Review of the Broncos' Last Two Games

[Moose Hoover]

I just re-watched the divisional and championship games against the Steelers and the Patriots (at this point I've watched each game 3 times including the coaches film). Here are a few of my observations:

-The most glaring observation is that Peyton Manning is now a one read quarterback. In these two games he almost never scanned the field...he either threw to his first read, took a sack, or threw it away. Every so often he would find the checkdown receiver, but in these instances it was more of a panic dump off due to pressure rather than scanning and taking what the defense gave him. I also did not see Peyton calling many audibles...it's almost as if he still doesn't fully understand/embrace/buy into his new offense.

-We've talked about Peyton's lack of arm strength for a while now, but this issue was glaring in the game against Pittsburgh. His receivers would get open enough, but he couldn't fire in the closing windows. What was interesting to me, though, was how much Brady struggled with this same thing in the AFCCG. In the few instances that his line actually blocked (or didn't tip off the snap) he struggled to get it to his receivers as well.

-Harris and Talib both seem to dislike contact, much less tackling...they seem to be in the same mold of Deion rather than a Josh Norman or Richard Sherman. TJ Ward is great; however, it appears that he is relied on way to much to help in stopping the run. Marshall and Trevathan are pretty decent in coverage, but do not shed blockers well. This forces the safeties to have to clean up. Part of this is a result of running a 3-4, but also a result of lighter linebackers/defensive ends. One thing that sticks out to me is how a team performs in goal-line defense. I noticed both the Patriots and Steelers scoring almost uncontested rushing touchdowns when inside the Broncos 5 yard line.

-The fact that this is probably Peyton Manning's last game may serve as a real complication for Denver. He is in such decline that he will need to be pulled from this game; however, does Kubiak have the guts? It was bad that Manning got benched in the same game he broke the passing record...I believe that Sunday will be worse.

To me, the Broncos resemble the Titans, but with a better secondary, slightly worse rush defenders, and a much worse QB. They are not prepared for our physical style of play.

[Ikererk]

I agree with Peyton not being the biggest threat, but you cannot compare a SB contender with a #1 draft pick team.

[cardiackat88.]

28 minutes ago, Moose Hoover said:

I just re-watched the divisional and championship games against the Steelers and the Patriots (at this point I've watched each game 3 times including the coaches film). Here are a few of my observations:

-The most glaring observation is that Peyton Manning is now a one read quarterback. In these two games he almost never scanned the field...he either threw to his first read, took a sack, or threw it away. Every so often he would find the checkdown receiver, but in these instances it was more of a panic dump off due to pressure rather than scanning and taking what the defense gave him. I also did not see Peyton calling many audibles...it's almost as if he still doesn't fully understand/embrace/buy into his new offense.

-We've talked about Peyton's lack of arm strength for a while now, but this issue was glaring in the game against Pittsburgh. His receivers would get open enough, but he couldn't fire in the closing windows. What was interesting to me, though, was how much Brady struggled with this same thing in the AFCCG. In the few instances that his line actually blocked (or didn't tip off the snap) he struggled to get it to his receivers as well.

-Harris and Talib both seem to dislike contact, much less tackling...they seem to be in the same mold of Deion rather than a Josh Norman or Richard Sherman. TJ Ward is great; however, it appears that he is relied on way to much to help in stopping the run. Marshall and Trevathan are pretty decent in coverage, but do not shed blockers well. This forces the safeties to have to clean up. Part of this is a result of running a 3-4, but also a result of lighter linebackers/defensive ends. One thing that sticks out to me is how a team performs in goal-line defense. I noticed both the Patriots and Steelers scoring almost uncontested rushing touchdowns when inside the Broncos 5 yard line.

-The fact that this is probably Peyton Manning's last game may serve as a real complication for Denver. He is in such decline that he will need to be pulled from this game; however, does Kubiak have the guts? It was bad that Manning got benched in the same game he broke the passing record...I believe that Sunday will be worse.

To me, the Broncos resemble the Titans, but with a better secondary, slightly worse rush defenders, and a much worse QB. They are not prepared for our physical style of play.

"Are you employed, Mr Lebowski?"

[Moose Hoover]

6 minutes ago, cardiackat88. said:

"Are you employed, Mr Lebowski?"

1 live broadcast, 2 condensed versions on gamepass over this two week period. Thank you for you comment, I really appreciate it.

