2016 Broncos Thread: Elway or the Highway

[Stitch01]

That schedule looks like a good chance to start 8-0 and Im not fully on the Raiders hype train yet so they're in pretty good shape with that schedule.

Bengals look poised to take a step back this year, so that's not quite the win it would have been a season ago, but Broncos have to be encouraged by the way Siemian played in his road debut. I still think there's a pretty good chance Lynch ends up getting a shot sooner or later, but that was a better outing for the quarterback.

They're probably 1 and 1a with the Patriots right now in the AFC.

 

[86spike]

That schedule looks like a good chance to start 8-0 and Im not fully on the Raiders hype train yet so they're in pretty good shape with that schedule.

Bengals look poised to take a step back this year, so that's not quite the win it would have been a season ago, but Broncos have to be encouraged by the way Siemian played in his road debut. I still think there's a pretty good chance Lynch ends up getting a shot sooner or later, but that was a better outing for the quarterback.

They're probably 1 and 1a with the Patriots right now in the AFC.

I could definitely see an 8-0 start followed by a 4-4 back end for Denver.

 

[j-man]

Taking a look at the rest of Denver's schedule:

• 4 OCT 2 2:05PMMDT * AT
  
  BUCCANEERS
  
  
• 
  5 OCT 9 2:05PMMDT )
  
  FALCONS
  
  
• 
  6 OCT 13 6:25PMMDT * , AT
  
  CHARGERS
  
  
• 
  7 OCT 24 6:30PMMDT +
  
  TEXANS
  
  
• 
  8 OCT 30 2:05PMMDT *
  
  CHARGERS
  
  
• 
  9 NOV 6 6:30PMMST ' AT
  
  RAIDERS
  
  
• 
  10 NOV 13 11:00AMMST * AT
  
  SAINTS
  
  
• 
  11 BYE
  
  
• 
  12 NOV 27 2:25PMMST *
  
  CHIEFS
  
  
• 
  13 DEC 4 11:00AMMST * AT
  
  JAGUARS
  
  
• 
  14 DEC 11 11:00AMMST * AT
  
  TITANS
  
  
• 
  15 DEC 18 2:25PMMST *
  
  PATRIOTS
  
  
• 
  16 DEC 25 6:30PMMST ' AT
  
  CHIEFS
  
  
• 
  17 JAN 1 2:25PMMST *
  
  RAIDERS

Their 6 remaining home games include, in order of toughness (top being toughest - rankings my opinion):

New England (Week 15)
Oakland (Week 17)
KC (Week 12 - after the bye)
Atlanta (Week 5)
Texans (Week 7)
SD (Week 8)

I'd say they are good for 4 maybe 5 wins there.

The 7 remaining road games include, in order of toughness (top being toughest - rankings my opinion):

@ Oakland (Week 9)
@ Saints (Week 10 - Brees is deadly in the Superdome)
@ KC (Week 16)
@ TB (week 4)
@ SD (Week 6 - Thursday Night game so unpredictable)
@ Titans (Week 14)
@ Jax (Week 13)
(those last 4 could be shuffled)

Probably looking at 4 or 5 wins there too.

So this may be an 11-13 win season for Denver if things stay on course. I think that's enough to win the AFC West, but Oakland (moreso than KC IMO) have a real shot at the division too. Oakland still has @ Bal, Car, Indy, and 2 against both Den and KC so they've got some tough games. Week 17 with Oakland playing in Denver could be for the division title. Interesting.

Digging in a little deeper, the hardest games (the top 3 from both lists) come in Week 9, Week 10, Week 12 (after the bye); Week 15, Week 16 and Week 17. They had 3 tough games to start and then have a soft middle schedule over the next 5 weeks before getting back into the teeth of the competition. Going 3-0 here at the start of the season is really huge for Denver's division hopes.

i think denver can go 14-2 and if they want to go to Houston they are going to have to win 14 ballgames because NE is 2007 good that i only see NE losing twice tops let say @ den and etiher at the JETS or SF

here is how i rank the 6 Home Games
1 NE 2 OAK 3 ATL 4 SD 5 KC 6 HOU no watt no chance

7 road games
1 @ kc 2 @ oak 3 @ tenn 4 @ tb 5 @ no 6 @ jax 7 @ sd

L as of now W 9 @ OAK W 16 @ KC trap game week 14 @ Tenn if denver beats NE at home i see 8-0 at home and i see denver winning week 9 or 14 so 14-2 for den and that puts pressure on NE to win every non denver game which means goddell couild try to knock u guys out to 14-2 and make u play balt in the div round and then at den which would be sb 51

 

[j-man]

They look good but, again, it's week 3. Things happen, and they happen even more frequently to inexperienced QBs.

