Broncos struggle, win ugly in Kansas City

No matter who the opponent, every good team, once in a year, runs into a team far less superior to a good team comes out of the wood works and gives a team a run for their money.  Denver may have ran into that this past weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs.  The Denver Broncos were ten and a half point favorites against the then 1-9 Chiefs.  This game wouldn't indicated such numbers as the Chiefs came ready to play against the Broncos.

The Broncos were 14-36 all-time against the Chiefs on the road.  No matter what the circumstances, this is a rivalry that promises to be a fight to the end.  The Broncos struggled in the first quarter against the lowly Chiefs.  To make matters worse, with no RB Willis McGahee, the Chiefs were gearing up to play against the pass, and little did Denver try to punish Kansas City for doing so.  Through the first quarter, the Broncos ran the two times, and struggled to get 32 total yards in the first quarter.

The recipe for defeating the Broncos, keeping the Broncos fast-track offense off the field.  The Chiefs were on the field for 11:05 seconds in the first quarter, running the ball, letting the clock whine down, hitting the Broncos with 60 yards on the ground of their 92 total yards through the first fifteen.

On the flip side, the Broncos offense looked out of sync.  The Broncos first three drives culminated 47 total yards and resulted in a missed field goal, punt and interception thrown by QB Peyton Manning.  Manning tried to overthrow WR Eric Decker on the pass but, due to double coverage, Decker was thrown off his route and was not there where the pass was intended to be.  Credit the Chiefs defensive line for giving the Broncos fits as well, getting to Manning for two sacks and six QB hits.  The defense as a whole also got six tackles for losses and six pass deflections as well.

Broncos CB Champ Bailey knew that this wasn't going to be a easy game 

"It's never going to be pretty playing this team in this place, you might get lucky once in a while and get some turnovers and jump out on them.  But they've got good players now.  You can't come in here4 and think you're going to walk out with a win without fighting for in."

The Broncos didn't get on the board until late in the first half, on their last drive of the first half, the Broncos put together a 11 play, 94 yard drive that was capped off with a Manning touchdown pass to TE Jacob Tamme with 18 seconds left on the clock.

The second half faired a little better for the Broncos.  The first two drives, the Broncos were able to move the ball, racking up 108 yards of offense, including another touchdown pass by Manning (22 of 37, 285 yards, 2 TD's and 1 INT) to Demaryius Thomas thirty yards down field for the score.  Only four of Denver's ten drives resulted in points.  How did they win this game?  Defense!

The Broncos defense, virtually without LB Von Miller (2 tackles, sack and QB hit) played up to the meaning of "opportunistic football".  How so?  Penalties that occur at the right time.  Instance, 3rd and 1, Chiefs are in field goal range.  Von Miller was able to cause rookie LT Donald Stephenson to jump and be called for a false start.  Broncos then put the Chiefs in a passing situation, tackle QB Brady Quinn and put them out of field goal range.  They kept their good fortune lately of solid 3rd down defense going.  On this Sunday afternoon, they left the Chiefs convert 3-of-12 third downs (25% conversion rate).  The passing defense was superb, limiting Quinn to 13-of-25, 126 yards and a interception.  The Chiefs offense was only able to get 13 total first downs.  The defense did their part to keep this game close in game where the offense was not on their game.  This a total defensive effort to give the offense the opportunity to win.

"It's never going to be pretty playing this team in this place," said Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey. "You might get lucky once in a while and get some turnovers and jump out on them. But they've got good players now. You can't come in here and think you're going to walk out with a win without fighting for it."

Read more: Broncos escape Kansas City with a win behind Peyton Manning's veteran eye - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_22063604/broncos-kansas-city-win-peyton-manning#ixzz2DLoYsBmn
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"It's never going to be pretty playing this team in this place," said Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey. "You might get lucky once in a while and get some turnovers and jump out on them. But they've got good players now. You can't come in here and think you're going to walk out with a win without fighting for it."

