minibronco's den@nyg BIG preview!!!! (updated daily!)

[minibronco]

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The Denver Broncos, who are 5-1 for the third consecutive season after reeling off five consecutive victories, put their unbeaten streak on the line Sunday when they visit the New York Giants (3-2). Kickoff at Giants Stadium is set for 4:15 p.m. EDT.

Last week, Denver defeated the two-time defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots 28-20 at INVESCO Field at Mile High. The Broncos took a 25-point lead early in the third quarter before holding off a New England comeback attempt.

Denver has a 4-4 (.500) all-time record against the Giants and looks to improve its 1-3 (.250) mark against the club in road games. The teams last played on Sept. 10, 2001, with Denver earning a 31-20 victory on Monday Night Football in the first regular-season game ever played at INVESCO Field at Mile High. The Broncos have enjoyed recent success against NFC teams, compiling a 28-13 (.683) record in those games under Head Coach Mike Shanahan (1995-Present).

New York will be the third opponent Denver has faced this season that is coming off an overtime game. The Dallas Cowboys needed the extra period to defeat the Giants 16-13 on Sunday at Texas Stadium.

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GAME PREVIEW I (Yahoo!.com Sports)

Jake Plummer and the Denver Broncos have been in this position before, only to fall short of expectations.
The red-hot Broncos look to extend their winning streak to six games when they visit the New York Giants.

Denver began the last two seasons 5-1, only to stumble down the stretch and get knocked out of the playoffs in the first round. Plummer has his own theory on why the Broncos might finish better this year.

``We stop listening to questions that are constantly asked about, `You started fast and then (expletive) the last couple years,''' Plummer said. ``We'll focus on the New York Giants this week, and I don't even know who we play after that.''

The Broncos have made a remarkable turnaround after their season-opening loss at Miami, where they scored 10 points and Plummer played poorly.

Plummer threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 28-20 victory over defending two-time Super Bowl champion New England. He also extended his streak without an interception to 17 quarters.

``I can't say it's any one thing,'' coach Mike Shanahan said of Plummer's success since Week 1. ``He's in his third year. He feels comfortable with the system. I think it's a process and hopefully, he can keep it up.''

Plummer hit on throws of 72 and 55 yards, and Tatum Bell finished with 114 rushing yards to surpass the century mark for the second straight week.

Bell has almost the same amount of yards (395) as Giants running back Tiki Barber (397), but with 30 fewer carries.

Despite back-to-back big games, Bell is likely to continue to share carries with Mike Anderson and former Giants first-round pick Ron Dayne.

``I want to be the guy to carry the load and get those 25-30 carries,'' said Bell.

Anderson has been starting for Denver, and is second on the team with 358 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin would like his team to forget last week's 16-13 overtime loss in Dallas.

New York's defense forced four turnovers, but the offense had its worst day of the season.

The Giants committed five turnovers and scored their fewest points of the year. New York still leads the NFL with 29.8 points per game.

``The defense created turnover after turnover, but we were too inept to capitalize,'' said Barber, who had 14 carries for 64 yards. ``The offense is out of sync.''

Quarterback Eli Manning was 14-of-30 for 215 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Manning struggled with his accuracy through the first three quarters. The second-year quarterback has thrown for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns in five games.

Manning and the Giants will attempt to get their offense going against a revamped Denver defensive line.

The Broncos are fifth in the NFL in rushing defense, allowing 88.3 yards per game. Despite only eight sacks, Denver's defensive line has provided steady pressure on quarterbacks, resulting in hurried throws, interceptions, offensive holding calls and intentional grounding penalties.

``You don't know how many times I look back and see the ball skipping on the ground because the quarterback is on his back,'' Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey said. ``That makes a huge difference.''

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GAME PREVIEW II (NFL.com Game Storylines)

DENVER BRONCOS (5-1) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (3-2)
Storyline: Tiki or Tatum?

Which running back will dominate? After his 100-yard games in each of the past two weeks, the Broncos' Tatum Bell has almost the same amount of yards (395) as the Giants' Tiki Barber (397) but with 30 fewer carries (58 to 88).

Bell is not big on the Broncos' "RB by Committee" attack (Mike Anderson and former Giant Ron Dayne join him). "I want to be the guy to carry the load and get those 25-30 carries," says Bell.

Barber is one of the most consistent backs in the league, not going below 60 yards in any of the team's five games.

If the clubs take to the air, they have ample support there. Giants QB Eli Manning has formed a productive bond with newcomer Plaxico Burress, who is ranked eighth in the NFC in receptions (30). Broncos QB Jake Plummer has not thrown an interception in 17 quarters. And he is starting to throw the long ball. After only one pass of 30 or more yards this season, Plummer completed last Sunday a 72-yarder to his main receiver Rod Smith (No. 4 in the AFC in catches with 34) and a 55-yarder to Ashley Lelie. Both tosses set up touchdowns.

SERIES INFO
Denver Broncos New York Giants
LEADER Series tied, 4-4
STREAKS 2 of past 3
COACHES VS. OPP. Shanahan: 1-1 Coughlin: 2-3
LAST WEEK W 28-20 vs. Patriots L 16-13 (OT) at Cowboys
LAST GAME
9/10/01: Giants 20 at Broncos 31. Denver QB Brian Griese passes for 330 yards & 3 TDs while Broncos RB Terrell Davis rushes for 101 yards as Broncos defeat Giants.
LAST GAME AT SITE
12/13/98: Giants 20, Broncos 16. New York QB Kent Graham completes 37-yard TD pass to WR Amani Toomer with 48 seconds remaining to hand Broncos 1st loss of season.
BROADCAST
CBS (4:15 PM ET): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Bonnie Bernstein (Field reporter)

STAT LEADERS
Denver Broncos New York Giants
PASSING Plummer: 104-178-1,141-7-3-83.6 Manning: 80-153-1,200-10-3-92.0
RUSHING Bell: 58-395-6.8-3 Barber: 88-397-4.5-3
RECEIVING Smith: 34-432-12.7-2 Burress: 30-451-15.0-4
OFFENSE 332.7 336.4
TAKE/GIVE +6 +10 (2L)
DEFENSE 333.3 417.2
SACKS Warren: 2.0 Strahan: 5.5
INTs Bailey: 2 Williams: 2
PUNTING Sauerbrun: 48.1 (1L) Feagles: 43.5
KICKING Elam: 39 (15/15 PAT; 8/13 FG) Feely: 47 (17/17 PAT; 10/10 FG)


TEAM NOTES
Denver Broncos
Club has won 5 in row … Since joining Broncos in ’03, QB JAKE PLUMMER is 5-2 vs. NFC with 13 TDs vs. 5 INTs with passer rating of 87.4. Makes 1st start vs. NYG as Bronco … Club is 11-1 (.917) when RB MIKE ANDERSON has 20 or more carries. In 7 career games with 12 or more carries, RB TATUM BELL has 606 rush yds on 98 rushes (6.2 avg.) w/5 TDs. Club is 6-1 (.857) in those games. Has posted new career-long run 3 times in past 2 games (34, 55, 68 yds) … In last meeting (9/10/01), WR ROD SMITH caught 9 passes for 115 yards & 1 TD. WR ASHLEY LELIE has rushed ball 2 times for runs of 39 & 17 yards … Is 1 of 3 teams in top 5 in both rush offense (No. 3, 153.3) & rush defense (No. 5, 88.3), w/ SD & TB. Club has not turned ball over in 4 games: 264 minutes & 31 seconds … In last mtg, LB AL WILSON posted 8 tackles. S JOHN LYNCH had INT and FR in last game vs. NYG (11/24/04 w/TB).
New York Giants
Earned 1st Super Bowl victory with 39-20 win vs. Broncos in SB XXI … Club avgs. 29.8 points per game, most in NFL … QB ELI MANNING has TD pass in 6 consecutive games, tossing 13 TDs vs. 4 INTs in that span … RB TIKI BARBER has 44 career rushing TDs & needs 5 to tie RODNEY HAMPTON for most in club history … WR PLAXICO BURRESS has 291 career receptions & needs 9 for 300. WR AMANI TOOMER has 38 career receiving TDs & needs 2 to become 4th player in team history with 40 … TE JEREMY SHOCKEY has 100+ receiving yards in 2 of past 3 games. Leads NFL TEs with 380 receiving yards (22 catches) & 17.3 yards per catch (min. 10 catches) & ties for 1st with 7 receptions of 20+ yards … DE MICHAEL STRAHAN has 123.5 career sacks & needs 3.5 to pass DERRICK THOMAS (126.5) for 10th in NFL history … KR WILLIE PONDER avgs. 27.8 yards per KR, 1st in NFC & 4th in NFL.