Yeah, they could (and likely will be) still good in 10 weeks, but odds are they will be materially different than they are, currently.

Remember in 2002 when the Pats started off on fire and then the league caught up to them a bit, their defense slowed down, and they missed the playoffs? It happens.

disagree in 2002 NE had a ageing front 7 with littie speed they had good LB'S but couild not get a pass rush up the middle also had T Law and L Milloy and littie else benind them denver has the best CB in the NFL top 5 Safety play top LB unit Top 10 K

and on new england off Weis fell in love with a 5 wr base off which back then only gannon couild pull off + the Jets Billis and Miami were all good back them

 

[Marciano490]

i think denver can go 14-2 and if they want to go to Houston they are going to have to win 14 ballgames because NE is 2007 good that i only see NE losing twice tops let say @ den and etiher at the JETS or SF

here is how i rank the 6 Home Games
1 NE 2 OAK 3 ATL 4 SD 5 KC 6 HOU no watt no chance

7 road games
1 @ kc 2 @ oak 3 @ tenn 4 @ tb 5 @ no 6 @ jax 7 @ sd

L as of now W 9 @ OAK W 16 @ KC trap game week 14 @ Tenn if denver beats NE at home i see 8-0 at home and i see denver winning week 9 or 14 so 14-2 for den and that puts pressure on NE to win every non denver game which means goddell couild try to knock u guys out to 14-2 and make u play balt in the div round and then at den which would be sb 51

You think we might lose to the Jets or Niners of all teams? Both look atrocious. What about Pitt or Seattle?

 

[pappymojo]

The Jets have their flaws but they are not atrocius. Out of the six in-division games for the Pats, playing at the Jets is probably their toughest match up.

 

[nothumb]

The Jets have their flaws but they are not atrocius. Out of the six in-division games for the Pats, playing at the Jets is probably their toughest match up.

Depending who plays QB Sunday.

The Pats also usually suck @MIA. I'd agree that @NYJ is orobably toughest, but this week could also be tougher than it looks.

 

[Marciano490]

The Jets have their flaws but they are not atrocius. Out of the six in-division games for the Pats, playing at the Jets is probably their toughest match up.

I'll take Pats (with Brady) -6.5 at NYJ here and now if you're down.

 

[pappymojo]

I was more commenting on the terminology. I agree that the 49ers are atrocious. There's no way the Jets are that bad. I'm sure you can name six teams that are worse.

You want to give odds on the Patriots winning both games against the Jets this year?

 

[Marciano490]

I was more commenting on the terminology. I agree that the 49ers are atrocious. There's no way the Jets are that bad. I'm sure you can name six teams that are worse.

You want to give odds on the Patriots winning both games against the Jets this year?

Atrocious was an oversell on them generally. They looked awful Sunday but should obviously be better going forward. I don't think they're a good team or a threat, though.

Even odds seems fairish for any one NFL team to sweep another.

 

[j-man]

You think we might lose to the Jets or Niners of all teams? Both look atrocious. What about Pitt or Seattle?

Seattle is at your house + worst o-line in leauge a 50+ wilson

u own pitt u couild score every time u get the ball aga them

NYJ always play u good and chip kelly had the best gameplan aga u last season

 

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

ProFootballTalk is reporting that the Dallas PD have concluded that Talib did shoot himself during the offseason.

They're quoting a Dallas ABC news affiliate.

 

[54thMA]

i think denver can go 14-2 and if they want to go to Houston they are going to have to win 14 ballgames because NE is 2007 good that i only see NE losing twice tops let say @ den and etiher at the JETS or SF

I love your Patriots optimism, but according to your plan, that puts them at 13-3 as you did not factor in fatso and the Bills beating them. Plus they are at Denver, Pittsburg, Buffalo and the Dolphins including at the Jets and also home to Seattle.

Division games are always dogfights, they lost back to back division games last year and pissed away a trip to the Super Bowl.

Understood about injuries, blah, blah, blah, but Miami had their bags packed for the season and the Patriots had HFA up for grabs and lost.

Three to five losses is not out of the question; that top 5 defense had better remove their heads from their collective asses.

Without HFA and if they have to go through Pittsburg and Denver, forget it. Denver has without the doubt the biggest home field advantage in the NFL, I thought the old Orange Bowl was the loudest stadium until I traveled to Denver for a game...............

