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After the loss of Chris Harris, I have struggled through various bouts of dismay, depression, and shortness of breath. Trying to come to grips with reality has been the hardest part. The importance of this AFCCG to Broncos Country can't be denied. Peyton Manning's legacy, the Broncos place in history, good vs. evil, etc... It's easy to be overcome by the moment. Sunday evening, as the sun goes down, the AFCCG will be over, and our lives will go on.
This year could very well be Peyton Manning and the Broncos last best shot at a Superbowl. Elway and company have built this roster for this very moment in time. This is the culmination of Elway's "3-year plan". The Broncos will need to play their best game since Superbowl 33 to win. Yet it's just another Sunday afternoon game at Mile High in Broncos Country. No matter what adversity we all have went through to get here, if the Broncos (and the fans) give all that they have, there is no reason to fear the outcome. There is no need for excuses, or regret. The Broncos can play their hearts out, the fans can cheer wildly for the Orange and Blue, and at the end of the day we can be happy for the effort we gave, and the fun we had while doing it.
1. Protect Mile Stadium - Fans never give up. Scream as loud as you can for every single Defensive snap. Remember to take some ibuprofen before the game, and even during halftime. Get those around you to stand up. This is going to take an army. You are the spirit of the Orange Crush.
2. No Turnovers
3. Consistently win field position on special teams
4. I expect the Patriots to go with 11 personnel (3 WR's, 1 RB), like they did the last game. Their plan is to run on the Broncos Nickel Defense, while targeting the weak links in the Broncos Secondary with precise passing. The Broncos best chance to win is with Offensive and Defensive cohesion.
5. Cohesion cannot be emphasized enough. A cohesive Broncos team can win. A disorganized team cannot. Do your part Broncos Country.
6. This is Champ Bailey's biggest game as a Bronco. If his body will let him, the Broncos need him to have an enormous impact on this game.
7. Quentin Jammer, Kayvon Webster, and Tony Carter all got snaps against NE the last game. They know what to expect. We will need them all to make plays when on the field. Brady will try to target them (and Champ) repeatedly, finding the weakest link. I expect Fox and JDR to play Jammer first, then Webster, then Carter. The guys who are making plays will stay on the field.
8. Don't worry about the Secondary - Fox and JDR will make sure they are prepared as possible. They have all been in the firestorm. Nice to have great Defensive coaches right about now. Let the chips fall where they may.
9. Quentin Jammer has played 19% of Defensive snaps, he made a couple big plays against NE last time and he'll get some reps this week. He's fast enough to keep up with NE's WR's. All Jammer needs is more fire in his belly, and more preparation.
10. Webster is probably the only one of the 3 CB depth who will be on the roster next year. They picked him in the 3rd round specifically for this situation (starter injury). Webster has played 42% of Defensive snaps this year. Come on Kayvon make some plays.
11. Tony Carter is fighting for his NFL life. He has the skill, but lacks the mental and physical toughness. This is his last time to shine. He is the last line of Defense against an NE onslaught. Prove me wrong Tony Carter.
12. The last NE game was the first time Duke Ihenacho and Mike Adams started together all year. These guys have had time to gel, and know exactly what to expect. Mike Adams has the veteran presence and ability to settle down the Defense. Now is the time to be that fierce run defender in Nickel Defense that we all thought you would be, Nacho.
13. All of the LB's have gotten playing time recently, and all should be prepped to go. Expect to see a lot of Trevathan and Woodyard as half-field LB's in Nickel Defense. Nate Irving and Paris Lenon are both primed for the attack too. NE exploited the Broncos last time with RB's split wide against LB coverage. It's a seek and destroy mission. Trevathan is at the top of his game. Woodyard is well rested. Lenon and Irving both can be trusted to do what is necessary.
14. The rag-tag Defensive line will need to play the game of their lives. They MUST pressure Brady while only rushing 4 or 5. They MUST hold the LOS with force against the run in Nickel Defense. As a group, much of the Broncos chances at winning this game depend on every last man on the Defense to succeed and win their battles.