Read more: Broncos escape Kansas City with a win behind Peyton Manning's veteran eye - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_22063604/broncos-kansas-city-win-peyton-manning#ixzz2DLoYsBmn
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse

"It's never going to be pretty playing this team in this place," said Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey. "You might get lucky once in a while and get some turnovers and jump out on them. But they've got good players now. You can't come in here and think you're going to walk out with a win without fighting for it."

Read more: Broncos escape Kansas City with a win behind Peyton Manning's veteran eye - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_22063604/broncos-kansas-city-win-peyton-manning#ixzz2DLoYsBmn
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse

"It's never going to be pretty playing this team in this place," said Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey. "You might get lucky once in a while and get some turnovers and jump out on them. But they've got good players now. You can't come in here and think you're going to walk out with a win without fighting for it."

Read more: Broncos escape Kansas City with a win behind Peyton Manning's veteran eye - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_22063604/broncos-kansas-city-win-peyton-manning#ixzz2DLoYsBmn
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Broncos continue to capitalize on weak schedule

The second half season success continues for the Broncos as they cruise passed the San Diego Chargers for their fifth game in a row.  A game that had meant much for the Chargers came up short and are gearing up for next season barring a miracle.

The Broncos continue to impress during their five game win streak as the shows no problem of slowing down, scoring in the 30's for a fifth week in a row.  The defense, lead by OLB Von Miller continues to shutdown offenses, giving up an average of 13.6 points per game.  One part of their game they struggled with in the early going of the season was third downs.  But the Broncos seem to be even figuring out their weakness and are correcting them.  The Broncos had a stretch of 26 third down's that were not converted by the opposing offense until the later stages of the third quarter where the Chargers converted on their 13th attempt.

But on Sunday, the game wasn't all good and dandy for the Broncos to begin with.  Each team went three and out on their first drives.  The Broncos, on their second drive, called out the blitz, yet the Chargers were prepared.  The Broncos looked to get a bubble screen to WR Mattew Willis, when the Chargers deflected the pass and put the ball up for grabs.  Safety Eric Weddle made a play on the ball and took the interception 23 yards the other way for the first score of the game. 

But not long after, the Broncos offense warmed up and started to move the ball on the Charger defense.  In just over two and a half minutes, Denver marched 43 yards on 6 plays with QB Peyton Manning connecting with WR Demaryius Thomas for a 13 yard touchdown reception.

The defense got involved in on the attack as well, and stand out LB Wesley Woodyard continues to make plays for the Broncos.  Folowing the kickoff, on the first play for the Chargers, Woodyard dropped back into coverage, Rivers not able to see Woodyard, gets picked off and Woodyard himself goes back the other for a interception.  He takes it 17 yards to the Chargers 8 yard line, setting the Broncos up for a field goal.

The all around performance continued for the Broncos as the special teams came alive for a third week in a row.  Nate Irving goes through the line untouched, blocking the punt.  On the next play, Manning connects with WR Brandon Stokley for 31 yards and the Broncos increase their lead to 17-7

The defense showed no mercy against the Chargers.  10 drives, 74 total yards, every drive resulted in punts with the exception of two drives that end in turnovers.  The defense was led by none other that Miller, who continues to state his case.  7 solo tackles, 3 sacks, 2 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles.

“It’s a long list. He’s a very talented guy. Last year, I thought he made a big splash as a rookie. He probably played seven or eight games with one hand and I think he’s just gotten better."  John Fox speaking about Miller after the game on DenverBroncos.com 

The Chargers would gain momentum on the Broncos first drive of the second half.  A missed block by rookie RB Ronnie Hillman lead to a free defensive player to get after Manning, resulting in a safety.

Following another Manning touchdown pass, who was 25-of-42 for 270 yards, 3 TD's and INT, the Chargers finally found the bread and butter to contain the Broncos.  Slow the game down.

On the next Charger drive, 10 of the 12 plays were passes where Rivers completed 7 of those passes to keep the Broncos off the field for 6:25 of the third quarter.  Also resulting in a touchdown grab by WR Danario Alexander, 24-16 Denver.  But we got a ball game.

