Top 10 Tuesday is upon us again, and this week Broncos TV is counting down the top defensive plays of the season.
So far, we’ve seen the top 10 Peyton Manning touchdown passes, Von Miller plays and offensive highlights.
Next week’s video will be a little different — the best pregame sound from the season, not exactly in a top 10 countdown format.
So without further ado, let’s get to the top 10, as we saw it.
10: Champ Bailey’s revenge pick
With the Broncos taking on the Bengals, wide receiver A.J. Green found a little success against Bailey, including a touchdown. But with Cincinnati driving to possibly take the lead, Bailey made up for the touchdown and grabbed an Andy Dalton pass in front of Green for an interception. The turnover allowed Denver to take a 31-20 lead late in the fourth quarter.
9: Mike Adams’ Carolina safety
The defensive performance in Carolina was arguably the Broncos’ best all season. When Adams sacked Cam Newton in the end zone for a safety, it marked the team’s seventh sack and was the second defensive score of the game.
8: Wesley Woodyard’s interception of Drew Brees
With the game knotted up, the Saints were driving into Broncos territory. But on fourth-and-2, when Brees tried to loft a pass to Jimmy Graham in the middle of the field, Woodyard had other ideas. The linebacker leaped and snared the ball at its highest point for an interception. The turnover allowed Denver to take a 14-7 lead on its next drive on the way to 27 unanswered points.
7: Von Miller’s pressure, Tony Carter’s pick six
Early in the third quarter at Carolina, the Panthers threatened to jump right back into the game when Peyton Manning was strip-sacked and Carolina recovered the fumble. But on the very next play, Miller and Carter made sure the turnover was irrelevant. Miller nearly sacked Newton, forcing an errant throw that was intercepted by Carter and returned 40 yards for a touchdown — and a 24-7 lead.
6: Elvis Dumervil’s sack for a safety
Against the eventual AFC South champions, Dumervil got the scoring started. After a Britton Colquitt punt was run out of bounds at the 6-yard line by then-Texans returner Trindon Holliday, Matt Schaub was backed up in the shadow of his own end zone. Dumervil took advantage right away, sacking Schaub on the Texans’ first offensive play for a safety.
5: Mitch Unrein’s quarterback hit, Miller’s pick six
After back-to-back touchdown passes from Manning to Demaryius Thomas gave Denver a 21-10 lead against Tampa Bay, Unrein and Miller added a little cushion of their own. On the second play of the Bucs’ ensuing drive, Unrein put heavy pressure on Josh Freeman. Freeman’s pass was then intercepted by Miller and returned 26 yards for the first defensive touchdown of his career.
4: Chris Harris’ comeback-clinching pick six
Denver’s miraculous comeback in San Diego was still in danger of falling apart late in the fourth quarter, with the Chargers driving near midfield down four points. But Harris erased all doubt when he stepped in front of a Philip Rivers pass intended for Eddie Royal, racing 46 yards for a game-sealing pick-six.
3: Tracy Porter’s season-opening pick six
After trailing 19-14 in the fourth quarter against the Steelers, the Broncos battled back to take a 25-19 lead with three minutes remaining in the season opener. But Porter didn’t let Ben Roethlisberger get a comeback drive started. On the third play of Pittsburgh’s ensuing drive, Porter jumped a pass intended for Emmanuel Sanders and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown, essentially sealing the win. The defense sacked Roethlisberger three times on Pittsburgh’s final drive to put the game on ice.
2: Harris’ 98-yard interception return
Just before halftime in Baltimore, the Broncos led just 10-0 and the Ravens appeared on the verge of jumping right back into the game. But with a first-and-goal at the 4-yard line, Joe Flacco tried to find Anquan Boldin in the end zone. Instead, Harris jumped in front of the pass at the 2-yard line and took it 98 yards for the longest interception return for a score in Denver history. The 17-0 halftime deficit was too much for the eventual Super Bowl champions to overcome.
1: Dumervil’s forced fumble, Carter’s comeback-fueling touchdown
In perhaps the biggest play of the year on offense, defense or special teams, Dumervil and Carter combined for a momentum-swinging play in the defining game of the Broncos’ season. Down 24-7, Dumervil sacked Rivers, who was engineering a drive into Denver territory. Rivers fumbled, and the ball seemed like it was on the ground for an eternity. Then Carter swooped in to scoop up the ball and sprinted 65 yards down the sideline into the end zone for a touchdown. That made it 24-14, and the Chargers never recovered as the Broncos blanked their rival 35-0 in the second half to match the largest comeback in franchise history.
Any big plays missing? Disagree with the order?
Let us know what you think of today’s list in the comments.
Tags: Defense, Top 10 Tuesdays
All were amazing plays but to me Harris 98 yard pick 6 was the best.
