Thursday, October 31, 2019
Broncos Lose To Colts on Last Second Field Goal, Fall to 2-6
The Broncos are now 2-6 with a last second loss to the Indianapolis Colts 15-13 on a 51 yard field goal with only a few seconds left. The Broncos led the entire game but lost on a last second kick for the third time this season. Here are my thoughts and observations on the game....
1) The Broncos defense played really well throughout the game and it is a shame that they gave up a 51 yard field goal at the end of the game to lose it. A missed sack by Von Miller led to Jacoby Brissett scrambling and finding T.Y. Hilton for a huge first down and a penalty for a horse collar on Al Johnson gave the Colts the field position they needed to win the game late.
2) The Broncos offense continued to struggle. They had 6-3 lead at halftime and only managed one touchdown in the second half on Royce Freeman run. Other than that, they did nothing. They had the ball near midfield three times in the 4th quarter and couldn't get any yards or any points to put the game away.
3) The key play that everyone is talking about is the 3rd and 5 with just under two minutes to go in the game. Denver elected to run it up the middle and play it safe, and Indy called their final timeout. A first down there by the Broncos ends the game. They played it too conservative and they got beat for it.
4) Joe Flacco criticized the coaching staff for that play call, and he was right. It was too conservative. But, Flacco is part of the problem on offense. He just isn't good anymore. He also airmailed three straight passes out of the endzone in the first half, so he needs to pipe down a little.
5) At 2-6, the Broncos are playing for next year. Flacco had a sore neck and it looks like he will be out awhile. Brandon Allen with start in his place this week at home against Cleveland. The Broncos have a bye, and then it will be a matter of getting Drew Lock ready to go and start at QB. The only thing worth watching at this point is when Lock will play and how he will do once he gets in.
1) The Broncos defense played really well throughout the game and it is a shame that they gave up a 51 yard field goal at the end of the game to lose it. A missed sack by Von Miller led to Jacoby Brissett scrambling and finding T.Y. Hilton for a huge first down and a penalty for a horse collar on Al Johnson gave the Colts the field position they needed to win the game late.
2) The Broncos offense continued to struggle. They had 6-3 lead at halftime and only managed one touchdown in the second half on Royce Freeman run. Other than that, they did nothing. They had the ball near midfield three times in the 4th quarter and couldn't get any yards or any points to put the game away.
3) The key play that everyone is talking about is the 3rd and 5 with just under two minutes to go in the game. Denver elected to run it up the middle and play it safe, and Indy called their final timeout. A first down there by the Broncos ends the game. They played it too conservative and they got beat for it.
4) Joe Flacco criticized the coaching staff for that play call, and he was right. It was too conservative. But, Flacco is part of the problem on offense. He just isn't good anymore. He also airmailed three straight passes out of the endzone in the first half, so he needs to pipe down a little.
5) At 2-6, the Broncos are playing for next year. Flacco had a sore neck and it looks like he will be out awhile. Brandon Allen with start in his place this week at home against Cleveland. The Broncos have a bye, and then it will be a matter of getting Drew Lock ready to go and start at QB. The only thing worth watching at this point is when Lock will play and how he will do once he gets in.
Friday, October 25, 2019
Broncos-Colts and Week 8 Picks
It's hard to find a way to be confident that the Broncos will go into Indy and beat the Colts this week. Indy is coming off back to back wins over KC and Houston. They look like one of the better teams in the AFC. Denver comes in after trading Emmanuel Sanders to SF, and getting waxed by KC last Thursday night at home. At 2-5, the Broncos are looking at another dismal season, and I just can't see them turning this around this week in Indy. It is too tall of an order for this group.
Prediction: INDY (-6) over Denver
Final Score: Colts-33 Broncos-14
Now, onto the picks for Week 8....
Last Week's Record: 8-5-1
Overall Record: 45-55-5
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
DETROIT (-6) over NY Giants: The Lions are 3-3-1 but could easily have five wins. The Giants are 2-5 and falling fast. I think the Lions will roll at home.
Tampa Bay (+3) over TENNESSEE: I have a gut that Tampa Bay goes into Nashville and knocks off the Titans. The Bucs are always good for one or two upsets a year when no one expects it.
LA Chargers (+4) over CHICAGO: The Chargers are 2-5 and the Bears are 3-3. This is a big game for both teams. I have a feeling that the Chargers will somehow find a way to knock off the Bears in Chicago.
Seattle (-6) over ATLANTA: The Falcons are 1-6 and falling apart. They are headed for another disaster of a season. In comes Seattle this week, and the Seahawks are 5-2 coming off a loss at home to the Ravens. Look for a bounce back game by Seattle this week.
NY Jets (+7) over JACKSONVILLE: I think the Jags win this game, but I think the Jets keep it close and it comes down to the end.
Philly (+2) over BUFFALO: The Bills are 5-1 and I think they might be one of the worst 5-1 teams in history. Look for the Eagles to get to 4-4 with a convincing win in Buffalo.
LA Rams (-12) over Cincy (London): The Rams are 4-3 after a blowout win last week over the Falcons. The Bengals are 0-7 and looking at a lost year. Look for the Rams to take care of business in London.
NEW ORLEANS (-10) over Arizona: Drew Brees might be back this week and the Saints were rolling without him at 6-1. Arizona is surprisingly 3-3-1 but they will struggle to keep this close.
Oakland (+7) over HOUSTON: I think the Raiders will keep this game close after getting blown out by the Packers last week. The Texans are 4-3, and I look for them to win the game, but this one will come down to the end.
Carolina (+6) over SAN FRANCISCO: The Niners are 6-0 and atop the NFC West, but they are due for a bad game. I could see the Panthers giving them a really close game and maybe even pulling off the upset.
Cleveland (+14) over NEW ENGLAND: The Pats will win, but look for the Browns to keep it close or get the backdoor cover.
Green Bay (-3) over KANSAS CITY: This game changed with the injury to Pat Mahomes. I think the Packers will be able to do just enough against the KC defense to get the win in Arrowhead.
Miami (+14) over PITTSBURGH: The Steelers will win this dud of a Monday night game, but I can see the Fish keeping it closer than people expect.
Prediction: INDY (-6) over Denver
Final Score: Colts-33 Broncos-14
Now, onto the picks for Week 8....
Last Week's Record: 8-5-1
Overall Record: 45-55-5
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
DETROIT (-6) over NY Giants: The Lions are 3-3-1 but could easily have five wins. The Giants are 2-5 and falling fast. I think the Lions will roll at home.
Tampa Bay (+3) over TENNESSEE: I have a gut that Tampa Bay goes into Nashville and knocks off the Titans. The Bucs are always good for one or two upsets a year when no one expects it.
LA Chargers (+4) over CHICAGO: The Chargers are 2-5 and the Bears are 3-3. This is a big game for both teams. I have a feeling that the Chargers will somehow find a way to knock off the Bears in Chicago.
Seattle (-6) over ATLANTA: The Falcons are 1-6 and falling apart. They are headed for another disaster of a season. In comes Seattle this week, and the Seahawks are 5-2 coming off a loss at home to the Ravens. Look for a bounce back game by Seattle this week.
NY Jets (+7) over JACKSONVILLE: I think the Jags win this game, but I think the Jets keep it close and it comes down to the end.
Philly (+2) over BUFFALO: The Bills are 5-1 and I think they might be one of the worst 5-1 teams in history. Look for the Eagles to get to 4-4 with a convincing win in Buffalo.
LA Rams (-12) over Cincy (London): The Rams are 4-3 after a blowout win last week over the Falcons. The Bengals are 0-7 and looking at a lost year. Look for the Rams to take care of business in London.
NEW ORLEANS (-10) over Arizona: Drew Brees might be back this week and the Saints were rolling without him at 6-1. Arizona is surprisingly 3-3-1 but they will struggle to keep this close.
Oakland (+7) over HOUSTON: I think the Raiders will keep this game close after getting blown out by the Packers last week. The Texans are 4-3, and I look for them to win the game, but this one will come down to the end.
