Broncos' weaknesses are shaky special teams and that includes their kicker

[chad72]

If the Colts or Patriots can make it a close game where kicking a few FGs matter, they can beat the Broncos because of their shaky special teams and kicker, IMO. Caldwell almost fumbled a kick return and their kicker misses a FG which thankfully did not turn out to be key.

 

That kicker, Brandon McManus, not sure what John Fox saw in him, he is bound to miss a few when it matters, at least I walked away with that impression. If you make him matter, he will falter, I feel.

 

 

Thoughts???

[ram29jackson]

LOL

[Moose Of Woe]

Caldwell did fumble a kick return. SD got hosed on that one.

 

 

I've been saying all season Denver's special teams and run game were their greatest weaknesses. That and their inability to step on the throat and put games away. Now they've got the run game handled, mostly in part to Ball being out. That guy is AWFUL.

 

Releasing Prater was a big mistake. Making 50 yarders when you practice all the time in Mile High shouldn't be a problem. He's missed two and nearly a third that donked off the upright and in. One was a short one. The return and coverage game are unimpressive to say the least.

[Bluefire4]

Caldwell's forearm was down. One fumble doesn't mean special teams problems anyway. Caldwell actually looked explosive on the next return. Kicker has to build that confidence. He kicked some good kicks for us and he had to for the Broncos to let Prater go.. whoever beats Denver has to have a better team.

[Shane Bond]

They better get a new kicker. This rookie is not ready for the big lights.

 

He is pissing me off.

[Synthetic]

Broncos weakness is playoff time.

[Shane Bond]

Broncos weakness is playoff time.

In your eyes except Seahawks, every team is weak then. They made the SB last year.

[Jules]

Colts came within 7 in Denver week 1 initially down 24. We are a lot better now, you can argue they are too but it seems more noticeable to me with the Colts over recent weeks.

 

If we play Denver in the playoffs it will be a good game. It always is close when we play Denver.

[Stephen]

i think we can take them as long as we don't spot them 24 points again

[amfootball]

Caldwell did fumble a kick return. SD got hosed on that one.

 

 

I've been saying all season Denver's special teams and run game were their greatest weaknesses. That and their inability to step on the throat and put games away. Now they've got the run game handled, mostly in part to Ball being out. That guy is AWFUL.

 

Releasing Prater was a big mistake. Making 50 yarders when you practice all the time in Mile High shouldn't be a problem. He's missed two and nearly a third that donked off the upright and in. One was a short one. The return and coverage game are unimpressive to say the least.

They should have never released Prater. ST's accounts for 3 wins or 3 losses every year for every team. Denver better hope one of those losses is not in the post-season.

[sweetsurrender]

STs are ugly and they are critical in the post-season where every play is magnified.

[jvan1973]

They should have never released Prater. ST's accounts for 3 wins or 3 losses every year for every team. Denver better hope one of those losses is not in the post-season.

Prater hasn't been great for the lions

[Gramz]

 

 

 

Thoughts???

Denver now seems to be developing a running game,   Defense has been great, and then there's Peyton.

Seems a dangerous combination for any competition.   

[amfootball]

Denver now seems to be developing a running game,   Defense has been great, and then there's Peyton.

Seems a dangerous combination for any competition.   

They are the best team in the AFC and second is not even close.

[Susie Q]

They better get a new kicker. This rookie is not ready for the big lights.

 

He is pissing me off.

Well what's new sunshine       

[sweetsurrender]

I like the Colts chances of beating Denver in a rematch. I think our defense is much improved and Andrew can match Peyton score for score.

[sweetsurrender]

They are the best team in the AFC and second is not even close.

Colts, Pats and Ravens could all beat Denver and possible KC too.

[jvan1973]

Colts, Pats and Ravens could all beat Denver and possible KC too.

any team "could" beat them Actually doing it is another matter.

[sweetsurrender]

any team "could" beat them Actually doing it is another matter.

Um isn't that obvious? Every team is beatable. 

[jvan1973]

Um isn't that obvious? Every team is beatable.

Then why didn't you just say that? You mentioned only four possible teams?

[sweetsurrender]

Then why didn't you just say that? You mentioned only four possible teams?

I was talking post-season. Those are the teams I expect to be there and potentially play the Broncos but for sure any team. 

[chad72]

LOL

 

LOL indeed at you .

 

Many of us call it like we see it and a lot of us here agree that the Colts, with their kicking in Vinatieri, punting in McAfee and coverage teams have an edge in special teams. So, if there is a legit Bronco weakness that could be magnified in close games, it is special teams. 

[GoPats]

Their defense looks great... that's the big difference this year. 

 

I still think their coaching staff is suspect, especially DelRio (despite my statement above). 

