Colts ...Can they be beaten?

[SoDak Bronco]

How the H3LL does anyone stop this team???? It seems you are screwed no matter how you attack there offense. If you blitz, Manning will goto the receiver with Man coverage, if you play soft, Edge will run for 5-10 yards against you. This team is makes me nautious and scared just watching them. Any tips for Coyer and Shanny to stop this damn team???hmmm...

[Bob's your Information Minister]

You have to get to Manning. And your offense has to have a great day.

I don't know if anyone can beat Indy in that dome, though.

[Sassy]

Keep Manning off the field.

[SteveTensi13]

It's not so much what you do defensively as what you do offensively. Run the ball right at them, wear them down, keep their offense off the field as much as possible. If we get into a shootout with these guys we lose big-time!

[epicSocialism4tw]

You have to score first and eat up the clock. When there is no pressure on Manning, he's fine. When you force him to play from behind, he can lose his composure.

I think that you also have to let your defenders loose to get a couple of personal foul flags on the receivers that cross the middle of the field. Your linebackers also have to get through gaps and smack Manning hard.

[Dukes]

They are human, so they can make mistakes.

[BigPlayShay]

They scare me as well, but no one should forget the 98 Vikings. Even though they lost a game early, they were a similar type team. Ended up losing at home in the Championship game to the 2 seed.

They have to be held to 3 points on their fist three posessions, and the other team has to score at least 21 points on thier first 3 posessions.

[-Slap-]

They're still a bunch of soft front runners. You can really see them trying to bury that image, too. They were chippy as hell with Pittsburgh early in the game. Too bad Roethlisberger is so rusty. This could have been a real close game.

[ZachKC]

This is the NFL.

[Doufer]

take manning out of the game

[footstepsfrom#27]

You have to force Manning to beat you with receivers that are not wide open and a pass rush in his face. Pittsburgh's been playing way off their receivers. I think that's a huge mistake. If you jam their receivers at the line and make Manning find them on routes that are slightly different than the ones they intended to run you will force him to hold that ball an extra second...enough time for a team with a good pass rush to get pressure on him. If Manning gets pressure he's is not the world beater he is with time to throw.

Of course all this means you need three good corners with speed who can cover man to man. You also need great LB's to track Edge and on offense you have to run the ball consistently between the tackles and attack that small defensive front 7, control TOP and when you have to pass have a mobile QB who can roll out and throw on the run so that their pass rush can't just tee off on your QB.

We have all those things. The question I have is do we have the psychological ability to forget about the last two playoff games we lost to them?

[baja]

Denver has the best shot at beating indy

[epicSocialism4tw]

If you smack them in the mouth, they'll feel the pressure. That means getting in the backfield and laying the wood on players. You have to pop James in the jaw Lynch style and wrap him up. You have to get serious pressures on Manning. You have to hit him. We'll blitz Darrant and Lynch if we see them in the playoffs. If you get some good smacks in on them early and let them know you're there, Manning will feel the pressure and make mistakes.

[SoDak Bronco]

They are human, so they can make mistakes.


Watching the Robotic Manning you could have fooled me...

[footstepsfrom#27]

Denver has the best shot at beating indy
I agree. We have 3 corners I would not be afraid to stick out there and tell them to man up on those guys and take our chances getting to Manning, plus I believe we can run on that team.

[24champ]

While the Chiefs call this weekend their superbowl, the day we play Indy in the playoffs will be our super bowl. I believe we can beat this Colts team because if you watched the dallas game, we were very good on the defensive side of the ball giving Bledsoe different reads, I believe its getting harder for a QB to get a read on what our defense is going to do whether its a blitz or cover because we are now gelling. Remember we have alot of newcomers on our defense with the "browncos" and the rookies and they are getting better every game.

[Mile High Shack]

any team can be beaten

[epicSocialism4tw]

I agree. We have 3 corners I would not be afraid to stick out there and tell them to man up on those guys and take our chances getting to Manning, plus I believe we can run on that team.

It'll be tough because their offense gets ahead so quickly. Luckily our offense operates under that same M.O.: Get up early and run the ball down their throats. I like the chance of the big play for us, but we are going to have to stick to the plan no matter what. If Denver gets down 14-0 and starts dropping back every down, there's going to be trouble. If Denver survives the initial barrage and maintains ball possession, Denver will win.

[-Slap-]

Watching the Robotic Manning you could have fooled me...
That's the thing about Peyton, though. A more observant person than I pointed out to me that, like a robot, Peyton functions at a much lesser capacity when he's forced to deviate from his programming. Take Peyton out of his comfort zone and his effectiveness diminishes.

Obviously, this is code for sock him in the mouth a few times. Its fairly trite to state that Manning is worse under a heavy pass rush, as this is true for all quarterbacks. There is some reason to believe that Peyton will fold if you rough him up, though. There were the same questions about Dan Marino, not so of John Elway or Jim Kelly.

[epicSocialism4tw]

While the Chiefs call this weekend their superbowl, the day we play Indy in the playoffs will be our super bowl. I believe we can beat this Colts team because if you watched the dallas game, we were very good on the defensive side of the ball giving Bledsoe different reads, I believe its getting harder for a QB to get a read on what our defense is going to do whether its a blitz or cover because we are now gelling. Remember we have alot of newcomers on our defense with the "browncos" and the rookies and they are getting better every game.

Our defense is kind of like Pittsburgh's blitzing defense from a couple of years back. We are fast and hit hard. We have some solid tacklers on the edges and can bring corners and LB's. If anyone can put a hurt on Manning, it's us.

[epicSocialism4tw]

That's the thing about Peyton, though. A more observant person than I pointed out to me that, like a robot, Peyton functions at a much lesser capacity when he's forced to deviate from his programming. Take Peyton out of his comfort zone and his effectiveness diminishes.

Obviously, this is code for sock him in the mouth a few times. Its fairly trite to state that Manning is worse under a heavy pass rush, as this is true for all quarterbacks. There is some reason to believe that Peyton will fold if you rough him up, though. There were the same questions about Dan Marino, not so of John Elway or Jim Kelly.

That's exactly what you have to do. You might even have to take a penalty to do it. You send someone into the backfield to smack him in the jaw.

[ZachKC]

While the Chiefs call this weekend their superbowl, the day we play Indy in the playoffs will be our super bowl. I believe we can beat this Colts team because if you watched the dallas game, we were very good on the defensive side of the ball giving Bledsoe different reads, I believe its getting harder for a QB to get a read on what our defense is going to do whether its a blitz or cover because we are now gelling. Remember we have alot of newcomers on our defense with the "browncos" and the rookies and they are getting better every game.
So, your ability to give a QB different looks in Dallas makes is a sign that you can take it to the Colts...because???

Every defense in the NFL shows different looks.

[Paladin]

You really do have to pop them hard and often. You really cannot let James run without paying a big price. My guess is that there will a rules chnage somewhere along the way that requires that if the QB gets under center and places his hands down, then he cannot move his hands back in tandem without it being a false start. Those moves are an attempt to get the other team to jump and to be less than ready when the ball is snapped.

I also think that the refs have to be schooled. They are primed to not call them on fouls and let the stuff slide. They tend to protect the Colts. Harrison gets a lot of cheap calls, and he needs to get really popped at least twice in the early stages of the game, ala Lynch. The same with Wayne. Arrogance needs to be shoved back.

I think there needs to be a plan of substitution that gets implemented immediately after a play is called stopped so that Manning cannot play his little games. I don't think it matter much what the subs plan is because, at least, I think that would confuse him just a bit.

To be honest, this seems to be their year. Just like the Pats, they will probably get there, and be a golden group for a couple of years. I don't know if the Broncos can stop them. But I want to see them try. To see that, it would be a Conference championship game.

[-Slap-]

Our defense is kind of like Pittsburgh's blitzing defense from a couple of years back. We are fast and hit hard. We have some solid tacklers on the edges and can bring corners and LB's. If anyone can put a hurt on Manning, it's us.
I'm sure we'll bring Darrent off the corner early the next time we play Indy on that fast turf. Hopefully he'll bury his hat right in Peyton's nards at 100 miles per second.

[ZachKC]

You really do have to pop them hard and often. You really cannot let James run without paying a big price. My guess is that there will a rules chnage somewhere along the way that requires that if the QB gets under center and places his hands down, then he cannot move his hands back in tandem without it being a false start. Those moves are an attempt to get the other team to jump and to be less than ready when the ball is snapped. Eh, I don't think many lineman have thier eyes on the a QBs hands when they are down in a 3 point stance from the angles they have. Thats just not where you read the ball being snapped. There is a lot of hand movement aside for any QB down there.

I don't think its a bait for getting teams offsides in the least.

[epicSocialism4tw]

I'm sure we'll bring Darrent off the corner early the next time we play Indy on that fast turf. Hopefully he'll bury his hat right in Peyton's nards at 100 miles per second.

We've got the horses this season on the D-line to demand attention up front. Because of that, our corners have caused some problems this season on the blitz. They have arguably been the most effective at hitting the QB because they are all so fast.

[Paladin]

We've got the horses this season on the D-line to demand attention up front. Because of that, our corners have caused some problems this season on the blitz. They have arguably been the most effective at hitting the QB because they are all so fast.

If and when the Broncos get there, I really hope you are right.

[-Slap-]

That's exactly what you have to do. You might even have to take a penalty to do it. You send someone into the backfield to smack him in the jaw.
That's the thing. You better make it count when you get your chances. Hell, you can lose fifteen yards just by tapping him, so you might as well get your money's worth.

Bounce that jugeared hick along the turf like a paint can thrown from a car window on the freeway. Then, when he's getting up and crying to the refs like an Indian-burned baby brother, tell him he'll always be a loser just like his daddy.

[DarkHorse30]

Indy is the most coddled team in the NFL. They hold worse than any team in the league and never get called. Therefore, Manning can stand in the pocket and throw darts. Heaven help him if he has to scramble because he is the worst QB at throwing on the run. He also throws into coverage all the time.

