Cornerback Chris Harris provided a pivotal momentum swing just before the first half of Sunday’s win against the Ravens ended with his 98-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Coming out of halftime, wide receiver Eric Decker saw to it that the momentum remained in the Broncos’ favor.
On the team’s first possession of the second half, Decker moved the chains with a 15-yard catch. Two Knowshon Moreno carries later, the third-year wideout was in the end zone on a 51-yard catch-and-run.
The score gave Denver a 24-3 second-half lead.
“We were hitting some outs and some intermediate routes and we thought it was time to maybe send something down the field,” quarterback Peyton Manning recalled after the game. “They have good cover guys inside and anytime you’re playing against good cover guys, you have to give them a mix. You have to give them the short, the intermediate and the deep stuff. It was a double move by Eric — a good route and good protection.”
Manning spoke fondly of Decker’s outing. He matched a career high for the second consecutive week with eight receptions. His 133 receiving yards were just 3 shy of tying a career-best in that category as well.
“We spent extra time this week just making sure we played a physical game, because that’s what these guys are, they’re very physical,” Decker said. “They have a stout defense. Offensively they can be explosive. I thought overall we played a good game.”
“We made plays when we had the opportunity.”
Of Decker’s eight catches, five moved the chains for Denver and a sixth was the touchdown.
“Decker made a lot of great plays today for us,” wide receiver Brandon Stokley said.
Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Eric Decker, Week 15
It’s so great to see that if defenses focus on DT, Decker opens up, just like it was vice versa for the previous weeks. If/when Manning gets in sync with both guys in the same game, and if Moreno keeps up his production. Look out!! I mean we have such a strong all around team, we’re beating opponents so soundly, and I still agree with the team members who say they haven’t even put together their best game yet!! What a great feeling! I am definitely less worried about the Pats today.
AZBronco – I don’t understand the ‘spike’ rules either.
I have an evil side of me that meditates on the fury and frustration of Belly-chick!!! My evil twin is in hog-heaven today!!!
Now…I have to admit for Cats sake that in retrospect I would have preferred a 41 – 3 blowout…
but…I’m smiling a little harder today than normal. I think I’m enjoying the Pats loss more than I am the Broncos win….well…maybe not…
I have to honestly admit that I didn’t expect the Broncos to be able to go into Baltimore and win…go figure…
PUM PUM PUM!!! What a great day to be a Bronco Fan!!!
The Pats have lost 3 games against really physical Defenses in the NFC West, same as they lost to a very physical NYG team in last years Superbowl… hmmmm… seems to be a trend. The Physical Defenses limit the space in which NE’s undersized skill position players have to operate, Danny Woodhead isn’t running over anyone in this league, but when he has space to hide and pick his spots he is very affective (also from my alma-mater!)
Denver has nothing left to prove to me… all pesimism/caution is gone and the reality that this team might be going to NO for the SB is really setting in… (Hope I’m not setting myself up for a letdown! but I don’t care… It feels so good to just Believe) I know the playoff will be tough, but I’m looking forward to some really great games!!!
PS… LOU, if you can forgive me I’d like to formally request some couch space at your crib sometime around the first of February to come and have a proper Bronco SB Party!!!
B-R-O-N-C-O-S BRONCOS BRONCOS BRONCOS!!!!
VON MANNING FOOTBALL 2012!!! SUPERBOWL BOUND BABY!!!
DB, it’s my understanding that since there was a time-out the delay of game rules don’t apply/ i.e. Spiking or Kicking the ball (kicking the ball or spiking the ball can be deemed Unsportsmanlike Conduct during dead ball situation as well as live ball situations however it is at the discretion of the ref) same as a player can take his helmet off on the field during a dead ball/time out, but not after a play (Emmitt Smith rule)…
just the way I understand it… don’t have any material to support that ATM. I will try to find something concrete
As far as Running up the score goes… this is not little league. The ‘Feelings’ of your opponents should count for ’0′… These are payed professionals that are doing a job, there is not rule in the business world that says ‘hey, those guys/that company can’t work as hard as you so let’s not be our best, lets let them catch up and ‘feel’ adequate…
Enough with the ‘Everybody gets a ribbon mentallity just for participating’… No place for ‘feelings’ in professional athletics. Period
Props to Carrol for going hard till the end… Seattle believes in themselves and their coach right now, and would not be a team that I would want to see in the playoffs…
DT AND DECKER ARE THE BEST YOUNG WR’S IN THE NFL
What does everyone consider, the differential in scores to be when considered running up. I haven’t felt they we were even close to that point. I want to see Denver place that foot on the neck and keep a team down. Teams are able to score so quickly You just can’t let up. Total control of the outcome is when the last whistle blows and you are walking off the field. JMHO
YEAH YESTERDAY THEY COULD OF EASILY SCORE LIKE 40+ POINTS ON THE RAVENS BUT WANTED TO RUN THE CLOCK DOWN AND LET THE DEFENSE HOLD THEM
One aspect is the S.F. vs N.E. game. I thought the game was over when it was 31-3 49ers. There are some teams that you play to where you just don’t let up at all. Just ask San Fran. LOL
The Broncos just want to utilize the clock when up by 3 scores. The clock is your best friend and that means running the Rock, not fumbling, and staying in bounds.
