Broncos: Easiest path to the #1 seed ever?

[PatsFanSince74]

You have the perfect forum name except you might want to add a few letters like....

Denver_Oner_And_Doner

I think that's a distinct possibility once your team for the first time in nearly a month finds an opponent who is not fighting for a top 10 seed

:trolls:
10 char

 

[TDDT]

The Pats had an easier path to the #1 seed last year than the Broncos this year. Stupid thread.

 

[Rob0729]

I heard Andy Gresh say last night that the Pats and Broncos played similar schedules. He argued although the Pats beat playoff teams in the Texans, Colts, and Broncos; the Broncos beat equally talented teams in Ravens and Bengals. Huh?!?

Yes, the Pats started the Texans on a decline from the #1 seed to the #3 seed with three losses in four weeks; but the Ravens team that played the Broncos wouldn't have even gotten to .500 if that was the Raven team that played the entire year. The Ravens would have lost their last five games if the horrible Chargers didn't give up a 4th and 27 on a simple dump off pass.

Yes, the Broncos have improved and they can only play the schedule they have been given, but I think their improvement has been overstated and overrated by the fact that they only faced two teams since week 5 with more than 7 wins on the season. In fact four of their final eleven games were against teams with 5 or less wins. A big part of the Broncos' resurgence is because they had arguably one of the easiest schedules in the second half of the season.

The Broncos are a very good team, but no one knows if they are a team that can beat an elite team in the playoffs even at home. Luckily for them, the only elite team they will likely face in the AFC is the Pats. Although, I think either the Colts or Cincy (I know Cincy lost at home to them) may be able to give the a run for their money.

 

[Rob0729]

The Pats had an easier path to the #1 seed last year than the Broncos this year. Stupid thread.

First, that isn't exactly true. Yes, they didn't face as many playoff teams as the Broncos, but most of their schedule were against 8-8 teams. This year, the Broncos had six games vs. teams with 5 or less wins. So the Pats didn't face teams the same quality as the Falcons, Pats, or Texans this year like the Broncos. But they also didn't face as many cupcakes like the Chiefs (twice with the worst record in the NFL) or Raiders (twice).

Second, the Pats path to the Super Bowl last year was easier. They faced an 8-8 Broncos team that played in a division where teams tried harder to lose the division than win it in the Division Round. In the AFCG, they needed some luck and choking by the Ravens to get to the Super Bowl. The Broncos could have the lucky breaks like the Pats had last year, but I think if last year's Pats had to face this year's Pats (or a team of similar quality) to get to get to the Super Bowl they would have watched the Super Bowl on TV at home.

People keep pointing to last year's Patriots as proof to why the Broncos are so good, but the AFC sucked last year and worse than this year. The Pats were lucky to basically have two bye weeks leading up to the AFCCG. I don't know if the Broncos will have as easy of a path.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

their O is very good. Mcghee hurt will hurt them in the long run. I know their D is top 5 in NFL...but when teams (pats) run no huddle on them...they get gassed and slow..and quick. I am not worried about their D. But of our D trying to stop them in the 4th when we need a key 3rd down stop. Lets hope we make it that far first

 

[SHOWTIME15]

If cincy can win on saturday, they could give the broncos problems. These same teams played earlier this year, and if it weren't for a flukey kick off return for a TD by denver, it would have veen a 24-23 win by denver. Manning was picked off twice by terrence newman.

 

[brdmaverick]

I agree with the premise, but it's hard to say what that means moving forward. I believe the 2010 Pats set a record for most playoff teams beaten in the regular season, and we all know how that turned out.

Wow, even more than the 2007 team.

In 2007 the Pats beat the following playoff teams in the regular season.......

San Diego Chargers
Indianapolis Colts
Pittsburgh Steelers
New York Giants
Dallas Cowboys
Washington Redskins

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Wow, even more than the 2007 team.

In 2007 the Pats beat the following playoff teams in the regular season.......

