5-1 Again...What's different?

[winstocn]

Well, the Broncos are 5-1 for the 3rd year in a row. In 2003 and 2004 we saw the Broncos start off hot, only to play .500 ball for the remainder of each season. While they squeaked into the playoffs both years, I think it's safe to say we had to readjust our expectations for a team that never lived up to our early season hopes. All of us are looking for some indication that this year's team has what it takes.

I think one of the key differences and reasons for hope has been that the broncos have played quality opponents, all which are considered playoff contenders. Below is a summary through week 6 going back the past three seasons, including combined winning percentages for broncos opponents.

<b>2003</b>

W1 CIN (1-4) - W
W2 SD (0-5) - W
W3 OAK (2-4) - W
W4 DET (1-4) - W
W5 KC (6-0) - L
W6 PIT (2-4) - W

Total Opponent Winning Percentage: <b>12-21 (.363)</b>

<b>2004</b>

W1 KC (1-4) - W
W2 JAX (4-2) - L
W3 SD (3-3) - W
W4 TB (1-5) - W
W5 CAR (1-4) - W
W6 OAK (2-4) - W

Total Opponent Winning Percentage: <b>12-22 (.353)</b>

<b>2005</b>

W1 MIA (2-3) - Lost
W2 SD (3-3) - Won
W3 KC (3-2) - Won
W4 JAX (4-2) - Won
W5 WAS (3-2) - Won
W6 NE (3-3) - Won

Total Opponent Winning Percentage: <b>18-15 (.545)</b>

This year's start could be considered more impressive if only because of the quality of our opponents. In fact, Denver's strength of schedule has been the toughest of any of the 4 top teams in the NFL. The Broncos are the only team with 5 wins whose opponents are playing better than .500 ball:

<b>Denver 5-1 (.545), Indy 5-0 (.407), Cincy 5-1 (.354), TB 5-1 (.343)</b>

ibleedorange has a wonderful post on broncosfreak that shows breaks this down in more detail detail: http://www.broncosfreak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13095

Bottom line is that while it's only week 6, this team has proven it's playing as well as anyone else in the league and I am stoked. It's really quite scary to think about they will do when they learn how to put together 4 full quarters of football. When I saw the first half of our schedule this year, I was pretty worried, but if we can get by the New York next week and PHI, heading into the bye I think we will all be justified in getting more than just a little excited.

[SoCalBronco]

To contrast with 2003 in particular, Plummer missed several weeks during the middle stretch were we lost three in a row to Minnesota, Baltimore and New England.

[ludo21]

Not just the records, but also the way were playing has me confident in them. They are +6 in TO ratio. We are winning close games and making plays when we have to. Sure the Skins game was close, sure the Pats cam back, but in both games the players made plays to help us win in the end. The past 2 years i dont think those teams would have won in those types of situations.

[sirhcyennek81]

Broncos seem mentally tougher this season then they have in seasons past. They remind me in form of the 97 superbowl team.

[NFLBRONCO]

IMO its the D not giving up so many big plays creating a few turnovers and some pressure on QB.

I think better ST's play has helped alot.

IMO not staying healthy and getting lazy is only way we do not win division this season.

[The Big E]

I agree they are mentally tougher, but I also think we have more quality depth, especially on defense. One of the theories has been that we wear down, but with that seems less likely to happen this year.

[Al Wilson]

I've never seen the D this damn good. They're manhandling opponents and are exciting to watch, especially with Al Wilson laying the wood.

[DBroncos4life]

The players seem to notice that they make mistakes and take extra time, on days that they have off to come in and study film or practice. I never heard of us doing this in the past. Also the new guys, mainly the Browns players WANT to prove that Denver made the right choice. Never overlook pride. Its a huge driving force.

[ludo21]

I've never seen the D this damn good. They're manhandling opponents and are exciting to watch, especially with Al Wilson laying the wood.


Their playing good no doubt. And with Champ back i think they could very well be the best in the NFL. The rooks are getting picked on, but they are doing a fine job of keeping everything in front of them and not letting up big plays.