What a great win! We are truly lucky how everything seems to be lining up for us. We still have a LOT of work ahead of us, but we certainly seem to be coming along nicely, which feels great.
As for as Knowshon, I never understood how people called him a bust, as he has had some decent production throughout his career, prior to this recent resurgence – look it up. He’s just had a tough time staying healthy, which does happen as the human body fully develops, while coming into a much more physical league at the same time. Our new training staff is the icing on top.
On the heels of the Giants getting shut out yesterday, everyone out here is upset with the lack of pass rush the Giants have right now. The Giants… Apparently JPP hasn’t had a sack in over 5 weeks… My point is, pass rushing is a fine art, and has a limited shelf life. We have a nice one now, but we still need to add to it to maintain it IMO, and I hope we draft another pass rusher in April.
Move up in the first round some how in the top 10 and draft Manti Teo MLB. Thats my target for the draft. He’s worth it. That guy never loses tackles, once he gets his hands on you, your going down.
I believe that Running out the clock is just an affective strategy as Running up the score… why does no one complain ‘We aren’t letting them have enough time to try to catch up?’ Probably because it would be an idiotic question. The point of the game is to be the winner, not to make friends, not to make your opponent ‘feel’ good about themselves; your objective should be to crush your opponent at every possible aspect of the game.
Each philosophy has its place, and a team that can’t grind out a nine minute drive and put up points should not be faulted for Scoring on several 2 minute drives… I personally think that when you are far enough ahead it is nice to be able to put some 2nd and 3rd stringers in just so they have on field experience, which is priceless when it comes to learning the game.
I don’t believe the same goes for College level sports, as the goals of those programs should be to educate (which hardly happens at any level in this country any more unfortunately, and is why we rank in the mid 20′s now as a nation when it comes to how our students are prepared for the real world coming out of school compared to other countries… Don’t believe me though, look it up for yourselves… we have become a country addicted to ‘feeling’ not ‘thinking’).
I also think it is very reasonable to hold the two different levels to two different standards, as once you start taking money to perform a task you enter an entirely different environment…
Thanks, Turtle… That’s what I thought, but kinda got chewed out for saying that on a different site… I think it would take an atrocious act on the field during a time out, for a penalty, but not really sure…
I agree in running off the clock and we did that effectively on Sun. A fumble, can change that outcome quickly. If you have enough points, putting in bench players is great. I just haven’t been comfortable with our lead to be too complacent. As the players discussed after the game they need to finish the 4th quarter. Seventeen points is borderline for me, I want 24 to feel comfortable. just me
Anytime AZ… that’s just my understanding, would be nice to see the actual rule
The Broncos – above all – should know what a 24 point deficit at halftime looks like … So – it can go both ways … never let down … I don’t believe either the Saints or the Falcons quit hammering yesterday – you’ve got to have that killer instinct … most teams don’t have a Brady or a Manning, but it can still happen …
On Saturday, Nevada was celebrating while Arizona was quickly winning the game … just goes to show …
Imagine avenging our three losses in the playoffs. It’s a real possibility it could play out that way. Beating NE in the divisional round, Houston in the AFC championship, and then Atlanta in the Super Bowl. History in the making.
Amen strand,, you me both see eye to eye on Manti Teo.. I was raving about him a year ago and he has proven me right..
whoa! i dont know how my handle turned to anonymous…. o.O but yeah we need that tackling maching Teo…watched his play in hawaii, man amongst boys….
It’s been said that he lost only two tackles all season this year. Manti Te’o is devastating to Offenses.
Chiming in on “running up the score”. I don’t think it’s a matter of us NOT running up the score. When you’re starting the 4th quarter and ahead 31-3…or by multiple scores…and you put a 9:59 drive together for 3 more points…that’s putting the nail in the coffin…much more than a 2 minute touchdown drive of deep passes. You have always and will always be a better team when you can take large chunks of time off the clock while running the ball and playing ball control late in the game. This isn’t Madden…punt on 4th down (Seattle), run the ball when you’re up by 4 scores, and win the game.
We do live in a nation that has put too much emphasis on feeling instead of thinking. I agree…so, where’s the THINKING when you play reckless with a 4 touchdown lead. That’s feeling like you could lose…not thinking about percentages. Just my thoughts.