It's early..but Jax vs. Denver??

[Malcontent]

After watching the SNF game. I have absolutely no idea what to expect from the Jagwads. Great DL, adequate CBs, no idea about their LBers, and Garrard is a fighter. We should be able to hold their passing game at home. MJD could have a big day, but Freddie Taylor, IMO is a non-issue...knock on wood.

If Champ covers their #1, and Bly can cover anyone, we should be OK. Glad it's at Mile High....Who's going?

[wyobronco]

They manhandled us last year. I was at the game and remember Garrard being a beast. Everybody covered consistently and he killed us with his legs. Jones-Drew is a better version of Sproles. I'm not at all worried about them through the air, but on the ground? Better bring the A game.

[SoCalBronco]

That was the most humiliating game of the year last year. The score didnt reflect it but just how badly they ran on us on offense, with 10 minute drive after 10 minute drive, that was just terrible. They physically imposed their will on us the whole game.

This will be a real challenge.

[Cito Pelon]

I'll be very disappointed if JAX scores more than 17 at Mile High. Their O is only marginally better than Tampa's, and their D can be had by a crisp O. Denver just has to play a clean, crisp game, no mistakes.

[CBF1]

I was at that game last year and it was alot bigger beating than the score indicated. We will have to stop the run game....including Garrard to have a chance to win.

[Pseudofool]

TB is a decent team; I was really worried about todays game, but the Broncs defense showed up. I look at the Jags as a similar caliber team. I think it really comes down to two things 1) our pass rush 2) our running game.

[broncofan2438]

Yea, I was kind of hoping that Jax would win, but they didnt and they will be pissed. Expect a tougher game than TB and maybe even a lower scoring game

[Bronco Jamus]

better bring a bag of bricks on both sides if the ball.

[Killericon]

At worst, we'll be 4-2 coming out of it. Things are good.

[Popps]

We have a tough stretch of games coming up. Then again, so does San Diego... so we'll have a chance to hold onto or build on the division lead if we can play like we did this week... or better.

Keep in mind, if Marcus Thomas doesn't fumble that INT... the game might have been over a lot sooner.

[Wes Mantooth]

I don't think I would throw a pass if I were the Jags.

[Cito Pelon]

JAX can be had, but there can be no mistakes. They're not a pushover. They're a tough team to beat. If Denver plays a clean crisp game, it's a win. If they play shoddy, naturally JAX will win. It's not too hard to figure out.

[footstepsfrom#27]

This is a team we have to get on top off FAST and force them into throwing it more than they want to. Looking at these safeties that's a scary thought but this team is capable of running it down our throats way more than Tampa Bay was.

[bpc]

You know Jacksonville is just going to punch people in the mouth and see who backs down first. We'll have to stop the run and try to confuse Gerrard who has looked a lot more human this year vs. last. We couldn't get off the field on 3rd down. That will have to change this season.

ON offense, i feel good about our chances. I think we have a similar passing offense to what Pittsburgh and Big Ben does so we should be able to take advantage of some situations. Where we are better vs. Pitt is on the OL. We should be able to keep the pressure off Cutler and he should be able to have a big day.

The key comes down to our 3rd down defense vs. Gerrard. That killed us last year on that down. Really, the Denver game last year was Gerrard's coming out party in 07'.

[theAPAOps5]

That was the most humiliating game of the year last year. The score didnt reflect it but just how badly they ran on us on offense, with 10 minute drive after 10 minute drive, that was just terrible. They physically imposed their will on us the whole game.

This will be a real challenge.

Yeah it was a horrid game. But that said their OL is in shambles and Pittsburgh was able to pull out a win with a crap OL and dinged up QB.

If Denver plays to its abilities this game should be another Denver W.

[lazarus4444]

Just about every offensive player has their coming out party against us, lmao!! Since the defense decided to show up for the first time in weeks i['m confused on what will happen. WHich Broncos D will show up? The high school level D with bad coaching? Or the hungry NFL D that actually cared and played with heart?

Last year sucked immensely against the jags. They are one of the very few TOUGH teams in the NFL (MIN, CHI, PIT, JAX) that will hit you in the mouth and make you beat them physically. You always need to bring your A+ game and earn it with them, no getting around that.

We'll see what caliber team we have against the Jags. IF we win great, if we lose in a close one, great, still happy. If we get blown out and dominated then we have issues.