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GAME PREVIEW III (ESPN.com)

Red-hot Broncos head to N.Y.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Ticker) -- Mike Shanahan and the Denver Broncos head into Giants Stadium with a five-game winning streak. It's their longest streak since 1998, when they walked into Giants Stadium with a 13-0 record and left with a loss.

Wide receiver Amani Toomer, running back Tiki Barber and defensive end Michael Strahan are the only members of the New York Giants who remain from the 1998 team that ended Denver's bid for a perfect season. Toomer caught a 37-yard touchdown pass with just 48 seconds left in the fourth quarter to lift the Giants to a 20-16 win.

The Broncos recovered and went on to finish 14-2 en route to its second straight Super Bowl title under Shanahan.

Denver may be thinking about the Super Bowl again after posting a 28-20 victory over the two-time defending champion New England Patriots last week.

But this marks the third straight year the Broncos have started with a 5-1 record. Each of the last two seasons ended with resounding losses to Indianapolis (49-24 and 41-10) in the AFC wild card round.

The Giants have not made the playoffs since 2002, but could be headed back with a nucleus of quarterback Eli Manning, Barber, tight end Jeremy Shockey and wide receiver Plaxico Burress on offense and Strahan and linebacker Antonio Pierce on defense.

New York is 3-0 at home this season, counting the 27-10 win over New Orleans on September 19 that was technically regarded as a "road game" at Giants Stadium.

Wide receiver Rod Smith, center Tom Nalen, tight end Dwayne Carswell, defensive end Trevor Pryce and kicker Jason Elam are among the Broncos that are still around from the team that lost here but repeated as Super Bowl champions in 1998.

Smith, who is in his 11th season with the Broncos, continues to roll on. The franchise leader in receptions and yards, Smith caught six passes for 123 yards and a touchdown in the win over New England last week.

Shanahan's offensive game plan was effective against Bill Belichick's defensive scheme as the Broncos gained 432 yards. Jake Plummer completed 17-of-24 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions and Denver rushed for 178 yards.

After rushing for a career-high 127 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Washington, Tatum Bell followed with 114 yards and a score on just 13 carries against the Patriots.

But Shanahan may give some carries to Ron Dayne in this game. After winning the Heisman Trophy in 1999, Dayne was selected in the first round by the Giants but spent five unproductive seasons in New York. He signed with Denver as an unrestricted free agent in the offseason and is playing behind Bell and Mike Anderson.

The Giants averaged 34 points in their first four games, but committed four turnovers in a 16-13 overtime loss at Dallas last week.

Manning threw for 215 yards with more than half going to Shockey, who finished with five catches for 129 yards, including the game-tying 28-yard touchdown with 19 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Veteran safety John Lynch and strong safety Nick Ferguson will shadow Shockey over the middle on Sunday.

New York forced four turnovers and Strahan recorded two sacks last week, but the Giants lost the overtime coin flip and let Drew Bledsoe complete three passes for 49 yards to set up the winning field goal by Jose Cortez.

The Broncos hope Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey will be able to return Sunday. He has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury. Two rookies - Darrent Williams and Domonique Foxworth - have filled in at left cornerback in Bailey's absence.

Matchup to watch: Broncos right tackle George Foster faces Strahan, who is 11th all-time with 123 1/2 sacks.

Series: The Giants lead, 5-4, including a win in Super Bowl XXI.

Next week: Denver hosts Philadelphia, October 30; NY Giants host Washington, October 30

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PREGAME INJURY REPORT (courtesy Giants.com)

Giants Injury Report

STATUS POS NAME INJURY WED THU
CB WIll Peterson Back Out/DNP Out/DNP
LB Carlos Emmons Ankle Q/DNP Q
LB Barrett Green Ankle Q Q/DNP
LB Reggie Torbor Ankle Q/DNP Q
S Gibril Wilson Ankle Q/DNP Q

Broncos Injury Report

STATUS POS NAME INJURY WED THU
S Sam Brandon Shoulder Out
S Nick Ferguson Ankle Q
LB Al Wilson Ankle P
T George Foster Knee P
DE John Engelberger Shoulder P
CB Champ Bailey Hamstring P
TE Stephen Alexander Neck P
TE Jeb Putzier Jaw P


P-Probable (75% chance to play)
Q-questionable (50% chance to play)
D-doubtful (25% chance to play)
OUT-will not play

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[minibronco]

I believe I will update the injury report tomorrow.

[hiphick]

So, it looks like rain for the game in NY this Sunday. Do you think that will have a big effect on the outcome? Does anyone know how Eli does in the rain? I hope Jake can do better than he did in the last rain storm.... :'(

Mark in WA

[watermock]

Denver plays great in bad weather conditions...we have only lost the last 10 in a row.

[GonzoLays]

Awesome report! The pictures really help people like AlecReanos and Rascal understand who we are playing. I believe you will receive some thank you smilies from them very soon.

[Atlas]

Denver plays great in bad weather conditions...we have only lost the last 10 in a row.

They actually are 1-0 over the last one games. They did beat Washington in bad weather.

[watermock]

I guess your right...seemed shakey tho...

[GreatBronco16]

Denver plays great in bad weather conditions...we have only lost the last 10 in a row.

Hello McFly?

[minibronco]

So, it looks like rain for the game in NY this Sunday. Do you think that will have a big effect on the outcome? Does anyone know how Eli does in the rain? I hope Jake can do better than he did in the last rain storm.... :'(

Mark in WA

well, not well. even though they did win, it's not a big chance they'll do it again. keep your hopes up.

[minibronco]

Awesome report! The pictures really help people like AlecReanos and Rascal understand who we are playing. I believe you will receive some thank you smilies from them very soon.

thank you. always like the pictures (See last preview for NE).

[minibronco]

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Third down has become the first concern of the Giants’ defense as it prepares to take on the high-flying Denver Broncos Sunday in Giants Stadium.

Five games into the season, the Giants rank 32nd – that’s last – in the NFL in third-down defense. Their opponents have converted 37 of 72 percent, a 51.4 percent success rate that makes the Giants the only team in the league to give their foes the chance to keep the ball on more than half of their third down tries.

“Anytime you’re on defense and you’re giving up a lot of third downs, you’re going to struggle and give up a lot of yards. That’s pretty much the key to playing defense, getting off the field on third down.”
- LB Carlos Emmons
The third-down failures contribute to an unsettling cycle that could prove problematic for the Giants as they attempt to stay in the NFC playoff race. The Giants are 31st in the NFL in total defense (allowing 417.2 yards a game) and pass defense (316.2). Because the defense has had difficulty forcing opposing offense off the field, the Giants’ offense doesn’t get to run as many plays as it prefers. In last week’s 16-13 overtime loss to Dallas, they had just 52 snaps, the third time this season the Giants have run fewer than 55 plays in a game. Because of that, the Giants’ average time of possession is 26:19, which leaves them 30th in the NFL.

The Giants’ third-down difficulties were on full display in last week’s 16-13 overtime loss in Dallas. The Cowboys succeeded on nine of 16 conversion opportunities, including all four on their only touchdown drive of the game in the second quarter. As a result, the Giants owned the ball for just 23:01, their lowest time of possession of the season.

