Denver is ready to make a serious run

[BradyManny]

These Broncos are going to be a real contender in the playoffs.

No, they aren't.

Don't worry about the record. That team isn't that good. We destroyed them for the third straight time in three chances. Peyton Manning or not, that team isn't going to factor into the AFC title.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

One half of football, no matter how outstanding, doesn't make a team great. At 3-3, they have a win over their biggest divisional opponent and a chance to control their own destiny.

I'm not saying they will or they won't. Give me a couple more weeks and we'll see where they are at.

 

[BradyManny]

One half of football, no matter how outstanding, doesn't make a team great. At 3-3, they have a win over their biggest divisional opponent and a chance to control their own destiny.

I'm not saying they will or they won't. Give me a couple more weeks and we'll see where they are at.

Here's how they've fared in the first half against decent teams:

Steelers 10 Broncos 7
Falcons 20 Broncos 7
Texans 21 Broncos 11
Patriots 17 Broncos 7
Chargers 24 Broncos 0

It's easy to pile up passing stats from behind. 11 of Manning's TD passes have come in the second half, playing from behind, in three of those cases they lost. So there's some real empty stats there. If San Diego hadn't folded the other day, this team would look a lot different.

 

[Fball]

Here's how they've fared in the first half against decent teams:

Steelers 10 Broncos 7
Falcons 20 Broncos 7
Texans 21 Broncos 11
Patriots 17 Broncos 7
Chargers 24 Broncos 0

It's easy to pile up passing stats from behind. 11 of Manning's TD passes have come in the second half, playing from behind, in three of those cases they lost. So there's some real empty stats there. If San Diego hadn't folded the other day, this team would look a lot different.

I don't think the above is going to carry too much over into the regular season. Most of those deficits are more about a young team figuring out who it is, & Manning shaking off some rust. There aren't going to be a lot of games where he throws 3 picks in 8 minutes, or where special teams fumbles 2 returns.

That's why I think the 2nd half on Monday was big for that team. We saw the kind of identity they're trying to establish - a team that can get after the QB on defense, and adjust to their new offense & to Manning's audibles to move the chains.

 

[BradyManny]

I don't think the above is going to carry too much over into the regular season. Most of those deficits are more about a young team figuring out who it is, & Manning shaking off some rust. There aren't going to be a lot of games where he throws 3 picks in 8 minutes, or where special teams fumbles 2 returns.

Couldn't disagree more. It's something a lot more tangible. Teams loosen up the coverages when they get a big lead - they start to allow the underneath stuff. That plays right into Manning's game right now.

There's a reason why this offense hasn't been productive in the first half of games. And it's not rust.

And this defense still isn't very good, even in spite of Von Miller.

 

[VrabelJr]

Denver Broncos | Season Schedule

Their toughest games were all within the first 6 weeks (Steelers, Falcons, Texans, Patriots).

There rest of the schedule is easy and very winnable for them (Browns, Raiders, Chargers, Chiefs, Panthers, Bucs, Saints, Injured Ravens).


Plus Peyton Manning is getting his confidence back and is still an elite QB. Every week his controls and chemistry with that Denver offense looks stronger.





These Broncos are going to be a real contender in the playoffs.

Your logic isn't very good. Beating up on an easy schedule doesn't make you "a real contender in the playoffs." It gets you to the playoffs and then you get upset.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Football gods, could we be football fans be blessed with one final Brady- Manning duel, a Pats-Broncos AFC Championship please!

 

[goheels22002]

It doesn't look easy for the Colts,... er, Broncos to me.

The weather and change in elevation is a new factor for much of that team, and their aging quarterback. Manning is going to have to play home games in wind, cold and snow which was never his cup of tea. He hasn't played a snow game in two years, so just practicing up there is not going to make him sure-footed or sure-handed all of a sudden.

The Broncos defense is anything but solid against passing teams and there are lots of good QBs in that mix of opponents. The Ravens may be depleted on defense, but their offense should pile up lots of points with Flacco throwing and Rice running. Same with the Raiders, Chargers and Saints which all have good QBs and good to excellent running backs.

With the parity we see all over the NFL, week 6 hardly feels like a point in time that tells us much about the remainder of the season. Do we feel, for example, that the Atlanta Falcons looks like a 16-0 team, or that the Patriots look like an 8-8 team?

 

[Ring 6]

Denver will only get better as the year goes on.

Why? I think the opposite may happen. There D is shaky, and Manning may not hold up through a full season, especially one where he is hit more than ever before.
Overall they appear to be a pretty old team, and those aren't types that improve late.

 

[thenepatsrule]

i think they are a 9-7 team at best