The Chargers, Chiefs, and Raiders all lost their respective games early today, giving the Broncos a prime opportunity to take advantage.  With a win tomorrow night against the Titans, the Broncos would be tied at 5-5 atop the division with San Diego.

It’s almost too good to be true, but the Broncos need to take advantage and play solid football to finish the year.  The other 3 teams in this division are doing everything they can to give it to us, and we’d be foolhardy to let them down.

Go Broncos!

Injury Report for the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football for Week 11 in the NFL, November 19, 2007.

Denver Broncos

OUT
WR Javon Walker (Knee)

QUESTIONABLE
RB Travis Henry (Knee)
FB Paul Smith (Calf)

PROBABLE
K Jason Elam (R Calf)
DE John Engelberger (Shoulder)
S John Lynch (Neck)
TE Tony Scheffler (Chest)

Slant – The Denver Post reports that Henry might have a good chance to play Monday. … Special Teamer Paul Smith will likely be a game time decision.

Tennessee Titans

OUT
RB Ahmard Hall (Forearm)

PROBABLE
CB Nick Harper (Concussion)
DT Albert Haynesworth (Hamstring)
T David Stewart (Ankle)

Slant – Albert Haynesworth did not practice all week and will be a game time decision. Peter King commented that seeing the Titans without Haynesworth in the lineup elevated the playmaking DT into his MVP watch. … Nick Harper also missed practice all week.

Alvaro Martin and Raul Allegre at Invesco

ESPN Deportes is the first network to live-broadcast Monday Night Football games in Spanish. Spanish-Emmy nominee Alvaro Martin handles the play-by-play, while Super Bowl kicker Raul Allegre handles the color commentary. They’ve received great reviews for their work covering the games, and if I spoke just a little bit better Spanish I’d probably flip on their version of the game!

In preparation for Monday Night’s game between the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans, I had the opportunity to ask Mr. Martin a few questions. First we talked a little NFL, particularly their jobs as Spanish broadcasters, their audience, and the NFL moving to foreign markets. Then he broke down Monay’s big game! Enjoy!

BroncoTalk – You and Mr. Allegre were the first to live broadcast Monday Night Football in Spanish, and have enjoyed success on ESPN Deportes broadcasting every MNF game these past two years. How, if at all, does broadcasting toward a Spanish-speaking audience differ from an English-speaking audience?

Alvaro Martin: Given that we cover the U.S., Puerto Rico and territories that run from Tijuana to Tierra del Fuego, we may spend a bit more time explaining some rules, but the analysis and the context provided is second to none. Only fully bilingual viewers can compare our broadcast to that of other English-language networks. We aim to make their choice between ESPN’s English-language broadcast and ours in Spanish a difficult one.

BT – The NFL played its first regular season game overseas this year, which was met with a mix of criticism and praise. What is your opinion on the NFL expanding to foreign markets? Should the Super Bowl ever be played outside the US?

AM – It is a wonderful concept, provided there is grass-roots support for the sport in that geographic market. Mexico City made sense, because organized American football has been played there for over a century and it is currently widely played throughout Mexico. If the NFL were to schedule a regular season game annually, Estadio Azteca would have no less than 100,000 fans year after year. They understand the game, they currently play or played the game in the past.

In the U.K., or Germany or in China, holding regular season games will work insofar the NFL is willing to undertake a concentrated effort to get local kids to play touch football and for high schools, colleges and even soccer clubs like Arsenal or Bayern Munich to establish American football as part of the athletic activities. In the 15 years NFL Europe existed, the league failed to provide such grass roots support. Not developing a local taste for this sport risks making these regular-season games a fad – once the novelty wears off, it will be increasingly difficult for local promoters to offer the NFL monetary guarantees for these games.

The Super Bowl today is primarily a television event – as such it can be held anywhere. Holding it overseas requires a properly equipped stadium, a city with a nice climate, excellent security arrangements and an attractive time zone difference from the U.S.. Barcelona is a wonderful city, but where’s the stadium? Is the city secure for an event which is such an American cultural touchstone? What time will the game kick off – at 11:30 PM, local time?