 

[j-man]

NP NE is the gold standard in football with brady gronk bill u alawys have a shot + u have a top 5 def

 

[Sox and Rocks]

ProFootballTalk is reporting that the Dallas PD have concluded that Talib did shoot himself during the offseason.

They're quoting a Dallas ABC news affiliate.

The report was done by captain obvious.

Looking forward to the fine Talib receives, his what, 10th in the past few years? Clearly taking a loaded gun to a club, getting inebriated, and firing said gun in public isn't suspension worthy in Roger's kingdom.

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

Yeah, Talib shooting himself isn't exactly breaking news....

I don't carry a gun all that much, but when I do I go into hyper vigilant, hyper tense mode, and the guns I carry are rifles and/or shotguns. It blows my mind that humans can carry loaded handguns on themselves and relax.

 

[Marciano490]

Yeah, Talib shooting himself isn't exactly breaking news....

I don't carry a gun all that much, but when I do I go into hyper vigilant, hyper tense mode, and the guns I carry are rifles and/or shotguns. It blows my mind that humans can carry loaded handguns on themselves and relax.

I'm sure weed or booze help.

 

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

Yeah, Talib shooting himself isn't exactly breaking news.....

The breaking news isn't that he shot himself and lied to the officers in the initial report. It's that the Dallas Police will be going public with those findings shortly now that their investigation has concluded. The source states that he will most likely not be charged but is still subject to league discipline. One would think Roger would do something, no?

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

The breaking news isn't that he shot himself and lied to the officers in the initial report. It's that the Dallas Police will be going public with those findings shortly now that their investigation has concluded. The source states that he will most likely not be charged but is still subject to league discipline. One would think Roger would do something, no?

Well.........not really. Plaxico Burress definitely did something worse than Talib in that:

a) He was carrying a gun that was not licensed and he did not have a concealed carry permit.
b) New York City is about as "anti gun" a place as you will find, and
c) He was carrying said gun in a crowded nightclub (please note: this is undoubtedly subjective)

When the Giants tried to suspend him and withhold the $1MM in signing monies owed to Burress the NFLPA filed paperwork and Burress got his money. He never received any discipline from the league nor from his team.

Now.......Burress also spent 20 months in the big house (which, thankfully for him, meant prison, not the home stadium for the University of Michigan sleazeweasels), so maybe the whole point was moot, but he was not disciplined by the league. It may be that Talib is punished. I can't possibly come up with a scenario where his actions weren't horrible for the brand and against any personal conduct policy written into every contract in America. But the precedent seems to be that if you shoot yourself then it isn't a big deal for the league.



Sidebar - I love that there is, as a point of fact, a precedent for "took a handgun someplace stupid and shot himself accidentally."

 

[Super Nomario]

Indianapolis running back Zurlon Tipton was also not disciplined for accidentally shooting himself. Probably because of pro-Colts bias in the league office.

 

[Mooch]

The Broncos defense yesterday showed some holes and the Falcons may have exposed a fatal flaw: When Atlanta lined up Tevin Coleman in the slot against the Broncos linebackers (particularly Brandon Marshall), he carved them up. If the Pats can get Dion Lewis back healthy, they can create similar mismatches in the passing game.

 

[johnmd20]

Agreed with the Lewis comment, but he has to learn how to stay healthy or else it's a moot point. At this juncture, he's Mr. Glass.

 

[CoffeeNerdness]

I think calling being vulnerable to passing catching RBs a fatal flaw is a bit much. Overall they only gave up 23 pts, 267 passing yards, and one passing TD to the NFL passing leader. It does seem to be a weakness, but it's not going to sink their season. Their biggest issue yesterday was at the QB position.

They do seem vulnerable to the run, which could get exposed as we get deeper into the season. They've given up the 9th most rush yards so far this year. Between Blount, Lewis (hopefully), White and/or Foster, they definitely have the weapons to exploit their biggest defensive weaknesses.

 

[CoffeeNerdness]

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

Agreed with the Lewis comment, but he has to learn how to stay healthy or else it's a moot point. At this juncture, he's Mr. Glass.

Call me crazy, but it's starting to appear that White can be at least 80% what Lewis was for the Pats last year. He's turning out to be a pretty dynamic option coming out of the backfield as a 3rd down receiver. More please!

 

[pokey_reese]

Call me crazy, but it's starting to appear that White can be at least 80% what Lewis was for the Pats last year. He's turning out to be a pretty dynamic option coming out of the backfield as a 3rd down receiver. More please!