Carolina (+6) over SAN FRANCISCO: The Niners are 6-0 and atop the NFC West, but they are due for a bad game. I could see the Panthers giving them a really close game and maybe even pulling off the upset.
Cleveland (+14) over NEW ENGLAND: The Pats will win, but look for the Browns to keep it close or get the backdoor cover.
Green Bay (-3) over KANSAS CITY: This game changed with the injury to Pat Mahomes. I think the Packers will be able to do just enough against the KC defense to get the win in Arrowhead.
Miami (+14) over PITTSBURGH: The Steelers will win this dud of a Monday night game, but I can see the Fish keeping it closer than people expect.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Broncos-Chiefs Review and Week 7 Picks
The Chiefs came into Denver on Thursday night on short rest, with a bunch of starters out, a defense that had been shredded the last month, and a gimpy Pat Mahomes, and still buried the Broncos by 23 points. The 30-6 KC win in Denver was so symbolic of everything that is wrong with the Broncos and their organization. Eventhough Mahomes left the game early in the second quarter with a dislocated kneecap, the Chiefs still rolled and their defense completely suffocated the Broncos offense. It was about as bad of a performance as you would expect. Here are my thoughts and observations on the game....
1) After the Broncos drove down the field for an opening drive touchdown by Royce Freeman, nothing went right for them. After KC went offside on the extra point, the Broncos took the penalty and elected to go for the two-point conversion. Philip Lindsay got stuffed from the 1 yard line and that was it. 6-0 Denver and then it was a shitshow.
2) KC answered with a Mahomes TD pass to make it 7-6, and then the Broncos preceded to try a fake punt down 10-6 in their own end. I don't like fake punts when punters are trying to throw a pass and that is what the Broncos tried with Colby Wadman. It didn't work out and failed miserably and the Broncos gave KC the ball back in their own end which led to another field goal.
3) A strip sack of Joe Flacco and a fumble return TD for the Chiefs made it 20-6 and you could feel the air just come out of the stadium for the Broncos.
4) A missed field goal by Brandon McManus just added to the list of mistakes. Garret Bolles got called for another few holding calls and it was just an embarrassing at that point. The Broncos offense converted one third down conversion and Flacco got sacked nine times. Noah Fant dropped numerous passes that drew a lot of boos from the crowd. It was ugly.
5) The final nail in the coffin was when backup Matt Moore hit Tyreek Hill on a wheel route for a 57 yard TD to make it 27-6 Chiefs in the third quarter. That put the game away for good and it probably put the Broncos season away for good too.
6) This was one of the most embarrassing home losses I have seen in my lifetime as a Broncos fan. I thought of the blowout loss to the Raiders at home in 1994, the blowout losses to the Chargers in 2007 and 2009, and the loss to the Giants in 2017 as similar games. It was terrible. The Chiefs have now won 5 straight game in Denver! That's ridiculous.
7) This game magnified the issues with the Broncos. Joe Flacco is the guy who we all thought he was, and he showed no fight or spirit in this game at all. Garret Bolles is a bust at LT and he has to be benched when Juwan James comes back from injury. Our offense is terrible overall and we just can't score points. We have no depth on defense as well. It's just a really bad team. They are 2-5 and going nowhere, and for the third straight year the Broncos are looking at a really bad season, and that is unheard of for a Broncos fan my age or my generation.
8) I know he might get killed out there and it might not be pretty, but we have to play Drew Lock when he comes off IR. We have to at least find out what we have in this young kid as a QB of the future. Play him. Let him learn and see what you got with him. That is only thing left to possibly look forward to as a Broncos fan.
Now, onto the picks for Week 7...
