Is it really that unlrealistic to think Broncos can reach the Superbowl?

[ZONA]

Right now, seeing how Cutler is improving each week, I'm not so sure this team can't go deep into the playoffs or even get to the Superbowl. The other AFC teams have some pretty glaring problems also. Some of them we've already beat and others, we've had large late game leads.

Colts - they can't stop the run at all and have several injuries on defense.
Patriots - no WR's and passing game is hurting this year.
Chargers - They're pretty much using up all their come from behind games. How many more can they win like that. I just have a feeling this will bite them at some point in the playoffs.
Ravens - An offense that is not exactly lethal and a defense that is solid but not what it used to be.
Jets - Kinda ho hum if you ask me. Not alot of weapons.

I think if we played our A game, we could beat anyone of them, even with Cutler being a rookie. It may be a stretch to think we can win it all but it's doable.

[Odysseus]

I don't think it is unrealistic as long as defenses have not game planned Cutler and offenses run no huddle offenses all day. Broncos defense has to cheat to win. Broncos offense has to play possum rather than opening it up.

My hope is the deeper they go into the playoffs the more aggressive they play. Win or lose. Play the games.

[Jesterhole]

What scares me about the team is the inability of the defense to win the game at the end when we are ahead and need to stop them from scoring. It cost us against San Diego, the Colts, the Seahawks, and almost cost us the Cincy game.

It doesn't matter how much better Cutler is than Jake. At some point in the playoffs we are going to have to win with defense. We haven't been able to do it against playoffs teams lately.

[Northman]

Nothing is impossible but we would have to be clicking on all cylinders and stay consistent all the way through the playoffs.

[wolf754life]

3% chance

[yavoon]

I think its an ultra bandwagon homer special to call superbowl now. like calling for the cutler HOF bust. which means it will irresistable to a lot of ppl to be the first and most daring on the bandwagon.

[Old Dude]

Well, with the salary cap and all, not too many teams have that much depth, and an injury or two at this time of year can throw almost anybody into a spin.

Conference champs are often the teams who make it through with the fewest key injuries. We've taken our licks this year. And, assuming that the Broncos go in as a wild card, they will be taking some more.

I'm not real optimistic.

[bpc]

We are going to have to knock off the Chargers which we have failed to do in two trys this year. The good news is that I think us and the Ravens are the only two teams that can do it.

We will also have to beat the Ravens to make it there at their place. No small feat.

The road is going to be a bumpy one.

First thing is first, we have to nail down our playoff spot.

I believe we can make the run. WHY not us? I believe in our coaching, our talent, and our leadership. Guys are really going to have to sellout though. The super bowl is wide open this year. Can you really count on Baltimore and SD in the AFC? They were out of the playoffs last season, now they are the top two seeds? That sounds like they've got some good bounces. Chicago and NO are the top two seeds in the NFC?

My point is nobody is unbeatable. We've shown early in the year that we can play with everybody in the AFC. We just now have to do it in hostile environments.

[Garcia Bronco]

No it is not unrealistic at all.

[Disco Man]

Yes it is...that's REALISTIC

[broncsyanks]

i would put $10 on the chance in vegas. thats about it. sorry i love my broncos but we have no pass rush. i think we can really make it to the afc championship game though against the colts. we play NE. we win we play SD. we can beat them to beat the same team 3 times in the same season says the odds are in our favor. then we play the colts. we cant pressure manning then its over

[Garcia Bronco]

As far as the defense....we've been saving on the blitz all year long because we blew our wad(pardon the expression) mid-season last year. The second season will be a different story

[Mile High Shack]

I don't think we are talented enough of the defensive side of the ball

[Taco John]

I personally think we're going to see a little "come to earth" game planning against the kid like we have seen against Romo in Dallas recently. I think if Shanahan botched anything this year, it was the timing of the switch. He really needed to put the kid in earlier. That said, I think anything is possible, especially in today's NFL. Cutler has special ability that is hard to gameplan for. Even when a player is in position to make a play, the quickness of his throw is hard to react to. We've seen more than one play that would have been a big interception if someone else were throwing the ball, that has gone for a big play for us.

Anything is possible.

[maven]

If the Broncos make the playoffs, anything can happen and anything goes.

[NYBronco]

With Cutler... "He gives us our best chance to win"

[TheDave]

considering only oe team in the history of the NFL has won 3 road playoff games to reach the superbowl... yes i think it is unrealistic.

[Taco John]

As far as the defense....we've been saving on the blitz all year long because we blew our wad(pardon the expression) mid-season last year. The second season will be a different story

I agree with this. I think we're going to see a lot more blitz in the playoffs. I think the plan has been to keep it honest during the season, and break out the funky stuff once the playoffs roll around so that they don't have anything on tape.

[bpc]

I don't even think Romo and Cutler are in the same talent level. They just carry themselves completely different. Cutler is definitely more smooth... Romo just seems a lot like Goofy, no killer instinct.

Cutler has those eyes... he might not be all that outspoken to the media but you can see he's thinkin "i'm going to slice your a$$ up."

I would be surprised if Cutler doesn't keep playing at his current level. It is actually the other positions where we need players to step up. Like against the opposing run game/our own running game and the offensive line and defensive lines. That is what our run is going to come down to.

Hell, we beat the Pats and Ravens with Plummer. Cutler can follow the same format that Jake did. Is our defense going to step up to the plate? We have to stop the run.

[Hotrod]

Were going as far as Coyer and the Dline take us :pray:

[BroncoInferno]

As far as the defense....we've been saving on the blitz all year long because we blew our wad(pardon the expression) mid-season last year. The second season will be a different story

You know, I was thinking the same thing the other day. We were very successful with the blitz last season generating TOs and allowing the fewest points in the Shanny era. I guess Coyer felt earlier in the season that he had to switch up because teams would adjust, but I wouldn't be surprised to see us go back to that formula once the postseason stats.