The way to beat him is to have a dominant D-line that can force him out of the pocket, and keep James to 3-4 ypc. Biggest problem? Covering the WRs. So you HAVE to get a Bullrush on that line because they will NEVER call Indy for a hold going around the edge. It really doesn't matter if you have a speed rusher, because Manning just camps in the middle. So load up the Bullrush and just keep pushing old ironlegs out of the pocket.....then unload a safety or a speedy LB on him if he gets rid of the ball.

Another problem is manning's spastic meandering before the play is run. I'm not sure why a ref doesn't ever call him for a false start because the guy is waving and gesturing around like a freakin' cheerleader. And then he cries when everything doesn't go his way. To be honest, I'd take a QB like Rothlisberger over She-manning any day. The guy is tough, where Peyton acts like a 2-year old when things go south.

[ZachKC]

All this ref talk just seems to be the same old tripe shot at the team that is on top at the time...I just don't believe it for a second. It was thrown at the Patriots...its thrown at the Colts...

Don't believe it for a second.

[24champ]

So, your ability to give a QB different looks in Dallas makes is a sign that you can take it to the Colts...because???

Every defense in the NFL shows different looks.
It helps us because Peyton reads defenses very well and calls audibles as he sees the defense blitzing or covering. If he sees it wrong then theres a good chance he will throw the ball away or James gets stuffed. Sure every defense shows different looks but are any of them as quick as ours? It is one of the reasons we get alot of turnovers.

[Mile High Shack]

watching the Colts play drives me nuts

with Pay-a-ton and his Sergio Garciesque "waggles" before every snap, it drives me nuts

[-Slap-]

All this ref talk just seems to be the same old tripe shot at the team that is on top at the time...I just don't believe it for a second. It was thrown at the Patriots...its thrown at the Colts...

Don't believe it for a second.
No, you only believed it about the Broncos.

Your team is never on top, so such slings and arrows will never trouble your fortunes.

[ZachKC]

It helps us because Peyton reads defenses very well and calls audibles as he sees the defense blitzing or covering. If he sees it wrong then theres a good chance he will throw the ball away or James gets stuffed. Sure every defense shows different looks but are any of them as quick as ours? It is one of the reasons we get alot of turnovers.
I just figured you would throw us a reason that not every NFL team shared.

I have no doubt your defense makes good reads. Its hard to quantify it though without being on the field and "in the know"

You can get a pretty good sense of what offenses or QBs are good audibling. Is that a word? Ha.

But its tough to tell.

I will say this. As good as Denver is at shifting looks and schemes. I bet ol Peyton is just as good if not better at playing that game on the other side of the ball. An Indy\Den match will be fun to watch if it happens.

[JCMElway]

We have all those things. The question I have is do we have the psychological ability to forget about the last two playoff games we lost to them?

I think those past games may give us an edge, especially with the world kissing Payton's A$$. We should really go in with a chip on our shoulder, a new revenge tour if you will.

Also, we had injury problems on defense for both of those games, especially last year. This year we're healthy and we have Champ.

I think top to bottom Shanny has built this team to beat the Colts. If we're healthy if/when we travel to Indy I think we have a shot....

[ZachKC]

No, you only believed it about the Broncos.

Your team is never on top, so such slings and arrows will never trouble your fortunes.
Believed it about the Broncos? I don't credit or discredit wins for the Broncos by anything the refs do. There is whole board does enough of that. Not my style.

[ZachKC]

I think those past games may give us an edge, especially with the world kissing Payton's A$$. We should really go in with a chip on our shoulder, a new revenge tour if you will.


Sorry, you may beat the Colts...but if you do it won't be because of that. I heard this song and dance last year. If revenge was the extra push needed to get you guys over the top the multiple playoff losses wouldnt have went down the way they did.

[Finger Roll]

after watching the broncos get pimped slapped around by the colts the last 2 playoffs, I don't have much faith:'( of course I thought we would get killed by the Packers in the Super Bowl because of previous super bowl pathetic showings.

[Old Dude]

Low profile is fine with me. Let Indy deal with the press. It'll just put that much more pressure on them as the season goes on.

Right now, we just need to drive a stake through KC.

[Bronco Billy]

I would love to see Indy go undefeated AND then be beaten by us in the playoffs! We probably have as good a chance as anyone. The Week 14 game Indy has at Seattle will probably be their only test left during the regular season.

[ZachKC]

Low profile is fine with me. Let Indy deal with the press. It'll just put that much more pressure on them as the season goes on.
Broncos are talked about on all the NFL shows I watch all the time. I am not sure where this comes from.

[Finger Roll]

I would love to see Indy go undefeated AND then be beaten by us in the playoffs! We probably have as good a chance as anyone. The Week 14 game Indy has at Seattle will probably be their only test left during the regular season.


That would be amazing if that happened.

[DarkHorse30]

Low profile is fine with me. Let Indy deal with the press. It'll just put that much more pressure on them as the season goes on.

Right now, we just need to drive a stake through KC.

Good call.

[sirhcyennek81]

good for indy. 11-0. they still have games to play, and they will trip up sooner or later. hopefully in january...

[Rulon Velvet Jones]

I maintain that the Chargers will beat them in a couple weeks.

Aaaaanyway...who thinks the gameplan for the Colts has been developed/adjusted every week since the loss in last year's playoffs?

[footstepsfrom#27]

In Superbowl IX the Steelers devastated the Minnesota Vikings offensive line by putting both Mean Joe Green and Ernie Holmes 2 on 1 against the Vikings All Pro center Mick Tinglehoff. Green and Holmes caused sheer havock in the Vikings backfield because they were so quick they were able to bowl through Tinglehoff and straight into the Viking backfield over and over before the Viking guards could get there.

I'd put both our DT's over the Colts center Jeff Saturday and move Pryce and Brown inside over the guards with DJ and Gold playing stand up ends and dropping or rushing as LB's off the OT"s outside edge. Doing this will put the teeth of the Denver pass rush straight in Peyton Manning's face instead of coming off the edge where they can slow it down. As crazy as it sounds I think Darrent and Fox can give a good account of themselves in man coverage and we know Champ will. These guys might have started as rookies but they don't look like rookies anymore. We might give up some big plays but we would anyway, so why not force Manning to look at 4 interior pass rushers instead of 2 and make his receivers catch the ball when they're covered instead of 6 yards from the nearest defender like they usually do? Indy will try to run the ball but I think we get a much better shot if we attack them instead of waiting to see what they do and playing off the ball like Pittsburgh did in their secondary. Dropping your CB's 7 yards off the line is idiotic and begging to get beaten.

If we take an aggressive approach on defense and get pressure on Manning while running the ball on offense, we can beat them.

[Finger Roll]

I maintain that the Chargers will beat them in a couple weeks.

Aaaaanyway...who thinks the gameplan for the Colts has been developed/adjusted every week since the loss in last year's playoffs?


no they won't. They have a horrible secondary and Manning Will eat them alive. The only game I think they'll lose is at Seattle.

[sirhcyennek81]

Broncos have been built with an eye on beating indianapolis. you have 3 running backs, that on any play, can break a 50 yard run. you have an efficent passing game, a qb who can make the plays to get out of the way of a speedy pass rush, and a defense that can bring pressure with blitzes or the front four. shanahan has indi on his mind, and this team reflects that. indi hopes to go undefeated, if they lose enough to cede the 1 seed to us, they wont make any superbowl this year.

[Paladin]

Why Seattle? I was not particularly impressed with them against the Giants.

It really doesn't make much difference tight now, but I'd like to see that stake in the KC heart this weekend.

[sirhcyennek81]

Jacksonville could give indianapolis problems. so could seattle, and keep in mind, san diego had a lead on indi until peyton got hot. patience is the key to beating indianapolis. they get frustrated, they make mistakes, peyton isnt as sharp, and they lose.

[Sassy]

I maintain that the Chargers will beat them in a couple weeks.

Aaaaanyway...who thinks the gameplan for the Colts has been developed/adjusted every week since the loss in last year's playoffs?
I had that same thought tonight...:pray:

[Finger Roll]

Broncos have been built with an eye on beating indianapolis. you have 3 running backs, that on any play, can break a 50 yard run. you have an efficent passing game, a qb who can make the plays to get out of the way of a speedy pass rush, and a defense that can bring pressure with blitzes or the front four. shanahan has indi on his mind, and this team reflects that. indi hopes to go undefeated, if they lose enough to cede the 1 seed to us, they wont make any superbowl this year.

I agree it's like the broncos built their team just to match up great against the Colts. Kind of back in 99-02 when the Eagles built their team to match up great against the Rams.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Broncos have been built with an eye on beating indianapolis.

Really? With two rookie DBs in your nickel?

[Finger Roll]

the colts better beat the Chargers:moody:

[ScottXray]

Sure you have to pressure Manning and get hits on him. That's not enough by itself.
Much as I hate him, he is the best QB, at reading defenses, in the NFL, and he then calls an audible and changes the play at the line. All his arm waving and crap is directing traffic to set up his receivers, and are really just signals to them as to what route to run. He is very good at that also..

The real KEY to beating Manning is to show CONSTANT movement and shifts on the Defensive side so he doesn't have time to make the read and then change the play at the line. In other words , don't show a set defense until the last second! The d-line, Linebackers and secondary will have to shift until the clock is down to 5 seconds or less, then go to the chosen positions. That will force them to either T.O. or run the original play sent in.

This will be much harder than it seems, since defensive communication will be hampered. And the D needs to make reads too.

Indys no huddle they run will mean no time to change players. However, the Big Nickle we run should be fine, and the d-line can stop Edge from making any consistent gains. The DBs have to man up on the recievers and shift with them, and as said before, jam them at the line and slow or delay their routes. LBs will have to cover the 4 and 5 recievers and fill the gaps. If we can CONFUSE their offence long enough to get a decent lead, then we should be able to get Manning misfiring ..a lot. The key is to not fall behind by 10-14 early, but instead get up by that number.

We CAN beat them....but it is going to be OUR superbowl all right. It will take Perfect Defense. If we do beat them then we will be going to detroit.
:charge:

[sirhcyennek81]

bob...consider...broncos bring in 4 defensive linemen, and draft speed at defensive back. also...has having 2 rookies in our defensive backfield HURT anything? seriously man, think before you speak. this team has been designed to beat indianapolis.

