New England at Denver AFCCG pre game thread.

[Tunescribe]

I agree with your analysis except that it's a bit misleading to call Manning "HOF" and to emphasize the injury report without noting that Manning, whether or not he is injured, is essentially playing as if he is.

Misleading? You don't think Manning is a Hall of Fame quarterback? Kubiak is playing him for his experience and decision making and he would've had over 300 yards passing vs. Pittsburgh if not for the drops. He played well last week. All the overconfident folks here who already have dismissed Manning as a huge factor against the Patriots could be in for a rude awakening Sunday and would do well to heed what BB said about him.

What's frustrating about this game is that it should have been in Foxboro, when I give the Patriots the edge.

True.

 

[Betterthanmost]

Ed Hochuli games with Denver Broncos involved:

Year                    Game                         (Opp Record)     score     Penalty
2000   Denver Broncos @ Seattle Seahawks              (6-10)        21 to 7    9-113 to 6-65
2008   San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos            (8-8)         38 to 39   8-60 to 7-67
2009   Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders               (5-11)        23 to 3    5-30 to 6-53
2010   Cincinnati Bengals @ Denver Broncos            (4-12)        12 to 30   9-65 to 8-56
2012   Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos            (2-14)        3 to 38    5-32 to 5-30
2013   Denver Broncos @ Houston Texans                (2-14)        37 to 13   6-54 to 4-31
2015  * Cincinnati Bengals @ Denver Broncos            (12-4)        17 to 20   7-41 to 10-93

* Starting QB injured and did not play.
I heard a couple of local radio host bring this up and I wanted to get a bit deeper, most of these teams were not world beaters. It also becomes unfair to inpugn the character of Ed Hochuli without the facts. I was guilty on first hearing. Wanted to give a fair and balanced look.

 

[Deus Irae]

Ed Hochuli games with Denver Broncos involved:

Year                    Game                         (Opp Record)     score     Penalty
2000   Denver Broncos @ Seattle Seahawks              (6-10)        21 to 7    9-113 to 6-65
2008   San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos            (8-8)         38 to 39   8-60 to 7-67
2009   Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders               (5-11)        23 to 3    5-30 to 6-53
2010   Cincinnati Bengals @ Denver Broncos            (4-12)        12 to 30   9-65 to 8-56
2012   Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos            (2-14)        3 to 38    5-32 to 5-30
2013   Denver Broncos @ Houston Texans                (2-14)        37 to 13   6-54 to 4-31
2015  * Cincinnati Bengals @ Denver Broncos            (12-4)        17 to 20   7-41 to 10-93

* Starting QB injured and did not play.
I heard a couple of local radio host bring this up and I wanted to get a bit deeper, most of these teams were not world beaters. It also becomes unfair to inpugn the character of Ed Hochuli without the facts. I was guilty on first hearing. Wanted to give a fair and balanced look.

Hochuli's always seemed to run a fair game, and he's held himself publicly accountable, unlike some other officials, certainly unlike the NFL front offices.

 

[PP2]

Kirwan had the following to say from his most recent review of the Broncos offense on RFN:

1) When Manning is in shotgun, passing plays are called 80% of the time. The other 20% were runs that came exclusively on second downs. Shotguns on second downs should trigger a run alert.

2) In the shotgun run game, the back was nearly always offset to the weakside of Manning, and 90% of those shotgun runs crossed Manning's face and went strongside.

3) When Manning is under center, 75% of the plays were run, but the first down was nearly always a pass play.

Personally, I'm sure the Broncos will try to clean up on those tells for this game, but if they are losing or are under duress, I expect those tells to resurface.

 

[ANGR89]

Of course I think the Patriots should win, my concerns are Brady's protection and the refs. If they can protect Brady and the refs call a fair game, I think Patriots will roll (although Denver has a good defense so I may be way off on this) but if they don't I think it will be a close game. I just hope if the Patriots a big lead early, they don't take their foot off the gas and alloy the refs to have a part in outcome.

 

[long distance]

somebody said blount would make the difference vs Jackson in this game.
I doubt it would be a significant difference.
The only significant difference in the running game can be made by OL.
If they are serious to run, they should add some help to the OL.
Iosefa was an interesting try (but with more FB role and RB just as surprise factor).
Or somebody else some other way to make the run even possible.
Running into a brick wall doesnt make much sense except for intermezzo.