Denver was forced into two field goals to extend their lead to 30-16 Denver.

The Chargers were able to score late in the fourth with just under two minutes to go to move the score to 30-23, attempting a onside kick, in which Broncos TE Virgil Green was able to recover and seal the deal for the Broncos. 

The Broncos don't come out of this game unscathed though.  Multiple reports have come out saying that RB Willis McGahee is out 6-8 weeks due to a torn MCL.  Expect to either see Knowshon Moreno activated or Jeremiah Johnson promoted to the 53 man roster.

For the Broncos, here on out, play only two teams with winning records.  With a three game lead and Kansas City up next, Fox isn't looking ahead to division title yet.

“We’re going to Kansas City next week, and this is our first time playing them. I’ve played in Arrowhead (Stadium) a number of times—never as part of a (AFC West) division game, but I’ve played in a playoff game there and against some good Kansas City teams in Arrowhead, and it’s a tough place to play. I just throw these records out the window in the division. I don’t know what their record is, but the film that I’ve seen and the TV games that I’ve seen, the defense has some good players, and I don’t know what’s going on with their offense, or whatever, but I know it’s a challenge. That’s all I’m worried about: trying to improve, trying to get a win, and, certainly, you want to be playing your best football down the home stretch here, in November and December.”

The Broncos continue their stellar second half of the season and move closer towards consecutive division titles.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/peter_king/11/19/week-11/index.html#ixzz2CgsFESTO

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/peter_king/11/19/week-11/index.html#ixzz2CgsFESTO

The Broncos have won five games in a row. Scored in the 30s five games in a row. Won the five games by an average of 13.6 a game.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/peter_king/11/19/week-11/index.html#ixzz2CgsFESTO

The Broncos have won five games in a row. Scored in the 30s five games in a row. Won the five games by an average of 13.6 a game.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/peter_king/11/19/week-11/index.html#ixzz2CgsFESTO

Broncos look to all but seal the Chargers fate this weekend

The game that turn the season around for two teams.  Coming into week six, the Broncos were looking to stay afloat sitting at 2-3 while the Chargers looked like the team of the past moving ahead at 3-2.  The first half of that game was dominated by the Chargers.  But remember that saying "it's not how you start, but how you finish".  Well, the Broncos finished this game, going on to score 35 straight points to win 35-24 on the spectacular efforts of the offense and defense. 

Since the start of the second half, the Broncos offense has been lights out.  The offense has put up 136 points since the second half of the Charger game, or 34 points per game.  QB Peyton Manning has thrown for 1206 yards, 10 TD's to 3 interceptions with a QB Rating over 100 in each outing.  The defense continues to improve, allowing 51 points in the last four contests total.  They haven't allowed a team to get onver the century mark on the ground and the secondary keeps getting better with the youth movement in Tony Carter and Chris Harris.  The Broncos are now on a four game winning streak and currently sit at 6-3 and lead the AFC West.

The Chargers mean while are spinning their wheels and are going no where.  Since the second half of the Broncos game, they have scored 61 points, including six points in a loss to the Cleveland Browns and scoring 30+ one time since.  Phillip Rivers posted a 54.1 QBR against the Broncos and a 65.1 QBR against Browns, but was above 100 the last two.  He's also thrown for 5 TD's and 7 interceptions.  The offensive line struggles to keep River jersey clean.  He's been put down on the turf eight times in the last 3.5 games.

Two teams that were going opposite directions saw a half that has completely done a 180 on their seasons.  It's not too late for something to change though.  For the Broncos, its simple.  If they win, they are 3-0 in the division and swept the team in second place.  They will have a four game lead with six games left to be played. 

On the flip side of the coin, if the Chargers win this game, they move to 5-5 and Denver falls to 6-4.  This would mean that San Diego would be one game out of first place and one game out of the sixth and final playoff spot.  They would have several tiebreakers going for them.  They would be 4-1 in the division, 5-2 in the conference and can give themselves momentum to make a late season push as the Chargers always seem to do.

