The Broncos lost to the Chiefs 27-23 on Monday Night Football in an absolute gut-wrenching defeat to fall to 2-2. The Broncos had this game and a 23-13 lead in the 4th quarter, and they just couldn't hold off Pat Mahomes and that Chiefs offense as KC came back and won the game late. It was a great game that went back and forth and the Broncos played the Chiefs as well as anyone as played them this year, but they fell short. There are no moral victories in the NFL, and the Broncos are 2-2. Here are my thoughts and observations on the game.............
1) The Broncos were able to get the ground game going. Royce Freeman had 67 yards on only 8 carries and Philip Lindsay had 69 yards on 12 carries. Freeman had a great 14 yard TD run on 3rd and 1 to tie the game at 10 with 6 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter to tie the game at 10. Lindsay scored a 1 yard TD run to give the Broncos a 20-13 late in the 3rd quarter. Both backs continue to impress and I think the Broncos need to ride these two young backs going forward the rest of the year.
2) When you think about this game you will think about how the Broncos should have closed out this game and how Pat Mahomes made so many plays in the 4th quarter to win it. They Broncos were all over all game long, and he had this amazing ability to evade the rush and throw bullets while be tackled. That is where Mahomes is different then a lot of other young QBs. His left handed throw just summed up what kind of game he had last night. Mahomes is going to be a star player in this league for awhile and the Broncos found out firsthand.
3) With the game 23-13 Denver early in the 4th quarter, the Chiefs put back-to-back drives together to win the game. One the first drive, Mahomes completed a 15 yard pass to Tyreek Hill on 3rd and 16 and then converted a 4th and 1. He also converted a 2nd and 20 to Travis Kelce and it eventually led to a Kelce TD reception. After forcing a Broncos three and out, Mahomes completed a left-handed throw to Hill on a 3rd and 5, and 23 yard completion on 2nd and 30 and a 35 yard completion on 3rd and 7 to set up the winning run by Kareem Hunt with 1:39 to go. It was unreal, but he also got the help of a non-call on a delay of game as the official missed the play clock hitting 0 before the ball was snapped. It was amazing how the Broncos could not finish this game off on defense.
4) Case Keenum did not play terrible in the game but he finished with 0 TDs and 1 interception. He made some gutty throws and he got the Broncos in position to win the game at the end, but he missed a throw to Demaryius Thomas at the end of game and overthrew him by a few yards. If he hits Thomas, DT walks into the end zone for the game winning score. The bottom line is that Keenum needs to play better. Right now, he one of the lowest rated QBs in the NFL. He has to get better.
5) The big picture of this game is no matter how close the Broncos were to winning the game, and no matter how close they were to stopping Mahomes and the Chiefs, they still couldn't get it done. Close doesn't count in the NFL. This reminded me of one of those primetime home losses the Broncos suffered in the early 2000s with Mike Shanahan A loss is a loss, and I still wonder if Vance Joseph and Case Keenum can win a big game against a big time opponent. This Sunday is a must win for the Broncos as they head to the Meadowlands to take on the Jets. They have to get to 3-2 with the Rams on next the week after.
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Broncos-Chiefs and Week 4 Picks!
The Broncos are rare home underdog as they take on the red-hot Chiefs in Denver on Monday Night Football. I read that the Broncos are home underdogs to the Chiefs for only the second time in 20 years. The Chiefs and Pat Mahomes are on fire, and it is hard to think that Denver can slow them down. The Broncos are giving up big plays in the secondary the first three weeks, and I can't see how they are going to figure out a way to stop Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce. Plus, you have Andy Reid scheming against Vance Joseph and Joe Woods. Not a good matchup in Denver's favor. The Broncos will have the advantage of being at home with that crowd noise, but I think they won't be able to keep up with the Chiefs.
Prediction: Kansas City (-3) over DENVER
Final Score: Chiefs-31 Broncos-17
Now, onto the picks for Week 4 in National Football League....
Last Week's Record: 6-9-0
Overall Record: 20-24-2
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
Cincy (+5) over ATLANTA: I don't like what I have seen from the 1-2 Falcons so far this year. The Bengals are 2-1 coming off a road loss at Carolina last week, but I think they rebound and might win outright in Atlanta this week.
CHICAGO (-2) over Tampa Bay: The Bears should be able to use their homefield advantage and let that defense unleash on the Bucs offense. Both teams come into the game at 2-1 and it will be interesting to see who leaves at 3-1.
DALLAS (-3) over Detroit: Both teams come in at 1-2, so the loser is in trouble at 1-3. I don't think the Cowboys are very good, but I can see them doing enough here to win the game and get to 2-2.
GREEN BAY (-9) over Buffalo: I know the Bills went on the road and beat the Vikings, but I think that game is an anomaly. I don't believe the Bills have turned around their season. The Packers are 1-1-1, but I would think that they will do enough to get going at home and win the game comfortably.