Last Week's Record: 6-8
Overall Record: 37-50-4
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
NY GIANTS (-3) over Arizona
INDY (-1) over Houston
Miami (+17) over BUFFALO
DETROIT (+2) over Minnesota
Oakland (+5) over GREEN BAY
Jacksonville (-3) over CINCY
LA Rams (-3) over ATLANTA
San Francisco (-7) over WASHINGTON
LA Chargers (+3) over TENNESSEE
SEATTLE (-3) over Baltimore
New Orleans (+3) over CHICAGO
Philly (+3) over DALLAS
New England (-11) over NY Jets
1) After the Broncos drove down the field for an opening drive touchdown by Royce Freeman, nothing went right for them. After KC went offside on the extra point, the Broncos took the penalty and elected to go for the two-point conversion. Philip Lindsay got stuffed from the 1 yard line and that was it. 6-0 Denver and then it was a shitshow.
2) KC answered with a Mahomes TD pass to make it 7-6, and then the Broncos preceded to try a fake punt down 10-6 in their own end. I don't like fake punts when punters are trying to throw a pass and that is what the Broncos tried with Colby Wadman. It didn't work out and failed miserably and the Broncos gave KC the ball back in their own end which led to another field goal.
3) A strip sack of Joe Flacco and a fumble return TD for the Chiefs made it 20-6 and you could feel the air just come out of the stadium for the Broncos.
4) A missed field goal by Brandon McManus just added to the list of mistakes. Garret Bolles got called for another few holding calls and it was just an embarrassing at that point. The Broncos offense converted one third down conversion and Flacco got sacked nine times. Noah Fant dropped numerous passes that drew a lot of boos from the crowd. It was ugly.
5) The final nail in the coffin was when backup Matt Moore hit Tyreek Hill on a wheel route for a 57 yard TD to make it 27-6 Chiefs in the third quarter. That put the game away for good and it probably put the Broncos season away for good too.
6) This was one of the most embarrassing home losses I have seen in my lifetime as a Broncos fan. I thought of the blowout loss to the Raiders at home in 1994, the blowout losses to the Chargers in 2007 and 2009, and the loss to the Giants in 2017 as similar games. It was terrible. The Chiefs have now won 5 straight game in Denver! That's ridiculous.
7) This game magnified the issues with the Broncos. Joe Flacco is the guy who we all thought he was, and he showed no fight or spirit in this game at all. Garret Bolles is a bust at LT and he has to be benched when Juwan James comes back from injury. Our offense is terrible overall and we just can't score points. We have no depth on defense as well. It's just a really bad team. They are 2-5 and going nowhere, and for the third straight year the Broncos are looking at a really bad season, and that is unheard of for a Broncos fan my age or my generation.
8) I know he might get killed out there and it might not be pretty, but we have to play Drew Lock when he comes off IR. We have to at least find out what we have in this young kid as a QB of the future. Play him. Let him learn and see what you got with him. That is only thing left to possibly look forward to as a Broncos fan.
Now, onto the picks for Week 7...
Last Week's Record: 6-8
Overall Record: 37-50-4
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
NY GIANTS (-3) over Arizona
INDY (-1) over Houston
Miami (+17) over BUFFALO
DETROIT (+2) over Minnesota
Oakland (+5) over GREEN BAY
Jacksonville (-3) over CINCY
LA Rams (-3) over ATLANTA
San Francisco (-7) over WASHINGTON
LA Chargers (+3) over TENNESSEE
SEATTLE (-3) over Baltimore
New Orleans (+3) over CHICAGO
Philly (+3) over DALLAS
New England (-11) over NY Jets
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Chiefs-Broncos TNF Pick
The Chiefs come to Denver for Thursday Night Football with a two game losing streak and a 4-2 record. The Broncos are 2-4 after a two game winning streak. Can the Broncos slow down the Chiefs offense and pull the upset? I think the Broncos can definitely win this game and the Chiefs are coming in beat up on a short week, but ultimately I think Pat Mahomes will be just too much for the Denver defense, and I see KC winning in Denver for the fourth straight season.
Prediction: Kansas City (-3) over DENVER
Final Score: Chiefs-30 Broncos-16
Prediction: Kansas City (-3) over DENVER
Final Score: Chiefs-30 Broncos-16
Monday, October 14, 2019
Broncos Shutout Titans, Win Second in a Row!