[Stormontheplains]

Our D-line is flat out embarassing. They are either out of shape, or have no heart. Big Money has to step it up or we are screwed. We are way to small to play smashmouth playoff football. If we play the ravens, we will see the "Drug Dealer" all day long between the tackles, and will lose. We CAN beat the chuggers and pats. the chuggers cant beat us 3 times in one year, and there loosing their hot streak. If we had any pass rush at all our D would be lights out, they can cover, just not for 7 or 8 seconds. Maybe we ought to put George Foster with big money at Dtackle, help our linebackers out.

[Taco John]

I don't even think Romo and Cutler are in the same talent level. They just carry themselves completely different. Cutler is definitely more smooth... Romo just seems a lot like Goofy, no killer instinct.

Cutler has those eyes... he might not be all that outspoken to the media but you can see he's thinkin "i'm going to slice your a$$ up."

I would be surprised if Cutler doesn't keep playing at his current level. It is actually the other positions where we need players to step up. Like against the opposing run game/our own running game and the offensive line and defensive lines. That is what our run is going to come down to.

Hell, we beat the Pats and Ravens with Plummer. Cutler can follow the same format that Jake did. Is our defense going to step up to the plate? We have to stop the run.

It's not the talent level of Cutler I'm worried about. It's the talent level of the defensive coordinators that we're going up against. They now have plenty of film to work with and make adjustments against the kid. We don't have the opportunity to take a game or two to see what adjustments teams are making for him, and adjust to those adjustments.

It's just like pitching or hitters in baseball... Anytime you see someone with talent come in, they are able to tear it up for awhile, and then they get scouted. Once they're scouted, they have a few bad games, not because their talent level went down, but because the competition went up. Then it's sink or swim time. I definitely think Cutler will swim, but I think he's going to be facing some challenges here that he has to be ready for.

Look what happened with Damon Huard in KC. He was on a tear. Eventually, defenses caught up with him though. David Garrard was the same way. That's just the nature of professional sports.

[azbroncfan]

Yes

[Hotrod]

Im actually not as worried as Taco concerning D's catching up with Cutler. The kid can do it all. Deep lasers/short touch passes. He's forcing defenses to defend the whole field on every play. What the hell are they going to adjust?

[Mile High Shack]

Were going as far as Coyer and the Dline take us :pray:

exactly why this year, I don't expect much

next year, however

shanny knows we need help on the defensive side of the ball (dline especially), and if we address that, the sky is the limit with this team

assuming coyer can work with them

[elsid13]

IF the offense line decide it not fooling around any more and offense play calling sticks with run, we have a chance. Three road games is a bitch though, especial coming back to east coast

[watermock]

Just WOW...now people are talking about how Jay should be carrying us? Shouldnt they be carrying him?? Whatever Ha!

http://www.sjm87.org/images/Stations%20of%20Cross-5-Simon%20of%20Cryene%20Helps%20Jesus%20Carry%20Cros s.jpg

Even our Lord couldn't carry the cross by himself. Even Elway needed SOME help.

[TheDave]

I agree with this. I think we're going to see a lot more blitz in the playoffs. I think the plan has been to keep it honest during the season, and break out the funky stuff once the playoffs roll around so that they don't have anything on tape.

Considering the last 2 games have been playoff games i doubt we will see anything different. This notion that teams sandbag their good stuff to use in the playoffs is rediculous. Competition in the NFL is simply to close, save the good stuff for the end and you probably won't get there.

[ZONA]

I think there are some serious questions about the other AFC teams that makes this a REALISTIC possibility.

While the Ravens, Pats and Jets are all good teams, I give us at the least a 50/50 chance against them. We already beat the Pats and Ravens in their own house so we can do it again. Of all the talk about no pass rush or this or that, we did something right, we beat them, in their house. We won't even have to play the Jets, unless they win maybe. I don't see that.

The real hurdle would be Colts and Chargers.

We showed we can play with the Colts even when Manning had a HOF day. Hopefully we could get a defensive stop here or there and that would put us over their hump. That's totally doable. Totally.

Rivers has never been in a playoff game and while he has had some good late game comebacks, He still has not played a must win game. Also, they will be sitting for 2 weeks. You do have fresh legs but some rust builds also as well as some nervous tension. That pressure could affect him alot. You just don't know.

I can see why some don't believe though. The defense allows teams go comeback and score late. But our defense has also been getting some good turnovers lately and if that continues, we could do this. Homer....maybe. But you gotta believe. I'd rather jump on that bandwagon and take the full ride then be a doubting thomas and then if it did happen, try and jump on late. Screw that crap.

[TheDave]

Im actually not as worried as Taco concerning D's catching up with Cutler. The kid can do it all. Deep lasers/short touch passes. He's forcing defenses to defend the whole field on every play. What the hell are they going to adjust?

Trust me they will find something.... There is a reason these guys make the money they do. In addition we all know Cutler is going to have one of those horrific rookie games where he completes more passes to the other team than he does his own. Lets hope it doesn't happen this Sunday.

[SoonerBronco]

assuming coyer can work with them

My high school football coach had a saying about "assuming" something.

Coyer is the most unimaginative, dolt of a DC I have seen. If we don't have Champ and our LB's we may not be able to beat anyone. Imagine if we had a coach that would actually play to our defensive strengths???

Having a pass rush would give us a stout defense, no doubt...I just think there is more to the problem than just the pass rush.

[azbroncfan]

My high school football coach had a saying about "assuming" something.

Coyer is the most unimaginative, dolt of a DC I have seen. If we don't have Champ and our LB's we may not be able to beat anyone. Imagine if we had a coach that would actually play to our defensive strengths???

