Denver Broncos blog, news and rumors


FB

[hype it up!]
[Share with Yardbarker]

Published on 10/14/2008 at Tue Oct 14 18:16.
Tagged: ,,,.



Broncos-Patriots Preview – Monday Night Football

Posted Tue Oct 14th by

DEN @ NE
Broncos (4-2) vs. Patriots (3-2)
Gillette Stadium
Mon, Oct 20, 2008
8:30 PM EDT ESPN

Looking to enter their bye week on a winning note, the Denver Broncos (4-2) visit the New England Patriots (3-2) this week for a Monday Night Football contest at Gillette Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. EDT.

Denver is coming off a difficult 24-17 loss to Jacksonville, while New England is fresh off a 30-10 beating courtesy the Broncos’ AFC West rival San Diego Chargers. San Diego’s win put them within a game of Denver, who holds the AFC West lead at 4-2.

The loss snapped the Broncos’ league-leading six-game home winning streak, as well as the opportunity for the organization to earn its 400th franchise win. They’ll get another chance to reach that landmark on Monday against the Patriots.

Since 2001, when the Patriots won their first of three Super Bowls in a four-year period, the Broncos are the only team in the NFL with a winning record against New England in regular season and postseason play combined. Denver is 5-1 (.833) against the Patriots since 2001 while the rest of the NFL is a combined 26-102 (.203) versus the club during that time.

The Broncos hold a one-game lead over the Chargers atop the AFC West and feature an offense that leads the NFL in first downs (136) while ranking fourth in the league in yards per game (399.7). Quarterback Jay Cutler, who has thrown for an AFC-best 1,694 yards, has benefited from an offensive line that has allowed just two sacks in 231 pass plays for an NFL-low 0.9 sack percentage per pass play.

The Broncos’ game at New England on Monday marks their final contest before their bye week. Denver has won three of its last four games before the bye week and is 8-5 (.615) in those games under Head Coach Mike Shanahan (1995-Pres.). All-time, Denver is 9-10 in the game before its bye week since it was introduced by the NFL in 1990.

The Broncos own a 26-31-1 (.457) all-time record in games played on Monday Night Football. Denver is 20-9-1 (.683) in home MNF games and 6-22 (.214) in such games on the road. Under Mike Shanahan (1995-Pres.), Denver is 14-12 (.538) when playing on Monday Night Football. The Broncos are 11-4 (.733) in home MNF games under Shanahan and are 3-8 (.273) on the road.

The bottom line is simple – 5-2 is a hell of a lot better than 4-3, and a necessary win to keep the Chargers in pursuit. It may feel like the Broncos have played three or four of these already this season, but there’s no doubt this a must-win game for Denver. They need to head into the bye week with momentum, keep pressure on the Chargers, and prepare for the second half of the season, where they’ll play five of their remaining nine games on the road.

  • Rob4Broncos

    This doesn’t have as much to do with the New England game so much as it does the rest of the season, but what changes need to be made before we start putting some pressure on the QB? Two Pro Bowl-caliber cornerbacks count for nothing if the guys they cover get all the time in the world to get open.

    Is the trouble with the defensive line a personnel issue, or a coaching issue? I don’t really know what makes good D-lines click, so I’m putting these questions out to anyone who actually does. It seems like a respectable pass rush is the only thing keeping us from being a top 10 defense. Well, that, plus some decent safeties…

  • BroncoFan18

    I’d say our safeties are fine. It all starts with the d-line. The problem is, the Broncos really tried to upgrade the d-line through the draft the past couple of years (Dumervil, Moss, Crowder), but they haven’t stepped up. This can really pull a franchise down for a couple years especially if it’s a 1st rounder that isn’t performing like expected (Moss). The Broncos need to upgrade the d-line through free agency, signing a dependable star to the line-up. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of star d-linemen out there so….

    As far as the Pats game…

    I really feel this is a MUST WIN for the Broncos. I totally agree that 5-2 is WAY better than 4-3, especially with San Diego right behind us. We all know the Chargers will put up a decent record, despite how they started the season (see last year). Plus, it gives us much needed momentum heading into the bye week. If we can hold onto the football and stop shooting ourselves in the foot, this is a VERY winnable game. Against the Jags, our offense could easily have put up 31 pts if not for fumbles. Just HOLD ON to the football and we will win. New England thrives on the mistakes other teams make.

  • BroncoFan18

    By the way, I really think the d-line is more of a personnel issue right now, but I’m no expert either….

  • Rob4Broncos

    “The Broncos need to upgrade the d-line through free agency, signing a dependable star to the line-up. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of star d-linemen out there so…”

    I brought up this point in a message board I frequent (unfortunately, didn’t get a response) asking whether it’s better to upgrade the D-line through draft or FA, since defensive linemen adapt to the NFL slower than at any other position (that’s only what I’ve heard…I don’t know if it’s actually true or not).

    There are a few quality guys whose contracts expire after this season: Julius Peppers, Will Smith, Terrell Suggs, Albert Haynesworth. But the problem isn’t the market; it’s the fact that Denver has very little cap space to work with. Assuming those guys don’t get new contracts with their existing teams, there’d still be a big payday set for all of them that we couldn’t hope to match. I think we’re stuck with improving in-house, at least until we drop some big contracts. I’ve heard that Daniel Graham is the highest paid guy on the roster. Is that actually true? Surely that money could have been spent a little more wisely.

  • rcsodak

    What a rotten week to be playing the Pats! After a humiliating loss on national tv…..UGH!!!!!

    Denver, monday night, on the road, against the Pats after a spanking….

    …..NOT a recipe for a positive outcome, imo.

  • http://broncos-denver-broncos.blogspot.com/ Ian Henson

    The Broncos have clearly exhibited that whether we’re drafting early or late- it most likely will not be possible to help out the defensive line through the draft. Albert Haynesworth will be available, we should throw the kitchen sink at him.

    There’s obviously something that WE don’t know going on with the D, there’s no reason to stay in zone and to play off receivers as far as we do. i’m guessing the philosophy is to stop the score, who cares about the first down- bend, but don’t break. However, the breaks have shattered.

    In all honesty though, the defense is improving every week. The offense is getting worse. it will be fun to watch Randy Moss lined up against Champ Bailey. It’s also nice that the Pats are such a mess in the backfield right now. Maybe someone won’t run for 100 yards on Denver this game.

    Can Jeremy Bates scheme like the Miami Dolphins did two weeks ago against the Pats? I certainly hope so. If Eddie Royal, Tony Scheffler and Brandon Stokley are good to go this week… I say Denver wins, if not, we’ll need Darrell Jackson to step up a hell of a lot more than he did against Jacksonville. We’ll also need to secure those catches that have slipped through our receiver’s fingers.

  • http://birty.blogspot.com mikebirty

    Looking forward to this game. Already agreed with the boss that I can “work” from home on Tuesday so I’ll be watching the game with my Corn Flakes before starting “work”.

    This game is just as big as the others. In a 16 game season they’re all must wins until you’ve clinched home field. I’m with Ian – if the offense playes their best game then the Broncos win.

  • jeff blackwell

    Dre Bly sucks quarterbacks ae wusses thro to Champ he should have 7 picks rite now get rid of bly he is CRAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • jeff blackwell

    LOck champ on moss and give this boy a pick and put eddie as kick return adnre hall cant do kick return

  • jeff blackwell

    Bly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly SucksBly Sucks

  • jeff blackwell

    Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Throw 2 CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Person

    Jeff blackwell must die.

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    The funny thing is, I actually edited those comments and cut them about in half… not kidding…