I once told a roomful of NFL executives that my number one recommendation to an American league that is considering overseas expansion would be to avoid scheduling most of its games on Sunday, when King Soccer dominates around the globe. I was half-serious and half-joking, of course, but they failed to appreciate the humor. To grow internationally, the NFL will have to hustle and scratch to build its sport, the same way it did in the United States in the 1940’s and 1950’s, when professional American football took a back seat to baseball, college basketball and college football in the sports landscape. Will owners invest in projects aimed at developing the game overseas with uncertain return of investment when they are used to having sponsors, distribution partners and other interested parties throw money at them in the domestic market?

BT – On to Monday Night’s big game! Jeff Fisher and Mike Shanahan are the longest tenured head coaches in the NFL. What about each of them has made them so good to keep their jobs despite the high coaching turnover all around them?

AM – Most coaches tell you they do not believe in rebuilding, but Mike Shanahan is one of the few coaches who has shown that indeed, his teams every year have a chance to make the playoffs and in some cases, advance deeply into the postseason. His relationship with the owner is unusual in the NFL – it is as if they were business partners, and not just an owner and his top executive.

Jeff has done a wonderful job in a market with limited economic margin for error. He has survived a salary cap mess and some lean years in terms of on-the-field performance because of his coaching ability, his setting down roots in Tennessee, and his forthrightness.

BT – Both the Broncos and Titans are breaking in new, young first round quarterbacks in Vince Young and Jay Cutler. To whom do you give the edge when breaking down the play between these two players?

AM – Jay Cutler has a strong arm, surprising mobility and a very thick skin he developed while trying to beat much more talented teams while at Vanderbilt. Like Young, he has had difficulty going deep into his progressions quickly and seeing his third option on the field on time.

Vince Young is the prototype of the QB every team covets – perhaps the best athlete on the field when he is under center, with charisma and leadership traits to boot. However, I am not convinced he has yet developed the decision-making savvy the position requires. Does he read a defense quickly? Does he make adjustments? Can he get rid of the ball quickly, to the optimal option and in stride? Not yet, in his second year in the league. Will he? I think he has a better chance than Michael Vick ever did.

You are asking me a tough question. Perhaps technically Cutler is more polished than Young, but Young can do more on the field, and there is no question his teammates will kick it in gear for him, when they need to score in the clutch. Until Young can show me he can read the field pre- and post-snap, I would go with Cutler, in a close call.

BT – Let us know how you think this game will turn out. Will the Broncos be able to pull out a win against a good Titans defense and contain Vince Young?

AM – The Titans rank 19th in rushing average, but no other team in the NFL approaches their 319 rushing attempts so far. So the key is to ideally have the Titans face a deficit that removes their most effective weapon, out of the picture altogether. Let’s see how many points the Broncos can score in their first two possessions. If they get 10 or 14 points, they will put the game in Vince Young’s and his receivers’ hands. That Bronco secondary will be salivating.

—

Special thanks again to Mr. Martin for taking the time to answer these questions.

ESPN Deportes Home Page (in Spanish)

Photo Courtesy

They say some quarterbacks excel in the “lion’s den,” when they feel like they’re against a wall and ready to pull the upset, with the fans and odds against them.

Vince Young definitely falls under that category. Just looking back at his electric college title game against USC, Young has shown a certain ability to put his best play out on the field when the world is seemingly against him.

That’s consistent with his stats this year, too.

However, he seems to run much better on the grass of Tennessee, as he averages 2.6 yards per carry on the road compared to 4.7 at home.

Also known as Kyle and Jonathan’s splendiferous quest towards NFL enlightenment and frustrated head-on-desk banging.