Having a pass rush would give us a stout defense, no doubt...I just think there is more to the problem than just the pass rush.

What you don't like this Defensive playbook-Cover 2, Cover 3, man 2, BLitz1=lynch and OLB from outside drop DE against rb in man coverage, Blitz2= same as blitz 1 except send both OLB's, Blitz 3 send 8?

[BroncoBen]

Well I have always held to the belief that anything can happen in the playoffs. It’s a whole new season.
You never know, maybe the Defense comes alive and shuts teams down.

Cutler is getting playoff experience and regardless if the Broncos go one and done.. that experience will pay dividends in the future for the Broncos.

[Garcia Bronco]

Considering the last 2 games have been playoff games i doubt we will see anything different. This notion that teams sandbag their good stuff to use in the playoffs is rediculous. Competition in the NFL is simply to close, save the good stuff for the end and you probably won't get there.

To win the battle of the bands you have to have an amp that goes to 11.

;D


"But it goes to eleven."

-We are Spinal Tap

[RocBronc]

Hey, if we make it into the playoffs anything can happen but to me the 2 biggest weaknesses we have are on both lines and with that I just don't see us being able to win 3 games on the road against good opponents.

[SoonerBronco]

What you don't like this Defensive playbook-Cover 2, Cover 3, man 2, BLitz1=lynch and OLB from outside drop DE against rb in man coverage, Blitz2= same as blitz 1 except send both OLB's, Blitz 3 send 8?

LOL Hilarious!

[DBroncos4life]

i would put $10 on the chance in vegas. thats about it. sorry i love my broncos but we have no pass rush. i think we can really make it to the afc championship game though against the colts. we play NE. we win we play SD. we can beat them to beat the same team 3 times in the same season says the odds are in our favor. then we play the colts. we cant pressure manning then its over

yes we do.

[JoRo]

Right now, seeing how Cutler is improving each week, I'm not so sure this team can't go deep into the playoffs or even get to the Superbowl. The other AFC teams have some pretty glaring problems also. Some of them we've already beat and others, we've had large late game leads.

Colts - they can't stop the run at all and have several injuries on defense.
Patriots - no WR's and passing game is hurting this year.
Chargers - They're pretty much using up all their come from behind games. How many more can they win like that. I just have a feeling this will bite them at some point in the playoffs.
Ravens - An offense that is not exactly lethal and a defense that is solid but not what it used to be.
Jets - Kinda ho hum if you ask me. Not alot of weapons.

I think if we played our A game, we could beat anyone of them, even with Cutler being a rookie. It may be a stretch to think we can win it all but it's doable.

Not unrealistic but unlikely. You underestimate the Ravens their defense isnt "not wut it used to be" they are sick good now, and I hate to see what they could do to our o-line and rookie qb. Till then I think we got a shot though!

[Mile High Shack]

My high school football coach had a saying about "assuming" something.

Coyer is the most unimaginative, dolt of a DC I have seen. If we don't have Champ and our LB's we may not be able to beat anyone. Imagine if we had a coach that would actually play to our defensive strengths???

Having a pass rush would give us a stout defense, no doubt...I just think there is more to the problem than just the pass rush.

so do I obviously by my sig

but I'm trying to be more positive ;)

[Play2win]

I don't even think Romo and Cutler are in the same talent level. They just carry themselves completely different. Cutler is definitely more smooth... Romo just seems a lot like Goofy, no killer instinct.

Cutler has those eyes... he might not be all that outspoken to the media but you can see he's thinkin "i'm going to slice your a$$ up."



Hell yeah, Cutler is like a HAWK with those eyes...

[Play2win]

The more Cutler is successful, the more our running game will be successful. Teams can no longer cheat their safeties up, even 5 or 10 yards. I think our rushing attack could take over games and dominate the clock. This is the reason I am optimistic about a deep playoff run.

[REB]

If we make it happen this weekend then absolutely I believe we have a chance of going all the way. Always keep the faith! Anything can happen. We had to do it the hard way back in '97 and we could do it again. And Cutler is giving me a reason to believe.

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

[OrangeShadow]

i think its realistic.
Teams wont be prepared if they decide to blitz because we havent done all year. So sure its possible i mean hell the texans beat the colts, anything can happen.

[BroncoMatt]

You will never find one of these threads on chiefsplanet

[Meck77]

I just hope for a good showing vs the niners....

[Kaylore]

I just hope for a good showing vs the niners....

DING DING DING! We have a winner! We're not in the playoffs yet and won't be unless we beat the Niners so let's keep our focus on the team in front of us.

[SoonerBronco]

DING DING DING! We have a winner! We're not in the playoffs yet and won't be unless we beat the Niners so let's keep our focus on the team in front of us.


Why focus on the task at hand when we can speculate? We have so many expert opinions here it would be a crime not too!

Hilarious!

[Arkansas Bronco]

You will never find one of these threads on chiefsplanet

Well you kind of need to make the playoffs in order to. I know we arnt in yet but we have the inside track.

[-Slap-]

Not unrealistic but unlikely. You underestimate the Ravens their defense isnt "not wut it used to be" they are sick good now, and I hate to see what they could do to our o-line and rookie qb. Till then I think we got a shot though!

Their defense matches up well against our offense right now, but its not like that offense is going to score many points against us, either. I would love to play Baltimore in the playoffs.

The only scary matchup is Indy. I don't even know if I could watch us go in there against them with a passive approach on defense again. Even worse, the coaches deciding we need to pound the running game to keep Peyton off the field.

[-Slap-]

DING DING DING! We have a winner! We're not in the playoffs yet and won't be unless we beat the Niners so let's keep our focus on the team in front of us.

Why?

I can understand the players doing that, but what difference does it matter what we focus upon?