“There’s definitely a concern,” linebacker Carlos Emmons said. “Anytime you’re on defense and you’re giving up a lot of third downs, you’re going to struggle and give up a lot of yards. That’s pretty much the key to playing defense, getting off the field on third down.”

“It’s definitely frustrating,” safety Brent Alexander said. “Sometimes you don’t realize until after the game the impact third down made on the game. You realize how many opportunities you had to create field position for the offense. Looking back on the game – and it’s been like this for the last few weeks – third down was a problem.”

What is most upsetting to coach Tom Coughlin is the frequency with which Giants opponents convert third-and-long situations. When opponents face a third-and-10 or longer, they have picked up a first down nine of 28 times, a 32.1 success rate that leaves the Giants ahead of only the Buffalo Bills (33.3). When the opposition needs six to nine yards for a first down, it has picked up the necessary yardage 10 of 19 times (52.6 percent). And when four or five yards are needed on third down, Giants foes have succeeded all 10 times they’ve tried.

“That is a real issue that has been there since the beginning of the season, and particularly in the long yardage areas,” Coughlin said of the Giants’ defensive third down problems. “It is amazing to me that people can – with the distance that has to be covered when it is third and 12, third and 13, that we can’t do a better job of defending. It certainly is discussed an awful lot, brought to a lot of people’s attention. It will continue to be.

“We (don’t use) the same coverage, we don’t sit there in one picture for the other guys. It is just that we have been vulnerable. The question being on occasion, ‘Is there enough pressure being exerted on the quarterback?’ Sometimes he stands back there for a long time. Under those circumstances it is not good. So I think it is a combination of that – pressure, coverage. But definitely an area which is, if you want to use that word, ‘frustrating,’ that is it.”

The players share their coach’s aggravation.

“You have to take advantage of those opportunities,” Alexander said. “Third-and-long, when they get seven yards or more, that’s when the frustration kicks in. It’s something we’ve been focusing on. It comes down to making those plays and getting some confidence in those situations.”

“Fortunately, we’ve had a lot of third-and-longs,” Emmons said. “Unfortunately, we haven’t stopped anybody from (converting) them. That’s something we have to correct and it’s something we’re constantly striving to get better at. Anytime you have a team third-and-12, third-and-15, as a defense you feel like you’re going to get off the field. When people convert on those, it really takes a lot of the air out of you. It changes momentum and gets things rolling in the other direction. When it’s third-and-long you have to get off the field on defense. And we haven’t been doing that. So it’s definitely something we’re concerned about.”

The Giants could have an opportunity to reverse their third-down fortunes this week. Although the Broncos have won five games in a row and employ a dangerous attack with multiple weapons, they are 31st the NFL in converting third downs (21 of 76, 27.6 percent).

But the Giants expect to correct the problem internally, without regard for their opponent.

“You’d like to win third down,” said defensive end Michael Strahan. “If you don’t, then you line up and play first and second again and hopefully you get back to that situation. … I look at the points. How many points do they score? There have been games where we haven’t given up that many yards, but have given up a lot of points. I think as long as you keep the points down, you give your team a chance to win. Right now, we’re pretty opportunistic as far as turnovers and things like that. It would be great to get the passing yards down. But, right now it’s just not happening, so we’re just going to keep working on it.”

“We’re looking forward to turning that around,” Emmons said, “and correcting some things on the field and getting that thing stopped.”

Notes

• The offense also has third-down issues after that week’s one-for-11 performance in Dallas. Coughlin reiterated today that the team needs to convert more third-down opportunities so it can achieve its goal of offensive balance. The scant possession time last week was a big reason they Giants had only 19 rushing attempts.

Denver, will make it difficult for the Giants to get its ground game untracked. The Broncos are fifth in the NFL in rushing defense, allowing only 88.2 yards a game. Three weeks ago, they held the Jacksonville Jaguars to 12 yards on the ground.

“This is a very good defense,” Coughlin said. “They’ve played very well. They have literally shut the run down with the exception of two games (Miami ran for 151 yards and Washington for 125). They are giving up 88 yards a game. They do it because they are a fast moving defense that incorporates the safeties in the front and they are a pressure package team. You’ve got to account for everyone, including the safety.”

• Everyone practiced but linebacker Barrett Green, who has an ankle injury. He is listed as questionable. So are three other players who did practice despite also having ankle injuries: Emmons, Gibril Wilson and Reggie Torbor.

• A scoring change from last week’s game in Dallas has resulted in one less passing attempt for Eli Manning. With 10:01 remaining in the third quarter, the stats crew working the game gave Manning an incompletion on a pass to Jeremy Shockey. But the play was nullified penalty called on Luke Petitgout. The correction means Manning completed 14 of 29 passes in the game and 80 of 152 this season.

In addition, the Giants ran 52 plays against the Cowboys, not 53.

• Former Giants running back Ron Dayne is Denver’s third running back. He was inactive for one games and did not play in another. In the four games he did see action, Dayne has rushed for 53 yards on 13 carries, including 44 yards against San Diego.

Denver coach Mike Shanahan was asked if Dayne will carry the ball against the Giants.

“Well, you never know,” Shanahan said. “It all depends on how the other backs are doing. Where I am right now, he’s our third guy. When he has played, it’s because Mike (Anderson) got tired and Ron went in there for the fourth quarter against San Diego. Tatum Bell was hurt and didn’t even practice. So, at that time, Ron was our second back. So, it all depends on how healthy are running backs are and if they get tired or not. But right now, Ron is our third team guy and it all depends on the situation and how much we run the football.”

[minibronco]

GIANTS.com BRONCOS SCOUTING REPORT

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants will attempt to stay perfect at home this season when they host the Denver Broncos on Sunday. This season, the Giants are 3-0 in Giants Stadium, including a victory over New Orleans that was technically a road game. Overall, they are 3-2 after last week’s loss in Dallas. The Broncos have won five games in a row after an opening-day loss in Miami. The regular season series between the Giants and Denver is tied, 4-4.


Offense
The Broncos have one of the NFL’s strongest rushing attacks. Thanks to the 1-2 punch provided by running backs Tatum Bell and Mike Anderson, Denver is third in the league with an average of 153.3 yards a game on the ground. Bell has gained 395 yards on 58 carries, a 6.8-yard average, and scored three touchdowns. Anderson has contributed 358 yards on 88 attempts and scored twice. Bell, a second-year pro, is a scary back for opposing defenses because he has tremendous speed and quickness and is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. He is tied for the NFL lead with six runs of 20 or more yards and broke free for a 68-yarder last week against New England. Anderson, a six-year veteran, is more of a power runner.

Denver does not dictate its use of Bell and Anderson according to the game; each will carry the ball in any situation – the exception being the bigger Anderson gets more carries close to the goal line. The two backs will often alternate by series.

Former Giant Ron Dayne is the third back and has 13 carries for 53 yards this season.

Quarterback Jake Plummer is an outstanding athlete who has sometimes been inconsistent in his eight NFL seasons. But not lately; he has six touchdown passes and no interceptions in the last four games. When he’s on, Plummer is as dangerous as any quarterback in the league, as he was in the first half against the Patriots, when he completed nine of 12 passes for 179 yards and two scores. Denver is a big play-action and bootleg team, which plays to Plummer’s strengths. Plummer is also helped by Mike Shanahan’s creative play-calling. The backup quarterback is Bradlee Van Pelt, the son of former Giants linebacker Brad Van Pelt.

Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie form a dangerous pair of receivers. Smith, a very good player for 11 years, leads the team with 34 catches for 432 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He is a fast, tough wideout who builds up speed after catching the ball. Lelie is a speedy player who tops the Broncos with a 13.9-yard average. Charlie Adams is a possession receiver who enjoys mixing it up inside. Darius Watts, the fourth receiver, has impressive speed.

