On to the Game at hand. (Football Minds Share your wisdom)

[ludo21]

Alright Folks, we have killed this debate over the QB.

Jake Sucks so far, yes we know this, but until we start losing(unlikely the way the D is playing) Jay isnt going to see any time.

What do we need to do to attack the Browns D? - You know they will have studied us up during their bye, and Crennel has them playing very hard.

Since they have no "true #1" WR, isnt this the type of thing we struggle against? Who will Champ guard?

Im just sick of the same ol threads, so i thought we could discuss the game that matters, the next one.

[Northman]

A heavy dose of Tatum for starters. The defense will need to continue to keep them out of the endzone and hopefully force some turnovers. And maybe im wrong but Braylen Edwards is their go to guy so Champ will most likely be on him. I think we need to get Kircus more involved from here on out to try and open up the passing game. I dont care if it is short passes but defenders are focusing on Rod and Javon so that should leave David with a opportunity to shine here.

[ludo21]

Any word on Marshall this week? He seems to be getting in the game a little more a bit at a time. Maybe we can spread them out and get him on mismatched on a small corner?

And riddle me this: Anyone see if Mcginnest is doing much, or is he pretty much an old man and nothing to worry about?

[long beach bronco]

Jake needs a big confidence game, i really hope this is the one because he really needs some confidence going into next weeks tilt vs. Colts. Throw alot of screens to tatum and let him run, throw slants and comebackers to the wr's.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Champ will be locked on Braylon Edwards. He's playing well this year.

[WoodMan]

I think our D has an excellent chance to add to their turnover total. Browns are -9 so far this year. Again the defense has a chance at the shutout if they show up (not a problem thus far) and if everything goes right. Offensively we have a good chance to move the ball through the air. Two of Cleveland's starting defensive backs are coming back from ankle injuries and a third is recently recovered from a pectoral injury. This shouldn't be anything but a win for Denver. I predict 24 - 6. :wiggle:

[Malcontent]

Bout Damn time a thread is started with points regarding a game this sunday. Seems to me the team is more fucused on pressers about why the O isnt performing! This has the makins' of UPSET all over it!

On the other hand.. Broncos run for 156 yds. and win 24-6! Its all about Tatum this week.

[ludo21]

keep it coming.

I know jack squat about the Cleveland team. But I fear that this is the trap game we all fear each year.

Winslow is not a worry to me, but nonetheless, he has got to be contained.

And you know Droughns will be running hard. We gotta make sure tackles!

[Inkana7]

I say we go to the air. That secondary is completely shot with injuries. And even without injuries it wasn't exactly tops in the NFL.

[Malcontent]

keep it coming.

I know jack squat about the Cleveland team. But I fear that this is the trap game we all fear each year.

Winslow is not a worry to me, but nonetheless, he has got to be contained.

And you know Droughns will be running hard. We gotta make sure tackles!

Gotta agree Lud! There is always a game that we look back on and say....Why the F*** did we lose that game to the Browns/Redskins/Raiders, when playoff time rolls around! Broncos beware and be FOCUSED!!!!

[Northman]

When Baltimore played them McNair did have success but Frye also passed very well on their secondary ( no real shock now after the Carolina game ). But none the less, Frye needs to be pressured because he will turn the ball over if you get in his face.

[Florida_Bronco]

1. Like Anubis said, we have to give Tatum the ball. He's a very talented running back and I'm looking for him to have a big game again.

2. Either Scheffler or Alexander need to step it up. The TE is a very crucial position in our offense and not having a reliable target is a big contributing factor to Jake's troubles IMO.

3. Going along with #2, we need to get Kircus and/or Marshall going. Javon is playing great, but Rod seems to have fallen off (as much as I hate to say it). If we want Jake to improve, he needs more than 1 target.

4. Blocking. Simply put, we need to do better, especially pass blocking.

5. Playcalling. We can't dink and dunk, we need to go out there and start chucking the ball around to Kircus Scheffler and Marshall. We need them to produce for us.