[Atlas]

Of course it's possible. Denver matches up will against all the teams, maybe not so well against the Chargers but the Pats, Colts, Ravens and Jets Denver matches up very well against these teams.

[azbroncfan]

Why?

I can understand the players doing that, but what difference does it matter what we focus upon?

Ding, Ding, Ding, winner
I have beat and pounded the fact that no matter what I think or look past it has no effect on the team. Lets look ahead to the pats because if Denver loses to niners they don't deserve to play extra games.

[Meck77]

Why focus on the task at hand when we can speculate? We have so many expert opinions here it would be a crime not too!

Hilarious!

I've trademarked a new term. You've all heard of Shanny the "Mastermind" right? Well we have a new thing at the Omane. It's the "Messageboard Mastermind"


All kidding aside I look at it like this. If anyone around here really knew WTF they were talking about they would be retired. You see they would be using their brilliant football minds and would be making millions in Vegas sports betting.

You just got to have fun with it and laugh at it all. :)


Only the true "Messageboard Mastermind" will be offended by my joke. Ha!

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/4738/mastermindzm9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[ZONA]

The thing about the 97 team - that defense wasn't really known as good, until they got into the playoffs and started doing some damage. They elevated thier game and that's what we can do this year too.

And I'm way tired of hearing this crap about Cutler not having that "rookie" game yet, like it is written somewhere in stone that it has to. Everybody has bad games, rookie or vet. Palmer was missing guys all day long and a few picks I think. Well, guess that was a "rookie" game. Plummers in his 10th year or whatever and he has "rookie" games all the time I guess. The kid might throw a pick or two but he's gonna throw some TD's also. If two of his passes were just a little different last game, he would have had 4 TD's.....in what was a must win game with all kinds of pressure. He's stepping up to the plate and delivering....and that's why I think we have a chance. Rookie or vet, playoffs make any QB nervous, some deal with it better then others regardless of how long you have played in the league. Every player on the team talks about how poise the kid is during games. I love it. We got a kid with a cannon and nerves of steel.

[400HZ]

San Diego will blow you guys out (again.)

:yep: :yep: :yep: :yep:

[Garcia Bronco]

San Diego will blow you guys out (again.)

:yep: :yep: :yep: :yep:

I bet in a third matchup we'd kick your ass...it might be by a point...but we'd beat you guys. :)

[Mile High Shack]

San Diego will blow you guys out (again.)

:yep: :yep: :yep: :yep:

who knows
it would be nice to find out though

Marty's sphincter shrinks up to about the size of an amobea this time of year

[400HZ]

who knows
it would be nice to find out though

Marty's sphincter shrinks up to about the size of an amobea this time of year

Marty has never had a team as good as the 2006 Chargers though :D

[Mile High Shack]

Marty has never had a team as good as the 2006 Chargers though :D

his chiefs team were much better defensively than the current chargers

nice try though

Marty is who he is, a cheetah doesn't change his spots after living this long

we heard same thing in 2004 when you all had the #3 seed, Marty has changed, Marty lets the offense go

you summarily got beat by the Jets in the first round b/c Marty went into a shell

[elsid13]

Marty has never had a team as good as the 2006 Chargers though :D

The 1986 Cleveland Browns were at the same level as the current Chuggers. How did that work out for him???

[SoonerBronco]

Marty has never had a team as good as the 2006 Chargers though :D


I think Shack has schooled you now twice...let the marty excuse machine roll!LOL

[Crushaholic]

3 teams with playoff aspirations, in my mind, are playing the best football of the year right now: Denver, San Diego and Baltimore. Seeing that all three are in the AFC, it will take a herculean effort to make to the Super Bowl. Let's see if we can do it...

[ZONA]

Like I said before Mr. Chargers fan, you guys have been using up all your get out of jail free cards and one of these times, you will not comeback in the 4th quarter to win. You keep going to that well too much and it's gonna run dry at some point. You needed a blown coverage assignment to beat Seattle last game. And..........SD hasn't played a must win game yet. Let's see if Rivers can handle it. No more fancy record - everybody comes in even steven. Let's get it on!

[Broncos4tw]

I'd much rather play the Chargers. We know them. We are used to them. Our players and coaches have the mindset we can't play the Colts. Our incredibly weak defensive plan that we didn't change for the entire games proves we are scared to blitz Manning.

Against the Chargers, we know we can beat them, we've done it recently, we've done it often. Sometimes, it not just the matchup and skill, it's the mindset of the players, knowing that they can beat em that makes all the difference. Don't be so sure and cocky that the Chargers are a given for the SB. The Broncos should be the last team you want to play mate.

[400HZ]

Marty even getting the Chiefs to the playoffs was a miracle in itself. It's the Chiefs! How many times have they been back since? And I don't think the Browns had more than 1 or 2 winning seasons between Marty leaving and the franchise moving to Baltimore.

If any coach has had sh*tty luck in the playoffs, it's been Marty. Eventually, the bad luck has to run out. My predicition: this year ;D

[elsid13]

Marty - King Lear of the NFL.

[Meck77]

Why?

I can understand the players doing that, but what difference does it matter what we focus upon?

IMO I've seen a correlation to the "We have an automatic win mentality" of the online community show up in the stands. The Chicago Bears game a few years ago comes to mind. Nobody thought we could lose. That whole day in the parking lots nobody seemed to care about the game as it was a "given" we'd win. It was the same online. The team came out flat, the crowd wasn't even in the game, and we got our asses handed to us. Oh another one that comes to mind is the freakin Jags in 96. Just one of a few dozen examples of what can happen when you underestimate an opponent. The fans and the TEAM did.

So what I'm saying is when Broncos fans think we can't lose the team has come out flat. How about the MNF Cincy game ?The Broncos fans didn't think they could lose and the team didn't think so either.