[Breck Bronc]

To contrast with 2003 in particular, Plummer missed several weeks during the middle stretch were we lost three in a row to Minnesota, Baltimore and New England.Even with Plummer we would have lost at Minnesota and Baltimore. And Jason Elam was the bigger injury in the New England MNF game.

We still have 6 road games compared to 4 more at home. We should go at least 7-1 at home with Philly, NY Jets, Baltimore, and Oakland still on the schedule. Hopefully we can go 5-3 on the road and finish at 12-4. We still have tough road games at New York, Dallas, Kansas City, Buffalo, and San Diego. Going 3-2 in those 5 would be great, IMO.

[NFLBRONCO]

I've never seen the D this damn good. They're manhandling opponents and are exciting to watch, especially with Al Wilson laying the wood.

This is the best Wilson has played since SB years. I ripped him alot last few years because I felt he was a better player then he was showing.

[epicSocialism4tw]

I agree they are mentally tougher, but I also think we have more quality depth, especially on defense. One of the theories has been that we wear down, but with that seems less likely to happen this year.


We are definately deeper on D, but what if Jake, Rod, Lelie, Nalen, Foster, Hamilton, or Lepsis go down? After those guys, there is not alot to lean on.

[NFLBRONCO]

We are definately deeper on D, but what if Jake, Rod, Lelie, Nalen, Foster, Hamilton, or Lepsis go down? After those guys, there is not alot to lean on.

Simple we are done

[ludo21]

We are definately deeper on D, but what if Jake, Rod, Lelie, Nalen, Foster, Hamilton, or Lepsis go down? After those guys, there is not alot to lean on.


If any OL goes down it will be a very tough year. That is why i cringed when Foster missed a series. We could overcome Rod out IMO, but as for the qb spot, most teams will do poorly with their back up. Injuries will hurt our season, but we can only hope that the players stay safe.

Funny, during the Pat game i was starting to think BVP might see some action for the first time, then, you know the rest. :garcia:

[Breck Bronc]

This is the best Wilson has played since SB years. I ripped him alot last few years because I felt he was a better player then he was showing.Wilson wasn't on the Super Bowl teams. His first year was 1999 and that 0-4 debacle to start the season.

[Sassy]

We got BLOWN OUT our 1st game...otherwise we usually win game 1

[NFLBRONCO]

Wilson wasn't on the Super Bowl teams. His first year was 1999 and that 0-4 debacle to start the season.

I thought he played in one for a second my goof.

[OrangeShadow]

Whats different?

D line is getting pressure
we are forcing turnovers
we are forcing three and outs
we are converting in the redzone

[ZachKC]

I don't think you will be able to tell until you see this team make things happen down the stretch.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

What's different? Nothing, they've got the same record as the past two seasons where they went .500 from here on out. Let's look at this at the Bye Week and we'll see if the team is 5-3 or 7-1.

[Drek]

What's different? Nothing, they've got the same record as the past two seasons where they went .500 from here on out. Let's look at this at the Bye Week and we'll see if the team is 5-3 or 7-1.Two talented teams, Giants are dangerous at home with that big play offense, and the Eagles are obviously tough, luckily we have them at home.

I think these three weeks leading into the bye is our proving grounds. We can prove the legitimacy of the team or another late season soon by how we play it out. We beat the Pats for a nice start, and should be able to beat the Giants and Eagles, but neither one will be easy. Elite teams prove themselves in such situations, and our team needs to do just that, setting us up for a division lead going into our stretch of road division games.

[bloodsunday]

What's different?
Positive turnover ratio. (Although we haven't had a good TO game in a few).
D-Line Play.
Depth in the secondary.

What's not?
Poor third downs.
Poor results when taking possession in opponents territory.
Poor redzone.
WR (other than Smith) disappear too often. (No matter if its Jake or the WR).

All in all, this has been a pretty difficult schedule early on... although heavily loaded with home games. (We are half done with our home schedule). I think this team is giving us reason to believe its different, but I don't care. I'm not going to think about the long term.