AB, Reggie will be asking for a chunk of big change. I can dream can’t I? LOL
I wonder whats going to happen with Porter. Where will he end up.
Yes he will be Strand. According to reports he turned down an 8 mil a year offer I believe. Which for him IMO is more than enough. Its a nice dream at least lol
Strand as for Byrd I think thats there plan. Tag him then work out a new deal. Dont take the risk of him walking. Hes one of their few bright spots.
And the Bills are something like 30 million under their Cap so they ought to Tag Byrd. I bet they do.
I fully agree! HaHa!
The Bears have waived WR Johnny Knox.
The Bears got Johhny Knox with the pick we sent with Cutler… that means we should sign him by default since he was chosen with a Bronco Pick…
Today in Bazarro Logic World we will also be discussing how a QB with a sub .500 career win percentage in the post season (after 20 games) somehow gives your team the best chance to win the upcoming Super Bowl… SPLUH….
I’m in a great mood today! I can’t wait for the Draft.!!!
BRING US SOME BEEF
B-R-O-N-C-O-S BRONCOS BRONCOS BRONCOS!!!
I saw that today Strand. Also I didnt know this till this morning either but apparently the Lions waived Titus Young and he was picked up by the Rams.
Hiya Strandsky! and AB.. and Everybody else!
I’m hoping Denver doesn’t trade out of the first Round again this year in the draft… Last year when that happened it felt like they had kicked my dog, after the PDog signing, and the ‘you know who’ trade…
I still think Hightower would have been a great addition… Just over two more months of speculation… AWESOME
The Rams know something. LOL
The Kevin Minter for 2013! Ha!
Theres Minter. oops
I wonder if Johhny Knox is even half way recovered from that terrible back injury he sustained?
How does Champ Bailey’s only interception of the year rate a place on this list? It wasn’t even a pass, more of a fumble that fell into his hands. No disrespect for a future ring of famer, but I think it’s time for some serious reflection.
AB, I expect the Rams to be real good next season! They have two first Round Draft Choices this year and Fischer is a real good coach…
I expect them to compete in the NFC West next season, and man’o'man am I going to enjoy watching those guys battle it out… The Seahawks, 9ers and Rams will all be real good… glad we don’t play that division next year
A total flip flop, The AFC West is now weak while the NFC Weast is getting pretty tight for their race in the division. We’ll win the West with ease.
Strand, I’m really hoping for better play from our division… We haven’t had a Super Bowl Rep since the ’02 Raiders and they got pummeled… Our division has been so soft for so long that 8-8 has won division twice in the last ten years. Sad really… as the rest of the teams get stronger we will get tougher I hope… been so long since our division was a factor it is depressing
Hey BT, I know your semi-joking about the 24 game season. I know the answer will always be to increase the roster size and rotate more. However, in reality you can increase the roster all you want but the top guys still spend the most time on the field. It would be impossible to put a limit on percentage of snaps for any player or a flat snap count. The whole idea is just not feasible.
24 games a year would be BA though.
I’m pretty sure it was just three years ago that the 7-9 Seahawks won the NFC West, and now look at what has happened… hopefully Andy Ried and McCoy/Allen can do some good things where they are…
I really like Minter too.
The way I see it RH is that football as we know it won’t exist in 10 years and the quality of play in a 32 team league is dismal enough the way it is, why not just ride the Ol’ Gal Hard and Fast into the ground while we still have the Reins…
I’d retract the league to 24 teams, and then you could have better quality 83 man Roster, and then the Round Robin Season where you play everybody once, and have one extra ‘Rivalry Game’ half way through, so essentially one home/away and then just play everybody once… GET ER DONE…
BT Im with you on the Rams. I think they can be serious threats in the NFCW. They really need WR help and protection on the OL other than that they have a very solid team IMO.
Great plays, I am also partial to the pick 6 by chris harris against the Ravens because not only did i see it live as i was in the endzone seat when it happened, but because I called it right before it happened. Those were some pissed ravens fans around me lol
Reggie would be nice, Percy would be nice, Byrd would be nice. All just too rich for our blood not to mention Bills cutting players to keep byrd. Been a big reggie fan since college. would love to see him in orange&blue. I think we are yet to see his best game. I think he stays in miami tho. I would like to see him somewhere with an awesome zone blocking scheme. Percy while dynamic is a bit of a headcase, Patriots have WR questions, I can see him going there. They use thier TEs for the most part anyway. Plus with the acquicision of Aaron Hernandez and the rumored interest in tebow, its evident Belicheck loved what he saw out of that gators teams.
Minter at 28 is more probable, but im hoping for a Teo fall. The GF thing doesn’t bother me and im sure when teams talk to him it might not bother them either. My first choice for 28 would still be SS kenny Vacarro or moving up to get him but thats a pipe dream. Also arthur brown Lb from kentucky (or is it kansas) is a viable option. And of course BEEF.