I'm not going to call you crazy, but maybe a little overly optimistic. Here is the game-by-game:

ARI - 44 total yards, 4 rec for 40 yds (4 yds rushing)
MIA - 29 total yards, 2 rec for 10 yds (19 yds rushing)
HOU - 14 total yards, 1 rec for 2 yds (12 yds rushing)
BUF - 62 total yards, 5 rec for 50 yds (12 yds rushing)
CLE - 89 total yards, 4 rec for 63 yds (26 yds rushing)

I think that yesterday's game was helped by getting Brady back (which will obviously continue), the heavy pass-run ratio slant (will change game to game), and the fact that they were playing the worst team in the NFL (won't happen again). While I like that he has a few 40+ yard receiving games, the fact that he is really not much of a running threat in all but a few cases makes him more like Faulk to me, than Lewis. When he was healthy last year, Lewis was a real dual threat, while White is mainly just a receiver out of the backfield. Of course, that's a good thing to have, and I think he can definitely convert a few 3rd and longs, and maybe take a screen pass or two for a good gain each week, I don't know that he replaces what Lewis did.

edit: just realized that we turned the Broncos thread into the Lewis/White thread. Not sure if that's ok...

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

I meant strictly as a receiving option re: him being 80% of lewis. And yes double apology from me for jacking the thread.

According to NFL.com Siemian is good to go for Thursday so I guess we will know pretty soon whether yesterday was a blip or a true sign of trouble. I'm going with blip because their defense is just too good.

 

[pokey_reese]

Agree, re: Broncos defense. As CoffeeNerdness mentioned, this loss was pretty much entirely on the offense. Holding the best point-scoring team in the league to 23 points when your offense can't keep your defense off the field and gives up the ball is actually a pretty good outcome. How many points do we think Jacoby and the gang would have given up to the Falcons, if they gave the Bills 16?

 

[CoffeeNerdness]

Kubiak has a "complex migraine condition" he will not coach Thurs. and will be away from the team until 10/27. ST coach DeCamillas will be the interim HC.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000718389/article/broncos-coach-gary-kubiak-taken-to-hospital

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

That sucks. Hope he recovers soon. I get a true migraine about once a year and wouldn't even wish it upon Rex Ryan. When it happens the light from the clock on my cable box in the bedroom is enough to make me cry from pain.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Kubiak has a "complex migraine condition" he will not coach Thurs. and will be away from the team until 10/27. ST coach DeCamillas will be the interim HC.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000718389/article/broncos-coach-gary-kubiak-taken-to-hospital

Didn't he have a heart attack on the sidelines a few years ago? Somethings fishy...

 

[j-man]

Denver is still at worse number 2 in the afc Kubiak was too gung ho on the pass game on off we played awful for 3 q with steveton green back for SD and simean i would say 80 % unless SD can jump out to a big lead early and take out of wearing teams down in the 4th we will win

if den can get by OAK nov 6 and SD twice in 3 weeks denver could still be 9-1 at the bye

only major weakness is OL Pass blocking ATL OL might be the best OL denver sees all year about the NE running backs sure IF everyone is Healhy NE is a huge theat but 1 inj to your OT or J White Lewis or 11 and u are in trouble

 

[j-man]

Agree, re: Broncos defense. As CoffeeNerdness mentioned, this loss was pretty much entirely on the offense. Holding the best point-scoring team in the league to 23 points when your offense can't keep your defense off the field and gives up the ball is actually a pretty good outcome. How many points do we think Jacoby and the gang would have given up to the Falcons, if they gave the Bills 16?

Kubiak lost the game by not matching the falcons fire in the 1st haif had denver kept the game to 13-10 13-6 13-3 in the 4th atl wouild had ran out of steam the play call where lynch threw the pick from the 1 doom us had we just ran the ball 3 times and punted maybe we hold to a fg and the game is 16-10 ATL or 17-16 DEN

 

[Leather]

Yeah, so. Not as good as they looked in week 3.

 

[Toe Nash]

Are Denver fans worried? The offensive line and QB situation are looking rough. Plenty of time to fix the former, I guess, and I think Siemian can be competent if he has some time (assuming Sanders and Thomas stay healthy).

I think they will handle Houston and San Diego at home, which would put them in a fairly good spot at 6-2 going into their first meeting with Oakland. Still tough games after that with @ KC, NE, and OAK to finish the year.

Fortunately for them I guess the non-division leaders are looking pretty lousy so I'm not seeing them missing the playoffs entirely. But HFA is a question for sure even if they beat NE.

 

[H78]

I can't wait for the Patriots to utterly kick the shit out of this team.

 

[ElcaballitoMVP]

I can't wait for the Patriots to utterly kick the shit out of this team.