[Smiling Assassin27]

I have a feeling they will pound the ball against us and mix in a long range passing game--go veh-tical...Garrard will be a big part of the running game, IMO. I think i start Garrard in FF this week.

[cmhargrove]

If our LB's play like they did yesterday, we will be fine.

This pseudo 3-4 thing just screws with my head thinking about it. We don't have the prototypical "personnel" do do it, but it looked really good yesterday.

There was actual D-line pressure - go figure.
I think that dropping our LB's back into zone coverage helped take away the easy passing lanes we have seen the first four games. The difference yesterday was that all LB's quickly converged on the running plays and made good tackles.

If that trend continues, we will actually have a good defense this year (at least average).

About Jacksonville - this same 3-4 look will help us if the LB's keep making their tackles. We'll just knock the crap out of Gerrard if he has to keep running the ball. Jones-Drew was a little banged up, and Taylor kept cutting in the backfield and making bad decisions. Even if we give up some decent runs, I think our defense is now more prepared to slow down or stop TD's.

I'm most worried about Matt Jones lining up against Bly, Williams, or Paymah.

[Tombstone RJ]

I think Jax is a great team that is strong in the trenches. Both lines are very good. Garrard is having some growing pains but this team seems to get stronger as the season progresses. The Broncos are lucky to be playing them earlier in the season as opposed to later in the season.

I have a feeling the Jags are gonna beat up on the Broncos. They'll run the ball right down the Broncos defensive throat and I don't think the Broncos running game will be able to return the favor.

For some reason, the Jags have the Broncos number (at least it seems that way, probably stemming from 1996) and they match up well against the Broncos. I really like Del Rio as a HC, he doesn't get flustered and his players believe in him because he played the game for a long time.

Unfortunately, I see this game as a loss, but I hope I'm wrong.

[theAPAOps5]

Jax is a carbon copy of TB I see this as a close win.

[Tombstone RJ]

Jax is a carbon copy of TB I see this as a close win.

Jax is a heck of alot better than TB.

[theAPAOps5]

Jax is a heck of alot better than TB.

Why do you say that? They have a better QB and RB. The Defense is about the same and JAX is missing both starting OT.

This will be a close win.

[broncocalijohn]

We are going to get killed. Worse than last year. Fans will riot. 35 yards rushing 140 passing with no TDs and 3 picks. Plus, hail storm will be moving in to punish those in the stands who thought they believed in this team. Jags 37 Broncos 3 (Pratar has to line up for a 70 yarder as the 48 yard line on the BRONCOS side will be the closest we get to the endzone).

[Tombstone RJ]

Why do you say that? They have a better QB and RB. The Defense is about the same and JAX is missing both starting OT.

This will be a close win.

I think Garrard is a better QB than anything TB has, he doesn't make alot of mistakes (but he's kinda struggling more this year) and I really like their running game with Taylor and Jones-Drew. Their defense is solid and is well coached. I think they get better as the year progresses. They've lost to three of the best teams in the NFL, and all the games were close (Loss to Buff 16-20, loss to Ten 10-17, loss to Pitt 21-26) so its not like they are getting blown out.

And, for whatever reason, they play the Broncos well.

[theAPAOps5]

I think Garrard is a better QB than anything TB has, he doesn't make alot of mistakes (but he's kinda struggling more this year) and I really like their running game with Taylor and Jones-Drew. Their defense is solid and is well coached. I think they get better as the year progresses. They've lost to three of the best teams in the NFL, and all the games were close (Loss to Buff 16-20, loss to Ten 10-17, loss to Pitt 21-26) so its not like they are getting blown out.

And, for whatever reason, they play the Broncos well.

Oh I am not calling you out or anything. I just think Denver is a different team this year, on offense at least. I could easily be wrong but I think its a different year and different teams.

[broncofan2438]

Jax always plays us tough. I am planning on a close game like the TB game, but this time Jay needs to hit the deep ball more

[Tombstone RJ]

Oh I am not calling you out or anything. I just think Denver is a different team this year, on offense at least. I could easily be wrong but I think its a different year and different teams.

I hope your right and I generally tend to be more optimistic than alot of posters here. But, I try to be realistic too. I think this Broncos team is gonna have alot of ups and downs. Some games are gonna be great, some games are gonna leave us all scratching our collective heads going WTF?

