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Coming in, I expected to see the Broncos compete physically with the Seahawks, having been victims to Seattle's aggression in the previous three meetings. I wanted to see the Broncos punch the Seahawks in the mouth, while physically dominating them in all aspects of the game. That's indeed what happened. Let's get to it.
1. Saying this was one of the most atrocious officiated games in NFL history, would not be an exaggeration. Broncos 1st teamers were called for 8 penalties (all highly questionable). Seahawks 1st teamers were called for 3 (all obvious offsides). Seattle only picked up one legitimate 1st down in almost 2 quarters against the Broncos starters, a scramble by Russell Wilson.
Broncos starters - 8 objectionable penalties (83 yards)
Seajawks starters - 3 offsides penalties (15 yards)
2. Demarcus Ware absolutely dominated in his first game as a Bronco. Ware is faster than Russell Wilson and hunted him down like an hungry lion. Von Miller is even faster. There is not a QB in the NFL who stands a chance if both players are healthy.
3. Quanterus Smith and Lerentee McCray have shown remarkable progress from last year. Every Defensive Lineman the Broncos will keep has unique ability to create pressure in waves. Best DL in Broncos history, no question.
4. Even a double-team can't knock Terrance Knighton off the ball. One swipe from his arm nearly decapitated the Center on one play, enabling Knighton unimpeded progress to the QB. On another he clothes-lined the RB, forcing 4th down. Kevin Vickerson's return gives the Broncos a duo that threatens to collapse the pocket on every single play. No joke.
5. Despite being cut-blocked repeatedly, Sly Williams picks up where he left off. He slides down the line well, and was in position to make the stop on 4th and short had Wilson not fumbled the exchange. Marvin Austin penetrated with the one's, and decimated the two's for a sack right up the middle. Did I mention these guys come in waves?
6. Derek Wolfe fans rejoice. On one play, Wolfe was double-teamed at the POA playing 5-tech. He held the double-team without giving any ground and slid all the way down the LOS towards the sideline. As the RB made his cut, Wolfe broke the double-team and fiercely solo tackled the RB for a loss, in an amazing display of strength. On another play, Wolfe at 3-tech flushed and pursued Wilson forcing an incomplete.
7. Malik Jackson crushed Wilson splitting a double-team from 5-tech in base Defense. On the interior, pressure from Jackson with a hand up is almost guaranteed. You can't gameplan against everybody. Teams will regret if they don't gameplan against Jackson.
8. John Lynch said T.J. Ward led all DB's in TFL's in 2013. The SS is a menace with speed and ability to spin while staying on his feet in the pass rush. Nickel Defense did not suffer with Ward at LB. Could have used slightly better tackling technique on facemask penalty. Rahim Moore looked good with an open-field tackle. Quinton Carter subbed in seamlessly. Wilson didn't even try throwing down the field.
9. Aqib Talib was falsely flagged while legally contacting the WR within the 5 yard boundary. After that he played off coverage like Sherman. Sherman is intelligent and knows when to deflect attention from himself. Kayvon Webster was somewhat disappointing by giving up some easy receptions in off coverage. Wilson didn't throw Omar Bolden's way with the one's.
10. Nate Irving showed his signature ability to make plays in the open-field, hunting down ballcarriers in the flats like a banshee. Danny Trevathan bailed out Irving (behind in pass coverage) with a tackle for minimal gain on an RB running across the middle.
1. Saying this was one of the most atrocious officiated games in NFL history, would not be an exaggeration. Broncos 1st teamers were called for 8 penalties (all highly questionable). Seahawks 1st teamers were called for 3 (all obvious offsides). Seattle only picked up one legitimate 1st down in almost 2 quarters against the Broncos starters, a scramble by Russell Wilson.
Broncos starters - 8 objectionable penalties (83 yards)
Seajawks starters - 3 offsides penalties (15 yards)
2. Demarcus Ware absolutely dominated in his first game as a Bronco. Ware is faster than Russell Wilson and hunted him down like an hungry lion. Von Miller is even faster. There is not a QB in the NFL who stands a chance if both players are healthy.
3. Quanterus Smith and Lerentee McCray have shown remarkable progress from last year. Every Defensive Lineman the Broncos will keep has unique ability to create pressure in waves. Best DL in Broncos history, no question.
4. Even a double-team can't knock Terrance Knighton off the ball. One swipe from his arm nearly decapitated the Center on one play, enabling Knighton unimpeded progress to the QB. On another he clothes-lined the RB, forcing 4th down. Kevin Vickerson's return gives the Broncos a duo that threatens to collapse the pocket on every single play. No joke.
5. Despite being cut-blocked repeatedly, Sly Williams picks up where he left off. He slides down the line well, and was in position to make the stop on 4th and short had Wilson not fumbled the exchange. Marvin Austin penetrated with the one's, and decimated the two's for a sack right up the middle. Did I mention these guys come in waves?
6. Derek Wolfe fans rejoice. On one play, Wolfe was double-teamed at the POA playing 5-tech. He held the double-team without giving any ground and slid all the way down the LOS towards the sideline. As the RB made his cut, Wolfe broke the double-team and fiercely solo tackled the RB for a loss, in an amazing display of strength. On another play, Wolfe at 3-tech flushed and pursued Wilson forcing an incomplete.
7. Malik Jackson crushed Wilson splitting a double-team from 5-tech in base Defense. On the interior, pressure from Jackson with a hand up is almost guaranteed. You can't gameplan against everybody. Teams will regret if they don't gameplan against Jackson.
8. John Lynch said T.J. Ward led all DB's in TFL's in 2013. The SS is a menace with speed and ability to spin while staying on his feet in the pass rush. Nickel Defense did not suffer with Ward at LB. Could have used slightly better tackling technique on facemask penalty. Rahim Moore looked good with an open-field tackle. Quinton Carter subbed in seamlessly. Wilson didn't even try throwing down the field.
9. Aqib Talib was falsely flagged while legally contacting the WR within the 5 yard boundary. After that he played off coverage like Sherman. Sherman is intelligent and knows when to deflect attention from himself. Kayvon Webster was somewhat disappointing by giving up some easy receptions in off coverage. Wilson didn't throw Omar Bolden's way with the one's.
10. Nate Irving showed his signature ability to make plays in the open-field, hunting down ballcarriers in the flats like a banshee. Danny Trevathan bailed out Irving (behind in pass coverage) with a tackle for minimal gain on an RB running across the middle.
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