[ClevelandBronco2]

That's exactly what you have to do. You might even have to take a penalty to do it. You send someone into the backfield to smack him in the jaw.

Absolutely. I'd like to see the Broncos give up a couple of 15 yard personal fouls early for roughing the quarterback just to see if we can rattle the sumbitch. If our guys don't figure out a way to force Manning to get his head on a swivel and break his concentration he'll pick up the 15 yards anyway. Once he gets the message that he has to look at the pass rush as well as his receivers, jamming the receivers at the line will throw off the timing patterns.

If that approach works, Edge would have a great game. Then its a matter of outscoring Edge. I'd rather have our guys face that task than face outscoring Marvin Harrison, et al.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Really? With two rookie DBs in your nickel?
Fox and Williams have played great all year, and by the playoffs they won't be rookies anymore...but 2nd year guys. I know it was only preseason, but Williams held Harrison to 3/37 yards in the 3rd preseason game. He matched up great with him. I think we are far more prepared this time around than when we had Rock Alexander getting torched last year against this team.

[ludo21]

I really cant wait for a re match, (assuming we get one) verse the colts!!!

DL is getting pressure for us, LB stop the run, CB will step up (better than last year at least).

Really will be fun to see another match up!

[BroncoFanDoug]

I admit, this team scares me. Having said that, their D is only good not great.

In my mind, they are better than the Broncs, but not so much that we could not win 2 out of 5 from them. We just need to make the 1 one of the 2!

After the last 2 playoff games, nothing would be better than to be the team that snatches a trip to the SB from them one more time. Then they would hate us as much as we hate them and we could have a really rivalry!

[-Slap-]

In Superbowl IX the Steelers devastated the Minnesota Vikings offensive line by putting both Mean Joe Green and Ernie Holmes 2 on 1 against the Vikings All Pro center Mick Tinglehoff. Green and Holmes caused sheer havock in the Vikings backfield because they were so quick they were able to bowl through Tinglehoff and straight into the Viking backfield over and over before the Viking guards could get there.

I'd put both our DT's over the Colts center Jeff Saturday and move Pryce and Brown inside over the guards with DJ and Gold playing stand up ends and dropping or rushing as LB's off the OT"s outside edge. Doing this will put the teeth of the Denver pass rush straight in Peyton Manning's face instead of coming off the edge where they can slow it down. As crazy as it sounds I think Darrent and Fox can give a good account of themselves in man coverage and we know Champ will. These guys might have started as rookies but they don't look like rookies anymore. We might give up some big plays but we would anyway, so why not force Manning to look at 4 interior pass rushers instead of 2 and make his receivers catch the ball when they're covered instead of 6 yards from the nearest defender like they usually do? Indy will try to run the ball but I think we get a much better shot if we attack them instead of waiting to see what they do and playing off the ball like Pittsburgh did in their secondary. Dropping your CB's 7 yards off the line is idiotic and begging to get beaten.

If we take an aggressive approach on defense and get pressure on Manning while running the ball on offense, we can beat them.

The other advantage Pittsburgh's approach had was that Joe and Fats were able to get penetration and destroy the vision of passing lanes of the diminutive Tarkenton. This wouldn't necessarily bother the 6'5" Manning. Bud Carson had about eight Pro Bowlers on the field for that game, too.

You'll probably just force Indy into the two TE set exclusively. Unfortunately, you really increase your chances of Edge taking a dump pass in the flats a long way with your whole front seven bunched between the tackles like that.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Fox and Williams have played great all year, and by the playoffs they won't be rookies anymore...but 2nd year guys. I know it was only preseason, but Williams held Harrison to 3/37 yards in the 3rd preseason game. He matched up great with him. I think we are far more prepared this time around than when we had Rock Alexander getting torched last year against this team.
Certainly...but they're still rookies. Advantage Manning.

If I was Denver, I'd lock Bailey on Harrison and double up Wayne or Stokely depending on the situation.

[footstepsfrom#27]

The real KEY to beating Manning is to show CONSTANT movement and shifts on the Defensive side so he doesn't have time to make the read and then change the play at the line. In other words , don't show a set defense until the last second! The d-line, Linebackers and secondary will have to shift until the clock is down to 5 seconds or less, then go to the chosen positions. That will force them to either T.O. or run the original play sent in.
Manning takes several seconds with all his arm waving to audible. I don't think the defense has to jump around, they only need to CHANGE the look when he's halfway through his gyrations and make him doubt if he's going to see what he thought he would. The key is an INTERIOR pass rush. They have good OT's, but they're interior line can be beaten if we load up inside with 4 D-linemen against 3 O-line guys....simple math. We have to make Manning worry about something other than which wide open receiver he wants to go to. We need to punsh this guy, and I don't mean dragging him down on an occasional near sack...I mean smacking the crap out of him.

[JCMElway]

This thread is fun in theory, but Denver has a huge task in beating KC this week. Narrowhead is always a tough place for us to play. After that we have to travel to Buffalo in December, not to mention a showdown at the Murph (among other tough games.)

If Denver can go in and put the Chefs away, I believe we really can make some noise in the playoffs. But I will be very nervous/excited on Sunday!

[footstepsfrom#27]

The other advantage Pittsburgh's approach had was that Joe and Fats were able to get penetration and destroy the vision of passing lanes of the diminutive Tarkenton. This wouldn't necessarily bother the 6'5" Manning. Bud Carson had about eight Pro Bowlers on the field for that game, too.

You'll probably just force Indy into the two TE set exclusively. Unfortunately, you really increase your chances of Edge taking a dump pass in the flats a long way with your whole front seven bunched between the tackles like that.
Tarkenton was mobile...Manning is not. And if we force them into a two tight end lineup...great! That will take one of those three 1000 yard receivers off the field. You don't have to bunch your whole front 7. You only have to make it look llike you MIGHT. The LB's can play off the OT's outside shoulder, sometimes rushing...sometimes dropping...or they can play 4 yards deeper...either way Manning won't know whether they're coming or not but it doesnt' matter on passing downs because what will happen is that the Colts will have two nice big OT's on the edge with nobody to block. Trying to block 4 on the interior with 3 and an immobile QB who will have to throw it FAST is something the Colts have not seen yet. It's aggressive and it's a little risky but it beats getting eaten alilve with a constant passing game that nobody has been able to slow down. I think our LB's can slow down Edge, but if we don't pressure Manning it won't matter whether they do or not.

[ludo21]

This thread is fun in theory, but Denver has a huge task in beating KC this week. Narrowhead is always a tough place for us to play. After that we have to travel to Buffalo in December, not to mention a showdown at the Murph (among other tough games.)

If Denver can go in and put the Chefs away, I believe we really can make some noise in the playoffs. But I will be very nervous/excited on Sunday!


Even if we lose i still think we can make some noise in the playoffs. We have a good team, but a nasty place like Mulletville is tough to play, and the Chiefs basically HAVE to win all their games and will be scrapping for every yard.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Certainly...but they're still rookies. Advantage Manning.

If I was Denver, I'd lock Bailey on Harrison and double up Wayne or Stokely depending on the situation.
Manning is great when he gets time to throw...not so great when he doesn't. Look at what Pittsburgh did...playing off the ball 7 yards deep with their corners...a recipe for disaster. We'll need to jam these receivers BEFORE they get off the line and slow their routes...knock them off their intended destination even if only by a couple of yards. Doing so and getting a good interior push will make Manning throw under pressure. Bailey can take Harrison and we pull Ferguson for Foxworthy instead of a LB which would leave us vulnerable to the run.

[CBF1]

I just do not see how Denver can be a true threat to Manning and all of the weapons he has. They have 3 very good WR's and a good TE to cover and all the while having to stop Edge. But like a couple others here I am more worried about KC this weekend and the other 4 games left on the schedule before even starting this topic. Denver will not be the #1 seed in the AFC... yes I am taking bets/wagers and IF we make it that far we will have to play Indy at their house and they are very hard to beat there.

Bring on the queefs

[wabbit]

How the H3LL does anyone stop this team???? It seems you are screwed no matter how you attack there offense. If you blitz, Manning will goto the receiver with Man coverage, if you play soft, Edge will run for 5-10 yards against you. This team is makes me nautious and scared just watching them. Any tips for Coyer and Shanny to stop this damn team???hmmm...

The only weakness I see...or think I see is that the D-line appears vulnerable to a really good running attack

...which does you absolutely no good whatsoever if the Indy offense is scoring every three minutes.

The only thing I think that could beat them is a down day offensively while, at the same time, you play the best game of your franchise.

If you don't think that can't happen...harbor back a moment to Jacksonville @ Denver, circa 1996 (play-offs)

[Bob's your Information Minister]

The way KC beat them last year was by getting a lead.

The D forced a few stops in the first half. Meanwhile the O played an amazing game of football. They had 590 yards of offense and 37:33 in TOP.

You have to get a lead and keep scoring.

[Popps]

Broken record alert...

We're in the same position we've been in the last couple of years. We've got to be able to go into Indy and stop their offense at least PART of the time. We've got firepower on offense... multiple weapons and Cinci showed the world that you CAN run up the score on Indy's defense. I think their secondary is suspect. Palmer had success against them.

Our defense can't come out and bend over for Peyton like they have the past two years. We've got to find a way to slow them down. As has been said many times on this thread already... we've geared up our D to stop this team. I honestly don't know if we're there yet. Sometimes I think so, other times not.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

If you do manage to slow Indy down in the first half, be prepared for their adjustments.

Indy adjusted in KC last year with max protect and play action/double moves. Our D didn't adjust and bit on every run fake even though we were up 17 points.

[Arkie]

Romeo Crennel is Peyton's nemesis. Indy was more sucessful against his Browns team, but they only managed 13 points in the Dome.

[NYBroncoManiac]

Manning takes several seconds with all his arm waving to audible. I don't think the defense has to jump around, they only need to CHANGE the look when he's halfway through his gyrations and make him doubt if he's going to see what he thought he would. The key is an INTERIOR pass rush. They have good OT's, but they're interior line can be beaten if we load up inside with 4 D-linemen against 3 O-line guys....simple math. We have to make Manning worry about something other than which wide open receiver he wants to go to. We need to punsh this guy, and I don't mean dragging him down on an occasional near sack...I mean smacking the crap out of him.


