We know some of you are fans of Football Outsiders, as are we, so we’ll be taking a look at the smarter stats behind the Broncos‘ opponent each week to gain some perspective on what to expect — an Outsider’s Perspective.

Insanely quick DVOA 101: Recall that on offense and special teams, the higher the percentage the better. On defense, the lower (more negative) the percentage the better.

Steelers Rush Offense: -0.3% (15th)
Broncos Rush Defense: -25.1% (1st)
Despite having their worst performance of the season, the Broncos improved from 2nd to 1st in the league rush defense DVOA. The turnaround of this rush defense has truly been remarkable, and even after an “off week,” the Broncos are tops in the league. They’ll need to continue that pace as they face the Steelers’ Rashard Mendenhall, who is averaging over 5 yards per carry and has won the starting role over RB Willie Parker. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

• Mark Kiszla believes the Broncos are making a mistake by starting rookie Knowshon Moreno over veteran Correll Buckhaulter. [Denver Post]
• Who leads the Broncos in 20 plus yard receptions? Of course that would be Jabar Gaffney. [DPO]
• Apparently Ben Roethlisberger is campaigning to run the no huddle this weekend. Then again Big Ben apparently is begging to run it every weekend. [Philly.com]
• “I didn’t really have too many big runs at Georgia, either,” Moreno said. “It’s all about those hard yards.” [Salt Lake Tribune]
  
• Frank Schwab thinks D.J. Williams might be in line for a Pro Bowl this season. [Colorado Springs Gazette]
• This weekend Denver will be playing the “dirtiest player in the NFL” in wide receiver Hines Ward [Pittsburgh Live]
• The Chargers face the Giant’s this weekend and they’re breaking out the wildcat. [DPO]
• Speaking of the Chargers, the released Chris Chambers for this a rookie linebacker. [Mercury News]

Thursday Injury Report for the Week 9 NFL game between the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, November 9th, 2009.

DNP – Did Not Participate; LP – Limited Participation; FP – Full Participation; NL – Not Listed

Steelers report after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

When it comes to Denver Broncos-exclusive reports, new NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora is 0 for 1.

We’ll give him another shot.

Citing league sources, La Canfora reports that Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark, who nearly died the last time he played in Denver’s high altitude, will almost certainly not play this Monday when the Steelers travel to face the Broncos for Monday Night Football.

A final decision hasn’t been made, and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has said he wouldn’t make any further statements on the matter until Thursday at the earliest, but internally, there is a strong feeling that protecting Clark is paramount. If this was the AFC Championship Game, the Steelers might be more inclined to let Clark make the call, but that is highly doubtful in this circumstance.

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Our weekly perusal around the Interwebz for water cooler fodder.

ESPN: 4th
The bounce-back game after the first loss is another tough one: home against Pittsburgh.

BroncoTalk: 4th
Glaring Stat: Despite allowing 30 points against the Ravens, Denver’s defense is ranked second in the NFL for points allowed.

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

We had the privilege of appearing on Yahoo! Sports/Shutdown Corner‘s On the Corner podcast to talk about these spectacular 2009 Denver Broncos. Big thanks to MJD and Danks for putting up with us, and give it a listen below.

Podcast downloadable here: On the Corner, podcast #30: Deep inside the Denver Broncos [Shutdown Corner]

In the absence of a Wednesday injury report, the absence of four Broncos players from practice went relatively unnoticed.  Ryan Harris was absent as expected, while DE Ryan McBean, CB Jack Williams and S David Bruton were also absent.  The absence of an official explanation will be remedied with an injury report later today, which will give us a glimpse at who we can expect to be… absent… Monday.

• The Broncos hope to regain the edge in physicality they lost against Baltimore.  [Denver Post]
• Perhaps a little no-huddle in that thin mountain air will aid them in this cause?  [DPO]
• The Steelers pose the same physically dominating threat.  [DenverBroncos.com]
• Josh McDaniels and Mike Tomlin represent success in the NFL’s coaching youth movement.  [Colorado Springs Gazette]
• 22 Steelers remain from that 2005 AFC Championship Game, while the Broncos boast only three.  [CSG]
• Will Steelers fans get another foothold on the INVESCO Field stands Monday?  [DPO]
• Game of the week?  Game of the week.  [ProFootballTalk]
• FO wonders how they got the Broncos so wrong.  [Football Outsiders]

My power rankings are fittingly named the ‘Tentative Ten’ because every week it’s subject to change, and erratically at that. Also featured is a Rookie, Defensive, and Offensive Player of the Year Watch, and a Coach of the Year Watch, and Movie to watch this week.

1. New Orleans Saints (7-0)

Sorry rookie Jairus Byrd, the veteran Darren Sharper won’t let you hold the top spot alone. Sharper grabbed yet another pick to close out the game. The Saints not only have top tier talent this season but their coaching and preparation is immaculate week in and week out.

Glaring Stat: The Saint’s secondary has 16 interceptions on the year.

2. Indianapolis Colts (7-0) Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels gestures in the fourth quarter during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, in Baltimore. Baltimore won 30-10. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

Quotes from Head Coach Josh McDaniels, QB Kyle Orton and S Brian Dawkins from the Denver Broncos‘ Week 9 Wednesday presser as they prepare for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

HEAD COACH JOSH McDANIELS

Opening remarks

“We are excited to get back at work, getting ready to play a great football team, the defending Super Bowl champion, on Monday Night Football. It will be a great challenge ahead of us this week to prepare and get ready to play a game against a team that has very, very few, if any, weaknesses. We are going to have to play our best football in order to have an opportunity to beat them on Monday night.” Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Brandon Marshall guest-hosted VERSUS’ Sports Soup Tuesday. Marshall’s comic timing isn’t perfect, but I have to admit, I laughed a few times. Part 1 above, Part 2 after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »