up, especially in the second half. It was apparent that Manning and the rest of the Bronco offense was going to take some time to gel and become a potent and dangerous team. The second half, Denver was able to score on each of their five drives, including three straight TD's. They tallied 245 of their 503 yards during this time.
QB Peyton Manning looked like the maestro as he orchestrated the Bronco offense. Manning himself had great protection all day, allowing him to 30 of 38 for 338 yards and three TD's while not even being touched, good for a 130 QBR. The offense kept the Raider defense guessing where the ball was going to be going. Why? Distribution. Manning looked more comfortable this week, we saw him lead his receivers more, putting the ball in places where only his receivers could make the catch. Questions will still persist about him not being able to make the deep pass, but when you can outsmart a defense, having to go deep may not be necessary. John Fox spoke to the Denver Post, talking about the progression of the passing game
"Let's not forget he didn't play all last season," Broncos coach John Fox said. "This is a new team. A new coaching staff. A new city. A new field. A new everything for him. The type of guy he is, he's just going to get better and better. He's a championship guy. He's getting used to his teammates. He just was better at it today than earlier."Manning hit seven different players at least one time with a catch, lead by WR Demaryius Thomas who had five catches for 103 yards. The only problem he encountered was "fumblitis" as he fumbled the ball as he was running towards a TD to put the Broncos way ahead of the Raiders. He fumbled as he was exchanging the ball from his right hand to his left.
The ground attack did their work as well, RB Willis McGehee broke the century mark again on 19 carries for 112 yards on the day. Knowshon Moreno was inactive this week, giving rookie RB Ronnie Hillman more looks this week, 10 carries for 31 yards. The ground game help dominate the time of possession as the Broncos almost doubled up the Raiders 2-to-1.
The only players missing from this weeks action was S Quinton Carter (IR), LB Nate Irving (Concussion) and G Chris Kuper (Forearm). They did happen to lose C J.D. Walton for the season due to a broken ankle, they did sign Dan Koppen three weeks ago to be his backup. This may be a blessing in disguise, giving Manning a center that is more experienced to work with him now. This is a good time for the offense to be clicking, because come Sunday, as the Denver Post was told by Manning, the Broncos will need to bring their "A" game.
"You know when you play New England that Tom is going to have his guys ready, so you know you have to be prepared to be at your best."The two have squared up for some of the more memorable games in recent NFL history, in the all-time matchup between the two, Brady has got the best of Manning, 7-4.
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