The tight end is veteran Stephen Alexander, who has outstanding hands and is a feisty blocker. Backup Jeb Putzier has been getting more playing time. Backup offensive lineman Dwayne Carswell, who was the starting tight end for six years, returns to his former position in short-yardage and goal-line situations. At Jacksonville, he became the first offensive lineman in the Super Bowl era to catch two touchdown passes in a game.

Fullback Kyle Johnson was on the Giants’ practice squad for six weeks in 2002.

Denver’s offensive line is a well-choreographed, smart unit that expertly executes a complicated zone blocking scheme. The anchor of the line is center Tom Nalen, a five-time Pro Bowler. Smallish for an offensive lineman at 6-3 and 286, he plays big and strong, and he runs the show up front. Right tackle George Foster, a 338-pounder, is the big man on the line. Guard George Carlisle is holding his own in his first year as a full-time starter. Left guard Ben Hamilton is smart and aggressive. The left tackle is Matt Lepsis, who was a tight end in college at Colorado and the starting right tackle for Denver for five years. He is a good, tough player.

Defense
The Broncos are 22nd in the league in total defense, allowing 333.3 yards a game, but the ranking is very misleading. Denver is ninth in points allowed (17.8 points a game), but has given up 14.6 points a game since Miami scored 34 on opening day. The Broncos are fifth in the NFL against the run, allowing just 88.2 yards a game. They have surrendered just two runs of 20 or more yards.

The strength of the defense is a group of fast linebackers that plays with a mean disposition. In the middle is Al Wilson, a three-time Pro Bowler, who leads the team with 41 tackles. He is an every-snap player who is instinctive and aggressive; Wilson prides himself on delivering the big hit. Weakside backer Ian Gold is extremely fast. When Denver plays AFC West rival Kansas City, Gold covers tight end Tony Gonzalez, which means he could be assigned to Jeremy Shockey. Gold leaves the field only in the dime defense. The third starter is second-year pro D.J. Williams, who is strong and fast.

Denver plays a lot of defensive linemen. Right end Trevor Pryce has been to two Pro Bowls because he is a terrific pass rusher – though he is looking for his first sack this season. Blessed with great hands and feet, Pryce lines up at any of the four line positions in an attempt to create a mismatch. Left end Courtney Brown was the first overall choice of the 2000 NFL Draft by Cleveland. Right tackle Gerard Warren, another former Browns first-round selection, is big, strong and powerful and has played well. Michael Myers is smart and active at left tackle. Former Cowboy Ebenezer Ekuban is a tough pass rusher as the primary sub. Demetrin Veal flies around when he gets playing time at tackle. Another backup is John Engelberger, a high-motor end who gives the team quality snaps.

The star of the secondary is left cornerback Champ Bailey, who played in his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl last season. He has been bothered by a hamstring injury that kept him out of the second half of last week’s game. Denver’s next two cornerbacks are rookies. Darrent Williams, who has demonstrated outstanding coverage skills, starts on the right side. Domonique Foxworth is the nickel corner (though he has started twice). He is another young, talented player who locks onto receivers. Lenny Walls is the NFL’s tallest corner at 6-4. Six-time Pro Bowler John Lynch is the free safety. He is smart and experienced and very active in run support. Strong safety Nick Ferguson sprained his ankle in the first half against the Patriots and did not return. His backup, Sam Brandon, is out with a shoulder injury. Marques Anderson, a sure tackler, is next on the depth chart.

Special Teams
Williams is third in the AFC with a 10.3-yard punt return average and seventh in the conference with a 24.8-yard kickoff return average. He fields the ball well, has good vision and can step on the gas when he sees a crease. Veteran punter Todd Sauerbrun has a monster leg and leads the NFL with a 48.1-yard gross average. He was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 52.3 yards (46.9 net) on seven kicks against New England. Sauerbrun has 10 touchbacks as the kickoff specialist. Kicker Jason Elam is a 13-year veteran and three-time Pro Bowler. He has made eight of 13 field goal attempts this year, including one of three from 50 or more yards.

[minibronco]

theres word here from weather.com that sunday will not precipitate.

[watermock]

JESUS CHRIST IM IN GAME DAY MODE ALLREADY...

I'm glad I'm not a coach...I would be rediculous by Friday...

Shanahan always has everything perfectly in order...getting a late kickoff is HUGE IMO...Usually our players are expecting Brunch at kickoff...a late game helps more than people have a clue.

I hope our Posse has a good time...another win would be sweet and OF1 Deserves it as do our team...we can take them, we just need to play smart...

[minibronco]

JESUS CHRIST IM IN GAME DAY MODE ALLREADY...

I'm glad I'm not a coach...I would be rediculous by Friday...

Shanahan always has everything perfectly in order...getting a late kickoff is HUGE IMO...Usually our players are expecting Brunch at kickoff...a late game helps more than people have a clue.

I hope our Posse has a good time...another win would be sweet and OF1 Deserves it as do our team...we can take them, we just need to play smart...

and play smart we will. my bad i started this thread WAY TOO EARLY. but i'll update it :)

[ludo21]

and play smart we will. my bad i started this thread WAY TOO EARLY. but i'll update it :)


seriously :bash: ....... im pumped already!!!

Great articles and insight, thanks mini, REP!!!


I thought the RB's were happy with the RBBC, but its good to hear Bell is confident and wants the rock more. :charge:

[Kaylore]

GIANTS.com BRONCOS SCOUTING REPORT

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants will attempt to stay perfect at home this season when they host the Denver Broncos on Sunday. This season, the Giants are 3-0 in Giants Stadium, including a victory over New Orleans that was technically a road game. Overall, they are 3-2 after last week’s loss in Dallas. The Broncos have won five games in a row after an opening-day loss in Miami. The regular season series between the Giants and Denver is tied, 4-4.


Offense
The Broncos have one of the NFL’s strongest rushing attacks. Thanks to the 1-2 punch provided by running backs Tatum Bell and Mike Anderson, Denver is third in the league with an average of 153.3 yards a game on the ground. Bell has gained 395 yards on 58 carries, a 6.8-yard average, and scored three touchdowns. Anderson has contributed 358 yards on 88 attempts and scored twice. Bell, a second-year pro, is a scary back for opposing defenses because he has tremendous speed and quickness and is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. He is tied for the NFL lead with six runs of 20 or more yards and broke free for a 68-yarder last week against New England. Anderson, a six-year veteran, is more of a power runner.

Denver does not dictate its use of Bell and Anderson according to the game; each will carry the ball in any situation – the exception being the bigger Anderson gets more carries close to the goal line. The two backs will often alternate by series.

Former Giant Ron Dayne is the third back and has 13 carries for 53 yards this season.

Quarterback Jake Plummer is an outstanding athlete who has sometimes been inconsistent in his eight NFL seasons. But not lately; he has six touchdown passes and no interceptions in the last four games. When he’s on, Plummer is as dangerous as any quarterback in the league, as he was in the first half against the Patriots, when he completed nine of 12 passes for 179 yards and two scores. Denver is a big play-action and bootleg team, which plays to Plummer’s strengths. Plummer is also helped by Mike Shanahan’s creative play-calling. The backup quarterback is Bradlee Van Pelt, the son of former Giants linebacker Brad Van Pelt.

Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie form a dangerous pair of receivers. Smith, a very good player for 11 years, leads the team with 34 catches for 432 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He is a fast, tough wideout who builds up speed after catching the ball. Lelie is a speedy player who tops the Broncos with a 13.9-yard average. Charlie Adams is a possession receiver who enjoys mixing it up inside. Darius Watts, the fourth receiver, has impressive speed.

The tight end is veteran Stephen Alexander, who has outstanding hands and is a feisty blocker. Backup Jeb Putzier has been getting more playing time. Backup offensive lineman Dwayne Carswell, who was the starting tight end for six years, returns to his former position in short-yardage and goal-line situations. At Jacksonville, he became the first offensive lineman in the Super Bowl era to catch two touchdown passes in a game.