This is all true, but you gotta do it 3 times.

1. Show one look when Peyton comes up to the Center.
2. Immediately change to another look and wait for Peyton to start playing the "Little General".
3. Show your third and final look. This causes the genius to actually try a third audible. The Steelers did it to them last night and caused a Delay of game.

4. When the ball is snapped, your corners need to disrupt the receivers.


All this just MIGHT lead to a sack. The more sacks you get, the more likely Peyton is to make a mistake.

MAKE THEM PAY FOR THE AUDIBLE.

[dsmoot]

It'll be tough because their offense gets ahead so quickly. Luckily our offense operates under that same M.O.: Get up early and run the ball down their throats. I like the chance of the big play for us, but we are going to have to stick to the plan no matter what. If Denver gets down 14-0 and starts dropping back every down, there's going to be trouble. If Denver survives the initial barrage and maintains ball possession, Denver will win.


I think you have hit on the scenario that displays our offensive weakness against a team like Indy that does start so well. Week in and Week out, outside of Rod Smith, it is very difficult to tell if any of the other WR's will show up and have a significant game. I know many people here seem to think we will continue to roll strictly with the running game which is doing very well. During the SB years, Denver had three WR's (including Sharpe) that stressed the defenses along with a great running game. This is what I like about the Indy offense. When they have James running well along with the number of WR targets that Peyton can throw to, they leave defenses very off balance.

I just see this as a weakness that may be the Broncos achilles heel against better teams. I was chastised by some here last week to even think that another team could limit our running game and dare us to beat them through the air. I still have images of the Broncos falling behind in game, we abandon the run, the Indy pass rush coming on strong and Jake (and the Indy defense) locking in on Rod Smith.

On the other side of the ball, every one knows that great offensive teams can be nuetralized by a defense that can get to and rattle the other QB. Unless the Colt OL has a bad game, Manning will kill you if you live by the blitz. We have a better defense but the pressure has to come from the front four not from linebackers and DB's. Is it enough to overcome the results of the last two playoff games.

[OrangeShadow]

San diego will beat them

[baja]

Another thing that is starting to show is the freshness of our D line. Rotating 7 and 8 eight linemen all season long is going to show it's effects more and more with each passing game.Come playoff time Cover will release the dogs and they willbe fresh. We will beat Indy and make Manning poop his pants on national TV.I can hardly wait!

[yavoon]

You have to score first and eat up the clock. When there is no pressure on Manning, he's fine. When you force him to play from behind, he can lose his composure.

I think that you also have to let your defenders loose to get a couple of personal foul flags on the receivers that cross the middle of the field. Your linebackers also have to get through gaps and smack Manning hard.

yah like he did against the bucs when he came from 28 behind in 4 minutes. u ppl seriously just make **** up.

[yavoon]

If you smack them in the mouth, they'll feel the pressure. That means getting in the backfield and laying the wood on players. You have to pop James in the jaw Lynch style and wrap him up. You have to get serious pressures on Manning. You have to hit him. We'll blitz Darrant and Lynch if we see them in the playoffs. If you get some good smacks in on them early and let them know you're there, Manning will feel the pressure and make mistakes.

manning's qb rating vs the blitz is 133. just thot u should know.

[yavoon]

Broken record alert...

We're in the same position we've been in the last couple of years. We've got to be able to go into Indy and stop their offense at least PART of the time. We've got firepower on offense... multiple weapons and Cinci showed the world that you CAN run up the score on Indy's defense. I think their secondary is suspect. Palmer had success against them.

Our defense can't come out and bend over for Peyton like they have the past two years. We've got to find a way to slow them down. As has been said many times on this thread already... we've geared up our D to stop this team. I honestly don't know if we're there yet. Sometimes I think so, other times not.

palmer is a far superior qb w/ a far superior wr(chad johnson) than we have. hopefully we can gash indy on the ground. seems the most plausible way, shorten the game to fewer posessions and trust in your playmakers, parcells does it all the time!

[BKK]

You have to get Manning out of his sync earlier in the game, the Steelers did it to him, but it was late in the second quarter and halftime gave Manning time to regroup. You do not kick onside to start the 3rd quarter trailing in points to the Colts as this gave Manning an easy score and and got back his confidence quickly from there it was over. You must pressure manning rushing at least 5 guys this is how the Steelers got in his head a couple of sacks and he was completing 1 for 5 it really gets to him.

[Sassy]

palmer is a far superior qb w/ a far superior wr(chad johnson) than we have. hopefully we can gash indy on the ground. seems the most plausible way, shorten the game to fewer posessions and trust in your playmakers, parcells does it all the time!
I don't think I'd call Palmer "superior"...I'll take Jake, thank you.

I think we need to keep Manning off the field...and score when we do have the ball...No turnovers.

[Jetmeck]

Pull out the tape on the 2003 game at Indy. RUN, RUN AND RUN THE BALL. D line has to smack Manning around.
That game holds the keys to victory against them.

[Mile High Shack]

San diego will beat them

for our division sake

I hope not

[Rascal]

Well the rookies need to do a better job of tackling then they did against Dallas for a start.

And Pryce, Warren, Eukuban, and Brown will need to have their best games ever. For this game I would stick Pryce inside next to Warren with Eukaban and Brown on the outside.

Then I would bench DJ (sorry bud) and Lynch (to slow) and put in Bailey, Fergy, S Brandon, Darrent, Wilson, Gold, and Foxworth.

[TheDave]

The key is an INTERIOR pass rush. They have good OT's, but they're interior line can be beaten ...

I think what we do here is put trevor back inside next to Warren. A line of Brown, Warren, Pryce, and Ekuban should help to get pressure especially up the middle. Add to that a few defensive shifts, and a healthy secondary and at least we can make a game out of it. :pray:

[TheDave]

Well the rookies need to do a better job of tackling then they did against Dallas for a start.

And Pryce, Warren, Eukuban, and Brown will need to have their best games ever. For this game I would stick Pryce inside next to Warren with Eukaban and Brown on the outside.

Then I would bench DJ (sorry bud) and Lynch (to slow) and put in Bailey, Fergy, S Brandon, Darrent, Wilson, Gold, and Foxworth.

ooooopps you beat me to it!!!

[Rascal]

Great minds think alike :thumbs:

[Garcia Bronco]

I think you hit Manning late.....at night....with a bat...while he sleeps.

[rbackfactory80]

I think you hit Manning late.....at night....with a bat...while he sleeps.


Definitely the best idea yet. But we need to send someone not valuable to us to hit him hard and collect the personal foul, helmet to helmet, of course when we have them backed up where it will not hurt us. But he is a choke artist. From the college to the pro's. He will make mistakes in a game that will decide who goes to the superbowl. We will be playing with house money, with nobody expecting us to win.

[yavoon]

I don't think I'd call Palmer "superior"...I'll take Jake, thank you.

I think we need to keep Manning off the field...and score when we do have the ball...No turnovers.

ok well palmer is.

[Garcia Bronco]

Definitely the best idea yet. But we need to send someone not valuable to us to hit him hard and collect the personal foul, helmet to helmet, of course when we have them backed up where it will not hurt us. But he is a choke artist. From the college to the pro's. He will make mistakes in a game that will decide who goes to the superbowl. We will be playing with house money, with nobody expecting us to win.

If we're afforded the opportunity to play them for the rights to the AFC...I will gladly tell everyone that we have no chance.

[bro1ncos]

One thing I haven't seen here that I think is important, is that your defensive line has to have a great game. They obviously need to put pressure on Manning w/o blitzes, but they also need to make the majority tackles on Edge, keeping his YPC to around 3. If your d-line can dominate then it allows 6-7 guys to remain in coverage.

Then to agree with a lot of others here. A team needs to get out early and play with a lead. This Colt team reminds me a lot of the Rams a few years back. They could have lost to Tampa in the NFC championship and to the Titans in the Super Bowl. The Rams didn't, but they definately could be beat, just like the Colts can be beat.

[Alkazar]

First and foremost, keep him off the field with long productive drives from the offense. Second, force him out of the pocket, he sucks when flushed. Bring pressure up the middle, make him roll either right or left, doesn't matter. Once he does that, we should have him.

[Hotrod]

Couple of things

1. The Chargers will not beat Indy
2. The seachickens just might they are a VERY good home team
3. The single biggest key for Denver beating the colts is to get a lead early PERIOD. If we get a lead and can stick with a running/Playaction pass game plan we stick around and take the game into the forth. We get behind early like the last two years and it will be time to break out the golf clubs.

[Rascal]

I would have said the Jags had a legit chance but with Lefty being out for 4 weeks there is no way. Sure Gerrand is good but there is a reason why he is the backup.

[Hotrod]

Wanna make some easy $ watch the odds makers put the seachickens as a huge home dog then cash in :yep:

[Hotrod]

Wanna make some easy $ watch the odds makers put the seachickens as a huge home dog then cash in :yep:

[Hotrod]

Huh I guess that was so important I thought I would say it twice ???

[TheDave]

Colts ...Can they be beaten?

as much as i will hope for the best and cheer my ass off in the process.... can we beat them in the dome in the AFC championship??? Probably not. Their defense is a bad match up for us. Smaller quicker lineman and LB's that are not as affected by zone/cut blocking techniques. Rarely can we run the boot without one of them in our face... Our only hope is to slow them down and hope that it is still a game come the 4th quarter. For us to honestely beat them we have to play a near perfect game...

Good/excellent pass rush (especially up the middle)
Chew up the clock with the ground game
we have to win the turnover battle
we have to win the field position battle

if we win all the above then we have a chance... if not well, been there done that...

[Mile High Shack]

honestly

I'm not even going to worry about the Colts

we have enough trouble on our hands trying to win the AFC West and get the #2 spot in the AFC

[Elway 4 Life]

I think the steelers had him confused most the game. The missed FG right before halftime killed there momentum. The dumbass onside kick which blew me away. WTF was cohwer thinking? Those two plays really sealed ther fate. I think there defense did ok against them. You just have to play mistake free football.

