Thursday, September 27, 2018

NFL Week 4 TNF Pick!

Minnesota (+7) over LA RAMS

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Broncos Fall to 2-1 After 27-14 Loss to the Ravens

The Broncos got beat for the first time on Sunday 27-14 by the Ravens in Baltimore. In their first big road test of the season, the Broncos failed. They had a 14-7 lead early in the game, but then they unraveled. Untimely penalties, undisciplined plays, and bad play on offense and defense put them in a 20-14 hole at halftime, and they couldn't recover. Here are my thoughts and observations on the game...

1) You can't ask for a better start. The Broncos forced a 3 and out, blocked a punt deep in Baltimore territory, scored on a Royce Freeman run and then scored on an Emmanuel Sanders 35 yard run on a reverse to take a 14-7 lead in the first quarter. That was the beginning of the end though.

2) Terrible pass defense just killed the Broncos all game. Bradley Roby and Isaac Yiadom got torched all day, and Joe Flacco and the Ravens threw the ball at will. That led to the 17-14 lead in the second quarter.

3) Vance Joseph killed the Broncos with two useless challenges on two plays that didn't and shouldn't have been challenged. Then, he calls timeouts to get the ball back when the Ravens had three timeouts and the Broncos are forced to punt and give the Ravens the ball back near the end of the half and they get a field goal to make it 20-14. Joseph continues to show that he is not capable of being a quality head coach in the NFL.

4) The Broncos block a field goal down 17-14 and Chris Harris returns it for a touchdown but it gets called back on an awful block in the back call. It was a turning point because Case Keenum got sacked on the next play, fumbled, Denver recovered, but Philip Lindsay got ejected for throwing a punch in the pile. The result also moved the Broncos back and they were out of field goal range. Just a terrible sequence of events right there.

5) The Broncos had chances in the third quarter and fourth down 27-14 but one drive was negated by holding calls and a terrible personal foul on Ronald Leary. It took them out of field goal range. The next drive was ended when Keenum was intercepted deep in Baltimore territory with about 7 minutes to go and the Broncos needing a score to get back in the game.

6) The game was marred by terrible penalties on the Broncos, undisciplined play (That's on Vance Joseph too), bad execution and sloppiness on both sides of the ball. It was about as ugly of a game I have seen the Broncos play in a while.

7) Case Keenum threw another killer interception and now he has 3 TDs and 5 INT on the season. He is giving the Broncos a C- performance so far this year, and they needed him to be at least a B+. He looks like nothing more than Kyle Orton 2.0. He needs to step it up or else fans will be calling for Chad Kelly.

8) Denver now sits at 2-1 and hosts the Chiefs on Monday Night Football next week. KC comes in 3-0 with the best offense in football and Pat Mahomes breaking records left and right. This will be a huge game for Denver, and it will be very tough-even at home. It will be tough to see how they matchup with KC's offense, and it will be interesting to see if Keenum can get back on track against a suspect Chiefs defense.

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Broncos-Ravens and Week 3 Picks!

The Broncos head to Baltimore for their first road game of the season after starting 2-0 with home wins over Seattle and Oakland. Last year, Denver was 2-0 heading into their first road game of the season and they lost at Buffalo. They are hoping to avoid that same fate this year. It will be tough and they are going against a good team, on the road, and a team that had 10 days rest. It's hard to think that the Broncos can win this game, but if they do, then it could set them up for a very good season. I just don't know if they have it in them to do it this week in Baltimore.

Prediction: BALTIMORE (-5) over Denver
Final Score: Ravens-27 Broncos-10

Last Week's Record: 6-9-1

Overall Record: 14-15-2
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

MINNESOTA (-14) over Buffalo:

Cincy (+3) over CAROLINA:

New Orleans (+3) over ATLANTA:

HOUSTON (-6) over NY Giants:

Oakland (+3) over MIAMI:

Indy (+7) over PHILLY:

JACKSONVILLE (-6) over Tennessee:

KANSAS CITY (-6) over San Francisco:

WASHINGTON (+4) over Green Bay:

LA Chargers (+7) over LA RAMS:

Chicago (-5) over ARIZONA:

New England (-6) over DETROIT:

TAMPA BAY (+2) over Pittsburgh:

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Browns-Jets Week 3 TNF Pick!

