Indisputable Evidence: DEN wins vs IND!

Ok, maybe that’s a bit overstated. :)

Waiting for our game versus Indy is killing me – hasn’t this week seemed longer than most? So, last night I fired up my Madden 08 and cued up the Broncos at Indy. Before I tell you the outcome, I must give you two disclaimers…

DISCLAIMER 1: I am NO gamer. I have no idea how to call an audible or choose hot routes, or even wave for a fair catch. I call the plays and the computer does the rest. I guess I have to pass and kick, but I have no real skill in either of those.

DISCLAIMER 2: Although I played a full 60 minute game, there were a couple of players I couldn’t find to complete the current Denver roster. Sam Adams, for example, isn’t anywhere to be found so I started Gordon and Thomas (dude, Thomas had a HUGE game too!). And no, I didn’t create any missing players as I’m not familiar enough with the stats and levels.

So, now that you know my skill level (below newbie), here was the outcome:

I played Denver’s offense according to their standard run-to-setup-the-pass strategy and that allowed me to control the clock (37:35 vs 22:27). It also gave Travis Henry 140 yards. However, I found that (like the past three games) I had a major problem converting 3rd downs (only 23% vs Indy’s 40%). Part of that was definitely my lack of passing skill and not the team’s fault, but Cutler ended up with only 190 yards passing 2 TD’s and 1 INT.

On defense, we gave up huge yardage, but got tough in the redzone (sound familiar?). We have up 448 yards passing, but actually held the ground game to under 50 yards (hence our clock control).

I must give credit to the makers of Madden, Champ Bailey must have player stats second only to the archangel Gabriel. He had two INT’s (one returned for at TD and other preventing at Colt’s TD). Bly also had an interception. However, D.J. Williams and Nate Webster came up with big tackles we needed them and led the team in tackles (followed by Champ of course). We also had luck sacking Manning. Rice got there twice and Dumervil recorded one as well.

“D.J. Williams is really putting on a tackling seminar today!” – voice of John Madden via Madden 08.

On Indy’s side, Peyton had 448 yards passing 3 INT and 2 TD. Wayne was his favorite target racking up 160 yards and a TD.

In the end Denver won 34 to 24.

Now this all means next to nothing (even less than that really), but there are a couple of Truths in this computer simulation of Sunday’s game.

First, we MUST have success running the ball if we want to win. Running the ball gives us long clock-eating drives that keeps Manning off the field. It also keeps our Defense rested against a team that can go no-huddle to tire our big boys out.

Second, jumping out to an early lead and stopping the Colt’s rushing game made the computer controlled Manning fall into a one-dimensional passing game. That in turn gave Champ and Bly chances to make plays. While I don’t claim that to be easy, it definitely is preferred to playing from behind at the RCA Dome.

Third, we need ANYONE but Hixon to handle kick returns! I had more success with Mike Bell returning kicks than Hixon has had all season. I know Mike Bell will be sitting this one out, but surely we have SOMEONE better than Hixon to handle these!?

Well, thanks for humoring me in this rather pointless post about my late night dive into computer simulated fan fun. Soon enough we’ll get to see the REAL thing when it counts this Sunday.

Until then, keep the faith Bronco fans – If I can beat the Colts with my lame-ass skills surely the Mastermind and his young Padawan can do it!

Go Broncos!

-Jonathan Douglas
–BroncoTalk.net