TRB
Rams will be good and I think if the browns can get Mike Wallace they will be formidable next year as well.
risk like janoris jenkins is why the rams have gotten good fast. Plus trading down top picks for more picks. We need to take more risk on some “questionable characters” too i think . But after the Perrish Cox fiasco … I don’t blame em.
AFC west will not be week as last year. All it take sis andy ried acquiring alex smith, or kolb or matt flynn, drafting luke joekl to shore up the oline, and making a few other key moves and they are capable. Ried is a smart coach. He doesn’t coach bottom dweller teams. And the chiefs had a fleet of players in the pro bowl. They are not as bad as they look.
TRB
I also think McCoy might be able to get the chargers going again …. raiders as a hole are just a mess tho and always will be.
TRB
If the raiders are lucky maybe they will win 2 or three games in 2013. LOL
Robert Ayers deserves an honorable mention on that Carter fumble recovery for a TD. Dumervil forced the fumble, but Ayers had the frame of mind to knock the loose ball into our backfield, increasing our odds for a recovery (while on the ground, with defenders on top of him). I’d give Ayers an ‘assist’ on the play.
The Rams have the Redskins 1st round pick in 2013 & 2014, to go along with Washington’s 2nd round pick in 2012, all for exchanging 2012 1st round picks, essentially dropping down 4 spots. One could say Wahington got skinned.. Timing really IS everything. Thankfully for us KC’s timing is not nearly as sound. RGIII is a great player, but he’s built more like an Olympic hurdler than an NFL player IMO. His durability will be a major issue, and it will be very interesting to readdress this trade, and the eventually personnel involved, in a few years time.
C’mon NUGGETS…. Get a rebound….!!!! GRRRRRR…. 20 seconds left, 1 point lead
Ummmm…. 4.8 to get a bucket…
FAIL….
Mr Elway… Please consider Kenneth Faried as TE… BO don’t know Basketball…. But Faried does know BEAST MODE!!!
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000138409/article/jamarcus-russell-begins-his-comeback-journey-into-nfl
LOL… This just in from Laughing Stocks’R'Us… If this guy gets another shot somewhere Tebow definitely gets another shot someplace
Agree with OT. Ayers deserves a HUGE honorable mention. I can’t tell you how many times I have watched that play trying to figure if Ayers batted it back intentionally or if he meant to scoop it into himself and it got away. Nevertheless, he had as much a part in that as Doom or Carter.
The Raiders biggest problem is their cap woes. They have some bloated contracts and a lot of dead money. It will take some time to get away from that before they can really make strong efforts to get better. Allen could be good but he doesn’t stand a chance till they fix the money issues and that takes time.
Players Broncos might cut to give them more Salary Cap space. These players will have no impact and can be replaced by younger and better players.
1. DJ Williams LB
2. Joe Mays LB
3. Caleb Hanie QB
4. Andre Caldwell WR
5. Chris Gronkowski FB
I like your list but DJ might be one we want to keep. I can see Willis and maybe Moreno being on the list also. Of course I think Rahim could easily be replaced.
DJ is on a bubble but the rest is pretty much a given. Mays and DJ are the only ones that provide significant savings.
I can see DJ possibly staying, only if he agrees to restructure and i huge cut at that.
Strand? did you fall on the ice?
You really think DJ will ‘have no impact?’… He is still the best all around LB on the squad… Von is a Superstar, but DJ is a BALLER!!! at any LB position he’s ever played
I’m not saying DJ won’t be a Cap Casualty, so don’t get me wrong… I just think saying that DJ ‘will have no impact’ is quite far from accurate
If Peyton doesn’t restructure his deal I can’t see the FO legitimately asking other players to do the same… Peyton should be lobbying for more talent, the way Elway did to get Neil Smith to the Broncos
Elway did everything in his power to win a SB, and then to defend his title… Maybe Peyton doesn’t feel the same urgency since he already has a ring, but he is the ‘Leader’ of this team and he really could be doing more to help the Orange and Blue…
This is not about impact, this is about monies. He’s not worth over 6 MILL, not by a long shot. He’ll restructure, thats if he wants to remain a Denver Bronco.
Of those 5 players DJ can still have an impact, but he’s hanging by a thread, and we all know that. DJ is fighting a losing battle and has no wiggle room and must restructure, he knows it and we know it.
get rid of portor and Joe Mays LB
3. Caleb Hanie QB
4. Andre Caldwell WR
5. Chris Gronkowski FB
and put Dj at middle lb hes a beast
Or keep porter and move baily to safty and chris and porter as starting CB
I agree with you BT. I was so excited to see Hightower fall to us with the 25th pick.. Just to be disappointed