CLEVELAND (-3) over NY Jets

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Broncos Cap Comeback and Defeat the Raiders 20-19!

The Broncos survived and advanced on Sunday in a game that they trailed for the entire time until Brandon McManus nailed a 36 yard field goal to win the game 20-19. The Broncos trailed 12-0 at halftime and 19-7 in the 4th quarter, but Case Keenum rallied the Broncos once again and the Broncos won a thriller to go to 2-0. The Broncos still have some issues, but we'll take 2-0 at this point. There is something to be said about their ability to rally the last two weeks and anyone would take this start with this team. Here are my thoughts and observations on the win....

1) The Broncos offense couldn't do anything in the first half and Case Keenum struggled throughout, and he threw a killer interception near the Raiders goal line in the second quarter when they were down 6-0. Keenum has thrown 4 interceptions so far this year, and it has become an issue.

2) The most underrated play of the game was Shaq Barrett blocking the extra point attempt after Marshawn Lynch scored to make it 12-0 going into the half instead of 13-0. That block was a key moment in the game and it came back to haunt the Raiders later on.

3) Philip Lindsay and Royce Freeman continue to be a solid 1-2 punch. Lindsay finished with 107 yards and Freeman added 28 yards and a big third quarter 1 yard TD run to make it 12-7 and get the Broncos on the board.

4) The defense had trouble with Derek Carr and passing game and Carr wasted no time in getting the Raiders back on the board with a 20 yard TD pass to Seth Roberts to make it 19-7. I am worried about the big plays that the Broncos defense has given up in the first two weeks. They let Carr slice and dice them, and they is something that have to get figured out. I thought the Broncos were done at that point after going down 19-7.

5) Give Keenum credit because he didn't play well and he put it together in the late 3rd quarter and in the 4th quarter. He led three scoring drives. It thought it was ballsy of Vance Joseph to go for it down 19-10 on a 4th and goal from the 1 with about six minutes to go in the 4th quarter, but Keenum delivered with a TD run on QB draw to make it 19-17. He was cool as ice on the final drive and had big throws to Emmanuel Sanders, Jake Butt, and Tim Patrick. Patrick's catch and run set up the game-winning field goal by McManus. Keenum has to improve, but you have to like his moxie and his ability to lead this team to a victory once again in the 4th quarter.

6) The Broncos are 2-0 and now they have a huge test on the road in Week 3 at Baltimore. This will be tough because it will be the Broncos first road game of the year, against a good defense, in the early window on Sunday afternoon, and as a big underdog. Let's see what this team is made of in this spot. Last year, they were 2-0 and lost a bad game at Buffalo in Week 3. Now, if they can get to 3-0, they might be on their way to a good year.

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Broncos-Raiders and Week 2 Picks!

The Broncos host the Raiders in Week 2, and Denver comes in at 1-0 after a comeback win over the Seahawks, and the Raiders come in at 0-1 after a Monday Night Football loss to the Rams. The Raiders just melted down in the second half of that game and they come in a wounded animal. Everyone is critical of Jon Gruden and how they handled the Khalil Mack situation and it didn't help that they got smoked by 20 the other night to the Rams. I would be careful here if I'm a Broncos fan. Denver looked very good at times, and then sloppy at others in the win over the Seahawks. We dominated the game, yet the Seahawks hung around and were winning the 4th quarter. I think this is a close game, and I would expect the Raiders to come ready the play. I'm a little wary about this game.

Oakland (+6) over DENVER
Final Score: Raiders-23 Broncos-22

Now, onto the picks for Week 2.............

Last Week's Record: 8-6-2
Overall Record: 8-6-2
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

Indy (+6) over WASHINGTON: I think the Redskins will win the game, but I think Andrew Luck will keep it close and he is always dangerous for the backdoor cover. The Skins will get to 2-0.