Bring on the Giants, that's all I care about.

[-Slap-]

The team is playing with confidence and people aren't afraid to make plays in the fourth quarter. For the last five years, it seems like the only guy on the roster who's consistently shown up in crunch time is Rod Smith. Now we have a lot of guys stepping up when it counts. Even more important, the team is confident enough now to remain patient and not panic when things don't go their way right away.

It was beautiful to see the return of the long ball to the passing game yesterday. Jake kept playing within the offense and when we saw some opportunities to make big plays, he capitalized big time. Almost as encouraging was the fact that Jake didn't let the success in the second quarter go to his head. He stayed calm and the coaching staff didn't try to force anything in the second half.

[OrangeShadow]

We scored all 4 tds against NE in the red zone,thats a good sign

[Paladin]

I would not yet declare that this team is better than previous editions. While I am hopeful that the play will improve, I don't believe they are a "finished product" yet. They are not the "Beta" addition, but I think they still need work.

Yes, the Dline is working better than last year, but they still arn't getting the sacks.
Yes, the Dsecondary is better, but they are playing spoft cover, and the TOs came when the QB made mistakes, not because of great D play.
Yes, the O had not made mistakes, but they also seem to fall into a shell at times and do not display the killer instinct, the mean streak to score and stomp the other guys. It seems to me that Shanahan likes to just sit on a lead.

I am a strong Broncos' supporter. And I am ecstatic that they are 5-1. But there is still much improvement that can be made.

[bloodsunday]

We scored all 4 tds against NE in the red zone,thats a good sign
Honestly, the NE defense may be the worst we play this season. They have a cast off Chief starting at LB -- what does that tell you? Plus they are without Harrison and Seymour.

I was very, very happy with the O yesterday, but my enthusiasm is tempered by the reality that NE just isn't a good defense anymore. BB is clever at game planning, but even he can't hide Biesel, Duane Starks and backup players every where.

[yavoon]

Honestly, the NE defense may be the worst we play this season. They have a cast off Chief starting at LB -- what does that tell you? Plus they are without Harrison and Seymour.

I was very, very happy with the O yesterday, but my enthusiasm is tempered by the reality that NE just isn't a good defense anymore. BB is clever at game planning, but even he can't hide Biesel, Duane Starks and backup players every where.

yah and I think it shows in their redzone performance. before denver they had given up 10 touchdowns and 3 fieldgoals in 13 redzone trips. denver pretty much sat on them in the redzone too. they for the moment aren't playing well enough to win the individual matchups u need to win in the redzone.

[RedskinBronco]

Anything can happen in the NFl and we may very well do the same stuff we have been doing the past 2 years. 5-1 only to collapse and not really play at playoff level. However, I do see this team as a lot better on defense. They hit harder and they are more aggressive. Of course they are deeper in talent too. I see this team as more confident and mentally tough like some of you have said. It's a tough schedule but the Broncos SHOULD end the season with a better record or at least they will look like they are ready to play playoff football.

[The Big E]

I just get the feeling that rather than getting complacent and impressed with their record, they seem to be feeding off of it and are getting hungrier for more. Maybe it's the impact of some of the Browncos who don't take winning for granted. I'll be very disappointed if the mid-season swoon appears again.

[Traveler]

More than anything else, I think the players finally realize this is a marathon and not a sprint. Remember last year how the team started chirping after early success? I don't hear that noise this year. Let's wait till the end of November to see where we stand.

[ludo21]

More than anything else, I think the players finally realize this is a marathon and not a sprint. Remember last year how the team started chirping after early success? I don't hear that noise this year. Let's wait till the end of November to see where we stand.


I agree, all we hear from these guys is "we havent done anything yet". Thats great to hear, and hopefully its not just the players blowing smoke, its what they believe.

[BMF Bronco]

I was listening to NFL on Sirius on my way home yesterday and they were interviewing Ian and at the end of the interview they told him to go and celebrate this victory for another 20 hours or so. His response? "I am already past this game and focusing on the Giants." Just beat the champs and is already done with it before he gets out of the locker room! That's focus!

