DEN vs GB: Thoughts and Predictions

Another crazy week here in Knoxville. After dealing with the church shooting that made national news last month, yesterday we had a fatal shooting at a local High School (the one my kids will be attending when they get old enough). It’s simply unbelievable how these two events have torn up this community. Please keep the kids from Central HS and their families in your thoughts and prayers – they definitely need it.

After a rather emotionally-charged day yesterday, I’m really looking forward to the distraction of the game tonight. And since we have a Friday night game, I assumed the NFL Network would be covering this live… wrong.

Apparently the National Cheerleading Playoffs are more important than our preseason game, so I’m going to have to wait until midnight (EST) to watch the game. What the heck are Cheerleading Playoffs anyway?!?! You’re the bloody NFL Network… how about showing the NFL fans THE NFL GAMES?

Anyway, here are my thoughts and predictions for this weekend…

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Time to Turn It Up, Nate –
Nate Webster will play with the first team for much of the first half of the Packers game tonight. But, as Kyle mentioned, the fight for the final starting MIKE linebacker spot goes on. In fact, tonight could be a make-or-break night for Nate or Niko Koutouvides in regards to the starting job.

After another good showing last week, Jamie Winborn will be starting for the injured Boss Bailey on the strong side. With our Star LB on the weakside D.J. Williams rounding out the starters this evening, it should be a good game for our LBs.

Prediction: I think we find out who starts the season tonight. The last time Nate took the field with the starters (preseason week #1) he was EVERYWHERE and looked great. I expect nothing less tonight. He’s going to be pumped and excited… and ready to lose that helmet a couple of times!
Nothing against Niko – I think he’s more than capable of starting in this league. I just think Shanahan & Co. were surprised at Webster’s development this year and they will most certainly put the best players on the field. In my opinion that’s going to be Webster tonight.

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You Too, Nate –
Tonight, Nate Jackson will get a chance to silence his opponents (both on the field and off it). With Daniel Graham sidelined with a hamstring injury, Nate spent even more time with the first team this week. For those of you watching camp, you’ll have already noticed that Jackson has been taking first team reps in two TE sets. I know there are many Bronco Fans that are down on Nate, but I think you have to give a guy who was brought into the league by none other than the great Bill Walsh just a little bit of credit. So, what are we in for tonight?

“Every time he’s played in a game, he’s made plays. . . I’ve just got my fingers crossed that he can stay healthy – that’s been his only problem.” — Mike Shanahan 8/21/08

Amen.

Prediction: I think Nate has a solid game tonight and has one impressive catch that will make the highlight reel. I think he will remain healthy through this game (and the next one) and will make the final roster. I just hope, like Shanahan, that he can STAY healthy the rest of the season.

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Back to Committee? –
Is Mike Shanahan thinking about rotating his youthful running backs this year? I believe it’s being discussed because Andre Hall just won’t give up and let Young have sole possession of that top spot. Selvin Young remains on top of the depth chart, but that hasn’t stopped Hall from having better games than Young the last two weeks. Most impressive is the fact that the speedy undersized Hall has done very well between the tackles and on short yardage downs – which I would have listed as his weak point last year.

Prediction: I think Young needs a BIG game if he wants to be THE MAN this year. I think every great run Hall has tonight eats away at the number of snaps Young will get come opening day. Michael Pittman did a good job proving he should stick around last week and I think he will continue to provide additional proof this evening. Peyton Hillis did well last week by all accounts, so I’m excited to see him out there tonight. According to Hall, Hillis has the best hands on the team, so let’s go WAY out there an say that Hillis gets his first NFL TD reception tonight – how’s that for being optimistic!

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Good, Better, Best –
Over the last two weeks our O-line has become better and better. Casey Wiegmann has stepped in for Tom Nalen and done a great job. The Ryan’s (Ryan Clady and Ryan Harris) will get another chance to learn and improve tonight, and we might even see Holland get some reps with the first team.

Prediction: Green Bay’s D-line has been average against the run and has only recorded one sack in the last two games. I see this game as a very good chance to prove to our distracters (that’s you ESPN!) that our young team can not only hang with the Big Dogs, but they can also kick some tail! If Denver has more than a seven point lead at half time, I see a nearly 200 yard ground game for us tonight and a continued streak of zero sacks for Cutler.

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Sack Masters of the Universe –
With Dewayne Robertson and Marcus Thomas working the middle of the line and the Packer’s O-line giving up 6 sacks in the last two games, I think tonight could be a Sack Attack night for or DE’s!

Prediction: Elvis Dumervil gets at least one sack and we end the night with at least three. I also see us continuing to do well against the run tonight.

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Passing Game vs Pro Bowl Corners –
What do you get when you take two young QB’s and put them up against veteran CB’s with more than 128 interceptions and 15 Pro Bowls between them? We’ll see tonight! :)

Champ Bailey and Dre Bly are 10 year vets and Al Harris and Charles Woodson are playing their 11th season. All four are sly and intelligent Interception Machines and they will be looking to take advantage of these two young QB’s.

Prediction: If his O-line can give him time and Cutler doesn’t decide to pass to Eddie Royal in double covered again (last time you were lucky kid), then I see him making it to halftime with no additional INT’s. I don’t see the same positive future for Aaron Rogers. :(

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Hitting ALL the Field Goals –
Matt Prater nailed everything under 45 yards last week (as predicted). Tonight I want to see his first kick (even if it’s from 65 yards out) go through the uprights.

Prediction: Matt makes all his Field Goal attempts.

BONUS Prediction: The game goes SO well that the Denver Post, realizing they have almost nothing negative to write about the Broncos, fold up the paper and move to Oakland.

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And finally, I’ll mention the number one thing we need to take away from this game… our health. We need to play smart and keep our guys from getting injured before the season even starts.

GO BRONCOS!