The last two weeks they've had Atlanta expose them when they put their RB's into the passing game to spread out their LB's and then San Diego moved the ball all day utilizing two TE's and getting the ball out quickly to negate the rush. The Pats do those two things as good as anyone.

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

Also don't imagine that BB will have the team playing for 3pts as soon as they get into FG range.

Wondering if what we saw last night was just some rust/lingering effects of the concussion on Siemian or if it's just his rookie-ness being exploited or if he's just not so good. Obviously way to soon to confirm the last or. He was pretty dreadful last night especially in the 1st half.

 

[H78]

The last two weeks they've had Atlanta expose them when they put their RB's into the passing game to spread out their LB's and then San Diego moved the ball all day utilizing two TE's and getting the ball out quickly to negate the rush. The Pats do those two things as good as anyone.

I've had the same exact thoughts, particularly during the Falcons game. If our offensive line is going to remain, at least, ~league average, the 2016 Broncos do not matchup well with the 2016 Patriots. At all. If we have Dion Lewis back and he's at full strength, the Broncos are doubly fucked.

Assuming no major injuries to either team between now and then, and assuming no fluky weather helps the game in the Broncos' favor, I think the Pats win by at least two touchdowns. In Denver.

 

[H78]

I mean all they'll have to do is flank Dion Lewis out wide (to occupy a safety), with Bennett, Gronk, and Edelman playing inside, have someone in the backfield to pickup the blitz, and the Broncos would be fucked beyond belief. If they choose not to have someone in the backfield to block for TB12, then you can also throw Hogan/Amendola on the field and have Gronk and/or Bennett chip anyone rushing from the second level (which would then leave them open for a quick pass).

Two TE's
One or two Slots (Edelman/Amendola)
One or two deep threats (Amendola/Hogan/Lewis)

Bennett, Gronk, and Edelman would force impossible matchups for the LBs/nickel corner, and Ward would have to play deep to respect Lewis/Hogan/Amendola's speed (which would leave him off of Gronk and Bennett). It would be a matchup nightmare for the Broncos so long as the Pats' o-line can holdup for three seconds. Truthfully, even if Lewis isn't back, it's STILL a matchup nightmare for Denver.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Russell Okung was taken to the hospital last night with concussion-like symptoms. Luckily, he was cleared to fly back to Denver but did not ride the team charter back.

http://www.9news.com/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/mike-klis/bronco-notes-okung-taken-to-hospital-with-concussion/335953619

 

[bakahump]

http://den.247sports.com/Bolt/Emmanuel-Sanders-suffers-left-hip-injury-against-Chargers-48227925

Annnnd Sanders is at least dinged up. But its not like a hip injury should bother a WR

 

[CoffeeNerdness]

Wondering if what we saw last night was just some rust/lingering effects of the concussion on Siemian or if it's just his rookie-ness being exploited or if he's just not so good.

I didn't hear anything about a concussion. It was a shoulder injury that knocked him out of action. Also, he's a second year guy.

 

[Marciano490]

Is there history for a QB with Siemian's credentials turning good? I don't mean the late pick, but someone whose pro stats are appreciably better than their college stats? Senior year, his Y/A was in the 5's and his completion percentage was under 60.

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

I didn't hear anything about a concussion. It was a shoulder injury that knocked him out of action. Also, he's a second year guy.

Jesus. Like is said in V&N very recently. I am not a smart man, Jennay.

Although in my defense I did say rookie-ness! Ha!

 

[CoffeeNerdness]

To your point, I do think that the injury may have had a lingering effect. He did not look that bad in his previous games and actually aired it out v. ATL. He barely even threw beyond 10 yards last night. I bet he was shitting his pants over getting his shoulder crunched again.

 

[genoasalami]

More info on #Broncos RB CJ Anderson: @MikeGarafolo reports he’s out at least a few weeks with a bone bruise. Possible it is more. Not good

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

Not as huge a loss as it would seem at first glance. Devontae Booker might be better.

 

[CoffeeNerdness]

Definitely hurts them in the pass protection department which is an early knock on Booker's game. I'd imagine they'll sign Juwan Thompson off of the practice squad because he's got experience in that 3rd down back role. Not much, but more than Booker.

 

[j-man]

sorry i been away my dad has had 2 heartattick in 3 days last monday he almost died on on the 19th but dur to a ballon and a Q Bypass he is likey going home friday

on denver the AFC is so weak that only NE can blow them out

they shouild win 11 games anyway hard games are SD @ OAK NE @ KC OAK

basiclly jan 21 i expet DEN @ NE for the afc champ game

i think SB 51 will be SEA @ NE