I think it's more a state of overall mentality than what is said online but there seems to be a connection IMO.

Granted I think the niners have the odds stacked against them but I can't see the team talking about the Superbowl just yet. I'd like our chances if we could stomped a sorry ass team like the bungs also. We were fighting for our lives. Where are we going to get a Superbowl caliber defense? special teams? and a consistent running game and a QB that isn't running a 2 to 1 TD/Int ratio in less than a month? hmm?

[Merlin]

A lot of people fear Indy, but to be honest, I think Denver can compete with them. Not only do they not have a lot of tape on Denver (the previous playoffs Indy was able to use their losses to adapt in the playoffs), but they are lousy against the run. Denver can run on them all day, and throw whenever they over play the run (although their run D has gotten worse of late, while Denver's is beginning to click a again). The Raven's are playing well, but their D is no better than earlier in the yr (although their O is), and Denver's O is better. The Pats would rather avoid us, and it would not get any better for them.

BUT SD, for some reason we cannot play with them at all this yr. The D that has worked well against them in the past has not been used (i.e. blitz), and it has nothing to do with the greatness of their QB, since I have seen him be susceptible to the blitz (and sometimes be really poor against it). If they do not blitz SD, Denver just does not have the size to compete. Without the big nickel package, Denver seems exposed against good TEs. SD bothers me more than any other team. The only factor against them is Marty, and that is a big factor, which I'm not sure they can overcome.

Now as to Denver's chances in the playoffs...If they do not rely on their blitz packages and remain vanilla, this D is just too weak, and nothing Cutler can do will solve that problem. It will be a game of bad field position, and constant pressure to perform to protect the inept D.

[orangenblue2]

Here's the way I hope to see it going down:
1. Beat the 'Niners to secure the 5th seed in the AFC
2. Travel to NE, beat Brady and the Pats (because we always do, intentional safety game notwithstanding)
3. Watch Indy pull out a close one over the J-E-T-S
4. Observe Jamal Lewis running all over the Colts porous run D, thereby pulling out a victory over a game Peyton Manning
5. Visit SD and dare an unproven Phillip Rivers and his teammates to beat the Broncos an unheard of three times in one season...not gonna happen
6. Trek across the country to face the "convict" and their stellar D in the AFC Championship game...methinks the Broncos win with an Elam fieldgoal at the end of regulation, and...............
7. On to the 'Bowl to face whatever B.S. team the NFC puts out there...Broncos win their third Lombardi, and all is right with the world

Don't laugh , it could happen... :peace:

[wabbit]

IMO I've seen a correlation to the "We have an automatic win mentality" of the online community show up in the stands. The Chicago Bears game a few years ago comes to mind. Nobody thought we could lose. That whole day in the parking lots nobody seemed to care about the game as it was a "given" we'd win. It was the same online. The team came out flat, the crowd wasn't even in the game, and we got our asses handed to us.

...

Boy Meck, you must go back as far as me...that was Reeves first year.

Denver only had to win against the lowly Bears & they would hold many of the tie-breakers for home field for at least one game here.

Lose, and they were out. All or nothing.

Lose they did, although everyone was surprised the Broncos went 10 & 6 that year.

The final scenes of the Broncos was a shot of downtrodden, head bowed Broncos on the bench at the end of the game to the sound of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".

Little late for X-Mas tunes, but we can only hope it's a trap Shanahan won't fall into.

[Odysseus]

Considering the last 2 games have been playoff games i doubt we will see anything different. This notion that teams sandbag their good stuff to use in the playoffs is rediculous. Competition in the NFL is simply to close, save the good stuff for the end and you probably won't get there.

How do you sandbag the same defensive crap you did last year? The Broncos were two busted plays from having the Bengals eating a major hole in the Broncos defense. The only thing the Broncos can do on defense is play more physical and take a wide eyed hopeful approach. They got burned on some of the blitz packages they tried on Bengals and that team was playing soft.

Cutler getting game planned really isn't a big deal. We've seen him deep ball but we haven't seen him use his feet, he doesn't pick on the wide open underneath routes, and despite the reciever end arounds the Broncos still haven't really tapped this offense. If the Broncos don't open up the offense it's a coaching mistake. They have the players and packages to put up 30 point offense. All they need to do is stop playing scared leaky offensive line or not.

A major issue that I continue to see is jacked up Special teams play. They run hot and cold which has to stop in the playoffs. Teams always get great field position from even mediocre return guys.

[Odysseus]

DING DING DING! We have a winner! We're not in the playoffs yet and won't be unless we beat the Niners so let's keep our focus on the team in front of us.

Shanahan said two weeks ago that the team needs to win the rest of their games to have any realistic shot in the playoffs. The playoffs are now.

[Taco John]

Coyer is the most unimaginative, dolt of a DC I have seen. If we don't have Champ and our LB's we may not be able to beat anyone. Imagine if we had a coach that would actually play to our defensive strengths???



What are you talking about? Play to our strengths? That's exactly what Coyer does. I'd love to hear this brilliant dissertation on how you'd "play to our strengths" any better than Coyer does. It's like you don't even understand where our strengths and weaknesses are, but you've got an opinion about how they should be played to.

If there is anything Coyer does, it's coach to our strengths. Unfortunately, he has a hard time covering for our weaknesses. Any coordinator would.

[Cito Pelon]

Well, the team did beat NE and Balt early this year, but the D gives up consecutive long TD drives too often since then. I see a one and done coming up.

[Taco John]

Well, the team did beat NE and Balt early this year, but the D gives up consecutive long TD drives too often since then. I see a one and done coming up.

you thought our season was over once already...

[Sassy]

At this point...I think there are quite a few teams that could be in the Superbowl.