Philly (-3) over TENNESSEE: I think Carson Wentz is the best young QB in the league, and I would take him over almost anyone else. I think he does enough to get the Eagles by with another win in a tough spot at Tennessee.
Houston (+2) over INDY: Houston has to win at some point right? Everyone is taking the Colts, but I like the Texans to get their first win and get to 1-3.
NEW ENGLAND (-6) over Miami: Miami is 3-0 but I don't think they are very good. Now, they head to NE to take on the 1-2 Pats. Until the Pats are dead and buried, I won't go against them in certain spots. I'll take them here to get to 2-2.
NY Jets (+9) over JACKSONVILLE: I know Sam Darnold is going up against that Jacksonville defense on the road, and I think the Jags will win, but I'm not taking Blake Bortles with a nine point spread. I'm just not doing that.
Cleveland (+3) over OAKLAND: I think the Raiders probably get their first win of the year, but I want to root for Baker Mayfield, and I want to root against the Raiders, so I'll go with the Browns to make it two in a row.
Seattle (-3) over ARIZONA: Josh Rosen makes his first start of his career, and the Seahawks get to tee off on him. This is probably going to be an ugly game, but I'll take Seattle to pull it out and get to 2-2.
New Orleans (-3) over NY GIANTS: The Giants saved their season with a win over Houston last week to get to 1-2. The Saints are 2-1 with a win over the Falcons last week. I think the Saints take it on the road and overwhelm the Giants and get to 3-1.
LA CHARGERS (-7) over San Francisco: Jimmy G is done for the year and so are the hopes for the Niners. The Chargers will get to 2-2 with an easy home win.
PITTSBURGH (-3) over Baltimore: Great game Sunday night featuring the 2-1 Ravens and the 1-1-1 Steelers. Classic rivalry game, and I think the line is low enough to pick the Steelers and I think they righted the ship early in this season.
Prediction: Kansas City (-3) over DENVER
Final Score: Chiefs-31 Broncos-17
Now, onto the picks for Week 4 in National Football League....
Last Week's Record: 6-9-0
Overall Record: 20-24-2
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
Cincy (+5) over ATLANTA: I don't like what I have seen from the 1-2 Falcons so far this year. The Bengals are 2-1 coming off a road loss at Carolina last week, but I think they rebound and might win outright in Atlanta this week.
CHICAGO (-2) over Tampa Bay: The Bears should be able to use their homefield advantage and let that defense unleash on the Bucs offense. Both teams come into the game at 2-1 and it will be interesting to see who leaves at 3-1.
DALLAS (-3) over Detroit: Both teams come in at 1-2, so the loser is in trouble at 1-3. I don't think the Cowboys are very good, but I can see them doing enough here to win the game and get to 2-2.
GREEN BAY (-9) over Buffalo: I know the Bills went on the road and beat the Vikings, but I think that game is an anomaly. I don't believe the Bills have turned around their season. The Packers are 1-1-1, but I would think that they will do enough to get going at home and win the game comfortably.
Philly (-3) over TENNESSEE: I think Carson Wentz is the best young QB in the league, and I would take him over almost anyone else. I think he does enough to get the Eagles by with another win in a tough spot at Tennessee.
Houston (+2) over INDY: Houston has to win at some point right? Everyone is taking the Colts, but I like the Texans to get their first win and get to 1-3.
NEW ENGLAND (-6) over Miami: Miami is 3-0 but I don't think they are very good. Now, they head to NE to take on the 1-2 Pats. Until the Pats are dead and buried, I won't go against them in certain spots. I'll take them here to get to 2-2.
NY Jets (+9) over JACKSONVILLE: I know Sam Darnold is going up against that Jacksonville defense on the road, and I think the Jags will win, but I'm not taking Blake Bortles with a nine point spread. I'm just not doing that.
Cleveland (+3) over OAKLAND: I think the Raiders probably get their first win of the year, but I want to root for Baker Mayfield, and I want to root against the Raiders, so I'll go with the Browns to make it two in a row.
Seattle (-3) over ARIZONA: Josh Rosen makes his first start of his career, and the Seahawks get to tee off on him. This is probably going to be an ugly game, but I'll take Seattle to pull it out and get to 2-2.
New Orleans (-3) over NY GIANTS: The Giants saved their season with a win over Houston last week to get to 1-2. The Saints are 2-1 with a win over the Falcons last week. I think the Saints take it on the road and overwhelm the Giants and get to 3-1.
LA CHARGERS (-7) over San Francisco: Jimmy G is done for the year and so are the hopes for the Niners. The Chargers will get to 2-2 with an easy home win.
PITTSBURGH (-3) over Baltimore: Great game Sunday night featuring the 2-1 Ravens and the 1-1-1 Steelers. Classic rivalry game, and I think the line is low enough to pick the Steelers and I think they righted the ship early in this season.
Thursday, September 27, 2018
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.
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)
Oakland (+3) over MIAMI:
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
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)