The Broncos posted a shutout on Sunday as they blanked the Tennessee Titans 16-0 at home in Denver to improve their record to 2-4. It was a dominating performance on defense that saw them register 7 sacks and 3 interceptions. The Broncos defense posted the shutout and now have a two-game winning streak as they get ready for the Chiefs to come to Denver on Thursday night. Here are my thoughts and observations on the game...
1) Denver's defense was dominant. They completely shut down the run game for the Titans and Derrick Henry did nothing all day. Also, they got to Marcus Mariota all game, and he actually got benched for Ryan Tannehill in the fourth quarter. It was the type of performance we have been waiting for from Vic Fangio's defense all year long. They held the Titans to 2-14 on 3rd down conversions, 204 total yards, and forced 3 turnovers. That's about as good as it gets for a defense.
2) Alexander Johnson continues to make plays and impress at ILB. He had 1.5 sacks and led the team with 9 total tackles. He continues to stand out on the field.
3) Kareem Jackson really looks like a difference maker as well. He is all over the field and makes play after play. I was happy to see him get an interception at the end of the game to seal the win. Chris Harris Jr. was also his stellar self. He had an interception and was just a force all game long. Derek Wolfe had two sacks and played his best game of the year as well.
4) The Broncos offense wasn't good but it did enough to put up 16 points and win the game. They got a field goal on their first possession, a field goal late in the first half, and a TD late in the third quarter to basically seal the win. I think they did play it a little too safe at times, but the way the game was playing out, they needed to do that with the way their defense was playing. Philip Lindsay had over 70 yards rushing and punched in the TD to make it 13-0.
5) It was nice to see the Broncos go with the blue jersey and white pants combination for this home game. They were also honoring Champ Bailey at halftime and putting him in the Ring of Fame. Champ is one of my all-time favorite Broncos and I even got my son his first Broncos jersey when he was born with #24 Bailey.
6) Two wins in a row is nice but the Broncos still have a hole to get out of before they can start to make something out of this season. They are 2-4 and host the 4-2 Chiefs on Thursday Night Football in Denver. The Chiefs come in losing two in a row at home, but it will be very tough to try to slow down that KC offense-even at home. Win this game on Thursday night and we might have something brewing.
1) Denver's defense was dominant. They completely shut down the run game for the Titans and Derrick Henry did nothing all day. Also, they got to Marcus Mariota all game, and he actually got benched for Ryan Tannehill in the fourth quarter. It was the type of performance we have been waiting for from Vic Fangio's defense all year long. They held the Titans to 2-14 on 3rd down conversions, 204 total yards, and forced 3 turnovers. That's about as good as it gets for a defense.
2) Alexander Johnson continues to make plays and impress at ILB. He had 1.5 sacks and led the team with 9 total tackles. He continues to stand out on the field.
3) Kareem Jackson really looks like a difference maker as well. He is all over the field and makes play after play. I was happy to see him get an interception at the end of the game to seal the win. Chris Harris Jr. was also his stellar self. He had an interception and was just a force all game long. Derek Wolfe had two sacks and played his best game of the year as well.
4) The Broncos offense wasn't good but it did enough to put up 16 points and win the game. They got a field goal on their first possession, a field goal late in the first half, and a TD late in the third quarter to basically seal the win. I think they did play it a little too safe at times, but the way the game was playing out, they needed to do that with the way their defense was playing. Philip Lindsay had over 70 yards rushing and punched in the TD to make it 13-0.
5) It was nice to see the Broncos go with the blue jersey and white pants combination for this home game. They were also honoring Champ Bailey at halftime and putting him in the Ring of Fame. Champ is one of my all-time favorite Broncos and I even got my son his first Broncos jersey when he was born with #24 Bailey.
6) Two wins in a row is nice but the Broncos still have a hole to get out of before they can start to make something out of this season. They are 2-4 and host the 4-2 Chiefs on Thursday Night Football in Denver. The Chiefs come in losing two in a row at home, but it will be very tough to try to slow down that KC offense-even at home. Win this game on Thursday night and we might have something brewing.
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