[Garcia Bronco]

What are you talking about? Play to our strengths? That's exactly what Coyer does. I'd love to hear this brilliant dissertation on how you'd "play to our strengths" any better than Coyer does. It's like you don't even understand where our strengths and weaknesses are, but you've got an opinion about how they should be played to.

If there is anything Coyer does, it's coach to our strengths. Unfortunately, he has a hard time covering for our weaknesses. Any coordinator would.

I think his play calling is suspect. I think he plays off when we should be aggressive. I think he's aggressive when we should play back. I am not an X/O guy. But I know when I see the right htings and the wrong things...and there are times when I see our defense doing the wrong things. Now whether that's the coach or the execution on a given play is also beyond me since I don't have access to the proper film, but I think Coyer can do better.

[Taco John]

I think his play calling is suspect. I think he plays off when we should be aggressive. I think he's aggressive when we should play back. I am not an X/O guy. But I know when I see the right htings and the wrong things...and there are times when I see our defense doing the wrong things. Now whether that's the coach or the execution on a given play is also beyond me since I don't have access to the proper film, but I think Coyer can do better.



I think it's easy to criticize. I think it's hard to field a top ten defense without the horses up front to produce a consistent pass rush. But that's what he's done.

[Garcia Bronco]

I think it's easy to criticize. I think it's hard to field a top ten defense without the horses up front to produce a consistent pass rush. But that's what he's done.

If we make the playoffs these guys up front better get hungry...and like we discussed....I think you'll see blitz upon blitz

[listopencil]

you thought our season was over once already...


...and there's the point. So did I. We switched QB's and I went, "Crap. We suck. Might as well enjoy the games that I get to watch and start thinking about next year." Then something incredible happened. Our rookie QB was beter than I could have possibly guessed. Playoffs? I think we are going to do it. A playoff win? Yep. I think it's possible. A Super Bowl run?


...**** it. Why not us?

[ludo21]

All 6 teams in each conference can make the SB.

And assuming we DO get the 5th seed, beating NE, SD, and then whoever is left (RAvens) is not at all unrealistic.

GOOO BRONCOS!!

[Taco John]

...and there's the point. So did I. We switched QB's and I went, "Crap. We suck. Might as well enjoy the games that I get to watch and start thinking about next year." Then something incredible happened. Our rookie QB was beter than I could have possibly guessed. Playoffs? I think we are going to do it. A playoff win? Yep. I think it's possible. A Super Bowl run?


...**** it. Why not us?



I know. I'm just giving Cito hell because when I was lobbying for Jay, he told me that I was the guy on the bus who puked (or something similar). Since the switch to Jay, he's been pretty well negative at nearly every turn, basically being the guy who's puking on the bus.

[ZONA]

Am I missing something? If all lines up and we are #5 and Jets #6, we beat NE and Colts beat Jets, would we not go to Baltimore since they have #2 seed and the Bolts get the #6 (Jets)?

[Merlin]

...he's been pretty well negative at nearly every turn, basically being the guy who's puking on the bus.
I seem to remember him playing that card sometime last season as well, and we went to the AFC championship game. I would be happy to take that this yr (not that there is anything wrong with a SB appearance ;) ).

[Cito Pelon]

you thought our season was over once already...

I did? I never stated it baldly like that. And I don't think the season is over right now. I think it will come to an end short of any Title, though. I'm not all that excited about how the D and ST's are playing, nor am I excited about how the staff is going about their business. DW shouldn't be returning punts, TB shouldn't be starting. They're wasting plays on those two. I did see TB talking about how he knows he's being too tentative, so maybe that's a good sign. I see the D can't play a nickle zone worth a gotdamn all year, but they go into it as their bread and butter to protect a lead, and then the opposing O has them just where they want them and run a fast tempo O to keep Denver in the nickle zone. And it's a toss-up whether blitzing will work any better, since Denver isn't a good blitzing team with the LB's. They can try some CB blitzes, or bring 47, but the LB's are just awful at blitzing and in pass coverage for when one of them blitzes, or pass coverage period.

Ah, well, I hope for the best, but this team doesn't have "it" right now, mostly the D and ST's. Granted, the team might be able to put 27 up on anybody they face, but can they keep the opposition under 30? Can they get 3 and outs? Can they win the field position battle?

[Play2win]

We would have a lot easier time with Sandy Eggo if Sam Brandon was healthy. But, we can still take 'em... ;D

[Cito Pelon]

I know. I'm just giving Cito hell because when I was lobbying for Jay, he told me that I was the guy on the bus who puked (or something similar). Since the switch to Jay, he's been pretty well negative at nearly every turn, basically being the guy who's puking on the bus.

Well, you got me there. I did tell you that you were the guy puking on the bus. And you're correct that I was pretty negative about the kid in his first six quarters when the O staff was protecting him as if he wasn't "the best chance to win right now."

As for "basically being the guy who's puking on the bus" right now, well, you could be correct about that also. Deal with it. I had to deal with you earlier in the season.

[baja]

It's not the talent level of Cutler I'm worried about. It's the talent level of the defensive coordinators that we're going up against. They now have plenty of film to work with and make adjustments against the kid. We don't have the opportunity to take a game or two to see what adjustments teams are making for him, and adjust to those adjustments.

It's just like pitching or hitters in baseball... Anytime you see someone with talent come in, they are able to tear it up for awhile, and then they get scouted. Once they're scouted, they have a few bad games, not because their talent level went down, but because the competition went up. Then it's sink or swim time. I definitely think Cutler will swim, but I think he's going to be facing some challenges here that he has to be ready for.

Look what happened with Damon Huard in KC. He was on a tear. Eventually, defenses caught up with him though. David Garrard was the same way. That's just the nature of professional sports.

