Chadiha:You can write it down now:The Broncos will be playing in this year's SB

[SVN]

Peyton Manning, Broncos look simply super - ESPN

 

[Sicilian]

Oh thank god... I was getting worried I would be wasting so much time watching Patriots games this year. Now that I know I don't have to, I can get so much more done on my Sundays.

Thank you ESPN. You've saved my life.

 

[Jackson 2]

Peyton Manning, Broncos look simply super - ESPN

Totally unexpected column...

 

[Koma]

As anyone who follows football knows, it's always wise to make these sort of pronouncements after the first week, no, the first game, of the season.

 

[Deus Irae]

Jeff phoned that one in, and he pretty much acknowledged it right off the bat:

As risky as it is to draw conclusions from season-opening games

 

[SVN]

Jeff phoned that one in, and he pretty much acknowledged it right off the bat:

LOL. He needed to see game 1 to confirm his impressions. He wasnt sure before this.

 

[fxkane]

No mention that Baltimore won the first half.

Or that the actual score should have been more like 34-24

 

[kpreh]

I believe I've heard a few "know it alls in the media" saying the Ravens will have a hard time making the playoffs-they won't be as good-lost too many key players blah blah blah. So Denver beats them handily and Denver is the greatest team ever and the rest of the teams shouldn't even bother to play their games -just give the trophy to Denver. One game in a long tough season lets keep it in prospective shall we.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Too bad the Broncos had to play an AFC team. If it was the NFC, we could have called it the superbowl and headed home waiting for the draft.

Or maybe, we should wait and see what happens with the other 30 teams. While PM did look comfortable and in control, I'd like to think there are more talented teams out there that could give them a run for their money (including our very own Patriots).

 

[resdubwhite]

hard to take anything out of that game given how bad baltimore where. But if they're happy with the superbowl ticker tape parade plan now off they go.

I have every faith in Fox and Del Rio effing it up.

 

[Robdude]

Oh thank god... I was getting worried I would be wasting so much time watching Patriots games this year. Now that I know I don't have to, I can get so much more done on my Sundays.

Thank you ESPN. You've saved my life.

Exactly. I don't even know why there is a 17 week schedule anyways. One week and then crown a champion is what I say

 

[Kontradiction]

With that OL and choking dog they have at quarterback, they won't.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

They certainly had their way with the Ravens, but perhaps we should wait until the playoff's before deciding who's going to the SB. I think last night, was more of the combination of a very talented team coming up against a team that CLEARLY has issues. Offensively and defensively.

Not sure I'd call it anything more then that at this point.

 

[Rob0729]

LOL! Why does this deserve its own thread. Remember after the first week of 2003, the Bills were Super Bowl contenders and the Pats would be lucky to get 5 wins. The Pats went 14-2 and won the Super Bowl and the Bills went 4-12. Last year, the Jets put up 48 points in their opener. It took them their five more games to get their next 48 points for the season.

Every year, there are abnormalities the opening weekend. There are always teams that look dominant that end up being average or worse and teams that suck that end up going to the playoffs. These overreaction articles are funny.

Chadiha is a horrible writer to begin with. Not surprised he would write an article like this. Personally, I think this game was more a testament of how bad the Ravens are than how good the Broncos are.

 

[Brady6]

Peyton Manning, Broncos look simply super - ESPN

A lot can change between now and week 17. Also as well as they passed the football they did not excel in all aspects of the game, they allowed 393 total yards, 27 points, they only ran for 65 yards, and they turned the ball over 2 times. The turning point in the game was really the dropped pass on 3rd down by Welker that was missed by the officials and not challenged, after that play the Ravens appeared to implode.

 

[Bella*chick]

As anyone who follows football knows, it's always wise to make these sort of pronouncements after the first week, no, the first game, of the season.

Yes, I remember when the Buffalo Bills crushed in their first game and looked Superbowl bound.....2003, was it?

eta: I turned the game off late in the third. So they threw for every one of those TDs? Wow. Do they have a running game? What about inclement weather? Cold weather? I cannot believe the overreaction to this game by people who say they have been watching the NFL for a long, long time.

 

[alvinnf]

As soon as teams figure out that Manning has trouble exploiting the deep part of the field, they will start to flood the underneath zones and make it much more difficult for them offensively. I saw a QB who lost the zip on his fastball. Same thing the Ravens saw the second half of last years divisional game. The only deep shot I saw him take last night was an underthrown ball to Decker that drew an offensive PI. Only time will tell.

 

[Deus Irae]

As soon as teams figure out that Manning has trouble exploiting the deep part of the field, they will start to flood the underneath zones and make it much more difficult for them offensively. I saw a QB who lost the zip on his fastball. Same thing the Ravens saw the second half of last years divisional game. The only deep shot I saw him take last night was an underthrown ball to Decker that drew an offensive PI. Only time will tell.

He also missed Welker deep on a play where Welker had smoked Webb.

I think I saw what you saw. I saw a Manning who's arm strength isn't what it used to be and looks as if it'll struggle in weather, and on long outs. He also seemed to have lost some of his former touch. Whether that's just first game stuff, or something more longlasting, is something that will play itself out.

Having said that, the Broncos receiving group should be able to make up for a lot of that decline.

 

[Ivan]

And the Ravens are going to go 0-16..........

 

[alvinnf]

Next up for them is the Giants. That should be a taller task for Denver. They take away passing lanes with their length and can commit more players to the underneath stuff by only rushing four. If they can exploit that D with the way they are built, then I might be a believer. Right now I am still skeptical. On the other hand I thought the loss of Dumerville might have actually helped their D. They looked pretty good against the run. Pass D, too tough to tell. Once Jones went down the seams went down with him.