Last week

Kyle – Against the Spread – 4-1 (.800)
Straight up – 10-4 (.714)
Jonathan – Against the Spread – 2-1 (.667)
Straight up – 8-6 (.571)

To Date

Kyle – Against the Spread – 14-18 (.438)
Straight up – 90-53 (.629)
Jonathan – Against the spread – 19-18 (.514)
Straight up – 88-55 (.615)
I regained my lead over J.D. by two games, but it’s still anybody’s season. I hate it when I feel like I have a really good week sniffing upsets (4-1 ATS, Broncos, Jags, Falcons) but don’t sniff enough (Rams, Chargers).

Quick notes this week. Jon’s picks are still pending, you know the drill.

Kyle’s pick	Kyle’s Thoughts/Notes/Ramblings	Jonathan’s pick
	SD (+3) @ JAC – We need a Chargers loss, and they should help us out there.
	KC (+14.5) @ IND – Colts bounce back, despite Adam V. missing 2 more.
	OAK (+5) @ MIN – I still like Chester Taylor, one of the best backup RBs in the NFL. Vikings big.
	CLE (-3) @ BAL – Eventually these Ravens have to win a division game, right? Maybe not.
	PIT (-9.5) @ NYJ – Is Roethlisberger or Anderson the 3rd AFC Pro Bowl QB?
	TB (-3) @ ATL – I think the Falcons could pull the upset, but I’m sticking with the Bucs on a coin flip.
	ARI (+3) @ CIN – I can’t believe the Bengals are the favorite here. The Cards are pretty beat up though, and not just at quarterback.
	MIA (+10) @ PHI – Yes, folks, that’s right. The Dolphins win a game in Philly, and half of Pennsylvania implodes.
	CHI (+5.5) @ SEA – Seahawks put together a nice little win streak.
	WAS (10.5) @ DAL – Heard first Washington WR touchdown happened last week. Wow.
	NO (+1) @ HOU – Healthy Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub, so I’ll go Texans.
	CAR (+9) @ GB – The two oldest QBs in the NFL. Probably. I’m not bothering to do research to confirm that.
	NYG (-3) @ DET – Let the annual Tom Coughlin meltdown begin.
	STL (-3) @ SF – You know you’re bad when a winless team last week is favored to win in your house, Niners.
	NE (-16) @ BUF – Poor Bills fans. Four Super Bowl losses. Music City Miracle. Monday Night Cowboys Meltdown. Now it’s time to blow a prime time, halftime lead against the undefeated Pats.
	TEN (+2) @ DEN – This defense is still scary, but we should come away with a win.

If I had known, after let’s say Week 2, that I’d be taking the Vikings, Browns, Bucs, Cards, Fins, Texans, Lions, and Rams all in one week, I would have violently hurt myself to prevent myself from being able to make the picks. Ah, but that’s the NFL for you.

JON’s NOTE: Ok, so unlike last week it looks like our picks are pretty varied here. That will mean that one of us should pull head of the other this week… maybe. :)

I’ll point out the BIG difference pick this week, being NE vs BUF. I really feel like NE needs a loss and why not in the Buffalo? Come on, admit it, ya’ll would love it if NE gets whipped this weekend!

It’s Travis Henry‘s hearing today in Phoenix, which seems to be the theme across the gamut of these newspapers and sites and such.

• Henry’s status for Monday is completely up in the air, both because of suspension and injury. [Sports Illustrated/AP]
• Henry’s grateful Coach Shanahan has given him his full support. [Denver Post]
• He’s ready to take his case to the NFL courts in Phoenix. Ruling next week. [Denver Post]
• Shanahan is a regular ole lawyer, now. [Denver Post]
• Good article on Hamza Abdullah. [Denver Post]
• Hey, that’s an interesting stat. 187 rushing yards allowed before the bye… 105 since… wonder where they got it? [Denver Post]
• I had known LenDale White grew up a Broncos fan, but it seems Tennessee tight end Bo Scaife is in the same boat. [Denver Post]
• Toughest job in the NFL may be quarterback, but coming in at a close second is pass rushing defensive end. [The Gazette]

It gets pretty old pretty quickly as a Broncos fan, hearing about our 2007 rush defense. Allowing well over 160 yards per game. Last in the league. Etc. etc.