Keys to this game for the Chargers will be simple, play mistake free football and run the rock.  The last matchup against the Broncos, the Broncos were able to score 14 points in crucial moments to get the win against the Chargers in the first matchup.  With the Broncos being able to score in bunches, slow down the Bronco offense and force Denver to score on every drive, put the pressure on them.  This is still a young team, even with Manning at the helm, they are still learning how to win.

For the Broncos, Defense.  Get after Phillip Rivers early and often.  Rivers is key to their offense with a non-existent running game lead by RB Ryan Mathews.  Whether he gets sacked or is hit after a throw, rattle Rivers, cause as he gets more rattled, he tends to lose his composure and the team feeds off him.  The entire offense goes through him.

Broncos cage and tame the Panthers

Even against the Carolina Panthers, the Denver Broncos faced a daunting task of going to the east coast on back-to-back weeks.  This time, Denver head coach John Fox heads back the place where he began his head coaching career.  He heads back to the place where he built a 73-71 record, three trips to the playoffs, two NFC Championships and a trip to Super Bowl XXXVIII.

Both teams went three and out to begin the game.  On Carolinas second drive of the game, QB Cam Newton had moved the offense down the field at will, including 26 yard pass completed to RB Mike Tolbert and two consecutive passes that lead to a touchdown grab by TE Greg Olsen.

The Panthers were able to move the ball down the field with ease, but that would be the last time Carolina would see a lead in this game.

The Broncos shook off the jet lag and went to work on the Carolina Panthers.  On all phases of the game as well.  Starting their third drive of the game, Peyton Manning (27 of 38, 301 yards, 1 TD) went to work on the Panthers.  Connecting with WR Demaryius Thomas for a 32 yard pass (9 catches, 153 yards) to help set up a 10 yard touchdown reception by Brandon Stokley.  The rout was on.

The Broncos put together a complete game on this afternoon, following the touchdown, the defesne went to work on QB Cam Newton.  On third down, DE Elvis Dumervil was able to get around the line and work his way to Newton, forcing a sack-fumble.  The Panthers were forced to punt the ball, and into the hands WR/KR Trindon Holliday.  75 yards later, Holliday was in for a score, presumably in for a score.  Following the game, footage came up showing that Holliday may have celebrated prematurely on the punt return.

Whether he was in or not, the ruling on the field was a touchdown, and no review necessary as the Broncos go up 14-7.  Manning told the Denver Post he was pleased to see other parts of the team putting points up on the board other than the offense. 

"It's the Broncos who scored those touchdowns," Manning said. "And anybody on the team that wants to score a touchdown I'm for it."

That wasn't the end of it for the Broncos on this day.  The defensive efforts continued to get to Newton.  LB Von Miller and the Broncos were camped in the backfield with Newton.  On 45 of his dropbacks, Newton was hit on 19 of them.  The defense held the Panther offense to 250 total yards, no third down conversions, 52 yards on the ground and holding Newton to 21 of 36 for 241 yards with two touchdown passes to tight end Greg Olsen along with two interceptions.

The Panthers and Broncos were the two teams that picked one and two in the 2011 NFL Draft with Newton going to Carolina and Miller going to Denver.  Denver did look at Newton prior to the draft as any team would, sitting at two, you evaluate all talent at every position.  Denver chose Miller, and he has paid off for Denver thus far with 105 tackles, 21.5 sacks thus far early in his career.  Head Coach John Fox had this to say about Miller.

“Well, he’s a dynamic guy. I think this kind of meant something to him. Sometimes where you are in the draft and that kind of stuff kind of motivates guys. You’ll have to ask Von, but he definitely came to play today, that’s for sure.”

The Broncos got solid efforts out of multiple players, Miller chipping in a sack, six tackles including four for a loss.  Seven total sacks for the day, seven QB hits as they rattled Newton to throw one of his INT's to CB Tony Carter for a pick six.  For icing on the cake, DB Mike Adams sacked Newton in Carolinas endzone for a safety. 