 

We shall see. The teams that go far in January typically don't start peaking until December. Still a half season to go here.

[Shane Bond]

Um isn't that obvious? Every team is beatable. 

Then why did you just select 4 teams?.

[sweetsurrender]

Then why did you just select 4 teams?.

Projecting the playoff teams. Not sure who the 5th will be to challenge Denver but any of the four could beat Denver with the Colts matching up perhaps the best.

[Shane Bond]

Their defense looks great... that's the big difference this year. 

 

I still think their coaching staff is suspect, especially DelRio (despite my statement above). 

 

We shall see. The teams that go far in January typically don't start peaking until December. Still a half season to go here.

Like 2007 and 2011 Giants?.

[jvan1973]

Projecting the playoff teams. Not sure who the 5th will be to challenge Denver but any of the four could beat Denver with the Colts matching up perhaps the best.

if we get them in Indy in the playoffs, they can be had. They are tough to beat in Denver though

[sweetsurrender]

if we get them in Indy in the playoffs, they can be had. They are tough to beat in Denver though

I agree. And we already lost the h to h which means Denver would have to lose twice and we would have to win out to get the top seed from them. Still, I think a 2 seed is possible and then we roll our chances in Denver. I really wish we played them later in the year instead of week one.

[Shane Bond]

I agree. And we already lost the h to h which means Denver would have to lose twice and we would have to win out to get the top seed from them. Still, I think a 2 seed is possible and then we roll our chances in Denver. I really wish we played them later in the year instead of week one.

Would have been pretty bad if it was later. Denver is starting to play together the last few games.

[sweetsurrender]

Would have been pretty bad if it was later. Denver is starting to play together the last few games.

I get you are a huge Denver fan but the Colts have been just as impressive the last few weeks.

[GoPats]

Like 2007 and 2011 Giants?.

 

OOH! Shane is this one of your attempts to bust my cahones?

 

Yes, those Giants teams are actually the first examples that come to mind.

 

Before you respond with the typical incoherent mumbo-jumbo that we all know and love, I said nothing to imply that your beloved Broncos will falter later in the season. I simply said that the team playing the best football in October is typically not playing the best football in January and February. Fact not opinion. Colts fans know that from past experience... but you're a Broncos fan now though, right? You must be since you support them so enthusiastically, despite the fact that they're the top dog in Indy's conference and a direct impediment to the Colts getting to a Super Bowl with Luck...

[sweetsurrender]

OOH! Shane is this one of your attempts to bust my cahones?

 

Yes, those Giants teams are actually the first examples that come to mind.

 

Before you respond with the typical incoherent mumbo-jumbo that we all know and love, I said nothing to imply that your beloved Broncos will falter later in the season. I simply said that the team playing the best football in October is typically not playing the best football in January and February. Fact not opinion. Colts fans know that from past experience... but you're a Broncos fan now though, right? You must be since you support them so enthusiastically, despite the fact that they're the top dog in Indy's conference and a direct impediment to the Colts getting to a Super Bowl with Luck...

Goodness. He is NOT a Colts fan.

[chad72]

Their defense looks great... that's the big difference this year. 

 

I still think their coaching staff is suspect, especially DelRio (despite my statement above). 

 

We shall see. The teams that go far in January typically don't start peaking until December. Still a half season to go here.

 

That is a myth, GoPats.

 

Here is a synopsis of the proof that disputes popular pundit talk that lures us fans into such thinking.

 

2005 Steelers - Start 7-2, go 7-5, finish the season 11-5

 

2006 Colts - Start 9-0, then go 3-4 to finish 12-4

 

2007 Giants - Start 6-2, then go into a slump to finish 10-6

 

2008 Steelers - Started strong, stayed strong to finish 12-4

 

2009 Saints - Started 13-0, went 0-3 to finish 13-3

 

2010 Packers - Started 7-3, then went 3-3 to finish 10-6

 

2011 Giants - Started 6-2 again, then go to 6-6, rebound to go 9-7

 

2012 Ravens - Started 9-2 but go 1-4 to finish at 10-6

 

2013 Seahawks - Started 11-1 but go 2-2 to finish 13-3

 

 

These are all SB champs. The common theme, they start fast to build some equity to survive latter season bumps and bruises. Then, they regain health (like Ray Lewis and others for Ravens, Sanders for Colts, Avril and Harvin for Seahawks etc.) and remind everyone why they were good to begin with. So, that momentum thing, the numbers do not support it.

 

So, every SB winner has won at least 6 out of their first 8 games back as far as 2005. I have not seen a team go 4-4 or 5-3 and then turn it up to go 10-6 and win the SB back as far as 2005 (I am sure the 2003 and 2004 Patriots would fit that pattern too if I looked back even further). With teams fighting for so many playoff spots in December, it is more likely that bumps and bruises happen in December than teams rolling through December.