Carolina (+6) over ATLANTA: I was disappointed in what I saw in Atlanta in the season opening loss to Philly. I think they win this game, but I like Carolina to keep it close. I think it comes down to a field goal at the end and close Atlanta win.

Minnesota (-1) over GREEN BAY: Aaron Rodgers is questionable, and even if he plays, I like the Vikings. Right now, I just Minnesota is the more complete team, and I like what I saw out of Kirk Cousins in his Vikings debut last week.

LA Chargers (-6) over BUFFALO: The Bills got killed in Week 1 by the Ravens, and they turn to Josh Allen to get his firs career start at home. The Chargers are 0-1 after a convincing loss at home to KC. I think the Chargers have to win this game and they are the better team, so I'll take them as road favorites.

TENNESSEE (+3) over Houston: This is a weird game for me to pick, and I'm not sure where to go with it. I have a feeling the Titans win at home, but I'm not confident in this pick at all.

Kansas City (+5) over PITTSBURGH: Why in the world are the Chiefs that big of an underdog in this game? The Steelers looked like crap in a tie last week in Cleveland, and the Chiefs looked like the second best team in the AFC. I like the Chiefs on the road here in an early statement win over the Steelers.

NY JETS (-2) over Miami: The Jets destroyed the Lions in Week 1, but let's slow down with the Sam Darnold hype. Everything went well for the Jets in that game. The Dolphins are 1-0 after beating the Titans at home, but the Jets usually have the Dolphins number. I'll take the Jets to get to 2-0 with a big home win.

Philly (-3) over TAMPA BAY: Tampa Bay shocked everyone with a big road win in New Orleans last week. The Eagles held off the Falcons at home, so both teams come into the game at 1-0. I think it goes back and forth, but I think the Eagles find a way to pull it out at the end.

NEW ORLEANS (-9) over Cleveland: The Browns tied the Steelers last week and they are off to their best start in years at 0-0-1. The Saints got shocked at home by the Bucs, and I can't see the Saints starting off 0-2. I think they bring it this week and put a whipping on the Browns at home.

LA RAMS (-11) over Arizona: The Rams might be the juggernaut of the NFC, and they took care of business at Oakland in Week 1. The Cardinals looked really bad in their defeat at the hands of Washington. I think the Rams will roll in their home opener and get to 2-0.

SAN FRANCISCO (-6) over Detroit: San Fran had a tough loss in Minnesota last week, but I think Jimmy G will rebound and I think they will pound the Lions at home. The Lions looked lifeless in Week 1 at home to the Jets, and I think their troubles will continue.

New England (-1) over JACKSONVILLE: The best game of Week 2 features the 1-0 Pats heading to Jacksonville to take on the 1-0 Jags. It is a tough game to call because I can see Jax winning the game and suffocating Tom Brady, but I usually get burnt when I go against the Pats. I think NE wins a very close game.

NY Giants (+3) over DALLAS: Both teams need a win after losing in Week 1 and someone is going to be 0-2 after this game on SNF. I think the Giants are more talented than the Cowboys, so I'll take the Giants to win outright and send Dallas to 0-2.

Seattle (+4) over CHICAGO: The Bears blew a 20 point lead in Lambeau Field last week and got beat by the Packers 24-23. Seattle got outplayed by Denver and still only lost by three. I think Seattle comes out and pulls off the upset in Chicago and Russell Wilson makes a play at the end of the game to win and get Seattle to 1-1 while the Bears fall to 0-2

Ravens-Benglas TNF Week 2 Pick!

CINCY (+1) over Baltimore

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Broncos Outlast Seahawks 27-24 in Season Opening Win!

The Broncos got off to a victorious start to the 2018 season with a 27-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Denver on Sunday. It is always nice to start off the season with a win and Denver came back from a 24-20 deficit to win the game in the 4th quarter. It is still hard to tell what we have with this Broncos team, but to get a win in the first game is all that matters at this point. It was a good day for the Broncos and their fans. Here are my thoughts and observations on the game.....