[Bronx33]

I think the steelers had him confused most the game. The missed FG right before halftime killed there momentum. The dumbass onside kick which blew me away. WTF was cohwer thinking? Those two plays really sealed ther fate. I think there defense did ok against them. You just have to play mistake free football.


Cowher is to blamefor that loss, and i thought they started roth a little to soon he looked slow and lathargic out there.

[Alkazar]

honestly

I'm not even going to worry about the Colts

we have enough trouble on our hands trying to win the AFC West and get the #2 spot in the AFC

Agreed, lets concentrate on the remaining games in the regular season before we start thinking about the AFC Championship game. It starts with the KC Chiefs in KC. This is a tough enough game as it stands. It does no good overlooking the Chiefs even though they do suck.

[Elway 4 Life]

Cowher is to blamefor that loss, and i thought they started roth a little to soon he looked slow and lathargic out there.

I agree, he is not very fast. He needs protection to pass and he had none + he looked rusty. Cowher is a great coach but made a dumb call. You dont onside kick on the road against an outstanding offense.

[BigPlayShay]

I would have said the Jags had a legit chance but with Lefty being out for 4 weeks there is no way. Sure Gerrand is good but there is a reason why he is the backup.

I personally think the Jags will beat them. Leftwich is a good qb, but Garrard is no slouch. In fact, I think against Indy's aggressive upfield defensive line, Garrard is more dangerous because he is mobile. The Jags made sure that re-signing Garrard was a priority in the offseason, and the reason is he could be starting elsewhere.

Defensively, the Jags d-line will be all over Peyton and they will be forced to run the ball like they did in the last matchup. If the Jags can be a little more stout against the run, I expect them to win it.

[yavoon]

I personally think the Jags will beat them. Leftwich is a good qb, but Garrard is no slouch. In fact, I think against Indy's aggressive upfield defensive line, Garrard is more dangerous because he is mobile. The Jags made sure that re-signing Garrard was a priority in the offseason, and the reason is he could be starting elsewhere.

Defensively, the Jags d-line will be all over Peyton and they will be forced to run the ball like they did in the last matchup. If the Jags can be a little more stout against the run, I expect them to win it.

the colts have DESTROYED vick several times.

[-Slap-]

Tarkenton was mobile...Manning is not. And if we force them into a two tight end lineup...great! That will take one of those three 1000 yard receivers off the field. You don't have to bunch your whole front 7. You only have to make it look llike you MIGHT. The LB's can play off the OT's outside shoulder, sometimes rushing...sometimes dropping...or they can play 4 yards deeper...either way Manning won't know whether they're coming or not but it doesnt' matter on passing downs because what will happen is that the Colts will have two nice big OT's on the edge with nobody to block. Trying to block 4 on the interior with 3 and an immobile QB who will have to throw it FAST is something the Colts have not seen yet. It's aggressive and it's a little risky but it beats getting eaten alilve with a constant passing game that nobody has been able to slow down. I think our LB's can slow down Edge, but if we don't pressure Manning it won't matter whether they do or not.

After watching this team proceed with a pretty conservative approach on offense and defense this season, I think the odds of us attempting a radically aggressive defensive posture against one of the more analytical quarterbacks in the League are very small. A limited amount of what you're describing would be effective if the game was at home where crowd noise would play a factor. On the road, where Peyton will be able to audible at his leisure, forget about it.

You suggesting our hit first and ask questions later OLBs are going to be able to outguess Peyton Manning on the fly and contain Edgerrin James in the open field all game long. Good luck with that.

[-Slap-]

I personally think the Jags will beat them. Leftwich is a good qb, but Garrard is no slouch. In fact, I think against Indy's aggressive upfield defensive line, Garrard is more dangerous because he is mobile. The Jags made sure that re-signing Garrard was a priority in the offseason, and the reason is he could be starting elsewhere.

Defensively, the Jags d-line will be all over Peyton and they will be forced to run the ball like they did in the last matchup. If the Jags can be a little more stout against the run, I expect them to win it.

What the hell is Garrard's problem anyway? He's got the tools to be a starter, why was he content to be a backup? I was disappointed to see him sell himself short like that.

[Raidersbane]

I think the Colts will win the World Series..........and the Stanley Cup.

[Atlas]

The Fact is Manning is the best QB in the NFL and he could be when all is said and done the best QB of all time. He totally dominates every game. He runs the whole offense(W.T.H. does Dungy do anyway?)

I thought the Steelers did some good things last night and they still got burnt.
In order to beat the Colts you have to score a minimum of 34 points.
On defense you cannot blitz all the time Manning will destroy you. What you have to do is mix up your coverages at the last second.
You have to hide your blites and where they are coming from,
you have to rush three, rush 4, and rush 5. Even a couple of times rushing just two.
You have to try to keep him guessing and you have to frustrate him.

[Mile High Shack]

I think the Colts will win the World Series..........and the Stanley Cup.

if it were 2008, they'd win the presidential race too

[ro_50]

Well, Gerrard had Crone's Disease like a year or two ago. They paid him an ok enough salary for him to be the backup.

I've heard nothing but good things about him.

[ludo21]

The Fact is Manning is the best QB in the NFL and he could be when all is said and done the best QB of all time. He totally dominates every game. He runs the whole offense(W.T.H. does Dungy do anyway?)

I thought the Steelers did some good things last night and they still got burnt.
In order to beat the Colts you have to score a minimum of 34 points.
On defense you cannot blitz all the time Manning will destroy you. What you have to do is mix up your coverages at the last second.
You have to hide your blites and where they are coming from,
you have to rush three, rush 4, and rush 5. Even a couple of times rushing just two.
You have to try to keep him guessing and you have to frustrate him.



:yep:

And people need to stop saying we need to not overlook the Chief game. We arent, or at least im not, this is just a side convo on how to beat the best team in football. We arent the players anyway, we have no effect on the outcome.

[footstepsfrom#27]

After watching this team proceed with a pretty conservative approach on offense and defense this season, I think the odds of us attempting a radically aggressive defensive posture against one of the more analytical quarterbacks in the League are very small. A limited amount of what you're describing would be effective if the game was at home where crowd noise would play a factor. On the road, where Peyton will be able to audible at his leisure, forget about it.
Most of what I've described is nothing more than taking advantage of matchups and continuing to play man to man pass defense in the secondary, something they've done a lot of anyway and the whole reason we drafted these rookie DB's. If we're not going to use them for the thing we drafted them for then why'd we draft them at all? As for audibles, it's common sense that you try to give him a different look at the line before you change to the defense you intend to run. I fail to see your point. Sure he will audible. What audible can you see Manning running that will block 4 D-linemen with 3 O-line guys? Can he shove an extra guard in there next to the center? No. Can he go with a double tight end? Sure...and remove one of his top receivers in the process. Can he drop into the shotgun? Yes...so what? He's still a statue facing a good interior pass rush. Can he swing something wide to James? Of course...which is why I said the LB's need to have the responsibility of containing (not stopping) him and they need speed to do so. The bottom line is the ONLY way we win this matchup is if we get consistent pressure on Manning and the ONLY way we do that is if it's coming up the middle. Of course we could always blitz right into his 133 QB rating against the blitz (your suggestion) and hope for the best with our CB's playing 7 yards off the line like Pittsburgh did last night, but if we do we'll get beat by 30...maybe more.
You suggesting our hit first and ask questions later OLBs are going to be able to outguess Peyton Manning on the fly and contain Edgerrin James in the open field all game long. Good luck with that.
I didn't say anything about "hit first and ask questions later" or "outguessing" Manning. I said the LB's need to have primary responsibility for the run and let the D-Line just play pass first. I don't see that as particularly radical since that's what they do most of the time...pass. If they ran most of the time I'd expect our D-linemen to play run first...how is that radical or aggressive?

Seems like common sense.

[rbackfactory80]

Wanna make some easy $ watch the odds makers put the seachickens as a huge home dog then cash in :yep:


seahawks are the most overrated team in football. Colts should smoke them by 30.

[rbackfactory80]

The best thing about the number two seed is not seeing them for another 8 weeks. In the meantime we will have one good team from the Afc take a shot at them. Most likely it will be the Chargers or the Steelers. We will have a tough divisional game versus Cincy I think.

[rbackfactory80]

The Fact is Manning is the best QB in the NFL and he could be when all is said and done the best QB of all time. He totally dominates every game. He runs the whole offense(W.T.H. does Dungy do anyway?)

I thought the Steelers did some good things last night and they still got burnt.
In order to beat the Colts you have to score a minimum of 34 points.
On defense you cannot blitz all the time Manning will destroy you. What you have to do is mix up your coverages at the last second.
You have to hide your blites and where they are coming from,
you have to rush three, rush 4, and rush 5. Even a couple of times rushing just two.
You have to try to keep him guessing and you have to frustrate him.

The previous two years in the playoffs we could have slowed them down more by leaving our defense back in Colorado.

[Crushaholic]

I hope the Chargers don't beat Indianapolis. I still maintain that the Chargers are our biggest threat to the AFC West, despite the current standings. I was disappointed that the Steelers didn't get the job done, but I don't think they will go the entire season undefeated. Even if they do, someone could toss them out of the playoffs in the second round before we even get a chance to face them. I'm more concerned about knocking Trent Green on his posterior this Sunday...

[defenseman]

Peyton will throw short and the occasional long to open up the running game, IF you shutdown the run. The trick is, take his time away to throw the ball. Jax has the the defense to do that. In addition, if pressured properly, he will toss an interception or two. You must make Manning pay "physically" throughout the game in all respects, or he will beat you. Simple as that. He doesn't complete many passes on the roll out in either direction (nor does he run well) as compared to his throws from the pocket. A defensive game plan that strikes at the heart of the offense for the colts, manning, and you beat them...bottom line get in his face in addition to punishing him at every opportunity..and you win

*Alot of opponents have tried to take mannings toys(recievers,Rb's, TE,etc..) away during the game and lost. They need to take the head off, not a limb.

[CBF1]

[QUOTE=Sassy]I don't think I'd call Palmer "superior"...I'll take Jake, thank you.