I can still remember Tony Kornheiser questioning a Packers field goal three weeks ago, the last time the Broncos were on Monday Night Football. While the exact words escape me, the message reverberates in my head: “The Packers really don’t want to go for it on 4th and 2? Against the worst defense in the league? Against this Broncos defense that is that bad?!”

Well, guess what? We’re not 32nd anymore. We’re 31st. (Thanks, Jets).

The difference was the bye week. Before, the Broncos allowed over 180 rushing yards per game. Since, Broncos opponents have averaged barely over 100.

Heading into our Week 6 bye, we were dead last in rush defense, allowing a whopping 187.6 yards per game. We allowed 200 rushing yards to the Oakland Raiders. Simply horrible.

Since the bye week, the Broncos have kept their opponents under 120 yards rushing in 3 of our four games. Only the Lions in Week 9 eclipsed that mark with 130 rushing yards. The Broncos have allowed an average of 105.25 rushing yards per game since then. That’s 62 less rushing yards than the Broncos in weeks 1-5!

What’s more, insert that 105 yard number into the current standings and the Broncos would be right in the middle of the pack. 16th overall, right behind the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Credit the coaching staff for knowing something had to change, and credit the players for better play all around. Just credit these Broncos for turning their porous run defense around. The Broncos aren’t dominant, and they still have a lot of room to improve (16th is only worth shouting about when you were 32nd before). But they’re much, much better than they were.

But they’ll be tested.

They’ll need to be just as sharp against the Titans’ three-headed running attack in LenDale White, Chris Henry, and Vince Young. White’s bruising, strong style is a perfect complement to Henry’s speed, and Vince Young’s versatility poses the Titans’ greatest threat. If the Broncos can contain this Titans running attack, which really is the soul of their offense, they will dominate, yes dominate, the Titans on Monday.

If the Broncos of old come out to play, they won’t stand a chance. If the Broncos of lately show up at Invesco Field, they will find themselves in the midst of a two-game winning streak, returning to .500, and with any luck (Go Jags!), sharing the lead in the AFC West.

Are the Titans that bad without Albert Haynesworth? I honestly don’t think so. Everything went wrong for Jeff Fisher‘s club last Sunday against Jacksonville, including a season-low 68 yards on the ground. Until then, they’ve had a lot of success running the football, ranking in the top 5 in the league.

This is going to be a tough challenge, but handing an AFC team a loss is always beneficial. Taking a glance at the AFC Wild Card picture – the Titans and Jaguars both sit at 6-3, while the Bills and Browns enjoy a 5-4 record. While the Titans and Jags could challenge for the South at a mere game back, they’ve already lost home games to the Colts, so I don’t expect them to steal the division from Peyton Manning. With a win against Tennessee, we would be elevated to 5-5, dropping them to 6-4, making us a game back from the AFC Wild Card picture. While I want nothing short of the AFC West title, any door to the playoffs is one worth going through.

Here are my 5 steps to win the game.

1. Keep the Titans defense guessing

The Titans defensive line has been dominant this season, perhaps the best in the league, giving our banged up offensive line quite a challenge. Even with added tight end protection, and even if Haynesworth doesn’t go, I don’t see our smaller linemen getting much of a push against these beefy DTs (think Jacksonville game week 3). We need to keep the Titans defense guessing to give the offensive line an edge.

In other words, start throwing. Take a few deep shots. Let Jay Cutler let it hang. They’re running low on the cornerback depth chart without Pacman Jones and Nick Harper – let’s test their corners with deep routes to Glenn Martinez and Brandon Marshall. Then give them a heavy dose of Selvin Young and (possibly) Travis Henry, up the middle and on the slant. Starting out strong with a touchdown drive could be crucial to set the tone. If we go 3 and out I could see this defense begin to have its way with us.

2. Stop the Titans running game

LenDale White is from Colorado and even wanted to be a Denver Bronco coming out of college. He should be ready to go on Monday and could cause the Broncos problems with his physical running style. We need to match his physicality, which means it could be a perfect week for John Lynch to return to the field. As D.J. Williams said last week, the linebackers need to let their pads do the talking.

