Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs is shaping up to be one of the biggest games in the last few years for the Broncos.
At the end of the day the Broncos could be AFC West champions and playoff bound for the first time since 2005.
But for that to happen, Denver will have to beat Kansas City for the second time this season. Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway said Tuesday on ‘Elway Live’ that won’t be a walk in the park.
“It’s always tough to beat a team twice,” Elway said. “We’ve got to be ready to play one of our best football games.”
After winning six games in a row, the Broncos are riding a two-game losing streak punctuated by turnovers and inefficient play on third down.
“To stay on the football field and prevent three-and-outs to where you’re keeping your defense off the field and also creating field position, those third downs are so important,” Elway said. “It really comes down to being more consistent, playing error-free football — mentally — so that you can put those long drives together.”
The Broncos had success sustaining those long drives against the Chiefs when the two teams met the first time in November, as they had seven drives that lasted six plays or longer. They will look to replicate that success this week; however, both teams have changed since their last meeting.
For the Broncos, the victory over Kansas City was just their second in what would turn out to be a six-game winning streak, while Kansas City is sporting a new quarterback — former Broncos signal-caller Kyle Orton — a new head coach and a impressive victory over the previously undefeated Green Bay Packers.
“Obviously they’re going to do some different things with Kyle than they did with (Matt) Cassel and (Tyler) Palko,” Elway said. “There’s going to be some different preparation. But we have two weeks of Kyle on film against the Packers and against the Raiders.”
Elway said that the fact that Orton, who was the Broncos starting quarterback for the first five games this season, will be playing for the opposing team Sunday isn’t weighing much on the players’ and staffs’ minds. Elway believes that the biggest thing to come out of Orton’s familiarity with the team will be him knowing the players.
“Everything’s done through communications through the airwaves into Tim’s helmet so there’s not a whole lot there,” Elway said. “If anything, Kyle’s going to know personnel, just because he’s been here for two-and-a-half years and knows the guys in that locker room and knows the guys from this year having been here for the first six weeks of the season. He’ll have a good feel for personnel but I think that’s as far as it goes.”
Elway said it also works to the Broncos advantage having a former player on the opposing sidelines.
“Plus (the coaching staff and players) know Kyle as a quarterback and what he likes and what he dislikes having had him here too and the offensive staff also have worked with him here,” Elway said. “So there’s some good information on our side about Kyle too.”
To listen to the rest of this week’s show, as well as any previous episodes of ‘Elway Live’, go to www.DenverBroncos.com/ElwayLive.
-Kenny Legan
Tags: Elway Live, Kansas City Chiefs, Week 17
So are we all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aaaahhh, the 3 and outs, I’m so sick and tired of those, like 7 a game average, 5 in a row last week, believe we had as many has 13 against the Jets, it’s unbearable to watch.
The three-an-outs really started w/ the Miami game – Tebow’s first of the year … although we won that game, it had a lot to do w/ Miami going 3 and out so many times, too … although I feel the need to criticize Tebow for poor play when it happens, it’s hard to criticize the QB when that 3rd down play is an off tackle run … and there’ve been a lot of those … really – not many 3rd down pass plays have been called … I expect the staff to let it all out this week – after all, if we lose, that’s the season, most likely … so what do THEY have to lose?? … I’m hoping for a really wide-open game plan … if Tebow sucks, he sucks … but – let’s play like an NFL team, for once …
Blame that on the vanilla plat calling by McCoy and Fox, Boring.
Further info on the alternates:
Dumervil will go to the Pro Bowl for a second time after he was named an AFC backup defensive end. Miller and Bailey are starters.
The Broncos also have three first-alternates: running back Willis McGahee, left tackle Ryan Clady and strong safety Brian Dawkins.
First alternates have a good chance of participating in the Pro Bowl game Jan. 29 in Hawaii because of injuries and players participating in the Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.
Second team alternates are quarterback Tim Tebow, punter Britton Colquitt and kicker Matt Prater. Tebow has a good chance to play in the game because history has proven that several quarterbacks will decline the invitation.
If Tebow has a dirty uniform we’ll win.. If he isn’t allowed to run and make plays and stays clean, we loose… It’s that simple..
This makes for a good trivia:
Miller is only the second Broncos rookie to receive a Pro Bowl nod. The other was kicker David Treadwell.
Vanilla is good….as far as ice cream is concerned. Definitely agree on predictable playcalling. Only works when McGahee is getting 4-6 yds per play.
Well I’m glad I got it all out here before the 7 pm announcement, LOL, you can thank Klis, he has more inside info than anyone, the professional boot licker as I like to call him, but in cases like these it pays off.
I wonder how hobbled McG will be ths sunday?
Why do they decline? Especially when anyone refers to stats and HOF nominations they say so and so was a 10 time pro bowler etc.
McGahee looks spent to me.
Its obvious.
Just because you decline does not make you a not pro bowler, you just don’t play in the stupid game, that’s why to most great players it’s the stupidest game of all, guys like Brady hate it and I understand that one hundred percent, you are not even allowed to rush the QB in a probowl, what kind of game is that…
Saw this earlier:
“Denver rushed 55 times in the first meeting with KC, and that was with top rusher Willis McGahee limited to four carries due to a hamstring issue. McGahee has been battling similar ailments since that Nov. 13 game. The RB admitted he had “a little hitch” last weekend, too, but is over it now. “I’m going to stay in the whole game,” he vowed Tuesday.”
Well, gotta get off, enough work for me, LOL.
Oh yeah, for all the newbies here, in case you missed it:
I HATE THE PRO BOWL!
New blog with the pro bowl…
I agree, it is stupid… I like Hawaii tho!!
need to get jeramiah involved more he is a good rb especially if mcgahe is not healthy
For Tebow to be mentioned in any way for the Pro Bowl just diminishes that useless game, in my opinion … how in the world can anyone feel good about it … I mean, come on, you have to be deserving, or what good is it??? … wow!!!
baylinorcrush – you are not even allowed to rush the QB in a probowl, what kind of game is that…
I have been thinking the same thing all season about regular season games! They mamby pamby these QBs to death!!
Good point, LOL.
Tim Tebow will perform amazing in the Pro Bowl with great players around him anyone doubt it?seriously you will see just how good he really is then.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
1 Corithians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1 Corithians 1:28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.
Jesus promises, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)John 14:23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.2Corithians 6:16 for you are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people..Romans 8:9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands., Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ LIVES IN ME; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.Jesus says“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Matthew 11:28
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
John 13:15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Enjoy the VICTORY this Sunday its gonna be special day for you all.
End of your bible class, LOL.