Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

With such an evenly matched game coming up, I began to wonder who the experts thought might win on Monday night and also where the money was being bet in Vegas. It was interesting to see that the consensus straight up picks were largely in favor of the Atlanta Falcons defeating the Denver Broncos. Here is a small sample of what I found:

• NFL.com: Falcons 5, Broncos 0
• Yahoo.com: Falcons 4, Broncos 1
• ESPN.com: Falcons 9, Broncos 5
• CBSSports.com: Falcons 4, Broncos 5

So the total tally of the so-called experts end up in the Falcons favor with 22 picks to the Broncos 11. Ironically, these websites included “user picks” and the Broncos nabbed both of those. The spread is -3.5 in the favor of Atlanta, so one should expect most of the picks against the spread to match the experts, right?  Wrong… Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Denver Broncos News

• The Denver Broncos face a tough test in three days when they face the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome. A win here could set the tone for very solid season, though a loss likely won’t mean much as the Falcons are dominant in their own house. [DenverBroncos.com]
• The Playbook guys think Peyton Manning and the Broncos are poised to go 2-0 this week, with Von Miller and the Broncos defense being just as impressive to them as the offensive line. [NFL.com]
• It makes sense that the coaching staff’s from two successful organizations are familiar with each other from past associations. The NFL greatness tree typically grows from the same roots. [Denver Post]
• One player I am anxious to see return to the roster is Virgil Green. I felt he had the best preseason of all the tight ends when it came to the passing game and I can’t wait to see what he can do with Manning back there slinging the ball. [Denver Post]
• Shutdown Corner was able to lock down John Elway for a one-on-one interview. As a complete homer, I never pass up to catch a read involving my childhood hero. [Yahoo! Sports]
• One blogger predicts a big win for the Falcons. I suggest we go over there an troll his post. Just kidding! Even though his reasoning is rather weak if you ask me. [Gridiron Grit]

Be sure to follow me on Twitter for more Broncos updates throughout the day.

After impressive Week 1 performances, several Denver Broncos saw their Madden NFL 13 video game ratings jump on Thursday.  The Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-19 on Sunday and EA Sports took note of several players’ execution.

Cornerback Tray Porter, who was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week, saw the highest rating jump (+3), going from 80 to 83 overall while six other players—offensive lineman Manny Rameriz, linebacker Wesley Woodyard, offensive guard Zane Beadles, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, linebacker Von Miller and quarterback Peyton Manning—each saw +1 rating’s jump.

Meanwhile, safety Mike Adams went from 75 to 77 overall and defensive end Elvis Dumervil oddly dropped from 88 to 87 overall after failing to record a sack.  While ultimately meaningless, seven Broncos played well enough in Week 1 for EA Sports to boost their Madden ratings, which is a positive development.

(Ratings courtesy of EA Sports.  Via Pastapadre.)

ESPN’s Bill Williamson is reporting that the NFL has fined Rahim Moore $21,000.00 for his hit on Emmanuel Sanders during the 3rd quarter of Sunday Night’s game against the Steelers.  An odd and highly debatable decision after many football pundits (former players and analysts alike) said the play should have never been flagged.

It also led to extending a Steelers drive out of 3rd and 10 that helped dominate time of possession in the 3rd quarter.  One has to wonder if receiving this fine and his 20k fine last pre-season following the Bills matchup will lead to a reputation.  That Moore is going to be labelled “that guy” by other players and the league office leading to harsher penalties and scrutiny modifying his play on the field.