The Broncos dominance on offense, defense and special teams was on full display this past week, and in the process, a couple milestones were reached.  QB Peyton Manning passed for his 420th touchdown of his career, tying him with Dan Marino for the second most in NFL history, and RB Willis McGahee was the 44th player to surpass the 8,000 yard rushing mark of his career with 14 carries for 56 yards on the afternoon.

"Rumble in the Jungle" between Dalton and Manning

This game for the Denver Broncos had "trap game" written all over it.  The ingredients were there, emotional win over the Chargers, dominating win over the Saints, two weeks for the Bengals to prepare and the beginning of a soft schedule for the Broncos, this could have slipped into the Cincinnati Bengals favor...and it almost did.

To start the second half, the Broncos returned a kickoff return for 105 yards (club record) for a score in part to the speed and shifty moves of WR/KR Trindon Holliday.  17-3 Broncos against a struggling Bengals time, game over right?!  Wrong.

Game on after the kickoff return...The Bengals defense stepped up, took away the Broncos running game which was non-existent.

This game would be put on the arms of the leaders of each team, Peyton Manning for the Broncos and Andy Dalton for the Bengals.

Following the kick return,  Dalton took to the air on their first drive, which included a fifty two yard completion to TE Jermaine Gresham that would set up the Bengals for a TD pass from Dalton to WR A.J. Green.

It was Mannings turn to take to the field, and he showed off the skills that makes him a future H.O.F'er.
He moved the Broncos down the field with the Bengals knowing what was coming with no running game.  On this day, both defense's gave up yardage to opposing QB's, but played opportunistic defense as well.  The Bengals showed it off first by intercepting Manning in the endzone for a touchback.

The Bengals offense continued to move the ball down the field, and again, defense stepping up in a big way, this time by the Broncos.  LB Von Miller would step up and sack Dalton on third down to force the Bengals to a field goal.  Miller was good for three sacks on the day.

The ball would go back into the hands of the Broncos offense, and the pendulum would swing back into Cincy's favor. With pressure coming into the face of Manning, he attempted to get the ball down the field to WR Eric Decker.  Result?  Two straight passes to Decker, two passes intercepted by Bengals CB Terrance Newman.

Bengals offense went to work in the redzone, punching the ball in from two yards out.  Suddenly, the Broncos go from leading 17-10 to trailing 20-17 early in the fourth.

Although the Broncos defense had come up with plays at crucial times, Manning knew he had made a mistake that put the defense in a tough spot, allowing the Cincinnati to take the lead.

"I can't put our defense in that kind of situation. It was a poor decision on my part. We faced some adversity there and we were able to respond" says Manning to the Denver Post.

With the Broncos now in the fourth quarter, one must had to believe that they were going to make something happen, especially with #18 at the helm.  The Broncos would respond with several intermediate and deep passes.  With a little help from the Bengals defense with a pass interference call, Denver was set up nicely from one yard out.  Manning would connect with TE Joel Dreessen from one yard out for his third touchdown and 291 yards in the air.  Broncos now lead 24-20.

Dalton, who passed for 299 yards and TD pass, continued to work his way towards AJ Greens side, who was god for 99 yards and a touchdown on the day, eventually got see what it was like when you keep going towards CB Champ Baileys way, "when you play with fire long enough, your going to get burned".  Bailey picked off a under thrown pass Green's way, who had been getting the best of Bailey most of the day.  The INT would eventually lead to Manning TD pass to Decker and Denver would go on to win 31-23  and improve to 5-3 on the season.

This was a game for the QB's.  725 total yards in the game, 566 was from the arms of the Manning and Dalton, that would equate to 78% of the games yardage.  This game would be won on the arms of the QB's and also the mistakes that each defense was capitalize on.  3 INT's between each team, and 5 sacks by the Broncos defense.  What separated this game from being a Bengals win instead?  Timeliness of the defenses plays.  Denver would sack Dalton on second down, putting the Bengals in obvious third and long passing situations, or they would create pressure of the edge and get to the QB on third down.  Sure, Cincy came up with two INT's, but they came at a time where there was plenty of time to comeback from those mistakes.  Denver would take the lead and pick Dalton off late in the fourth, putting added pressure on the offense to come out and lead a comeback of a bigger deficit.