San Diego Chargers
Indianapolis Colts
Pittsburgh Steelers
New York Giants
Dallas Cowboys
Washington Redskins

Jacksonville too

 

[BlueThunder]

Gronk knocked off some rust and has 2 weeks to get healthier. Talib and Dennard have a couple weeks to get back healthy. Like what we saw with the effort that Francis exhibited vs Miami. Another fresh body on Defense that can make other QB's uncomfortable. Hope Nink's injury heals fast and isn't serious.

Bring on the Colts,Texans,Ravens or Bungles. They will be vanquished and sent to the golf course.

 

[Kontradiction]

The Broncos trolls should realize a few things...

1. The Pats have waxed them the last three times they've played.

2. The Pats are more than capable of waxing them in Denver.

3. The Pats defense, especially the defensive backfield, has improved since the last time these two met.

4. Brady has never lost to a Jack Del Rio team.

5. The Denver defense, in its current form, has not shown the ability to stop New England's multiple TE sets.

Number five is the most important one. Denver's strength as a defense is their ability to man up on the opposing team's WR's. That plays right to New England's strength as a team. Your LB's are not athletic or big enough to cover Hernandez and Gronk. And, even more alarmingly, Denver's defense didn't show any ability to stop the Patriots running game earlier in the season, either (being that they couldn't key in on whether it was a pass or a run when Brady was under center).

On the flip side, the Pats pass defense has been improved with the addition of Talib (who, when healthy, is capable of handling Thomas one on one) and the emergence of Dennard. They get the bye week to rest up and come back. With McGahee done for the year, it doesn't look good for a team that already didn't match up well with the Patriots. Denver's best hope, IMO, is to either pray that another team takes the Pats out before a potential AFCCG match-up or pray that one of Hernandez, Gronk, or Welker suffers an injury prior to the game (which I wouldn't put past some of you trolls).

Otherwise, welcome to the Thunderdome, you dirt snakes.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Is it just me, or would it actually be kind of cool to see Brady and Manning reenacting the drama of the two thousandsies one more time?

Would love to see Denver to handle their business... and us too, of course... and then beat goober in his new mile-high digs.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Is it just me, or would it actually be kind of cool to see Brady and Manning reenacting the drama of the two thousandsies one more time?

Would love to see Denver to handle their business... and us too, of course... and then beat goober in his new mile-high digs.

would rather host the AFC champ game

 

[Rob0729]

If cincy can win on saturday, they could give the broncos problems. These same teams played earlier this year, and if it weren't for a flukey kick off return for a TD by denver, it would have veen a 24-23 win by denver. Manning was picked off twice by terrence newman.

I agree. I think the worst possible path for the Broncos would be Cincy and the Pats. The weakness of the Broncos defense is defending the TE and slot receivers. Gresham had a very good game vs. the Broncos in the first match up (6 catches for 108 yards).

 

[Rob0729]

Is it just me, or would it actually be kind of cool to see Brady and Manning reenacting the drama of the two thousandsies one more time?

Would love to see Denver to handle their business... and us too, of course... and then beat goober in his new mile-high digs.

I always believe that if you are truly Super Bowl caliber, you aren't afraid of playing anyone anywhere. If the Pats could beat Denver and Denver, then no one could question who the truly best team in the AFC, if not the NFL is.

 

[BananaRepublican]

Why become small fans? The Broncos have played well lately and continue to get better. They aren't going quietly in the night. As we all know the winner of any game in the NFL is the team that shows up and wants it more, plus the bounce of the ball, the bounce of the officials, and maybe a good crotch shot by the head cheerleader.

Jimmy the Greek (God rest his soul, he's in heaven now along with greats like Lou Gerhig, he even told Lou to his face, "Lou, you died of Lou Gerhig's disease, how did you not see that coming?") said always bet the streaks. If it's a losing streak, bet it to continue. If it's a winning streak, bet it to continue.