[Ballhawk]

Depth seems to be better this year, and with MA/Bell splitting carries both should be fresh. The Dline rotation is so deep they should also avoid wearing down. All this depth should allow us to be more dominate late in the year.

[Ballhawk]

Also winning streak 5 games! It is very hard to keep streaks going as you need to not have a let down. Loses have a way of refocusing good teams. It is impressive to run off 5 wins in a row given that we have had good competition for all 5.

[Spider]

A few things different then last year ....... So far these have been team wins , not just 1 player like Rod smith or 1 facet of the game IE offense 1 week ,Defense next week , and special teams screwing everything up every week .......
Denver is getting Turnovers , with some very aggressive play in the secondary , and some pressure from the front 7 ..... Ian Gold is just making plays , DJ williams gives us that Bad ass on the Sam , we havent had since Romo left .......
Kyle Johnson is reading Holes alot better and is able to make some good blocks ........
Foster is looking quicker , more explosive off the LOS .......
So in a nut shell .... just about everything is different .........

[Atlas]

Here is an article relevant to this thread.

SoCals link:http://boulderdirt.com/sports/article.cfm/4633/Now,_Broncos_must_avoid_annual_swoon

Now, Broncos must avoid annual swoon
By Ryan Thorburn | Monday October 17, 2005

DENVER - Are you ready for some .500 football?

Recent history suggests that is what will be heading the Broncos' way over the final 10 games of the regular season.

For the third consecutive year, Denver is off to a 5-1 start. An impressive recovery from the humiliating start in Miami.

"Usually we're 4-0 or 5-0," Al Wilson said. "But Miami was a wake-up call this year."

In 2003 and 2004, 5-1 sprints only led to 10-6 finishes. Good enough to make the playoffs, but bad enough to draw Indianapolis at the RCA Dome.

This time things feel different. Mike Shanahan may have assembled enough character guys to push the talent guys to the franchise's first AFC West title since 1998.

The Broncos - despite all the negative publicity for acquiring the underachieving Cleveland Four, taking a chance on Todd Sauerbrun and his baggage, and reaching on college dropout Maurice Clarett in the draft - have believed that they are contenders since training camp's first whistle.

After Sunday's 28-20 victory over the two-time defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, the rest of the NFL will be putting them in the contender category from this point on.

"I'm not going to get excited until the end of the season," Trevor Pryce, one of the few remaining links to the glory days of the late '90's, said after getting the better of Tom Brady. "I think that's from going to the Super Bowl and knowing what it takes to really get to that next level. I've been 5-1 several times. We've got a game next week. We play the Giants next week. And that is more important right now than anything else."

Two years ago, the Broncos beat Pittsburgh 17-14 with Steve Beuerlein under center to get to 5-1. But the freak foot injury Jake Plummer sustained getting off the couch would catch up with the team during losses to Minnesota, Baltimore and New England the next three weeks.

Last year, Denver dominated the Raiders 31-3 in Oakland to arrive at 5-1. The next Monday night, Cincinnati exposed Shanahan's squad as a fraud with a 23-10 victory on national television. The next week, Atlanta rolled the Broncos 41-28 at Invesco Field.

The midseason slumps allowed Kansas City (2003) and San Diego (2004) to win the division and host a playoff game. No one in Denver is wild about being a Wild Card again after back-to-back blowout losses to the Colts.

"It's a long haul and you can't get too excited about yourself," Shanahan said. "We have a tough schedule, and if we want to finish where we want to finish, we are going to have to play some excellent football all the way through."

The Broncos play an improved Giants team in New York (New Jersey, technically) in six days. The defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles visit Invesco Field a week later.

And then Denver will enter its bye week 5-3. Or is it really different this time?

"The biggest thing is we are finding ways to finish," Pryce said.

Still a lot of work to do. But Shanahan might have the right mix of players to get the job done in the division this time.