Fullback Kyle Johnson was on the Giants’ practice squad for six weeks in 2002.

Denver’s offensive line is a well-choreographed, smart unit that expertly executes a complicated zone blocking scheme. The anchor of the line is center Tom Nalen, a five-time Pro Bowler. Smallish for an offensive lineman at 6-3 and 286, he plays big and strong, and he runs the show up front. Right tackle George Foster, a 338-pounder, is the big man on the line. Guard George Carlisle is holding his own in his first year as a full-time starter. Left guard Ben Hamilton is smart and aggressive. The left tackle is Matt Lepsis, who was a tight end in college at Colorado and the starting right tackle for Denver for five years. He is a good, tough player.

Defense
The Broncos are 22nd in the league in total defense, allowing 333.3 yards a game, but the ranking is very misleading. Denver is ninth in points allowed (17.8 points a game), but has given up 14.6 points a game since Miami scored 34 on opening day. The Broncos are fifth in the NFL against the run, allowing just 88.2 yards a game. They have surrendered just two runs of 20 or more yards.

The strength of the defense is a group of fast linebackers that plays with a mean disposition. In the middle is Al Wilson, a three-time Pro Bowler, who leads the team with 41 tackles. He is an every-snap player who is instinctive and aggressive; Wilson prides himself on delivering the big hit. Weakside backer Ian Gold is extremely fast. When Denver plays AFC West rival Kansas City, Gold covers tight end Tony Gonzalez, which means he could be assigned to Jeremy Shockey. Gold leaves the field only in the dime defense. The third starter is second-year pro D.J. Williams, who is strong and fast.

Denver plays a lot of defensive linemen. Right end Trevor Pryce has been to two Pro Bowls because he is a terrific pass rusher – though he is looking for his first sack this season. Blessed with great hands and feet, Pryce lines up at any of the four line positions in an attempt to create a mismatch. Left end Courtney Brown was the first overall choice of the 2000 NFL Draft by Cleveland. Right tackle Gerard Warren, another former Browns first-round selection, is big, strong and powerful and has played well. Michael Myers is smart and active at left tackle. Former Cowboy Ebenezer Ekuban is a tough pass rusher as the primary sub. Demetrin Veal flies around when he gets playing time at tackle. Another backup is John Engelberger, a high-motor end who gives the team quality snaps.

The star of the secondary is left cornerback Champ Bailey, who played in his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl last season. He has been bothered by a hamstring injury that kept him out of the second half of last week’s game. Denver’s next two cornerbacks are rookies. Darrent Williams, who has demonstrated outstanding coverage skills, starts on the right side. Domonique Foxworth is the nickel corner (though he has started twice). He is another young, talented player who locks onto receivers. Lenny Walls is the NFL’s tallest corner at 6-4. Six-time Pro Bowler John Lynch is the free safety. He is smart and experienced and very active in run support. Strong safety Nick Ferguson sprained his ankle in the first half against the Patriots and did not return. His backup, Sam Brandon, is out with a shoulder injury. Marques Anderson, a sure tackler, is next on the depth chart.

Special Teams
Williams is third in the AFC with a 10.3-yard punt return average and seventh in the conference with a 24.8-yard kickoff return average. He fields the ball well, has good vision and can step on the gas when he sees a crease. Veteran punter Todd Sauerbrun has a monster leg and leads the NFL with a 48.1-yard gross average. He was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 52.3 yards (46.9 net) on seven kicks against New England. Sauerbrun has 10 touchbacks as the kickoff specialist. Kicker Jason Elam is a 13-year veteran and three-time Pro Bowler. He has made eight of 13 field goal attempts this year, including one of three from 50 or more yards.

Wow. Are we really that good? I think I just got a hard-on.

[OrangeShadow]

i get to watch the game i cant wait!!!!

[OrangeCrushNJ]

latest weather report for Sunday:

http://www.weather.com/activities/other/other/weather/weekend.html?locid=USNY0996&from=search

looking promising. Worst I heard was raing stopping early Sunday morning. SHould be dry for the tailgating & game!

I agree w/ watermock. The late start, gives the boys more of a "home game" feel! that is huge!

[Darkdoc]

The national press, generally tiny impotent pr*cks that they are, mostly expect us to fold up in the second half of the season.

I frankly don't care much what they think or write, and I will definitely relish each win that shows them to be blowhards.

This article is actually quite complimentary - like Kaylore said - hard-on material!!

[Mile High Shack]

D Giants, D NYG

News: The Giants' starting linebackers will be Antonio Pierce in the middle, flanked by WLB Nick Greisen and ... take your best guess. It is possible free-agent rookie MLB Chase Blackburn will get an emergency start on the strong side, but it is far more likely Reggie Torbor (questionable: ankle) or Carlos Emmons (questionable: ankle) will be ready by Sunday.

Giants CB Curtis Deloatch will start for the injured Will Peterson, which means Ashley Lelie gets another favorable matchup in Week 7. Lelie seems to be warming up after a terrible start to the season, but he needs to keep the momentum going this week against Deloatch.
(Updated 10/21/2005).

[Popps]

Rain, rain go away.

[Merlin]

ESPN Preview:

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Ticker) -- Mike Shanahan and the Denver Broncos head into Giants Stadium with a five-game winning streak. It's their longest streak since 1998, when they walked into Giants Stadium with a 13-0 record and left with a loss.

Wide receiver Amani Toomer, running back Tiki Barber and defensive end Michael Strahan are the only members of the New York Giants who remain from the 1998 team that ended Denver's bid for a perfect season. Toomer caught a 37-yard touchdown pass with just 48 seconds left in the fourth quarter to lift the Giants to a 20-16 win.

The Broncos recovered and went on to finish 14-2 en route to its second straight Super Bowl title under Shanahan.

Denver may be thinking about the Super Bowl again after posting a 28-20 victory over the two-time defending champion New England Patriots last week.

But this marks the third straight year the Broncos have started with a 5-1 record. Each of the last two seasons ended with resounding losses to Indianapolis (49-24 and 41-10) in the AFC wild card round.

The Giants have not made the playoffs since 2002, but could be headed back with a nucleus of quarterback Eli Manning, Barber, tight end Jeremy Shockey and wide receiver Plaxico Burress on offense and Strahan and linebacker Antonio Pierce on defense.

New York is 3-0 at home this season, counting the 27-10 win over New Orleans on September 19 that was technically regarded as a "road game" at Giants Stadium.

Wide receiver Rod Smith, center Tom Nalen, tight end Dwayne Carswell, defensive end Trevor Pryce and kicker Jason Elam are among the Broncos that are still around from the team that lost here but repeated as Super Bowl champions in 1998.

Smith, who is in his 11th season with the Broncos, continues to roll on. The franchise leader in receptions and yards, Smith caught six passes for 123 yards and a touchdown in the win over New England last week.

Shanahan's offensive game plan was effective against Bill Belichick's defensive scheme as the Broncos gained 432 yards. Jake Plummer completed 17-of-24 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions and Denver rushed for 178 yards.

After rushing for a career-high 127 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Washington, Tatum Bell followed with 114 yards and a score on just 13 carries against the Patriots.

But Shanahan may give some carries to Ron Dayne in this game. After winning the Heisman Trophy in 1999, Dayne was selected in the first round by the Giants but spent five unproductive seasons in New York. He signed with Denver as an unrestricted free agent in the offseason and is playing behind Bell and Mike Anderson.

The Giants averaged 34 points in their first four games, but committed four turnovers in a 16-13 overtime loss at Dallas last week.

Manning threw for 215 yards with more than half going to Shockey, who finished with five catches for 129 yards, including the game-tying 28-yard touchdown with 19 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Veteran safety John Lynch and strong safety Nick Ferguson will shadow Shockey over the middle on Sunday.

New York forced four turnovers and Strahan recorded two sacks last week, but the Giants lost the overtime coin flip and let Drew Bledsoe complete three passes for 49 yards to set up the winning field goal by Jose Cortez.