Denver Broncos News

• The Denver Broncos are preparing for the Atlanta Falcons this week and communication within the crowd noise is their chief concern. [DenverBroncos.com]
• Peyton Manning and Matt Ryan are two of the best at running the no-huddle offense, though I would argue Manning is the all-time best at it. [Denver Post]
• With the big win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, some feel that Peyton Manning has raised the stakes for the Broncos this year. [ESPN]
• Troy Polumalu used some Kung Fu moves on Demaryius Thomas‘ arm last week and now it appears Thomas was, in fact, injured on that play. Where’e the fine, Roger? Or is martial arts legal in bringing down the NFL’s most beastly players? [First & Orange Blog]
• Peter King says the Broncos win big on Monday Night Football. For some reason, that bothers me… [SI.com]
• It looks like Tim Tebow might be asking for a trade in 2013 if he doesn’t get a legitimate shot at the starting quarterback job. Seriously, he didn’t actually think he was going to unseat Mark Sanchez after one season, did he? [NFL.com]

Be sure to follow me on Twitter for more Broncos updates throughout the day.

Record: 1-0
Streak: Won 1
Series vs. Denver: 4-8-0
Last time: Broncos, 24-20, Nov. 2008
The Line: Atlanta (-3)

The Denver Broncos head south to face the Atlanta Falcons in each team’s Monday Night Football debut this year. Kickoff on September 17th is set for 8:30 p.m. EDT. Here’s your first look at the Atlanta Falcons.

Who’s hot: WR Julio Jones. The second-year wideout torched the Chiefs secondary in Week One, catching six balls for 108 yards and two touchdowns in his breakout game. With WR Roddy White lining opposite him, the Broncos again have a big test for their top two corners Champ Bailey and Tracy Porter. This will be a matchup of strength vs. strength, which is always incredibly fun to watch.

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger talk to replacement officials during the third quarter of play at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)

Back by popular demand: Caption this photo! Your wittiest, most cleverest captions in the comments. Last time’s winner after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

I have been doing weekly straight-up picks since I was about 8 years old back during the Denver Broncos glory days in the late 1980’s, but this year is the first time since then that I wasn’t competing in some way against someone, somewhere. And it felt WIERD. So wierd, in fact, that I feel the need to make it happen.

Last week, I went 11-5 straight up, with my losses coming when I picked the Giants, Saints, Seahawks, Packers and Panthers to win. Overall, not a bad haul.

So go ahead and give me your picks in the comments section and though I have no prizes to offer other than pimping your name in next weeks post if you beat me, it might be fun to talk a little smack. Good luck!

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Denver Broncos News

• NFP is seeing a lot of similarity to the Denver Broncos offense today and the one Peyton Manning ran when he was with the Indianapolis Colts. I’m not surprised, the Broncos would be fools not to do that. Heck, if they’d do it for Tim Tebow and the option, why wouldn’t they do it for Manning? [National Football Post]
• The Atlanta Falcons coaches had some things to say about the Broncos yesterday. [ajc.com]
• If the Broncos are to have any chance against the Falcons on Monday Night Football, Champ Bailey says they need to get off the field on third down. I think we all agree on that! [Denver Post]
• It looks like John Elway and the Bronos are not total tight wads, as they ensured Caleb Hanie at least received a $250,000 bonus for resigning. [Denver Post]
• It seems everyone is giving Zane Beadles some love this week. Remember when fans wanted him gone? It sure looks like the Broncos have one of the best all around offensive lines in football. [Yahoo! Sports]
• Take a look at Peyton’s Place on NFL.com. Manning apparently has an affinity for steak. Makes sense. [NFL.com]

Be sure to follow me on Twitter for more Broncos updates throughout the day.

Watching film and the broncos love to play cover 6 and cover 4 little man coverage on third and medium or short #runmiketurnerrun

— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) September 12, 2012

“Run Mike Turner, run,” Roddy White tweets after watching film of his upcoming Monday Night Football opponent, your very own Denver Broncos.

His film study conclusion doesn’t quite match the Broncos’ stats, though — they finished with the 9th ranked rush defense by Football Outsiders for Week One, 5th best by Pro Football Focus, and 9th best by traditional NFL standards (yards allowed — 75).

Still, whatever the Denver Broncos were doing on third down certainly wasn’t working. Hopefully the scout team caught on to the same weakness, because Roddy White believes he has.

Or at least, hopefully they have Twitter accounts.