The question lingers, what will change? Not a lot according to many players on the team. While some teams may be thrown for a loop losing their head coach in the middle of the season, the Broncos are as prepared as possible to cope with the absence of their head coach. Of course many of the players will also have to step up, including leader Peyton Manning, who’s famous for coaching on the field as it is. Many of the other players have stepped forward as well, according to Terrance Knighton (defensive tackle) stating that there is more urgency now to not allow the season to end as it did last year, although Fox will not be there, Del Rio has no intentions of replacing him and to reinforce his message – We are not coming up short this year.
As week 10 opened and the week 10 NFL power rankings were released, we have once again gripped the top spot, and although the Kansas City Chiefs remain undefeated I think it is pretty clear that many still believe we are the team to beat and the Chiefs are not the best team in the NFL (we are ranked 3rd according to NFL.com). The battle between US and the Chiefs has drawn so much attention that our game in week 11 was moved from 2:05 MST to the Sunday Night Football spot. And the following week we are up in the Sunday Night prime-time schedule again against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The move in week 11 was a smart one, it will give the Broncos their spot to take the Chiefs head on and show that we are the strongest team in the AFC West and League. Week 11 can’t come soon enough.
As we approach the game this Sunday – remember the San Diego Chargers? I know I am looking forward to KC too (I thought we were playing them this weekend!) one week at a time :). Let’s compare what we are up against. Firstly, taking a look at our offense this season, well it has been epic, as in NFL EPIC! Currently we rank first in yards per game (466.4), passing yards per game (358.5) and points per game (42.9). I am also going to throw this out there (because I can), our 42.9 average is 12.9 points higher than the Chicago Bears who has the second highest scoring offense in the league, and they are putting up 30 points per game. Not only do we have some incredible weapons including Eric Decker, Wes Welker, Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas and Knowshon Moreno (to name a few),we have “The Sheriff” as they are calling him. Peyton Manning is first in passer rating (119.4), yards (2,919), touchdowns (29) and completions (237) and second incompletion percentage (71.2) and average yards per pass (8.77). And while it is true that the chargers QB Phillip Rivers has the highest completion percentage of any QB at 72.2 percent, their offence still is nowhere near ours. Rivers currently ranks third in passer rating (106.5), fourth in touchdowns (19) and average yards per pass (8.38), and is tied for fifth in completions (213).
As for the defense sadly the Chargers franchise-record of 12 straight quarters without permitting a touchdown came to an end last week against Washington, allowing four touchdowns in the red zone. They also scored their first defensive touchdown of the season off of a ricocheted pass in the end zone. Players to watch on the Chargers side, Eric Weddle who is leading the team with 62 tackles, and both Jarret Johnson and Corey Liuget both with 3 sacks each. In comparison the Broncos possess a resourceful defense leading the NFL with 13 interceptions. Danny Trevathan and Chris Harris Jr. each hold the team with three picks individually. Trevathan is also Denver’s front runner defense in tackles with 59, not far behind is Duke Ihenacho’s 50 tackles. To top that off former Charger Shaun Phillips has 6.5 of the team’s 22 sacks. Trends are leading towards the Broncos for Sunday’s game, as the Broncos have a 9-3 record in their last 12 divisional road games, whereas the Chargers are 1-5 in the last 6 divisional home games.
Our biggest disadvantage is Head Coach Mike McCoy, Denver’s former offensive coordinator. McCoy played a key role in attaining the talent that is now playing on the roster. He has studied our offensive players and instituted game plans around our strengths and weaknesses. I would say this gives him an exclusive perception on attacking our offense. McCoy also has knowledge on key players such as Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and Julius Thomas allowing him to provide his team with an understanding on how to handle these dangerous play-makers in remote match-ups. However the most dangerous knowledge McCoy perhaps, possesses is his relationship with Manning. McCoy knows all about Manning's restrictions as a passer, including his arm strength, velocity and touch on vertical throws. Looking back at losses in the last two years harassing Manning seems to be the key to rattling the Broncos; I have to ask would McCoy advise his defensive coaches to target a specific lineman too beat Manning, taking him down? And this point there is no doubt in my mind he will and is. McCoy could in reality be the one to lead the Chargers' defenders on how to play and possibly beat “The Sheriff”; after all he overhauled the offense to suit Manning’s game while in Denver. No doubt the Broncos have anticipated this and will adjust the game in their favor. After all as much as McCoy may be a disadvantage, he could also be just as much of an advantage, relationships run two ways so I am confident we have his weaknesses in mind as well.
As for the Broncos going 8-1, I am confident. This will be a challenging game and just the kind of warm up we need before we play KC in week 11. After a week off and some adjustments I think we are going into week 10 as a stronger team. I know that our players will be there winning for Coach Fox! This one's for you!
Always ~
K@tes
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