The Broncos hope Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey will be able to return Sunday. He has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury. Two rookies - Darrent Williams and Domonique Foxworth - have filled in at left cornerback in Bailey's absence.

Matchup to watch: Broncos right tackle George Foster faces Strahan, who is 11th all-time with 123 1/2 sacks.

Series: The Giants lead, 5-4, including a win in Super Bowl XXI.

Next week: Denver hosts Philadelphia, October 30; NY Giants host Washington, October 30

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/preview?gameId=251023019

The Giants are playing Washington next week. This may distract some players since that is an important rivalry and game for them. We'll take any distraction they have.

PS Interesting how the talk of the Giants as a possible playoff team, yet Denver who has been in the playoffs the past 2 yrs, and seems to be even better this year (in all areas of the game), does not get much of a nod.

[Merlin]

BTW, bad mojo going on at ESPN with the picks this week. Even though Schlereth has not made his picks yet, we are favored 5-2. The only time we have been favored before was Miami, and WR games. Those were the worst games played by the Broncos this yr.

[watermock]

Champ didn't miss last weeks game...he tightened up and excused himself when Denver was coasting with a big lead. He didn't re-injure it, which was a distinct possiblility if he kept playing on it tight.

Too bad we can't see the Chorfs lose tonight. ESPN has the Texas/Tech matchup tho...should be decent. It would be nice to see the Chorfs take a beating...they are still a dangerous team offensively.

[Broncoman13]

I didn't see it posted, but I just heard on "the Fan" that Plax has been downgraded to Questionable due to a bad back. He's supposed to play, but a few hits could send him to the sideline for the game!

[Rascal]

Awesome report! The pictures really help people like AlecReanos and Rascal understand who we are playing. I believe you will receive some thank you smilies from them very soon.

You are still alive. I guess you are a liar or did you mange to survive your jump from that cliff?

[Rock Chalk]

Awesome report! The pictures really help people like AlecReanos and Rascal understand who we are playing. I believe you will receive some thank you smilies from them very soon.
That all you got?

****ing weak.

[minibronco]

SATURDAY UPDATE (BAILEY MAY PLAY), denverbroncos.com

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After a full week of practice, Champ Bailey is listed as probable for a third consecutive day, his best status on the team's injury report in three weeks.

That doesn't necessarily mean he feels the best he has in weeks.

"I wouldn't say that, but I feel okay," Bailey said. "It doesn't take much for me to get out there (and play). I'm looking forward to this game."

A week ago, Bailey missed parts of the Broncos' practices as he dealt with his left hamstring injury, but was ready to play by the time Sunday morning arrived. This week, his action has been more extensive; he didn't miss one practice session.

"I took reps -- pretty much all of my reps," Bailey said. "I took myself out every now and then to rest, but that's normal this time of year. I didn't hold back on anything. A guy ran a route (and) I covered it the best way I could, no holding back."

HOMECOMING: Ticket problems sometimes have a way of working themselves out, as Kyle Johnson discovered.

The Denver fullback and Woodbridge, N.J. native was beseiged with requests for ducats to Sunday's game at Giants Stadium from friends and family. But the pace ebbed when Johnson informed some of his nearest and dearest that the tickets weren't free.

"People always say, 'Yeah, I want to go,' but we're not giving them away, and (then they say) 'Ah -- I think I'm changing my mind,'" Johnson said. "It would have been upwards of 30, but I think we're a little above 20 now."

Nevertheless, the game is meaningful for Johnson, who will play a regular-season game in his home state for the first time as a professional.

"A lot of family at home. A lot of friends," he said. "It'll be a great opportunity to get out there, go home to New Jersey and play well in the Meadowlands. It's just something to prepare for. Hopefully you get on the field and have a certain amount of tenacity."

But the fact that the Giants waived Johnson after a 41-day practice-squad stint in 2002 won't have any extra impact on his motivation, he maintains.

"I wouldn't take it from that standpoint," he said. "More that you're at home, and you want to play like you're home. Not necessarily in-your-face to the New York Giants, not like that at all. This game is a business on so many levels and sometimes you get caught in the wash and sometimes you can come out in an advantageous position."

HOMECOMING REDUX: Unlike Johnson, running back Ron Dayne forged a five-season career with the Giants that began as a first-round selection in the 2000 NFL Draft. A bumpy tenure followed that saw Dayne move up and down the depth chart under two different coaches before he and the team parted ways this past offseason.


Dayne doesn't expect much of a cheering section, noting that "probably none" of his family and friends would attend. The Berlin, N.J. native also doesn't expect any cheers from Giants fans if he touches the ball.

"They'll probably boo," Dayne said, "but that's cool."

BRONCOS BYTES: Only Sam Brandon sat out practice Friday ... The Giants added wide receiver Plaxico Burress to their injury report with a back problem; he did not practice Friday and is questionable for Sunday's game.

[minibronco]

HEALTHone Injury Update

LB Reggie Torbor and S Gibril Wilson of NYG have been upgraded to Probable, WR Plaxico Burress of NYG has been downgraded to Questionable and did not practice Friday. All Broncos players status remain the same as Thursday.

[minibronco]

Now let's not get way over ourselves. The Chefs are not far behind.

[minibronco]

Awww. crud. Another trip to the bar. Not showing in my area. Again.

[ludo21]

Awww. crud. Another trip to the bar. Not showing in my area. Again.

Its nationally televised, how do you get so special to miss it? Im going to my sisters house where theres no tv, so i gotta bring my little tv with the bunny ears and hopefully ill get the game. ugh!~

[minibronco]

Yeah... well not exactly nationally televised.

You see, CBS splits its broadcasts into regions to serve fan interest. If there happens to be a Chargers or Oakland game at the 1:15 slot, then those games will have top priority. Second priority is handed to Denver and KC, who are in the same division and pertain directly to the home teams. Sometimes, the third option would go to the big games, the ones with the PATS or the STEELERS in them.

[CHANGSTER]

yep....weak sauce,just checked their showin the Oak game over here instead, and they got the Cow game on fox.

Why the hell do they show EVERY Cowboy game!

[minibronco]

yep....weak sauce,just checked their showin the Oak game over here instead, and they got the Cow game on fox.

Why the hell do they show EVERY Cowboy game!

america's team they are. damn those people.

[minibronco]

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY

HERE WE COME!


go b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-broncos!

[DivineLegion]

the Divine Break down...


1. We have to stop the screen.
2. The run game has to be effective (cliche)
3. Defense needs to get pressure (hold calls from the refs this week ???)
4. 3rd down Conversions would be nice.
5. A healthy champ

The biggest play for the Pats last week was a screen and were gonna see plenty of them with the Gnats...

[enjolras]

the Divine Break down...


1. We have to stop the screen.

Its still REALLY difficult to run the screen against the front 7. The speed from the outside linebackers (gold/williams) along with the speed of the defensive ends has made the Broncos pretty good against screens this year. The Pats sprung one... but that's the exception to the rule.

I would amend #1 to be "We have to stop the underneath routes". Which is code for we need to be more aggressive in the secondary.

2. The run game has to be effective (cliche)

Yep

3. Defense needs to get pressure (hold calls from the ref this week )

I'd amend this to "3. The defensive line needs to change field position" They've been really good at getting pressure on QB's, but they haven't been able to seal the deal.. pressure is great, but sacks change field position and more often than not end drives.

4. 3rd down Conversions would be nice.

4a. The defense getting off the field on 3rd down is key as well.

5. A healthy champ

Always helps to have your best ahelete on the field:)

The biggest play for the Pats last week was a screen and were gonna see plenty of them with the Gnats...[/quote]

[enjolras]

Btw, I think we'll do all of that. Broncos 28-14.

[OrangeShadow]

plax isnt playing is he?