Yavoon is talking about CARSON Palmer.... Not Jesse "the batchlor" Palmer

CP is far superior to Jake in my opinion, Now is Carson better because of his WR's... that is another question

[The Big E]

Jags and SD have the best shot to beat Indy. I just don't buy into the Seahawks and think Indy will spank them. SD seems to match up well w/ Indy and gave them all they could handle last year in the playoffs. I hope Indy beats SD and I hope it works out that we get a shot at ending their unbeaten streak in the AFC Championship game.

[CBF1]

Big E.... SD did not give Indy anything in the playoffs last year. SD lost to the Jets in the 1st round.

[epicSocialism4tw]

yah like he did against the bucs when he came from 28 behind in 4 minutes. u ppl seriously just make **** up.

You should get up from the Colts shrine you've been bowing to and look at the weakness on that team. Oddly enough, it's Peyton Manning. When he gets rattled, he really gets rattled. I've never seen a more obviously nervous and skittish starting NFL QB. When the pressure is on, he can fold up like a tent.

Please...dont reply to my posts anymore. You consistently post the most rediculous stuff on the mane and are easily the most arrogant person Ive read a post from. Thanks, but no thanks. :hitself:

[yavoon]

You should get up from the Colts shrine you've been bowing to and look at the weakness on that team. Oddly enough, it's Peyton Manning. When he gets rattled, he really gets rattled. I've never seen a more obviously nervous and skittish starting NFL QB. When the pressure is on, he can fold up like a tent.

Please...dont reply to my posts anymore. You consistently post the most rediculous stuff on the mane and are easily the most arrogant person Ive read a post from. Thanks, but no thanks. :hitself:

ur living in lala land. ur part of this entire group of ppl who thinks u can hit manning even though he's incredibly hard to sack, can blitz him even though he's got a qb rating of 133 against the blitz and can rattle him just because bellichick has done it or he's had a bad day before in his life.

and hilarious of all u think manning is the weak link on the colts! u really need those extra paragraphs of personal flaming because what came before it is dellusional.

[TheDave]

You should get up from the Colts shrine you've been bowing to and look at the weakness on that team. Oddly enough, it's Peyton Manning. When he gets rattled, he really gets rattled. I've never seen a more obviously nervous and skittish starting NFL QB. When the pressure is on, he can fold up like a tent.



Stop that... Jake Plummer is our QB. Until Manning gets so rattled that he throws one with his left hand you just can't say $hit like that.

[NaptownChief]

You consistently post the most rediculous stuff on the mane :



I believe you just stole that honor from him with this post.

[The Big E]

Big E.... SD did not give Indy anything in the playoffs last year. SD lost to the Jets in the 1st round.
My bad. It must've been the regular season.
Just looked. Week 16, Indy over SD 34-31 in OT, game in Indy.

[Jens1893]

This post from footsteps is simply too good to be left rotting in the butt


I've been keeping my eye on the Colts since the draft and watching to see what they do and how they do it. Some observations for PIYD since he think's his team is invinicible:

First, Indy is not the first team to trot out a juggernaut offense like this, and having it does not gaurantee a Superbowl win. The 1998 Minnesota Vikings were the highest scoring team of all time, with 556 points (34.75 ppg), which means they averaged almost 5 points a game MORE than this Colts team. The Vikes finished 15-1 with talent on the offensive side of the ball arguably as good or better than what Indy fields. Robert Smith gained almost 1200 yards on the ground and about 300 receiving and rhe reciver corp of Moss, Reed and Carter combined for 181 catches, 2,800 yards and 34 TD's. Tight end Andrew Glover was as good as Dallas Clark and the Vikings had a huge line protecting a QB who was FAR more mobile than Manning. They looked unbeatable. Looks can be deceiving sometimes.

A team that knew how to run and stop the run beat them in the NFC title game. You know the rest of the story as Denver went on to win the Superbowl against Atlanta, not Minnesota. Gaudy offensive numbers don't guarantee success in the playoffs.

Second, this Denver team has two things that the last two versions did not when they were thrashed by Indy; a pass rush and cornerbacks with serious speed who can cover man to man. Those two changes are HUGE against this team. Playing Roc Alexander and Kelly Herndon against the Colts receivers with no pass rush was a recipe for disaster. Anybody who has seen this current defense play knows that it bears little resemblance to last year. We now have 3 excellent cover corners and a much improved pass rush. The same moves that earned Shanahan almost universal scorn (including on this board) have proven to be superb strategy. Shanahan has designed this team to beat Indy. The rookie CB's will make some mistakes. They will also make plays.

In the 2nd game of the year, Jacksonville almost beat the Colts on the road despite stalling their own offense with 6 sacks and 6 fumbles. Indy had only 268 yards total offense and 122 through the air. Manning went 13-28 and even though he was sacked only once and picked off once, note this quote from the story on nfl.com:

Quote:
Manning, the two-time MVP, was off the mark, overthrowing receivers much of the day and looking out of sync as the Jaguars pressured him. He finished 13-for-28 for 122 yards with one interception and a passer rating of 44.0 -- his worst regular-season rating since December 2001.

The Jags got pressure because they have a huge interior defensive line and that IMO is where you have to pressure Manning...up the middle.

A team can beat the Colts if they do the following things:

Offense:

1) Run the ball consistently between the tackles and don't panic and abandon the run just because you are 7-10 points down. The Colt defensive front 7 is very small. It's a mistake to try to run outside against them but up the middle they are definitely vulnerable to a team that is very commited to running the ball between the tackles. A team that pounds the ball for 40 rushing plays straight at the Colt defense will wear them down in the 2nd half if they don't get away from running the ball.

2) Throw only high percentage short passes on 1st down that move the chains 4-7 yards...slants, quick outs, tight end over the middle stuff, flare patterns to backs. It's a mistake to waste a down with low percentage deep passes that can put you in 2nd and 3rd and long if you fail to complete it or take a sack. Slow devloping plays like draws, screens and deep pitches are also to be avoided. Run only quick developing plays that don't have potential for big losses or allow a fast defense time to react and make a big play for a loss. The name of the game is ONLY positive yardage.

3) Don't throw only from the pocket. Mix it up. You need a QB that can move and throw accurately on the run with rollouts, bootlegs, moving pockets and play action. The Colts small but fast defensive front has to be kept off balance and not allowed to tee off and go after a pocket passer who is always in the same place. 3-5 step dropback passes only...mostly 3...no deep 7 step drops. You cannot take sacks while waiting for a receiver to get 40 yards downfield. The WCO is the right offense here and the offense has to move the chains and control TOP with long patient drives that keep Manning standing on the sidelines. A 15 play drive that eats 8 minutes off the clock and gets 3 is better than a 3 play drive with a big scoring play that gets 7 but lets Manning right back on the field again to wear out your defense. Just ask Cincinatti.

Defense

4) Punish Manning with consistent INSIDE pressure that knocks the crap out of him every tiime he throws. The pressure has to come from INSIDE, not outside...and he has to take hits, lots of them. Manning hardly ever gets touched, let alone punished and he is very ordinary on those rare occassions like the Jacksonville game when he does get pressured and hit. Manning is good, but he's not nearly the greatest ever. Fouts, Marino and Aikman were all more accurate passers but Manning is playing with almost unprecedented weapons in an era when the NFL has deliberatly watered down the ability of defenses to contend with him by changing the rules for pass defense. Those other QB's could all have done what he's doing had they played with his rules. Hit him and hit him hard and he will make mistakes because it's something he almost NEVER has to deal with. Make him deal with it.

5) Do not drop the corners 7 yards off the ball against their receivers like Pittsburgh did. You have to jam the Colt receivers at the line and force them to run routes they are not intending to on every single play. Jamming buys a precious extra second that you need to let the pass rush do it's work. Manning's a virtual statue and he's not going anywhere but down if he can't find a reciever open. Jamming is better than blitzing though an occassional blitz to rattle him is also needed. It buys an extra second and doesn't expose your defense to wide open receivers where the defender left open to blitz.

6) Be willing to risk getting beat deep by contesting the short routes with man to man coverage. You have to have fast cornerbacks who can cover man to man against this team and you need 3 of them, one for each of the 3 Colt WR's they use. Contesting short routes will force Manning to throw into closely covered areas, something he almost NEVER has to do because his receivers are generally WIDE open. That has to be taken away from him.

7) Take away the Colts best pass blockers by moving your best pass rushers (the ends) inside and force the Indy guards to go one on one against defensive linemen quicker than they normally see with slower defensive tackles. This will leave their best blockers with nobody to block and their interior line either one on one or in some cases even without a blocker for every defensive lineman. Doubling the center with the tackles and lining up DE's straight over the guards will cause Manning to face a serious inside pass rush and basically take his offensive tackles out of the pass blocking schemes. Keeping the threat of outside linebackers blitzing off the edge even if they don't often come will also help keep those tackles honest and keep them from sliding inside to help. It's almost a universal axiom that offenses in any sport don't like to face high pressure defenses. Mistakes happen that way. It's all about forcing Manning to make them.

8) Take away his audibles by changing your defense AFTER he changes his offense. Even if the defense gets burned a few times, they'll burn him also. It's better to die by the sudden stab sound than a thousand small cuts anyway. Manning needs to be kept wondering where the heat is coming from and whether what he sees before the snap is what's really going to happen. In short he needs to be forced to think instead of him forcing the defense to think.

9) The linebackers must cover the tight end without safety help and the nickel is not the best option. The extra CB should replace a safety not a linebacker and the remaining safety has deep containment duties, which he can't do if he's covering a tight end. This means you need LB's with serious speed. They'll also have the primary responsibility of slowing down James. If Manning can't throw at will he's got to have his running game limited somewhat also. The defensive line has ONE JOB ONLY...HIT MANNING. They cannot be worried about the run. The LB's have to prevent the huge gain and will give up some smaller runs by dropping 7 yards deep. That's OK if it means Indy is being forced to try to move the ball in some other way than they want to.

10) Special teams defense has to control the field position. Manning has to be kept as far on his side of the field as possible, where a mistake from an INT can result in sure points. You need a big time punter that can keep him on his side of the field consistently.