3. Contain and pressure Vince Young

Doing both at the same time is the real difficulty in that. John Elway was the master at beating pressure – his offensive tackles would move the pass rushers inside, and before they could get to #7 he’d be gone on the outside. Then he’d throw a deep 70 yard bomb to the other side of the field. God, I love John Elway.

Young definitely doesn’t have that same threat in his accuracy, and our corners should have no problem keeping pace with the Titans receivers, but Young could break a long run at any moment. The more I think about it, the fact that he may not have great options at passing the ball may force him to just tuck it in and run it. I would move Lynch or Foxworth inside the box and let Ian Gold spy on Young all night long. Make it his job to make sure Young doesn’t gain yards running.

4. Finish Drives

Yards may be hard to come by if the Titans are able to take away the deep ball with a pass rush. I already mentioned mixing it up as much as possible to keep this defensive line guessing, but either way we need to make sure we punch the ball in each and every time we’re in the red zone. A turnover like the Green Bay Monday Night fiasco is the last thing we need (in the end, that fluke guard-forcing fumble cost us the game. Game of inches).

Get the tight ends involved. Teams are focusing on covering Tony Scheffler, which could leave Daniel Graham open for a touchdown grab like last week. Make it happen.

5. Force turnovers

There’s no reason we can’t intercept Young 3 times or more in this game. The Titans have won despite these turnovers earlier this year, and in games where Young has been half decent they’ve been dominant. He has 10 interceptions to 6 touchdowns (4 passing, 2 rushing) on the season, making him prime for the picking.

A defensive touchdown would be nice, too. We’re 2-0 when we get those.

I think we can and will win this game as long as each player takes care of their own business. Go Broncos!

• The Cleveland Browns snagged C Greg Eslinger from the Broncos practice squad. I was rooting for Eslinger to make some noise this offseason, but once he didn’t get promoted following Tom Nalen‘s injury, I figured his days as a Bronco were likely numbered. Good luck, E.[Denver Post]
• Cutler took his cartoony critique in stride. [CBS4 Denver]
• Comparing Vince Young to our own young gun. [Rocky Mountain News]
• Broncos notes from Wednesday – Javon Walker went through a light practice; recently released DT Antwon Burton was added to the practice squad; Lynch went through the full workout. [Rocky Mountain News]
• Fans have given Brandon Marshall the nickname “Baby T.O.”, and the nickname makes sense both in his physical talents and in his unapologetic attitude. [CBS4 Denver]
• Examining why Philip Rivers is playing so bad this year. [Bolt Talk]

vs.
Denver Broncos (4-5) vs. Tennessee Titans (6-3)

Monday, November 19, 2007 | 6:30 PM MST
Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium | ESPN | 850 AM KOA

Weather: Partly cloudy, 66° F, Windy (NNE 9mph), 10% chance rain (weather.com)
Scoring Trend (avg. allowed, gained): Broncos 17.0, Titans 23.1

The Tennessee Titans (6-3) are looking to bounce back off a tough divisional loss as they head to Denver to face the Broncos (4-5) on Monday Night Football. The Broncos are coming off a big road win against the rival Chiefs. Both teams are one game back from their respective division leads.

The two teams feature the longest tenured head coaches in the NFL in Mike Shanahan and Jeff Fisher.  Both teams are also starting 2006 first round draft choices in Vince Young and Jay Cutler, who will play against each other for the first time in their careers.   It will be exciting to see which player performs better on the big stage.

The Titans are riding their defense to victories, which ranks 2nd overall in yard and 6th in the league in points allowed.  Their defensive line is perhaps the best in the league behind DT Albert Haynesworth and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch.  Haynesworth was injured last week and did not play in a loss to the Jaguars, and noted writer Peter King of Sports Illustrated mentioned that Haynesworth’s immense value to the Titans was obvious from seeing them struggle without him.  No word yet if he will play on Monday.

We’ll have much more here at BroncoTalk, and I’ve got something extra special in store later on this week.  Until then, Go Broncos!