So how do we beat the Jags?

[Kaylore]

Let's discuss how we are going to do this.

Last year the Jags came in and just beat us up on the LOS. Despite this we're still in that game until Graham drops a perfect pass that hits him right in the hands. With Scheffler out in this game, it will be harder to put pressure on their middle defense.

The Jag offense has had issues on the offensive line resulting in 2.5 sacks a game. They are starting to get healthier there, but they still haven't been able to run like they wanted. On the ground Jones-Drew hasn't looked quite the same and a big part of that is the offensive line. Through the air, Garrard has settled down and is starting look like the David Garrard from last year. More concerning is the recent emergence of Brandon Marshall's teammate in Mike Walker who had his first 100 yard receiving game last week. Their tight end Mercedes Lewis has shown to have trouble catching ball, but his blocking is excellent. Matt Jones is up and down. If there's one weakness they have in the passing game, it's they lack a down field thread.

On defense they actually are playing very poorly, especially against the pass. They are averaging 1.6 per game, which is actually worse than us. Conversely we're at the top of the league in sacks allowed and our passing attack is our strength. On rush defense they are middle of the road and this is probably because of their inability to generate pressure and stop the pass. At half time they switched from a cover one to a traditional cover 2 and it slowed Roethlisberger down somewhat. Del Rio will probably go with what has worked in the past and abandon the heavy blitzes that have been used to this point in the hopes of taking a page from the Bucs D.

Special teams has been up and down for the Jags. They have had a really good kick return team but Prater can hopefully eliminate that with more touchbacks. He currently leads the league with 11.

The game will probably come down to who can run the ball and stop the run better. If the Broncos can't stop the run, we lose. If they do, we win. Cutler should have a shot to have a big game, even with a banged up Royal and a MIA Scheffler.

[Beantown Bronco]

over/under on how many posts before the first wiseass comes in here and says "score more pts than them"

3

[CBF1]

Devine intervention ???

[TheReverend]

Denver is going to destroy them and it won't even be close.

Mike Walker has a long ways to go before he starts warranting any special attention from DC's or rolled coverage. They have zero receiving threats, which means, for once, our safeties might be able to excel in a professional football game.

Stack the box all day. I wouldn't care if it's 3rd and 20. Show blitz every down and bring 5+ every play that they DON'T drop in max protect

[Popps]

Kaylore,

I think you're right about the running game, though my worry is that Garrard is a tough QB to bring down. He's big and mobile. Griese was a sitting duck last week. My concern is that we'll have issues getting them off the field on third down.

MJD is also a concern, of course. He's also tough to tackle, and we don't tackle well.

On the other hand, Jax has allowed some points in the last few games. This is one where I think we'll just have to come in knowing we have to score 35 points... minimum, to win. I like our chances in a shootout better than theirs.

[Marshall Dumervil]

This year the linebackers HAVE to contain Garrard. We had great pass defense last year but he had the middle of the field wide open to run. I have to go look at how many rushing yards he had against us. It wasn't pretty.


Splits By Opponent G Att Yds Avg Lng TD 1st

Denver Broncos------- 1 12 52 4.3 19 0 4

Seemed like he had more than this, I suppose I just remember all the 1st downs he got.

[TheReverend]

Oh... and Denver has Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall... who can't be satisfied with his production last week and will be looking to reassert himself.

[vancejohnson82]

ok...i think the key is shutting down their run early in the game....like the first two drives...Jones-Drew and Taylor have been atrocious this season and the Jags are just about to switch up their identity a bit if it keeps up...but if we let Taylor loose on the first play for 67 yards, its going to be a LOOONG game of watching their two guys pound the rock

Obviously, this is something you want to do every game..but the Jags are struggling right now for an identity and if we can take away the notion that they can run the ball, they will go to plan B...and that will be Garrard throwing intermediate routes over the middle....

In any event, we need our safeties to play up close to the linebackers to stop either of these scenarios...if there was ever a game for one of those chumps to step up it would be right now....Champ and Bly will not be beaten over the top by either Williams or Jones, so we can afford to bring a little pressure up at the LOS

On offense...the Jags have not been playing exceptionally well on D...again, another part of their identity crisis...I say we play the way we've been playing and let Cutler decide where he wants to go with the ball....take some shots, and spread them out

i think this game goes up in scoring from what we've seen in the past...it wont be the Brunell/Elway game but i see a 24-20 game or something like that...the offenses will score

[montrose]

Offense
Don't be deceived by the Jags poor pass defense and go into the game expecting to throw the ball over the field. If nothing else, it will important to keep the defense off the field against the Jags rushing attack. Mathis will be matched up on Marshall, and similar to McKenzie a few weeks ago, Jay cannot force the ball into him. The Jags are damn near unbeatable when you turn the ball over - so the Broncos must again be patient. One thing to watch, they don't matchup very well with Stokley so that could be an area to keep an eye on.