What I've described is what I think it takes to beat the Colts, and it's also how this Denver team's been built. I think we will give them a much stronger game this time around if we face them again.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Stop that... Jake Plummer is our QB. Until Manning gets so rattled that he throws one with his left hand you just can't say $hit like that.

Yeah, I agree. I really dont think that Jake will lead the offense to glory in the postseason, that success will have to come from the running game.

I do think that Manning's play will be affected if you put a hit on him on every third play. He gets affected and gets rattled.

[NaptownChief]

I do think that Manning's play will be affected if you put a hit on him on every third play. He gets affected and gets rattled.



So easily rattled that he is probably going to pick up his 3rd straight NFL MVP....Gee if all those NFL coaches would just figure out how easily he is to rattle then they would start shutting him down instead of having him rip them apart. :kiddingme

Llama, I think your anger is cutting off oxygen and blood to your brain.

[Rascal]

Apparently Dungy and CNNSI read our comments.

From CNNSI:

As soon as the Colts can clinch home-field advantage, Head Coach Tony Dungy plans on resting his players. "It's really kind of a no-brainer,'' said Dungy. "As soon as the games aren't meaningful in the standings, [resting starters to preserve them for the playoffs] is something we'll think about. They don't give out rings for being 16-0.''

[rbackfactory80]

Apparently Dungy and CNNSI read our comments.

From CNNSI:

As soon as the Colts can clinch home-field advantage, Head Coach Tony Dungy plans on resting his players. "It's really kind of a no-brainer,'' said Dungy. "As soon as the games aren't meaningful in the standings, [resting starters to preserve them for the playoffs] is something we'll think about. They don't give out rings for being 16-0.''


You also dont get rings for being a pussy and not caring about history

[epicSocialism4tw]

So easily rattled that he is probably going to pick up his 3rd straight NFL MVP....Gee if all those NFL coaches would just figure out how easily he is to rattle then they would start shutting him down instead of having him rip them apart. :kiddingme

Llama, I think your anger is cutting off oxygen and blood to your brain.

The Pats sure didnt have any problems ripping them apart in the last two playoffs.

Also, The idea of "not being rattled" and "MVP" are not mutually inclusive.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Heading into last nights game Manning had been sacked a grand total of 7 times...and probably hadn't even been hit that many more. Think about that...a QB who can go an entire SEASON and maybe get hit 20-25 times. I saw him make throws last night under pressure he almost never makes. The problem is ACHIEVING that pressure. If we can achieve it, we can force him into mistakes, and even small ones in a game against this team are huge.

[Rigs11]

Ten Keys To Beating The Colts

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/11/24/gallery.colts.keys/content.1.html?cnn=yes

[azbroncfan]

They're still a bunch of soft front runners. You can really see them trying to bury that image, too. They were chippy as hell with Pittsburgh early in the game. Too bad Roethlisberger is so rusty. This could have been a real close game.
Pitt's running game isnt a good indoor game against indy's D. Last night their run game looked old and slow. You have to play Indy just like DEN did 2 years ago late in the season when Q looked like barry sanders. Run ball, pressure with front 4, blitz very little and hope manning is out of sync.

[NaptownChief]

The Pats sure didnt have any problems ripping them apart in the last two playoffs.

Also, The idea of "not being rattled" and "MVP" are not mutually inclusive.



So your definition of "being easily rattled" requires a team to be good enough to win 3 out of the last 4 Super Bowls. You are a sharp one llama. ::)

[Rulon Velvet Jones]

How long before the Colts get busted for pumping in artificial sound while the opponents have the ball?

[errand]

How the H3LL does anyone stop this team???? It seems you are screwed no matter how you attack there offense. If you blitz, Manning will goto the receiver with Man coverage, if you play soft, Edge will run for 5-10 yards against you. This team is makes me nautious and scared just watching them. Any tips for Coyer and Shanny to stop this damn team???hmmm...

Simple...just have your offense score 51 if they score 49, right TJ?

[errand]

Really? With two rookie DBs in your nickel?

First things first...we gotta win the AFc's #2 seed if we aren't the #1 guy...and then we have to beat whoever we play in divisional round before we dream of beating the Colts in AFC title bout. Now having said that......

Last year's playoff loss was the result of the Colt's noticing that everytime we went man in the nickle, Roc Alexander was always on Wayne....undrafted rook vs veteran speedster, match-up in their favor. This time it'll be Foxworth or Williams on him, with the other guy on Stokely.

Granted, they aren't veterans...but they also aren't Roc Alexander, either. We added more speed with Gold should we blitz.

My main concern is if DJ can stay with the Colt's TE's. Perhaps Mike goes with that big nickle package. All I know is that if you're playing man, our DB's cannot be caught peeking into the Colt's backfield and biting on playaction.....I'd just stay with my guy until the runner crossed the line of scrimmage....better to give up a 6 yard run than an 80 yard TD.

[kamakazi_kal]

guess we will find out at the AFC champ game wont we..

[Bronx33]

guess we will find out at the AFC champ game wont we..

I want the colts perfect little season with the perfect little schedule ruined in one game......:Broncos:

[Sassy]

I want the colts perfect little season with the perfect little schedule ruined in one game......:Broncos:
Me too...against the Broncos in the AFC Championship...in their house!
What a moment that would be...I'd love to see Peyton cry...!Booya!

and then...How about playing the SB against the Giants in a revenge game ;D

[Dagmar]

Me too...against the Broncos in the AFC Championship...in their house!
What a moment that would be...I'd love to see Peyton cry...!Booya!

and then...How about playing the SB against the Giants in a revenge game ;D

Perfect! Taking two Mannings out!

[SoDak Bronco]

Me too...against the Broncos in the AFC Championship...in their house!
What a moment that would be...I'd love to see Peyton cry...!Booya!

and then...How about playing the SB against the Giants in a revenge game ;D


Life would be wonderful....Two Mannings in 3 weeks, life wouldn't get much better than that...WeLL, yes it would, because we'd be SuperBowl Champs...:~ohyah!:

[elsid13]

let worry about making the playoff before we worry about the colts.

[Arkie]

Simple...just have your offense score 51 if they score 49, right TJ?

C,mon. Give the defense credit. They haven't allowed over 21 points in any of their 9 wins. The team allowed higher totals of 34 and 24 points in the losses because of offensive and defensive slips like the INT returned for a TD and fumbling inside the opponents FG range.

[footstepsfrom#27]

This was mentioned by somebody, but how much do you guys think Shanahan has spent studying the Indy game since the last butt whippin'? I'm betting he's assigned some scout to do nothing but follow the Colts.

[elsid13]

This was mentioned by somebody, but how much do you guys think Shanahan has spent studying the Indy game since the last butt whippin'? I'm betting he's assigned some scout to do nothing but follow the Colts.


knowing shanahan he probably has bible of every snap the colts have run in the last 4 years and the situation and the result

[Old Dude]

Who knows what the rosters will look like 6 or 7 weeks from now. Things can change fast.

[Tombstone RJ]

It's not so much what you do defensively as what you do offensively. Run the ball right at them, wear them down, keep their offense off the field as much as possible. If we get into a shootout with these guys we lose big-time!

We have a winner!

To beat the Colts, you have to keep the ball out of Manning's hands. That means long, sustained drives. You have to convert on third downs, you have to run the ball right at them, you have to keep their defense on the field as long as possible, but you have to convert on third downs too. Also, you can't kick field goals and expect to win. You have to score TDs when in the red zone.

When Manning and Company are on the field, you have to sack his azz. Edge is always a threat, but I'd be more worried about Harrison and Manning connecting on big plays. Stop the big plays.

Play great special teams too. Field position is gonna be important and the longer the Colts have to go to score (coupled with great field position for the Broncos when returning punts and kick offs) the better the chance they might have to punt. Also, DON'T TURN THE BALL OVER.

Jake can't be throwing INTs and the RBs can't be fumbling the ball. Ball security is paramount. If the Broncos get an INT or a fumble recovery, great. But I think its more important that the Broncos just make sure they take care of the ball and don't give the Colts any more of a chance to score.

Furthermore, even if the Colts do get up early in the game, be patient. Don't give up on the running game early! Keep running the ball, keep the Colts defense on the field. Keep pounding the ball. Keep punching that defense in the gut. Once that defense starts to wear down, big plays can happen for the Bronco's offense.

That's my two cents.

[Bronx33]

Perfect! Taking two Mannings out!

Down go the forehead brothers!

[Bronx33]

We have a winner!

To beat the Colts, you have to keep the ball out of Manning's hands. That means long, sustained drives. You have to convert on third downs, you have to run the ball right at them, you have to keep their defense on the field as long as possible, but you have to convert on third downs too. Also, you can't kick field goals and expect to win. You have to score TDs when in the red zone.

When Manning and Company are on the field, you have to sack his azz. Edge is always a threat, but I'd be more worried about Harrison and Manning connecting on big plays. Stop the big plays.

Play great special teams too. Field position is gonna be important and the longer the Colts have to go to score (coupled with great field position for the Broncos when returning punts and kick offs) the better the chance they might have to punt. Also, DON'T TURN THE BALL OVER.

Jake can't be throwing INTs and the RBs can't be fumbling the ball. Ball security is paramount. If the Broncos get an INT or a fumble recovery, great. But I think its more important that the Broncos just make sure they take care of the ball and don't give the Colts any more of a chance to score.

Furthermore, even if the Colts do get up early in the game, be patient. Don't give up on the running game early! Keep running the ball, keep the Colts defense on the field. Keep pounding the ball. Keep punching that defense in the gut. Once that defense starts to wear down, big plays can happen for the Bronco's offense.

That's my two cents.



I would add not letting forehead boy stand in the pocket all day and make passes re: steelers game and knock him on his a** over and over and over ect.

[longtimer]

I would add not letting forehead boy stand in the pocket all day and make passes re: steelers game and knock him on his a** over and over and over ect.
that is why we went shopping at the Brown total one stop DL shop in the off season.

[broncogary]

When Manning and Company are on the field, you have to sack his azz. Edge is always a threat, but I'd be more worried about Harrison and Manning connecting on big plays. Stop the big plays.