But, once this Broncos team has a great game on both the offense and defensive side of the Ball, they will be very tuff to beat. They haven't done that yet and these last two games have really left the offense looking vulnerable. The defense has played good enough to win the games, but the offense has kinda looked out of sync.

[theAPAOps5]

Jax always plays us tough. I am planning on a close game like the TB game, but this time Jay needs to hit the deep ball more

No he doesn't thats why they won on Sunday. Jay realized he didn't need to hit the deep ball and took what was given to him. If he needed to hit the deep ball he would have forced it and thrown a pick.

[Beantown Bronco]

I think Jax is a great team that is strong in the trenches. Both lines are very good.

Neither are playing up to their usual standards this year.

MJD got hurt last night. He'll be playing on a bad wheel, which can only help.

Gerard hasn't looked like the 2007 Gerard yet. I blame the big contract he signed in the offseason.

[BroncoBen]

Jax always plays us tough. I am planning on a close game like the TB game, but this time Jay needs to hit the deep ball more

Well Tampa is really good at playing the deep ball, they give you the short stuff. That is why Jay 'Took' what the Bucs gave him... and had patience.

[theAPAOps5]

Well Tampa is really good at playing the deep ball, they give you the short stuff. That is why Jay 'Took' what the Bucs gave him... and had patience.

I'm ApaOps5 and I approve this post.

[TheChamp24]

I'm somewhat worried because our run d is still questionable to me, and short passes are there against us.
We improved, but at this point, nearly anything can be called an improvement.

[2KBack]

Well Tampa is really good at playing the deep ball, they give you the short stuff. That is why Jay 'Took' what the Bucs gave him... and had patience.

that's true, but when the deep ball is there, he'll need to hit it.

[Rock Chalk]

I worry about Mathis.

But if Cutler plays smart like he did against Tampa, I dont worry about Mathis as much but IMO Mathis is the second best corner in football.

[SoDak Bronco]

Jax D has really struggled this year..
<TABLE class=statspotlight cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TH class=JACcolors>PTS </TH></TR><TR><TD>22.2 (16th)
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statspotlight cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TH class=JACcolors>YDS </TH></TR><TR><TD>344.0 (21st)
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statspotlight cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TH class=JACcolors>PASS YDS </TH></TR><TR><TD>237.2 (26th)
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statspotlight cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TH class=JACcolors>RUSH YDS </TH></TR><TR><TD>106.8 (15th)
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[2KBack]

Just from watching last night, the Jax dline looks stout in the middle, but slow to persue to the outside. Seeing as how Young seems to prefer to spread the defense on sweeps, this may be a good opportunity to run the ball.

[oubronco]

Just from watching last night, the Jax dline looks stout in the middle, but slow to persue to the outside. Seeing as how Young seems to prefer to spread the defense on sweeps, this may be a good opportunity to run the ball.

I agree with you Young likes to take it outside but just not run out of bounds he could it upfield a little more to my liking

[dbfan21]

Yea, I was kind of hoping that Jax would win, but they didnt and they will be pissed. Expect a tougher game than TB and maybe even a lower scoring game

I have often wondered about a team's psyche following a loss. Will they be pissed and come out swinging? Or will their confidence be shaken and nervous about dropping multiple games in a row cause them to play uptight?

My conclusion was that I would rather play a team that has doubts about their abilities than play a team that is playing solid football and brimming with confidence.

Your thoughts?

[oubronco]

what you said

[HorseHead]

here's a shocker, we jump out early, hold on at the end....27-24, 28-24...

[broncsyanks]

were screwed. they gonna manhandle our defense. but dont worry they wont throw to champs side. they wont need to. they will just watch there running game go nuts. control the clock, gerrard will run as well himself. and when we are in the nickle they will throw it to whomever our nickleback covers.

[oubronco]

here's a shocker, we jump out early, hold on at the end....27-24, 28-24...

WOOOOOOHOOOOO:thumbsup: I could live with that

[maher_tyler]

We have a tough stretch of games coming up. Then again, so does San Diego... so we'll have a chance to hold onto or build on the division lead if we can play like we did this week... or better.

Keep in mind, if Marcus Thomas doesn't fumble that INT... the game might have been over a lot sooner.

Or the holding and chop block calls when we were driving.