Defense
Keep alternating between the 4-3 and 3-4 front. The Jags OL problems should present a good opportunity for Dumervil to get going. I'd also strongly consider activating Moss. Don't be afraid to run blitz and make the Jags WR's beat the Broncos CB's. I'd consider doubling Lewis with Boss and Manual to help mask Manual's suckiness. Keeping Garrard in the pocket will be essential, It may be worth while to occasionally spy him and if not - Dumervil, Engelberger and Ekuban must absolutely keep contain.

Special Teams
"Don't Suck" - Kaylore

[ludo21]

Stop the run, I agree there.

Stacking the box will probably work, but we cant keep leaving Bly on an island, so hopefully they give him S help and a LB underneath occasionally.

On offense we need to pass, pass, and pass. Jags will probably play Cover 2 most the time, but they are not as good as TB, so we should get some more big plays i hope.
- Pittman against them is actually better than Selvin would have been, so this will be an upgrade.

[loborugger]

I think that attitude goes a long ways towards explaining why J-ville came up to Denver and physically mauled us the way they did last year. Coaching has some explanation as does style and talent.

Denver has made some changes. There has been a change of heart from last year with a lot of the deadwood getting shown the door. Therefore, I really doubt we just be out-hearted (if thats a word) and manhandled the way we did last year.

Taking into account homefield advantage, better talent lying in Denver than J-ville, their injuries affecting them worse than our injuries are us... I think this is a winnable game is Denver just plays smart, solid football. Another mistake free game, ala last weeks Buc game, and Denver moves to 5-1. I think its about that simple.

[socalorado]

Denver is going to destroy them and it won't even be close.

Mike Walker has a long ways to go before he starts warranting any special attention from DC's or rolled coverage. They have zero receiving threats, which means, for once, our safeties might be able to excel in a professional football game.

Stack the box all day. I wouldn't care if it's 3rd and 20. Show blitz every down and bring 5+ every play that they DON'T drop in max protect

Yes. BUt i will say that Mathis is not to be underestimated. He is a damn good CB. Jay still needs to spread the wealth. Get "stone hands" Graham involved as well.

[theAPAOps5]

This game will be won in the trenches. So far Denver line has won every trench fight so far and it hasn't even benn close. So on offense adavantage Denver.

On Defense I think the Jags won't be great against Denver BUT the big concern is how does Denver handle Gerrard and the RB's. Contain him and its a win.

I think Denver squeeks one out.

[gyldenlove]

Let me just say I was going to use the old score more points line, but decided against it at the last second.

Really though, this one is pretty easy. The Jaguars have a vulnerable defense, a really bad pass offense and one of scariest rush offenses in the league.

So what we have to do is score early and score often. I know our pass defense couldn't stop an astmatic ant, but we really need to take their ground game away as much as possible by putting them in a hole. If they have to catch up they are going to be forced to go to the air which will give our defense a better matchup.
We have seen our defenders wear down a bit if they stay on the field too much, especially our front 4. So if we can force the Jaguars to the air we can give our defense a shorter day and more chances to make plays.

On offense it seems we will have to use Stokley a lot and try to get Marshall or Royal deep early. If we can stretch them a bit and keep their safeties back it will open up the underneath stuff to Stokley and the short catch and go routes to Marshall for easy and safe gains. It should also open up the middle a bit for Pittman who might be carrying the load on Sunday. Pittman has his strengths in catching the ball out of the backfield, so if we can open up the short area a bit he will be able to gain lots of yards.

We need Prater to kick it deep again to keep Jones-Drew from doing damage on returns and we need to keep winning the field position battle. David Garrard is not a particularly good QB and if we give him a long field and force him to air it out we should be able to pressure him a bit and get a few big plays.

My secret key to this game (I am doing like Ted Sundquist here) is going to be Marquand Manuel, the Jags like to pass it short and run a lot, so we need our safeties to make big plays. Mccree has not made a whole lot of plays, and Manuel has made quite a few bad plays, so we need Manuel especially to step up and make a big play or two. Either knock down a WR or TE to cause an imcompletion or fumble or make make a pick.

[gyldenlove]

Yes. BUt i will say that Mathis is not to be underestimated. He is a damn good CB. Jay still needs to spread the wealth. Get "stone hands" Graham involved as well.

Mathis is a little like Bly used to be. He will make some big plays, but he will take some plays off and allow you to walk all over him. He is not much of a support player against the run and if he stacks up against Marshall expect him to be blocked far down field.

[summerdenver]

Jaguars don't have a explosive pass game and it is also based on play action mostly. And Mike walker is likely out with a sprained MCL.

If we stop their run game, either by taking lead or stacking the box, we win.

[broncofan2438]

Although many think this game will be won in the trenches(which is true) I also believe that we need to get the deep ball accomplished a few times this game. We left it out the last few games and we for sure need to get pressure on the QB defensively

[labronx]

Denver is going to destroy them and it won't even be close.