[Moose Hoover]

17 minutes ago, Ikererk said:

I agree with Peyton not being the biggest threat, but you cannot compare a SB contender with a #1 draft pick team.

They are both NFL teams running a 3-4 defense. At the time we played the Titans, they were decent at stopping the run and rushing the passer. They presented the same sort of match-up issue.

[d-dave]

It's going to come down to how well they stop the our run early.  If we struggle to run and get in longer down and distances, then we're in for a long day.  If we can keep them honest with the run, then I think it makes winning all the more possible.

We all know Payton's arm will be an issue.  I also think the whole legacy, last real shot at a SB is going to be major factor in the over all Denver game plan.  That will either give them a tremendous sense of motivation or will cause them to force some issues and make mistakes.

[joemac]

Our offense is just too dynamic....too multiple. 

Is there even a proper description for what our offense has evolved into these days? Can't call it a west coast offense, can't really call it a spread, has some E-P principles....but could we be seeing the birth of a completely new offensive system? The Shula Option? There's definitely no other offense in the NFL that compares to the Panthers offense.

[cardiackat88.]

3 hours ago, joemac said:

Our offense is just too dynamic....too multiple. 

Is there even a proper description for what our offense has evolved into these days? Can't call it a west coast offense, can't really call it a spread, has some E-P principles....but could we be seeing the birth of a completely new offensive system? The Shula Option? There's definitely no other offense in the NFL that compares to the Panthers offense.

Honestly, I think it has a whole heck of a lot to do with Cams abilities.

with that read option, DEs literally dance around too scared to be aggressive and smoked on a read by cam or stew, and too scared to be conservative to go for a sack. 

[caatfan]

3 hours ago, joemac said:

t could we be seeing the birth of a completely new offensive system?

It's the Cam offense. You must have a Cam for it to work well, and there are no more Cams available. You can't make a system work if you're missing the main part. 

[jbeachbum24]

It sounds like bravado I know, but I really think the Panthers will just have to completely crap the bed for them to lose. However as a Braves fan still familiar with years of postseason fruition while having the better team I'm well conditioned to my teams doing just that so I'm making no assumptions!

Day before the day before the day!!!!!! GO PANTHERS!!!

[thefuzz]

3 minutes ago, jbeachbum24 said:

It sounds like bravado I know, but I really think the Panthers will just have to completely crap the bed for them to lose. However as a Braves fan still familiar with years of postseason fruition while having the better team I'm well conditioned to my teams doing just that so I'm making no assumptions!

Day before the day before the day!!!!!! GO PANTHERS!!!

Man, I hope you are right, but I have my doubts.

Those guys are paid as well, and defense travels.  If this game gets slowed to a crawl....and it's possible, it won't be as easy as many are expecting.

Here's to us wiping the floor with them though.

[jbeachbum24]

6 minutes ago, thefuzz said:

Man, I hope you are right, but I have my doubts.

Those guys are paid as well, and defense travels.  If this game gets slowed to a crawl....and it's possible, it won't be as easy as many are expecting.

Here's to us wiping the floor with them though.

I don't mean to discredit the Broncos. I think they are a great team with a stellar defense. We've just all watched the Panthers team this year and personally I don't think I've seen a team play better, bias and sos arguments aside.

[SOJA]

I understand the Titans had a bad season, but they weren't a HORRIBLE team- they just couldn't find ways to win and had terrible coaching. Reminded me a lot of Cam's rookie season here, except with worse coaching than conservative Ron. 

Denver's edge rush is insane though, that can be overstated. Chris Harris, if healed up, is one of the best CBs in football, and Talib and Roby are right behind one another. TJ Ward reminds me of a better Mike Mitchell. 

One thing we HAVE to do in this game is tackle well. The worst thing we could do is let Sanders or Thomas catch a dump off cheap pass and take it 70 yards to the house

[Burnout189]

1 hour ago, jbeachbum24 said:

It sounds like bravado I know, but I really think the Panthers will just have to completely crap the bed for them to lose. However as a Braves fan still familiar with years of postseason fruition while having the better team I'm well conditioned to my teams doing just that so I'm making no assumptions!

Day before the day before the day!!!!!! GO PANTHERS!!!

I was having a conversation with co-workers about the game and I essentially said the same thing you did. Not to take anything away from Denver or Peyton, because they are a great team and he is one of the greats when it comes to being a QB. But from just watching what the Panthers have done this to year, as far as how well they have played against some great teams, it really would come down the Panthers just shooting themselves in the foot in order for Denver to win this game.