The Broncos survived several scares and overcame not a great performance by Manning to win a game that could've been seen as a "trap game"

Jack Del Rio has defense playing a mile high

The summer talk was all about what will Denver do next with Tim Tebow, the signing of Peyton Manning, and the anticipation building up and the excitement to see what Manning can do as a Bronco.  One signing that tends to go unnoticed, and one that isn't seen technically "on the field", that would be defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio.

Del Rio comes to Denver after being the head coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars.  He coached the team from 2003-2011 where the ball club was 69–73 and 1–2 in two playoff appearance.  His extensive coaching resume stretches back to 1999, where he began as he Baltimore Ravens linebackers coach and was apart of the squad that would win Super Bowl 34.  After two years there, he moved up to defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers.  The defense did help carry their load to get the team a game winning field goal away from winning Super Bowl 37.

In his one year stint with Carolina, his defense was ranked 2nd in the NFL.  As he headed over to Jacksonville, he took over a defense that was ranked 20th under then head coach Tom Coughlin.  During his reign, his defenses ranked in the top six or higher in four years, including number two in 2006.

After years of having a struggling offense, the Jaguars decided to move in a different direction and was let go 11 games into the 2011 season.  Del Rio was struggling to find a job as a head coach, delegated to looking for positions as a defensive coordinator.

Looking for defenses, Denver had been looking to get their defense back on track since their run to the AFC Championship, where they went 13-3, knocked off the New England Patriots in a home game in Denver and lose to the eventual Super Bowl Champs in the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Since then, Denver has been a revolving door for defensive coordinators, and eventually coach killers as well.  Larry Coyer, Bob Slowik, Mike Nolan, Don Martindale and Dennis Allen are all the coordinators the Broncos have gone through since '06, only Slowik was there in consecutive years, and Nolan and Allen are the only two coaches still in the league.  During that time as well, we saw Mike Shanahan and Josh McDaniels fired.  Denver looked like a very unappealing place to coach, even with name players on the defense.

Jack Del Rio looking for work and Denver looking for leadership on the defensive side of the ball, it was a match made in heaven, and it was a icing on the cake with now Head Coach John Fox having been Del Rio's boss in 2002.

Del Rio comes into Denver, and has done an admirable job.  He is doing so with missing four starters, and plugging in rookies, seasoned veterans, undrafted players and career special teamers into these positions.  DE Derek Wolfe, CB Chris Harris and LB's Wesley Woodyard and Keith Brooking have got the job done thus far.  Wolfe has three sacks on the season and has helped seal the edge opposite Elvis Dumervil.  Harris has stepped in for CB Tracy Porter as he has dealt with a seizure.  In return, he had two INT's, including a 46 yard "pick-six".  Woodyard had a career day against the Saints, including a INT, 13 tackles, a sack, tackle for loss and a pass deflection.  Brooking helms the defense and has done good job getting the defense in the correct position and has helped out a lot in the running game. The players game hasn't gone unnoticed, including Wesley Woodyard's play as Del Rio tells the Denver Post.

"There have been guys who have played at the highest level of this league who haven't been big guys," said defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, himself a former linebacker. "He's done a good job. He's played well. He's practicing with intensity, which we like. And he's done a good job playing for us in a role that's kind of gotten bigger maybe than he thought it might be entering the year and we thought it might be entering the year."

 Denver ranks 6th in total defense, 6th against the pass, 13th against the run, 7 INT's, 4 fumbles, and tied for 4th with 19 sacks.

If Del Rio keeps pushing this defense to a level of "elite", Del Rio may become a hot commodity in the offseason, and Denver may spend another offseason looking for another coordinator. With a soft schedule down the stretch, Del Rio may be setting himself up for another coaching opportunity.