1) The Broncos really dominated the game. With the exception of few big plays given up by the Denver defense, and the three Case Keenum picks, the Broncos should have run away with this game. They amassed 470 yards of total offense, had 25 first downs, and held the ball for over 35 minutes. They were the better team overall on Sunday and the fact that they were able to win the game after committing three turnovers is a good sign.

2) Case Keenum had a great debut despite throwing three picks. On the three picks, he simply made a bad read and that is expected in a new offense and new system. He finished 25-39 for 329 yards and 3 TDs and 3 INTs. He was efficient and accurate and I love how he brought the Broncos back down 24-20 in the 4th quarter and threw the game-winning TD pass to Demaryius Thomas. He best throw of the game was a 3rd and 10 completion to Jake Butt on that drive.

3) Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders were solid as well for the offense. Sanders finished with 10 receptions for 135 yards and 1 TD. That 43 yard catch and run TD gave Denver a 14-10 in the second quarter. Thomas had 6 catches for 63 yards and the game winning score. Courtland Sutton also had two big catches. The receiving corps looks to be a weapon once again for this offense. I was also really impressed by Bill Musgrave's gameplan and play calling. I think he did a good job all game and kept Keenum in comfortable situations.

4) The rookie RBs shined as well. Royce Freeman had 71 yards rushing and was huge in the 4th quarter as he helped move the chains and pick up some big first downs to kill the clock late. Philip Lindsay had a great debut. He had 71 yards rushing and another 31 receiving and he scored the Broncos first touchdown on a 29 yard catch and run in the flat in the 1st quarter to tie the game at 7. Both guys look like the real deal it will be fun to watch them compliment each other each week. We need a good nickname for this duo. Interestingly, Devontae Booker barely played in the game.

5) The defense played well despite a few big plays and missed assignments. We still have trouble covering the tight end as Seattle's Will Dissly had 3 receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown that put Seattle up 7-0 after Earl Thomas picked off Keenum in the 1st quarter. The Broncos had 6 sack, three by Von Miller, and they harassed Russel Wilson most of the day. If we can shore up the few mistakes and tackle better, the Broncos defense will really start to be dominant once again. Bradley Chubb played well and had half a sack. Chris Harris was awesome with a big pass breakup in the 2nd quarter in the endzone and big sack late in the game.

6) Von Miller was all over the place. Not only did he have three sacks, he had two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He was unblockable. It was nice to see that type of debut from him. We need him on that level every week-especially at home.

7) The Broncos special teams were fine yesterday and Brandon McManus made two long field goals. In a game that featured us giving up 3 turnovers, sloppy tackling, and a few big plays on defense, it was a great sign that Broncos came back down 24-20 and took the lead back and then the defense shut the door to finish the game. Good start to the year. The Broncos have plenty of work to do, but we got the win and are moving on. It is always good to start the year with a win and be 1-0. This week the 0-1 Raiders and Jon Gruden come to Denver to renew their old rivalry. It's Raiders Week and the Broncos have to shore things up to get to 2-0. Go Broncos!

Saturday, September 8, 2018

Broncos-Seahawks and NFL Week 1 Picks!

There is excitement about this Broncos season that we didn't have last year. There is a lot of uncertainty and I think that makes for a good thing. Broncos fans feel more confident than they did at this time last year, and it will make for a fun year when it all gets rolling on Sunday. I like the vibes coming out of Denver heading into Week 1. I love the fact that they are opening at home in the late window on Sunday afternoon. I think Broncos Country will be fired up and I expect a very pumped up and loud crowd ready to get the new season going. I think the Broncos will come out and play well and hold off Russell Wilson in a close game and get the season off on the right foot.

Prediction: DENVER (-3) over Seattle
Final Score: Broncos-21 Seahawks-17

Now, onto the picks for Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season....

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

Pittsburgh (-5) over CLEVELAND: Tyrod Taylor gets the start for Cleveland, but Big Ben and the Steelers will come in and take care of business on the road.