Mike Walker has a long ways to go before he starts warranting any special attention from DC's or rolled coverage. They have zero receiving threats, which means, for once, our safeties might be able to excel in a professional football game.

Stack the box all day. I wouldn't care if it's 3rd and 20. Show blitz every down and bring 5+ every play that they DON'T drop in max protect


I agree and I also see us containing their running game. Plus Cutler should really pick them apart on the secondary.

The last game vs TB was a really good lesson for Cutler, in all honesty it kinda has a playoff vibe to it, in terms of the patience he had to show to win the game.

[Los Broncos]

It will be won in the trenches, the Jags are pretty stout up front.

I dont really see much of a running game this week, maybe we start Pittman.

Spread em out 3 wide, throw it all day.

[Inkana7]

Big Ben sliced them up. Cutler can do better.

[vancejohnson82]

its funny....when the season started, I put this down on the schedule as a loss...figuring the Jags/Broncos matchup would come down to who can run better

i dont see it that way anymore...i see us trying to get up quick and turning the lights out on their backs...

i really dont see it as a battle of the trenches this week...more like our WRs and Cutler against their DBs

[The MVPlaya]

We beat them by playing great defense.

[broncofan2438]

It will be won in the trenches, the Jags are pretty stout up front.

I dont really see much of a running game this week, maybe we start Pittman.

Spread em out 3 wide, throw it all day.

Agreed, man we think to much alike

[Bronx33]

Points every possession and a few breaks defensively. (simple);D

[Crushaholic]

We beat them by playing great defense.

Aw...s**t...

[DBroncos4life]

Have more points then them when the 4 quarter ends

[epicSocialism4tw]

Kaylore,

I think you're right about the running game, though my worry is that Garrard is a tough QB to bring down. He's big and mobile. Griese was a sitting duck last week. My concern is that we'll have issues getting them off the field on third down.

MJD is also a concern, of course. He's also tough to tackle, and we don't tackle well.

On the other hand, Jax has allowed some points in the last few games. This is one where I think we'll just have to come in knowing we have to score 35 points... minimum, to win. I like our chances in a shootout better than theirs.

Good observations.

Jax will control the LOS in the run game. MJD should have a big day.

Our chances are tethered to whether or not we control the LOS in the passing game. If Jay gets time to pick them apart and doesnt commit turnovers, then we could run up the score.

[Garcia Bronco]

It could be snowing or raining for the game. We just have to be physical.

[oubronco]

unleash a massive pass rush and pound there asssess into the ground never let up and when the final gun sounds look up to the score board and be proud :thumbsup:

[Rock Chalk]

We catch a lucky break cuz according to everyone else thats the only way we have won games.

[azbroncfan]

I think the game is won by whatever unit wins third downs between Jax O vs Den's D. Last year Denver was terrible on third downs in that game and Garrard killed Denver with his legs on third down. Defense gets off the field on third down Denver wins easily if they don't the game will be similar to last year in my opinion.

[Sassy]

Have more points then them when the 4 quarter ends

Just what I was going to say ;D
I'll even take just 1 more point then they have
when the clock runs out ;D Ha!

[broncogary]

I would think we can control their running game, due to all the injuries they have had on their O line. The key should be controlling Garrard when he scrambles.

[no-pseudo-fan]

Denver will win this weekends game by scoring more points than JAX

[epicSocialism4tw]

Denver will win this weekends game by scoring more points than JAX

Thanks, Madden.

[SouthStndJunkie]

It's simple.

With physical teams like Jax, you have to bust them in the mouth.

Last year they bullied us around, we have to line up and match their physical play with some of our own.

[AZBroncomaniac]

It's simple.

With physical teams like Jax, you have to bust them in the mouth.

Last year they bullied us around, we have to line up and match their physical play with some of our own.

Has our Dline busted anyone in the mouth this season???

[ZONA]

Well the thing about the Jags is if you take care of the ball and don't turn it over, you're going to be IN THE GAME. The Jags are not gonna throw up silly points on ya. They like to run and eat up clock.

I agree with gyldenlove that scoring TD's early will help tremendously. But the Jags are pretty consistant about making sure they continue to run. Even if we get up by a few TD's, they will still try to hammer thing out on the ground unless it's mid 4th QTR.

I think for sure the only way we beat them is to stop the run at all costs. Even if we have to run blitz and stack the box. You want Gerrard to throw. For one, he doesn't throw often or effectivly downfield. He likes to dink and dunk. Their WR's are ****. We just have to keep on eye on Drew catching passes in the flat.

They are physical as hell though. I think this might come down to a few long FG's by Prater again. Not having Shef and Young, and possibly Royal will hurt.

[elsid13]

Thanks, Madden.

Madden would have thrown in a couple of Bams!, Brady is greatest and Favre slobber lines