[Atwater His Ass]

I don't want us to run even one screen this week. We are terrible at it. I want to see Jake get the chance to open it up and pass the ball downfield. We can set this up by getting Tatum going early and then let Jake throw the ball.

On the other side of the ball, neither Edwards nor Winslow scares me at all. Bailey can handle anyone, and we cover TE's very well with our LB's and our big nickel package. Droughns is a tough runner as we all know, but I don't the Brown OL will be able to open anything up for him and our LB's are fast enough to run him down all day.

[bpc]

Very important game as this will be the first of four games in the next seven (Cle,Pitt,SDx2) that features us against a 3-4 defense. I think that actually helps us a lot. This will be a good measuring stick for us versus a solid defense in that front.

I think we need to stick to our bread and butter which is running the football. We'll see a lot of ACE formation because Shanahan likes to run against 3-4 fronts in that offensive set. (the theory is the two TE's can block OLB's against the pass and run.) Plus its gets our players basically hat for hat on their defenders and then it is up to OUR guys to win their battles and get Tatum off to the races.

I think from here on out there is going to be conscious effort to get Plummer in gear. Look for us to design some plays for him to get the ball out of his hands quick so Rod and Walker can get rolling and we can also keep the 3-4 honest playing both pass and run defense.

[ludo21]

This is a tough stretch for sure, im glad we got the tougher teams at home. Still will be tough, but at home, it makes me feel a little better.

The fact that their OLB are slower, we gotta get Sheff more involved, does Shanny make an attempt to do this, or is he gonna keep both TE to help block?

[TheSportsGuru]

For me, NO FUMBLES first and foremost. Last two games we have had fumbles that have really stunted the offensive playcalling...

Next, we need to get to Frye. He can be elusive and will create time for his receivers to get open. It will be important for our cover guys to stick with their receivers. Kellen Winslow has been a monster this year, when the Browns are smart enough to keep him on the field, though our experience with other top tight ends should help us.

After that, we need to avoid giving up the big play. Carthon has a tendency to go after a big play early, even on the first play, to try and get momentum, but then goes into a shell.

The Browns have last three games this season by a total of 14 points. They are not an easy out, and coming off the BYE will be ready.

Any win on the road is a good win, but I got the Broncos 24-13

[Mediator12]

In a nutshell, CLE's OL is about as horrible as Oak's. Their skilled players are fast but not that good outside of Winslow who has quietly played very well to date. Frye is Bipolar at this point. Can make some great plays and give you a headscratcher the next.

Defensively, they are struggling against some mediocre offenses so far. OAK ran for almost 200 yards on this group. The best Offense they played was CIN who has fallen off the earth since having their OL injuries. The best thing they have is that 3 of their 4 starting DB's are almost healthy.

If DEN struggles here its because they got outplayed and failed to show up on the road. Anything is possible, but I hope they decide to stomp them and make this a statement game. It should have been last week against the Raiders and that still makes me upset they played so conservatively.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Thanks for starting the thread Ludo.

I have not seen much of Cleveland this year, but I believe Edwards is going to be a very good receiver in the NFL. Suspect Champ will be in his pocket all day. Winslow is putting up some stats, but he will start whining like a four year old after he gets hit in the mouth a couple of times by DJ or Brayton. Gotta make Frye eat mud several times.

Since the weather is likely to be bad the running game will need to be good but I am thinking along different lines for the passing game. I think Jake needs a high completion rate more than yards. Between that and the weather I think there will be mostly short passes and Rod is still the master of taking the 5 yard pass and turning it into a ten yard play. A great game in the weather for Plummer would be 20 out of 28 for 175 yards.

Above all, Broncs can't go negative on turnover ratio. Plus three would be great.

[ludo21]

Why does everyone want us to have a statement game so bad? Im not getting that.

We are 4-1, beat the Patriots in NE, beat Baltimore... those werent "statement" games?