MINNESOTA (-4) over San Francisco: I think the Vikings and Kirk Cousins get off to a fast start to the year and beat up the Niners in Minnesota.

Cincy (+3) over INDY: I like the Bengals as a sleeper team in the AFC this year, and they will go into Indy and knock off the Colts in Andrew Luck's debut.

BALTIMORE (-5) over Buffalo: This is the lock of the week. The Ravens will smother the Bills in in Baltimore.

NY GIANTS (+4) over Jacksonville: This will be a fun game to watch in Week 1. How will that Jaguars defense defend OBJ and Saquon Barkley? I like the Giants as a home underdog.

NEW ORLEANS (-8) over Tampa Bay: This is the second lock of the week. The Saints at home will ambush the Bucs early and often.

Houston (+7) over NEW ENGLAND: The Patriots will win the game, but the Texans will take them to the limit. These two teams could be seeing each other again in January.

MIAMI (+3) over Tennessee: There is nothing I like about the Dolphins this year, but I think they will surprise everyone and play well and pull the upset as the home underdog over the Titans in Week 1.

LA CHARGERS (-3) over Kansas City: Great game in Week 1 in the late window. Two AFC contenders battle in a divisional matchup. I'll take the Chargers in a nailbiter.

CAROLINA (-3) over Dallas: I don't like the Cowboys at all this year, and I think they will run into a buzzsaw with Cam Newton and the Panthers taking it to them in Carolina.

Washington (+1) over ARIZONA: I love the Redskins and Alex Smith on the road in this game. Look for a convincing win for the Skins.

GREEN BAY (-7) over Chicago: Interesting SNF matchup with a classic rivalry. The Bears just traded for Khalil Mack, so that gives this game some added excitement. I think it is close for awhile, but the Packers will pull it out in the end.

NY Jets (+7) over DETROIT: I'm higher on the Jets than most people, and I'm down on the Lions this year. I think Sam Darnold gets a win in his first career start on the road in the MNF opener.

LA Rams (-2) over OAKLAND: The Rams spoil Jon Gruden's first game, and I think the Rams will take care of Raiders in a fairly easy manner.

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Season Opener TNF Pick!

Atlanta (+4) over PHILLY: Nick Foles gets the start because Carson Wentz is still not ready as the Eagles kickoff the season celebrating their first Super Bowl title in franchise history. The Falcons come to Philly trying to spoil the party and for the second year in a row, the defending Super Bowl Champs will be defeated to start the year. I'll take Atlanta getting the points.

Sunday, September 2, 2018

2018 Denver Broncos 53 Man Roster

Ladies and Gentlemen.....your 2018 Denver Broncos...........

QBs:
Case Keenum, Chad Kelly, Kevin Hogan

RBs:
Devontae Booker, Royce Freeman, Philip Lindsay, Andy Janovich

WRs:
Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton, Daesean Hamilton, Isaiah McKenzie, Tim Patrick (Jordan Taylor-PUP)

TEs:
Jake Butt, Jeff Heuerman, Matt Lacosse (Troy Fumagali-IR)

OL:
Matt Paradis, Ron Leary, Connor McGovern, Sam Jones, Billy Turner, Max Garcia, Garrett Bolles, Jared Veldheer, Elijah Wilkinson

DEs:
Derek Wolfe, Adam Gotsis, Shelby Harris, DeMarcus Walker

DTs:
Domata Peko, Zach Kerr

LBs:
Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, Shane Ray, Shaq Barrett, Brandon Marshall, Todd Davis, Josey Jewell, Keishawn Bierria, A.J. Johnson, Joe Jones

CBs:
Chris Harris, Bradley Roby, Adam Jones, Tramaine Brock, Isaac Yiadom

S:
Darian Stewart, Justin Simmons, Will Parks, Dymonte Thomas (Su'a Cravens-IR and Jamal Carter-IR) 

K: Brandon McManus
P: Marquette King
LS: Casey Kreiter