You can't do both. You have to have tight coverage so Manning doesn't have an easy out on the heavy rushes or blitzes. If you cover those, you get the sack, if not you give up a big play.

The alternative is what we did against the Cowboys...blitz and lay off the coverage, giving Bledsoe an easy throw to Keyshawn which he converts into big yards which very well could have cost us the game.

[anthonypacino]

In watching the Colts, I think you have to get at Manrino by coming off the edge and playing the saftey close almost in a MLB spot, we have got to send someone on the Edge's side to blow up that block and come off the edge from the other side. When teams blitz Manrino up the middle most CB's come up cause WR's usually check their routes and run short ones, the Colts will only send one or two on the short route on WR and a TE the other WR's will streak down field catching the CB's out of postion and in turn being open. By coming off the edge you force Manrino to either move from the pocket (which looks like a potato sack race) or hurry his throw and ruin his timing.NOBODY IS UNBEATABLE!

[footstepsfrom#27]

???

[errand]

Good/excellent pass rush (especially up the middle)
Chew up the clock with the ground game
we have to win the turnover battle
we have to win the field position battle

if we win all the above then we have a chance... if not well, been there done that...

We definitely have the horses to apply pressure up the middle.....

We have almost always been able to run the ball, regardless of who we've had in the backfield.....

We've done a much better job of not only protecting the football...but in taking it away this season.....

Todd Sauerbraun's booming punts, and D. Williams returns will enable us to win most field position battles.......

I think we stand a damn good chance of beating them, period, even in Indy.

[errand]

Cowher is to blamefor that loss, and i thought they started roth a little to soon he looked slow and lathargic out there.

...a slow and lethargic Rothlisberger gave Pittsburgh the best chance to win, especially when you consider the alternatives (Maddox, Batch)

[Bronx33]

...a slow and lethargic Rothlisberger gave Pittsburgh the best chance to win, especially when you consider the alternatives (Maddox, Batch)

It just looked like he could have been injured again maybe even worst based on how slow he was, he was a nice target.

[DomCasual]

You just have to stick to a game plan of pound the ball, pound the ball, pound the ball. The mistake we make is getting a little behind and letting Jake try and keep up with Manning through the air. That's the main thing that has gotten us embarrassed the last two years. We've just gotten away from the running game way too early.

If they score quickly, you just come out with a 7:00 drive to score yourself. Keep doing that and you end up with the ball for 35:00 for the game - I'll take my chances with that.

So, can they be beaten? Put it this way. They aren't the reincarnation of the '95 - '97 Chiefs - you know, the glory days of the franchise.

[errand]

C,mon. Give the defense credit. They haven't allowed over 21 points in any of their 9 wins. The team allowed higher totals of 34 and 24 points in the losses because of offensive and defensive slips like the INT returned for a TD and fumbling inside the opponents FG range.

Our imrpoved D is one of the major reasons I like our chances...but my comment was a stab at the main guy who blamed the offense for our D surrendering 90 points in the last two playoff games vs Colts.

[sirhcyennek81]

The defense cant control the clock and keep Indi's offense off the field. ur offense can do that, and in both playoff games, it was too little too late. We need to be sharp from minute one, not from half time on.

[Atlas]

So easily rattled that he is probably going to pick up his 3rd straight NFL MVP....Gee if all those NFL coaches would just figure out how easily he is to rattle then they would start shutting him down instead of having him rip them apart. .

I agree with you a little. Manning doesn't get rattled at all BUT he can and does get frustrated. Now I admit there is a difference between the two but they look similar. Because Manning is whinning during the game and yelling at his teamates doen't mean he is rattle but it does mean he is frustrated. A defenses needs to frustrate him and put doubt in his mind..... Which ain't easy but I have seen it hapen. Denver did it in the preseason this year and the Patriots have done it for 3 years in a row until this year.

[sirhcyennek81]

ABC showed an interesting stat, when teams were able to make Manning move outside the pocket, his numbers just suck. This is not a new thing, either. Make manning move, colt offense becomes ordinary. We have, at the moment like what, 100 qb pressures? We can make a qb uncomfortable in the pocket...

[Atlas]

ABC showed an interesting stat, when teams were able to make Manning move outside the pocket, his numbers just suck. This is not a new thing, either. Make manning move, colt offense becomes ordinary. We have, at the moment like what, 100 qb pressures? We can make a qb uncomfortable in the pocket...

Denver did that against Manning in the preseason. He was yelling at his whole team and Denver's Dline played great.

[sirhcyennek81]

yes they did. it was preseason, and manning was crying. manning was saying the colts dont get frustrated with 2 yard runs...thats BS...they are not built that way. they are built to score 40, 50 points a game. So what happens when you throw oil on the race track? Make bananahead move, whole colts offense runs off the rails, and it can be stopped. New England did this to get to two superbowls, we did it 2 years ago to get into the playoffs. It can be done again.

[Odysseus]

Broncos are the only team in the AFC who has a shot at it but it would be satisfying to see the Bears pull that off in the Superbowl despite being an AFCW kind of guy.

The Broncos need a front four like that if they want to own some teams.

As much crap as KC fans are talking this year all I know is it ain't them.

[Arkie]

ABC showed an interesting stat, when teams were able to make Manning move outside the pocket, his numbers just suck. This is not a new thing, either. Make manning move, colt offense becomes ordinary. We have, at the moment like what, 100 qb pressures? We can make a qb uncomfortable in the pocket...


He has around a 45 rating, 0 TDs, 2 INTs from outside the pocket.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Obviously need to get some quick rush. Remember what the Pats did last year? Multiple, crazy defensive sets, 2 DL, 5 DL, etc.

Just as important Broncs must run run run and control the clock

[NaptownChief]

I agree with you a little. Manning doesn't get rattled at all BUT he can and does get frustrated. Now I admit there is a difference between the two but they look similar. Because Manning is whinning during the game and yelling at his teamates doen't mean he is rattle but it does mean he is frustrated. A defenses needs to frustrate him and put doubt in his mind..... Which ain't easy but I have seen it hapen. Denver did it in the preseason this year and the Patriots have done it for 3 years in a row until this year.



I completely agree with that...Manning wants and expects perfection and if you start knocking their receivers off their game he will get pissed and frustrated which is generally the only way to get him to consider forcing the issue a bit. Not easy to do but it has been done by NE a couple times as we know but now that the NFL cracked down on the grabbing, holding and mulling made famous by NE it is even tougher to pull off. Denver could make it happen but it would probably require Pryce being at the top of his game and getting in the backfield quickly and often. He certainly could do that against Lija and Diem both.

[oklahomabroncofan]

Here is my two cents for what it is worth. If the Colts are on their game you beat them by slowing the game down on both sides of the ball. You offense has to score td's on long 6 to 7 minute drives. On defense you play to not give up the big play and hope you force indy to become impatient and make a mistake. a mistake does not have to come from manning it can simply be a droped third down pass. If they do score just make sure it takes them 5 to 7 minutes. Just don't give up a quick score and hope you offense out scores them

[clarker]

ABC showed an interesting stat, when teams were able to make Manning move outside the pocket, his numbers just suck. This is not a new thing, either. Make manning move, colt offense becomes ordinary. We have, at the moment like what, 100 qb pressures? We can make a qb uncomfortable in the pocket...That is the key getting Manning to move outside the pocket. He isn't half the QB outside the pocket as he is in it.

A team has to control the clock. Two years ago when Denver beat Indy in the dome to make the play offs(And Indy was playing for the top seed in the AFC) 31-17, the Broncos had the ball for over all but 15 minutes of the game. A team isn't going to be able to do that again, but the longer you have the ball, the less chances Manning will have and he will get frustrated. Just as he did in that game and against N.E. in the last two play offs.

I thought Cowher paniced Monday and got out of his game plan too early. That "suprise" onside was truly stupid. They fell behind 10 nothing and made it 10-7 and were a missed FG from tying it up. After the half they were still only down by 9, but the onside kick gave Manning great field position, which the Colts don't need to score. That onside kick was like playing Michael Jordon and throwing it up for HIM to dunk on you.

The Colts are going to be hard to beat, but I think Denver has the best shot. But who ever beats them will have too...

1. Make Manning move. Most important thing.
2. Control the clock
3. Don't panic if you fall behind early and stick with the running game.

[Old Dude]

Well, I still think it's too early for this, but here's my take.

You don't necessarily beat the Colts by running it up the gut. Corey Simon added a lot to this defense, and they are playing Dungy's cover-2 in a way that that frees up the safties, Doss & Sanders, to fortify the line and put some hellacious hits on running backs. Bettis and Parker are pretty good RBs and they just got stuffed and abused on Monday night.

Every great defense begins by stopping the run, and the Colts are doing it.

So problem number one is finding a way to move the ball on the Colts and to take advantage of their aggressive safeties.

Problem #2, in my opinion, is not Manning, it is Edge.

When we beat up on the Colts in that dome a couple years ago, in the night game, one of the main keys was stuffing Edgerrin all night long. Manning couldn't carry the team on the passing attack alone.

A couple weeks later, when we went back to Indy, it was like someone put tank treads on Edge. Every time we made contact with him, he still surged forward for three to five yards a pop.

That has got to change before we can even start thinking about Manning.

[REB]

I think we are a much better team then the last couple years. This isn't your two yr. old sons Denver Broncos. I really believe we have the team this year to beat the Colts in the playoffs. We have a hungry team. The vets are well aware of what has happened the last couple of years and the Browncos are starving to win and have been showing that all year. We've been stuffing the run and getting lots of pressure on the QB. Champ, D. Williams and Fox have been making big plays for us in picking the ball off in crucial situations. Our running game is as usual unstoppable and Plummer has been playing smart nearly mistake free football. So, we can and will put a chitload of pressure on Manning causing him to make mistakes and throw int's and our running game will pound the ball down their throats and we go on to win our 3rd SB in what 8yrs. GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!

1-2-3-:Broncos:!!!!!!! :charge:

[defenseman]

Apparently, they can and were beaten.....dman

[Elway 4 Life]

If I didnt know any better I would have thought the patriots were on the field yesterday not the chargers. They exposed alot of weaknesses. I love it!