[minibronco]

plax will be a gametime decision

[minibronco]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – The Giants and Broncos conjure up memories of Super Bowl XXI in 1986. The Broncos might have lost that battle, but they have taken two of the last three games against New York.
It’s been four years since the teams have seen each other and many of the names have changed. Kerry Collins was the starting quarterback for the Giants then and Brian Griese was manning the helm for Denver.
Sunday’s contest in New York will feature ninth-year man Jake Plummer (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=751) against 2nd-year Giant Eli Manning, as well as what’s sure to be an interesting ground game with Denver’s Mike Anderson (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=491) and Tatum Bell and New York’s Tiki Barber.
Coach’s Corner:
Head Coach Mike Shanahan (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=357&contentID=415) is 1-1 against the Giants, but is sitting atop the AFC West with a 5-1 Broncos team. The Giants, at 3-2, are hoping to get a win and swing the series record, which is tied at four games each, their way. They will try with the coaching of Tom Coughlin, who is 2-3 against the Broncos and often pegged as a tough coach.
“I think he’s been what a coach should be,” Manning said. “He wants everything to be done the right way. If you’re on time, doing the right things and preparing and going out to practice every day and working hard, then you’ll be in good shape. That’s kind of the way I’ve always expected a football coach to be. We have a good relationship and I think it’s working well for this team.”
Coughlin doesn’t mind being viewed as tough.
“It brings a smile to my face in terms of perception, and that perception started in 1995,” he said. “Anybody who really cares enough to follow what happens knows that I am strong about the things that I believe in, but the interaction with my team is many times overlooked and not anywhere near correct.”
Offense At A Glance:
Growing up, no one was afraid of anyone else’s little brother. How much damage could they do? The Broncos’ defense will look to shut down Peyton’s little brother early so they won’t have to answer that question.
With two sacks, Gerard Warren (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=4142) leads a Broncos’ defense that is ranked 26th in the league against the pass and fifth against the run.
“They do a lot of different things, defensively,” Manning said. “They’ll line up a lot of different ways, show you different looks. They’ll bring pressure from every which way and different people, so you have to be aware of what they might bring. They’ll bring a safety, they’ll bring a corner, they’ll bring two corners. They do a lot of different things, so you have to be on your toes because you never know when something is going to come. When teams do that, they can cause big plays. They can cause fumbles and interceptions and different things because it’s different looks.
“We have to be prepared and I have to be prepared to be aware of what they might do. Obviously, they have talented players. Their front four is very talented with the new additions of some players, and their linebackers are extremely fast. They also have talented cornerbacks and safeties. They’re well-coached and play fast and have good players. They’re pretty solid.”
Last week against the Patriots, Denver’s defense wasn’t able to sack quarterback Tom Brady, but they held him to a 24-of-46 performance for 299 yards.
“Denver played really well against New England and pressured Brady a good bit and brought a lot of guys and got some hits on him,” Manning said. “We know they’re going to bring pressure. They’ve done it in all their games, so we have to be prepared for that, try to block it up and hit our routes. They’re going to have something new, as you make adjustments on the sidelines, so we just have to watch all the games, have a good game plan and try to execute it.”
While it might come up in conversation, the Giants’ game plan won’t have anything added from big brother Peyton.
“We won’t get in there and just talk,” Manning said. “If we’ve played a team, it will come up in conversation, but it’s not like we’re sitting there taking notes and watching film together and going through breakdowns. But obviously, certain things might come up, just in normal conversation. I’ll talk to him this week and, obviously, it may come up, but I don’t think he’s going to tell us something where we’re going to put it in the game plan. Just common thoughts and things that have gone up, it may come up in conversation, but I haven’t talked to him about it yet though.”
Last season, Manning started seven games and played in nine total games. As a starter, he went 1-6. In the nine games he played during his rookie year, he finished 95-of-197 for 1,043 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions. This season, he has 1,200 passing yards and 10 passing touchdowns in five games.
“His progression has been outstanding,” Coughlin said. “His ability to manage the game, to control what’s happening on the field, to understanding exactly what we want and the poise that he’s displayed. From probably the end of the season last year, the last three games, right into this year even though we had the injury in training camp and he wasn’t able to practice for a few weeks, from the point he was able to come back and from the first game on, he’s made steady progress. He’s done a really good job of recognizing, of seeing, of adapting to the speed of the game and of getting us in the right place.”
The Broncos will also have to worry about Barber, who has 397 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, as well as Plaxico Burress and his 30 receptions, 451 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.
Defense At A Glance:
The Giants are ranked 31st in the league in passing defense, allowing an average of just over 316 yards per game.
Plummer is clicking for the Broncos’ offense as of late, passing for 1,141 yards and seven touchdowns. Rod Smith (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=786) has 34 receptions for 432 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
The Broncos’ offensive line has a handful to deal with in Michael Strahan and his 5.5 sacks so far this season. Safety Shaun Williams has two interceptions.
The running game, as shown in the preseason, continues to be a key to victory for the Broncos.
New York, ranked 11th against the run, has both Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=2428) to worry about. Bell has 395 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns while Anderson 358 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
“They’re using them very well,” Coughlin said of the two backs. “Both compliment each other and they both seem to have outstanding yardage, yet neither one of them has an overly amount of carries.”
A few parting shots provided by the NFL:
SERIES:
<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD></TD><TD>BRONCOS</TD><TD>GIANTS</TD></TR><TR><TD>LEADER</TD><TD>Series tied, 4-4</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>STREAKS</TD><TD>2 of past 3</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>COACHES VS. OPP.</TD><TD>Shanahan: 1-1</TD><TD>Coughlin: 2-3</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST WEEK</TD><TD>W 28-20 vs. Patriots</TD><TD>L 16-13 (OT) at Cowboys</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD>LAST GAME</TD><TD>9/10/01: Giants 20 at Broncos 31. Denver QB Brian Griese passes for 330 yards & 3 TDs while Broncos RB Terrell Davis rushes for 101 yards as Broncos defeat Giants.</TD></TR><TR><TD>LAST GAME AT SITE</TD><TD>12/13/98: Giants 20, Broncos 16. New York QB Kent Graham completes 37-yard TD pass to WR Amani Toomer with 48 seconds remaining to hand Broncos 1st loss of season.</TD></TR><TR><TD>BROADCAST</TD><TD>CBS (4:15 PM ET): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Bonnie Bernstein (Field reporter)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD>PASSING</TD><TD>Plummer: 104-178-1,141-7-3-83.6</TD><TD>Manning: 80-153-1,200-10-3-92.0</TD></TR><TR><TD>RUSHING</TD><TD>Bell: 58-395-6.8-3</TD><TD>Barber: 88-397-4.5-3</TD></TR><TR><TD>RECEIVING</TD><TD>Smith: 34-432-12.7-2</TD><TD>Burress: 30-451-15.0-4</TD></TR><TR><TD>OFFENSE</TD><TD>332.7</TD><TD>336.4</TD></TR><TR><TD>TAKE/GIVE</TD><TD>+6</TD><TD>+10 (2L)</TD></TR><TR><TD>DEFENSE</TD><TD>333.3</TD><TD>417.2</TD></TR><TR><TD>SACKS</TD><TD>Warren: 2.0</TD><TD>Strahan: 5.5</TD></TR><TR><TD>INTs</TD><TD>Bailey: 2</TD><TD>Williams: 2</TD></TR><TR><TD>PUNTING</TD><TD>Sauerbrun: 48.1 (1L)</TD><TD>Feagles: 43.5</TD></TR><TR><TD>KICKING</TD><TD>Elam: 39 (15/15 PAT; 8/13 FG)</TD><TD>Feely: 47 (17/17 PAT; 10/10 FG)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>NOTES
LAST MEETING between clubs was 1st game played in newly constructed Invesco Field at Mile High……Giants ended Broncos 14-game regular season win-streak when Denver last traveled to New York
BRONCOS: Club has won 5 in row……Since joining Broncos in ’03, QB JAKE PLUMMER (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=751) is 5-2 vs. NFC with 13 TDs vs. 5 INTs with passer rating of 87.4. Makes 1st start vs. NYG as Bronco……Club is 11-1 (.917) when RB MIKE ANDERSON (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=491) has 20 or more carries. In 7 career games with 12 or more carries, RB TATUM BELL (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=2428) has 606 rush yds on 98 rushes (6.2 avg.) w/5 TDs. Club is 6-1 (.857) in those games. Has posted new career-long run 3 times in past 2 games (34, 55, 68 yds)……In last meeting (9/10/01), WR ROD SMITH (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=786) caught 9 passes for 115 yards & 1 TD. WR ASHLEY LELIE (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=1053) has rushed ball 2 times for runs of 39 & 17 yards……Is 1 of 3 teams in top 5 in both rush offense (No. 3, 153.3) & rush defense (No. 5, 88.3), w/ SD & TB. Club has not turned ball over in 4 games: 264 minutes & 31 seconds……In last mtg, LB AL WILSON (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=758) posted 8 tackles. S JOHN LYNCH (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=2240) had INT and FR in last game vs. NYG (11/24/04 w/TB).
GIANTS: Earned 1st Super Bowl victory with 39-20 win vs. Broncos in SB XXI……Club avgs. 29.8 points per game, most in NFL……QB ELI MANNING has TD pass in 6 consecutive games, tossing 13 TDs vs. 4 INTs in that span……RB TIKI BARBER has 44 career rushing TDs & needs 5 to tie RODNEY HAMPTON for most in club history……WR PLAXICO BURRESS has 291 career receptions & needs 9 for 300. WR AMANI TOOMER has 38 career receiving TDs & needs 2 to become 4th player in team history with 40……TE JEREMY SHOCKEY has 100+ receiving yards in 2 of past 3 games. Leads NFL TEs with 380 receiving yards (22 catches) & 17.3 yards per catch (min. 10 catches) & ties for 1st with 7 receptions of 20+ yards……DE MICHAEL STRAHAN has 123.5 career sacks & needs 3.5 to pass DERRICK THOMAS (126.5) for 10th in NFL history……KR WILLIE PONDER avgs. 27.8 yards per KR, 1st in NFC & 4th in NFL.