 

[RobertWeathers]

somebody said blount would make the difference vs Jackson in this game.
I doubt it would be a significant difference.
The only significant difference in the running game can be made by OL.
If they are serious to run, they should add some help to the OL.
Iosefa was an interesting try (but with more FB role and RB just as surprise factor).
Or somebody else some other way to make the run even possible.
Running into a brick wall doesnt make much sense except for intermezzo.

Yea I don't think Blount would have been a difference maker.

Now Lewis on the other hand....

 

[IllegalContact]

I believe we will see a reemergence by LaFell

he was improving until Edleman went down......they then needed him to do some different things and the result was negative.....Sunday, I am calling for 7-8 targets with 5-6 catches and 60-70 yards and a TD.....book it

I also think Keshawn Martin will be open.......be interesting to see if Brady looks that way

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

somebody said blount would make the difference vs Jackson in this game.

They obviously haven't seen Blount play against this defense, which has only improved since 13 when one game he was completely shut down, and the other he joined Ridley on the bench after fumbling early.

I don't expect Jackson to do much Sunday, but the downgrade will be negligible if any. We haven't run on anyone but the colts in the playoffs for years 13, 14, and 15 thus far.

 

[sevengables_2207]

They obviously haven't seen Blount play against this defense, which has only improved since 13 when one game he was completely shut down, and the other he joined Ridley on the bench after fumbling early.

I don't expect Jackson to do much Sunday, but the downgrade will be negligible if any. We haven't run on anyone but the colts in the playoffs for years 13, 14, and 15 thus far.

Yeah, we won't see much of SJax until they get inside the red zone and see a front they feel comfortable running on, which may not be all too often, since the Broncos are extremely stingy against the run.

 

[phil112]

 

[Double TE]

Denver's offense is super scary: Until C.J. Anderson scored the go-ahead touchdown with three minutes left (set up by a turnover), Denver had gone 22 straight playoff possessions without a touchdown.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Wow....Schelereth said that he would be shocked if Denver wins.

New England Patriots Football - Patriots News, Scores, Stats, Rumors & More - ESPN

 

[RobertWeathers]

They obviously haven't seen Blount play against this defense, which has only improved since 13 when one game he was completely shut down, and the other he joined Ridley on the bench after fumbling early.

I don't expect Jackson to do much Sunday, but the downgrade will be negligible if any. We haven't run on anyone but the colts in the playoffs for years 13, 14, and 15 thus far.

Where is all this coming from? In Blounts 3 games vs this DEN D he has done virtually nothing. The reasons are the score dictated the run/pass selection (2013) and effectiveness (AFCCG and 2014 reg season game)

 

[SVN]

Rank ‘Em: Biggest concerns about AFC Championship game

 

[SVN]

Wow....Schelereth said that he would be shocked if Denver wins.

New England Patriots Football - Patriots News, Scores, Stats, Rumors & More - ESPN

Going overboard here. They are at home, relatively healthy, its the AFCCG , nobody should be shocked if denver wins.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Going overboard here. They are at home, relatively healthy, its the AFCCG , nobody should be shocked if denver wins.

BSPN is all about going overboard.

 

[sevengables_2207]

Going overboard here. They are at home, relatively healthy, its the AFCCG , nobody should be shocked if denver wins.

I would be mildly surprised given what each team has put on tape last weekend.

The advantages Denver has, the running game and home field/refs will not be a factor unless they manage to 1) shut down the Pats offense with a full compliment of weapons, a feat they hitherto have been unable to accomplish, 2) benefit from in-game injuries (e.g. Hightower last game), 3) decisively winning the turnover battle.

Since it will most likely require more than one of the aforementioned key to manifest, I would be mildly surprised to see Denver win, but not shocked.

Bottom line, it is going to be a difficult task to win in Denver. However, let's not pretend that the Broncos do not have as difficult--if not--more difficult task ahead of them too.

 

[IcyPatriot]

 

[BobDigital]

I know i is a joke but it is kinda sad too. I do hope this is his last game though. I don't want to see him back next year and decline even more. Going out as an AFC runner up to Brady is not all that bad really if it does happen.