15. Peyton Manning and the Broncos Offense must score more than NE, by any means necessary. The only thing that is important, is that the Broncos have more points than NE when the game is over. For that, the Broncos get to go to the Superbowl.
This year could very well be Peyton Manning and the Broncos last best shot at a Superbowl. Elway and company have built this roster for this very moment in time. This is the culmination of Elway's "3-year plan". The Broncos will need to play their best game since Superbowl 33 to win. Yet it's just another Sunday afternoon game at Mile High in Broncos Country. No matter what adversity we all have went through to get here, if the Broncos (and the fans) give all that they have, there is no reason to fear the outcome. There is no need for excuses, or regret. The Broncos can play their hearts out, the fans can cheer wildly for the Orange and Blue, and at the end of the day we can be happy for the effort we gave, and the fun we had while doing it.
1. Protect Mile Stadium - Fans never give up. Scream as loud as you can for every single Defensive snap. Remember to take some ibuprofen before the game, and even during halftime. Get those around you to stand up. This is going to take an army. You are the spirit of the Orange Crush.
2. No Turnovers
3. Consistently win field position on special teams
4. I expect the Patriots to go with 11 personnel (3 WR's, 1 RB), like they did the last game. Their plan is to run on the Broncos Nickel Defense, while targeting the weak links in the Broncos Secondary with precise passing. The Broncos best chance to win is with Offensive and Defensive cohesion.
5. Cohesion cannot be emphasized enough. A cohesive Broncos team can win. A disorganized team cannot. Do your part Broncos Country.
6. This is Champ Bailey's biggest game as a Bronco. If his body will let him, the Broncos need him to have an enormous impact on this game.
7. Quentin Jammer, Kayvon Webster, and Tony Carter all got snaps against NE the last game. They know what to expect. We will need them all to make plays when on the field. Brady will try to target them (and Champ) repeatedly, finding the weakest link. I expect Fox and JDR to play Jammer first, then Webster, then Carter. The guys who are making plays will stay on the field.
8. Don't worry about the Secondary - Fox and JDR will make sure they are prepared as possible. They have all been in the firestorm. Nice to have great Defensive coaches right about now. Let the chips fall where they may.
9. Quentin Jammer has played 19% of Defensive snaps, he made a couple big plays against NE last time and he'll get some reps this week. He's fast enough to keep up with NE's WR's. All Jammer needs is more fire in his belly, and more preparation.
10. Webster is probably the only one of the 3 CB depth who will be on the roster next year. They picked him in the 3rd round specifically for this situation (starter injury). Webster has played 42% of Defensive snaps this year. Come on Kayvon make some plays.
11. Tony Carter is fighting for his NFL life. He has the skill, but lacks the mental and physical toughness. This is his last time to shine. He is the last line of Defense against an NE onslaught. Prove me wrong Tony Carter.
12. The last NE game was the first time Duke Ihenacho and Mike Adams started together all year. These guys have had time to gel, and know exactly what to expect. Mike Adams has the veteran presence and ability to settle down the Defense. Now is the time to be that fierce run defender in Nickel Defense that we all thought you would be, Nacho.
13. All of the LB's have gotten playing time recently, and all should be prepped to go. Expect to see a lot of Trevathan and Woodyard as half-field LB's in Nickel Defense. Nate Irving and Paris Lenon are both primed for the attack too. NE exploited the Broncos last time with RB's split wide against LB coverage. It's a seek and destroy mission. Trevathan is at the top of his game. Woodyard is well rested. Lenon and Irving both can be trusted to do what is necessary.
14. The rag-tag Defensive line will need to play the game of their lives. They MUST pressure Brady while only rushing 4 or 5. They MUST hold the LOS with force against the run in Nickel Defense. As a group, much of the Broncos chances at winning this game depend on every last man on the Defense to succeed and win their battles.
15. Peyton Manning and the Broncos Offense must score more than NE, by any means necessary. The only thing that is important, is that the Broncos have more points than NE when the game is over. For that, the Broncos get to go to the Superbowl.
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