Considering Jay's versatility and Shanahan's ability to out think the opposing DC I don't think we will have that " been discovered" game. I do think that Jay is due an off game though, hopefully not this season.

[Killericon]

Yes.

[baja]

Trust me they will find something.... There is a reason these guys make the money they do. <b> In addition we all know Cutler is going to have one of those horrific rookie games </b>where he completes more passes to the other team than he does his own. Lets hope it doesn't happen this Sunday.

I think this is the more likely scenario.

[BroncoSoja]

Can this team win the Superbowl? Possibly and here is how.

Defense:
1. Replace D-Will with Foxworth (make D-Will the nickel man)
2. Put Cox at S
3. Make the CB's play more bump and run
4. Blitz a hell of alot more and im not talking about that Delayed blitz crap that we have seen this year, im talking about the Blitzing we did when we won the Superbowls.
5. Move DJ around more(blitzing) and tell him the opposing QB is sleeping with his wife. FFS please unleash this freaking beast Coyer!!!!
6. Have someone ANYONE put a hit on the TE prior to him getting off the line
7. Switch PR duties from D-Will to Q. Morgan or Kircus

Offense:
1. Run more screen plays to Fosters side, this will make the guy who will be abusing him all game long think twice before comming at Cutler. Or better yet just replace him with Meadows agian if he is ready.
2. Activate D. Nash and the moment that T.Bell bobbles the ball replace him with Nash.
4. Run more draw plays to keep the defense honest
5. Tell Rod Smith to CATCH THE DAMN BALL (seriously he has turned into the Rod Smith of 96)...
6. More audibles!!! If the blitz is comming recognized it and adapt, don't just 'run the play anyways'

[broncocalijohn]

I dont think we go to the superbowl. I would put it at 80% to 20% no go. My 20% is based on a few items. We can beat NE in first round. Going to San Diego has two items against them. One is seeing us a third time. Another is Rivers is struggling this month. Their defense is holding them in. I dont think they have a repeat performance against us like last time. Steelers won on the road but to win 3 in a row is tough. Ravens are playing tough too and would love to have a rematch. Colts do own us even though they are playing pretty bad right now. Maybe next year. Too many short falls to get us over the top. Cutler is just a few games into his career. Playoffs on the road? That might be asking a lot from this team.

[ZONA]

I think this is the more likely scenario.

Would you like to put money on it that Cutler doesn't complete more passes to the other team? I got $20K that says Cutler completes more balls then he has INT's.

Oh ye of little faith. I'd like to know what Cutler has done these past few weeks that alot of you think he's all of a sudden going to turn into Plummer? His first play last week was a pick. How many other balls did he throw into the ground or out of bounds to avoid the sack and picks? A lot!

[richpjr]

Even if Cutler and the offense perform, the Broncos don't have the defense or special teams to make a serious superbowl run this year.

[eddie mac]

There's still a minute possibility we have the Conference game at home again, that is if we win our next 3 and the Jets win their next 3.LOL

[baja]

Would you like to put money on it that Cutler doesn't complete more passes to the other team? I got $20K that says Cutler completes more balls then he has INT's.

Oh ye of little faith. I'd like to know what Cutler has done these past few weeks that alot of you think he's all of a sudden going to turn into Plummer? His first play last week was a pick. How many other balls did he throw into the ground or out of bounds to avoid the sack and picks? A lot!

What and bet against my son, your jiking right?

Who the hell do you think has been calling for him to start fron about week 4 anyway.

[400HZ]

I think it's easy to criticize. I think it's hard to field a top ten defense without the horses up front to produce a consistent pass rush. But that's what he's done.

Indy has good pass rushers and look where it got them.

[WoodMan]

Realistically- one and done:wave:
Homeristically- Super bowl baby!:egbgb:

[SoonerBronco]

What are you talking about? Play to our strengths? That's exactly what Coyer does. I'd love to hear this brilliant dissertation on how you'd "play to our strengths" any better than Coyer does. It's like you don't even understand where our strengths and weaknesses are, but you've got an opinion about how they should be played to.

If there is anything Coyer does, it's coach to our strengths. Unfortunately, he has a hard time covering for our weaknesses. Any coordinator would.

Why bother with a brilliant dissertation when the "Orangemane Mastermind" finally calls me out on something...I don't even stand a chance. LOL

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/4738/mastermindzm9.jpg

[Cito Pelon]

I seem to remember him playing that card sometime last season as well, and we went to the AFC championship game. I would be happy to take that this yr (not that there is anything wrong with a SB appearance ;) ).

You must be thinking of somebody else. I was super-homer last year in the playoff run to the point of being unrealistic (which I guess is the definition of super-homer). Now, after the season I was pretty harsh on certain aspects, but also super-homer still on certain aspects.

I'm not super-homer this year, I'm super-jaded with respect to the Broncs and their BS about winning the SB. It's like Pinky and the Brain:

Pinky: What are we going to do tonight, Brain?
Brain: Try to take over the world, Pinky, the same thing we do every night.

Substitute the fans and the media for Pinky, Shanny for The Brain, and "win the SB" for "take over the world" and it's a perfect analogy.

Either actually mount a challenge for the League Title, or shut up about it I say. It's laughable to talk about the SB with the teams and staff they field, this one included.

[sgbfan]

I didn't want to start another thread, but assuming Denver wins and gets in at 5th place, who do they play if both Indy and NE win, and Baltimore loses? Thats a 3 way tie at 2nd place. Would that make any difference, or does Baltimore still keep 2nd off the Tie-breaker? I didn't see anyone address that scenario.