[minibronco]

They once had the Orange Crush defense, but admit it, when you think about the Denver Broncos (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/page/DEN) you think offense.
Isn't coach Mike Shanahan considered an offensive wizard?
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=150 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD width=150>http://images.sportsline.com/u/photos/football/nfl/img8986452.jpg </TD><TD width=15> </TD></TR><TR><TD width=150>Al Wilson helped seal Denver's win over the Patriots with a huge hit on Deion Branch. (AP) </TD><TD width=15> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>So what the heck has happened to the Broncos? They've morphed into another team, a pound-it running team that happens to play pretty good defense.
The Broncos are ninth in scoring defense, giving up 17.8 points per game, down from their 19-point average in 2004. By contrast, the offense is scoring 21.3 per game, which is down from 23.8 per game in 2004.
The run defense is ranked fifth in the league, but the pass defense has been suspect at times, ranking 26th overall. That gives the Broncos a ranking of 22nd overall, which isn't impressive, but they have played better than that.
After seeing the Indianapolis Colts do a number on them in the playoffs the past two years -- playing pitch and catch at will -- it's a nice sign for the Broncos and their fans to see improvement.
Maybe it's time the Denver defense got its due.
"The offense is always going to get all the credit and the glory," Broncos linebacker Ian Gold (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/187545) said. "We pride ourselves on getting the job done and staying behind the scenes. Now that we're winning, people are saying, 'Hey, they can play defense, too.'"
At 5-1, Denver has the second-best record in the league, their only loss coming on opening day at Miami against the Dolphins.
It was an awful day for the defense, with Miami gaining 426 yards of offense. That's the same Miami team that has struggled on offense most of the time since.
There was talk after that game of friction between Shanahan and defensive coordinator Larry Coyer, something both denied.
"Never heard that," Gold said.

[minibronco]

What Gold and his teammates did hear was the wakeup bell. In the five games since, the Denver defense has given up 315 yards per game.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=310 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=adlabel colSpan=2 height=10>Advertisement</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD align=middle width=300 height=250><SCRIPT language=JavaScript><!--//var dclkImu='http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/imus.spln.com/'+vTag+';'+vTarget+';'+uID+';sz=300x250;tile=7;ord ='+random+'?';if (switchDclk != 'off') { if (location.search.substring(1).indexOf('DCLK')>-1) document.write('<input type="text" value="'+dclkImu+'" style="width:295px">
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</OBJECT><NOSCRIPT>http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/imus.spln.com/nfl;arena=nfl;feat=stories;type=psa;user=Anonymous ;cust=no;vip=no;sz=300x250;tile=7;ord=850311300490 50? ("]http://m.2mdn.net/1112403/home_300.gif[/URL]</NOSCRIPT><NOSCRIPT>[URL="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/imus.spln.com/nfl;arena=nfl;feat=stories;type=psa;user=Anonymous ;cust=no;vip=no;sz=300x250;tile=7;ord=850311300490 50?)</NOSCRIPT></TD><TD width=10> </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2 height=10><SPACER height="10" width="1" type="block"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>"I think after that Miami game we looked around at each other; we have to expect more from each other," said Gold, who returned to the Broncos this year after one season with Tampa Bay. "I knew what to expect from Al (Wilson) and some of the other guys. But the new guys on defense started realizing we have some high expectations. This isn't Cleveland. Once they realized that, they stepped up their games, and it's showing."
The Broncos brought in four linemen who played for the Browns last season in an effort to improve their defensive front. At the time, it was considered a controversial way to improve because the Browns struggled on defense and several of the players came with question marks over their heads.
So far, Shanahan gets the check next to being right for these moves.
Defensive tackles Gerard Warren (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/235255) and Michael Myers (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/12583) are both playing well, while Courtney Brown (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/187384) and Ebenezer Ekuban (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/133279) have started at end. Tackle Monsanto Pope is the only starter from 2004 to start a game this year.
"Well, they worked out extremely well, all four of them," Shanahan said. "Sometimes you kind of reap the reward when someone goes from a four-man front to a three-man front because we had an eye on a few of those players the year before and they weren't interested in trading anybody.
"With the change in coaching staff and philosophy, we were able to get some people that we thought would give us some depth and help our football team get stronger and we were able to that because three of those guys are starting and the other guy's the first substitute."
The return to health of Trevor Pryce (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/4123) this year has made a real difference. He missed 14 games with a herniated disc last season, but when he's healthy -- which he is now -- he can dominate the line of scrimmage.
All together, the front has made a huge difference, Gold said.
"What we're doing is because of them," Gold said. "It makes it so much easier for our linebackers to get to the ball."
He might just be being a bit modest. The feeling among some Denver players is that the linebackers key the defense.
In Gold, middle linebacker Al Wilson (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/133451) and strong-side linebacker D.J. Williams (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/493116), the Broncos might have the fastest group of any team in the league.
In the secondary, the Broncos have been forced to play without star corner Champ Bailey for three games because of a hamstring injury. That has forced rookies Darrent Williams and Domonique Foxworth into the lineup. Both have played well.
"I told them they're not rookies anymore," Gold said. "They're beyond that. Even before Champ was hurt, I could sense they were past being a rookie. They came in focused. A lot of times guys come into the league and get the money and they want to party and hang out. These guys came in focused on being good football players. And now we're seeing what that means for them."
When Bailey is back to 100 percent, the pass defense will improve. When it does, it should help a pass rush that has just eight sacks, tying Denver with Cleveland and Oakland for third fewest in the league.
This week the defense gets its stiffest test when it faces the New York Giants, the league's highest-scoring offense. If the Broncos can shut down the Giants, who knows? Maybe the defense will finally start to get some due.
Maybe come playoff time, the D in Denver will mean defense again instead of that other d-word: demolished.