Unfortunately for Jimmy's theory the Pats have a winning streak going against the Broncos but the Broncos have a winning streak going against the league. How come you didn't see that coming Jimmy?

 

[SeymourTrophies]

Vollmer's health will be huge if we meet the Broncos. The Broncos defense has two beasts on the edge. Interior pressure is the key, and the Broncos haven't gotten an interior rush on us in the last few games.

On paper, we shouldn't be engulfed, but neither should they. As we know, crazy s--- happens in the playoffs that can't be detected on paper. This first round bye is friggin uge though. Healthy secondary, healthy Jones, healthy Gronk. One less game to beat up Welker.

 

[BlueThunder]

I wonder how well the youngsters (rookies) on defense will handle the playoffs.

Pats are playing 5 of them.

(Jones,Hightower,Dennard,Wilson, Francis.)


So far, they have improved weekly. The fruits of their efforts should show up nicely next season improving an already improving defense. :rocker:

 

[sevengables_2207]

What no one has yet to talk about is the weather and possible snow which is always a possibility in late January in Colorado.

IF the two teams meet and IF there somehow is a snow event then there goes that Mile High advantage and instantly becomes a neutral site,everyone knows when its the playoffs AND there is snow and cold,Peyton is a different QB and he is simply not anywhere near as good,Manning excells in a dome with warmth,put him in the elements and he is not as dangerous.

It could also level the playing field a week earlier as well...the weather COULD become a factor down the road.

This is an intriguing hypothetical. Snow would seemingly level the playingfield... Or tip the balance to New England.

I wonder if someone could find comparative statistics between Manning and Brady in wintry conditions? (I would research myself but do not have the time and am posting off my smartphone/3G) I would expect Brady's to be much better and the sample size to be larger.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

In today's NFL, there are few times when teams really have a tough schedule, especially if you play in a division that doesn't yield several playoff teams.

Pats didn't exactly have a tough schedule this year either. Had they taken care of Arizona at home (5-11 Arizona). They would have finished 13-3 and gotten the #1 seed just like Denver, and the Pats wouldn't have needed to win a single difficult game on the road. Pats also got to play both Houston and Denver in Foxboro, so they had a schedule advantage regarding tiebreakers. Broncos took care of business, and you need to give them credit.

Even if the Pats had won the SB last year, something still felt like it was missing. They need to win one of these brutal road matchups to really graduate into being a true championship team. If they end up going to Denver, that is the type of game that can springboard them into their next championship era, and there's no doubt it would also make them much better if they make the SB.

It won't be easy, but teams like the Ravens and Jets in recent years have come into Foxboro and played their tails off. It would be nice to see the Pats do that for once.

 

[patfanken]

In today's NFL, there are few times when teams really have a tough schedule, especially if you play in a division that doesn't yield several playoff teams.

Pats didn't exactly have a tough schedule this year either. Had they taken care of Arizona at home (5-11 Arizona). They would have finished 13-3 and gotten the #1 seed just like Denver, and the Pats wouldn't have needed to win a single difficult game on the road. Pats also got to play both Houston and Denver in Foxboro, so they had a schedule advantage regarding tiebreakers. Broncos took care of business, and you need to give them credit.

Even if the Pats had won the SB last year, something still felt like it was missing. They need to win one of these brutal road matchups to really graduate into being a true championship team. If they end up going to Denver, that is the type of game that can springboard them into their next championship era, and there's no doubt it would also make them much better if they make the SB.

It won't be easy, but teams like the Ravens and Jets in recent years have come into Foxboro and played their tails off. It would be nice to see the Pats do that for once.

:When you lose 4 games by a total of 11 points and you only needed to win one more to get the #1 seed, there are a myriad number of "what ifs" that arise.

But I agree, if we are truly Superbowl worthy, playing a tough game against a good opponent in Denver, shouldn't be a fear, but rather a challenge. I think this team has the mental toughness to overcome that challengel