[broncofan4evr]

Greetings fellow Broncos fans from Southern California. I've been a die-hard Broncos fan for 27 years, even though I've lived in the LA area my whole life. Honestly, I think we can beat the Patriots in the first round of the playoffs, assuming we get there, which we should. We match up well with the Patriots, and have had the Patriots number in recent years. There's no doubt in my mind that we can beat them, even in Foxboro. Also, the Patriots were 5-3 at home this year, with one of their 3 home losses to us of course, and we were 5-3 on the road, so going on the road to Foxboro is not that intimidating, at least it shouldn't be for us. However, I'd be shocked if we get past the Chargers in the next round, since this is who we'd most likely play if we beat the Patriots. While I think we could give them a much better game than we did earlier this month, a game that unfortunately I was at, I honestly don't see us beating them, or the Colts in Indy. I just think that Cutler needs a full season to take us to the Super Bowl. No matter how far we get in the playoffs though, it would be nice for Cutler to get a taste of the postseason, and get some playoff experience. With Cutler starting for us from the start of the season next year, we'll definitely be a Super bowl threat in 2007.

Go Broncos!!!!

[DeusExManning]

The only team I have concern with is the Chargers.

[broncocalijohn]

Chargers, Ravens and Colts who own us. Those are the reasons we wont make the SB. Broncofan4ever--- you must not post much (4) as you actually typed in the subject line. Havent seen that in awhile.

[Spider]

Right now, seeing how Cutler is improving each week, I'm not so sure this team can't go deep into the playoffs or even get to the Superbowl. The other AFC teams have some pretty glaring problems also. Some of them we've already beat and others, we've had large late game leads.

Colts - they can't stop the run at all and have several injuries on defense.
Patriots - no WR's and passing game is hurting this year.
Chargers - They're pretty much using up all their come from behind games. How many more can they win like that. I just have a feeling this will bite them at some point in the playoffs.
Ravens - An offense that is not exactly lethal and a defense that is solid but not what it used to be.
Jets - Kinda ho hum if you ask me. Not alot of weapons.

I think if we played our A game, we could beat anyone of them, even with Cutler being a rookie. It may be a stretch to think we can win it all but it's doable.
no it isnt unrealistic...........I wouldnt even call it a long shot .........

[watermock]

I'm too concerned about our pass defense to get too optimistic.

[Spider]

I'm too concerned about our pass defense to get too optimistic.

well the other teams have just as many flaws as we do ............ offense , defense , special teams take your pick ...........Ravens look damn solid though , but we also looked damn solid in 96 when the freaking Jagwads blew us out of the playoffs.........The NFC looks worse then we do , I wouldnt be shocked if we had a Saints /Broncos sb ............

[400HZ]

Indianapolis Colts 4/1
Seattle Seahawks 18/1
New England Patriots 16/1
Carolina Panthers 500/1
Dallas Cowboys 6/1
San Diego Chargers 2/1
Denver Broncos 35/1
New York Giants 40/1
Chicago Bears 5/2
Cincinnati Bengals 100/1
Jacksonville Jaguars 2500/1
Kansas City Chiefs 2500/1
Atlanta Falcons 1000/1
Philadelphia Eagles 16/1
Green Bay Packers 500/1
Baltimore Ravens 5/2
St. Louis Rams 1000/1
New Orleans Saints 5/1
Tennessee Titans 500/1
New York Jets 75/1


These are the current odds in Vegas.

[Circle Orange]

Well, I could be silly and say they're going 'all the way' but some monster obstacles block the path this year. More seasoned (and better balanced) teams in the tournament, hard competition for the last wild card slots...the second tier of Afc teams are almost identical when you balance their strengths and weaknesses. Tournament breakdown:

San Diego = best overall, but vulnerable at qb position (experience)
Ravens = hardnosed team, tough but overrated. Offense dosen't scare anybody.
Colts = weakness on D well know, but still very dangerous and too talented offensively to discount
Pats = good but pretenders this time around. Living off reputation and spin.
Jags = overrated but physical and tough
Broncos = good but not great team, vulnerable at qb position (see SD) unbalanced in offense.
Jets = solid, disciplined team with some talent. Not explosive on O.
Bengals = explosive firepower, but soft. Has questionable D.
KC = powerful but plodding and one dimensional. Not enough O, no deep threat at wideout. Average D.

I'm not predicting next year either, because you don't just 'go' to the superbowl out of the clear. And who knows what the landscape of the AFC will be then. http://scosoft.com/s/n/44748dea.gif

[Meck77]

IMO I've seen a correlation to the "We have an automatic win mentality" of the online community show up in the stands. The Chicago Bears game a few years ago comes to mind. Nobody thought we could lose. That whole day in the parking lots nobody seemed to care about the game as it was a "given" we'd win. It was the same online. The team came out flat, the crowd wasn't even in the game, and we got our asses handed to us. Oh another one that comes to mind is the freakin Jags in 96. Just one of a few dozen examples of what can happen when you underestimate an opponent. The fans and the TEAM did.

So what I'm saying is when Broncos fans think we can't lose the team has come out flat. How about the MNF Cincy game ?The Broncos fans didn't think they could lose and the team didn't think so either.

I think it's more a state of overall mentality than what is said online but there seems to be a connection IMO.

Granted I think the niners have the odds stacked against them but I can't see the team talking about the Superbowl just yet. I'd like our chances if we could stomped a sorry ass team like the bungs also. We were fighting for our lives. Where are we going to get a Superbowl caliber defense? special teams? and a consistent running game and a QB that isn't running a 2 to 1 TD/Int ratio in less than a month? hmm?

Like I was saying.......I've seen it before. That ****ing sucked.

It's a bright future though...

[Meck77]

Why?

I can understand the players doing that, but what difference does it matter what we focus upon?

Well.........I guess if nothing else it doesn't make sense to talk playoffs until we beat a sorry ass team like the niners. Plus for the reason I mentioned above.