[TAPLOOK]

SD's not what we thought and Denver has plenty of weaknesses just like every other top team is what a took from last nights game.

[TAPLOOK]

That is a myth, GoPats.

 

Here is a synopsis of the proof that disputes popular pundit talk that lures us fans into such thinking.

 

2005 Steelers - Start 7-2, go 7-5, finish the season 11-5

 

2006 Colts - Start 9-0, then go 3-4 to finish 12-4

 

2007 Giants - Start 6-2, then go into a slump to finish 10-6

 

2008 Steelers - Started strong, stayed strong to finish 12-4

 

2009 Saints - Started 13-0, went 0-3 to finish 13-3

 

2010 Packers - Started 7-3, then went 3-3 to finish 10-6

 

2011 Giants - Started 6-2 again, then go to 6-6, rebound to go 9-7

 

2012 Ravens - Started 9-2 but go 1-4 to finish at 10-6

 

2013 Seahawks - Started 11-1 but go 2-2 to finish 13-3

 

 

These are all SB champs. The common theme, they start fast to build some equity to survive latter season bumps and bruises. Then, they regain health (like Ray Lewis and others for Ravens, Sanders for Colts, Avril and Harvin for Seahawks etc.) and remind everyone why they were good to begin with. So, that momentum thing, the numbers do not support it.

 

So, every SB winner has won 6 out of their first 8 games since 2005. I have not seen a team go 4-4 or 5-3 and then turn it up to go 10-6 and win the SB since 2005.

Good post. All SB winners are very good teams even the 07 & 11 Giants.

[Shane Bond]

OOH! Shane is this one of your attempts to bust my cahones?

 

Yes, those Giants teams are actually the first examples that come to mind.

 

Before you respond with the typical incoherent mumbo-jumbo that we all know and love, I said nothing to imply that your beloved Broncos will falter later in the season. I simply said that the team playing the best football in October is typically not playing the best football in January and February. Fact not opinion. Colts fans know that from past experience... but you're a Broncos fan now though, right? You must be since you support them so enthusiastically, despite the fact that they're the top dog in Indy's conference and a direct impediment to the Colts getting to a Super Bowl with Luck...

I just said it as a joke. Thought you would figure. You took it seriously.

 

It is ok my friend.

[Shane Bond]

I get you are a huge Denver fan but the Colts have been just as impressive the last few weeks.

You get?. For real?.

[sweetsurrender]

You get?. For real?.

What's not to get? Your effusive praise of all things orange is as transparent as saran wrap.

 

[-JJ-]

I don't think their kicker matters with that offense & the sheriff

 

But seriously Mr Fox, you punt and pin them deep, not kick a 51 FG with a 2 score lead.

Good thing that INT didn't count.

[GoPats]

That is a myth, GoPats.

 

Here is a synopsis of the proof that disputes popular pundit talk that lures us fans into such thinking.

 

2005 Steelers - Start 7-2, go 7-5, finish the season 11-5

 

2006 Colts - Start 9-0, then go 3-4 to finish 12-4

 

2007 Giants - Start 6-2, then go into a slump to finish 10-6

 

2008 Steelers - Started strong, stayed strong to finish 12-4

 

2009 Saints - Started 13-0, went 0-3 to finish 13-3

 

2010 Packers - Started 7-3, then went 3-3 to finish 10-6

 

2011 Giants - Started 6-2 again, then go to 6-6, rebound to go 9-7

 

2012 Ravens - Started 9-2 but go 1-4 to finish at 10-6

 

2013 Seahawks - Started 11-1 but go 2-2 to finish 13-3

 

 

These are all SB champs. The common theme, they start fast to build some equity to survive latter season bumps and bruises. Then, they regain health (like Ray Lewis and others for Ravens, Sanders for Colts, Avril and Harvin for Seahawks etc.) and remind everyone why they were good to begin with. So, that momentum thing, the numbers do not support it.

 

So, every SB winner has won at least 6 out of their first 8 games back as far as 2005. I have not seen a team go 4-4 or 5-3 and then turn it up to go 10-6 and win the SB back as far as 2005 (I am sure the 2003 and 2004 Patriots would fit that pattern too if I looked back even further). With teams fighting for so many playoff spots in December, it is more likely that bumps and bruises happen in December than teams rolling through December.

 

Good post Chad.

 

I guess the more general gist of what I was saying is that you've got to finish strong. That's not to say that a strong start doesn't help. I've seen the stats of teams' odds to make the playoffs based on their first-half records and yes, of course you've got to win some games.

 

You want to be playing your best football at the most important time of year. Wins and losses aside.