This week, Chris Hall of DenverBroncos.com discussed the Broncos’ upcoming playoff opener against Baltimore with Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway in the latest installment of Elway Access.
The Broncos finished the season on an 11-game winning streak for a 13-3 record and the No. 1 seed in the AFC going into the playoffs. It was a year that ranked among the best regular seasons in franchise history, but those accomplishments will mean little if they are not followed by a strong postseason run. The players’ incentive for all their hard work throughout the year boils down to what happens over the next few weeks.
“Playoff football is exciting, that’s what you play for,” Elway said. “That’s what you start working out in March for and go through training camp to get in the position that we are right now.”
One of the biggest factors in the team’s success has been quarterback Peyton Manning’s record-setting regular season. With that portion of the year complete, Elway said that looking back, he’s been thrilled to see Manning perform so well after missing 2011 due to injury.
“No. 1, I’m happy for Peyton Manning, with the career that he’s had in the NFL and what he’s done for this game, for him to be able to bounce back like he has, I’m happy for him that he’s reached the level that he has again,” Elway said. “He’s pretty close to the Peyton of old. No. 2, I’m thrilled for us, the Broncos, the fact that he’s playing that well because we’re back in that No. 1 seed, back as one of the elite teams in this league. We’re able to go out and start the playoffs this week and compete for a Super Bowl championship. That’s why we play the game and why we work at this game.”
Denver is set for a rematch with the Ravens Saturday at 2:30 p.m. MST at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. In the first meeting of the season between the teams, the Broncos led 31-3 entering the fourth quarter and defeated Baltimore by a final score of 34-17. A key difference going into Saturday’s game is the health of the Ravens defense, which has welcomed back a trio of key contributors who were injured and inactive in Week 15.
“They’re a lot healthier now than they were when we played them,” Elway said. “(Linebacker) Ray Lewis was down, (Dannell) Ellerbe, their other inside linebacker, was down. So they were really banged up the last time we played them. They’re going to be at full strength, or close to full strength, this time.”
The return of those players has made one of Baltimore’s strengths throughout the season – the team’s red-zone defense – even more formidable. The Ravens’ playoff-opening win over Indianapolis in the Wild Card Round was highlighted by a bend-but-don’t-break defensive effort that yielded 25 first downs and 419 yards of total offense but only nine points.
“One thing that they are, and you noticed it last week also, was the fact that down in the red zone, they’re as good as anybody in the league,” Elway said. “I think they’re top 5, if not the best red-zone defense in the league. Last week they gave up three field goals to Indianapolis even though Indianapolis had the ball for 37 minutes. That’s why it’s going to be important for us to not only be good between the 20s, but when you get down in the red zone, we have to get it into the end zone.”
Another significant difference between Saturday’s game and the Week 15 matchup in Baltimore is the venue. Denver will have the advantage of playing in front of a home crowd that helped the Broncos win seven of their eight home games during the regular season.
“It will be great that we’re playing at Sports Authority Field at Mile High with the fans behind us,” Elway said. “It will bring back that great playoff atmosphere, which is great for the fans. We’ve played better at home. We did a better job this year, we’re 7-1 at home. We’re comfortable there and the fans have been great the whole year. But this is a different atmosphere and they’re going to be a big part of it, especially when (the Ravens are) on offense.”
Tags: Elway Access, Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway
How’s it going our TN Bronco Brother from another mother!!!
sndvl……………….going fine..great to hear from you and the rest of my Bronco family!!!!!!!!!!
I may have tweeted cat about tbroncof being on here wondering where she was at Strand….LOL
I done went and made some apple pie moonshine that will curl your toes dude…I wished you guys could taste it…..it is Heavenly!!!!!!!!!
**official score prediction**
Broncos 24- Ravens 13
Oh Cat – this will be more of a blow out than the last time…I promise!!! (Of course we all know about my affinity towards crow.) LOL!!!
Next week I’ll be fretting with you!!!
LMAO@AB!!!!!!!!!!!
Likewise!!! So pumped for this game. Idk how I’ll be able to sleep. I may even go bake some orange & blue sugar cookies. Lol
DB…….remember that crow is better fried…LMAO!
LBF glad to hear youll be on more around draft time. I enjoyed talking draft with you last year.
Barbecued!!! Grill er up!!!
I wonder how many people attended the pep rally tonight.
How is the #1 Manning fan?’ Miss you dude. This season has been amazing.
Relax Cat, We’ll take care of them MAGPIES!! LOL
Magpies!!! I like that!!!
I’ll sleep good tonight(apple pie) then tomorrow our beloved Denver Broncos will kick the $^#* outta the Baltimore Ravens,we beat them 34-17 in their backyard,so we should beat them 37-10 in our backyard………home field advantage needs to start meaning something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AB, Good Job!! LOL! The whole party is here.
DB and Strand your confidence makes me feel better!
LOL Strand.
What better place to home field meaning something again a mile up in one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL?
Rice only got 38 stinking yards in Baltimore. Enough said! HaHa!
I’m watching Return of the King with my older kids – I plan on being awake a long time – when I wake-up it will be game time!!! Nice thought anyway!
It comes with age my friend!
DB Thats a good movie. All 4 of LoTR movies are good ones.
I am better than ever tlc ,thanks for asking girl………we both are THE BEST PFM fan’s in the world….don’t be scared,be confident in the Raven killer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Agreed….ALL of the LOTR movies are great!!!!!!!!
The fact that this “stout” Ravens Defense allowed over 400 total yards to the most inexperienced Offense in the NFL gives me a lot of confidence. We are far from the most inexperienced and a lot better than the Colts on BOTH sides of the ball.
We had a football pool today at work and put the eight playoff teams in a hat. But first we drew for the number that you were going to draw for teams… I had been seeing this vision of me drawing the Broncos all week knowing we were going to draw today and I walked in there and said you might as well put the Denver Broncos down by my name right now because thats my team and thats what i’m going to get! And in the ‘number draw’ I got #7 and was saying ‘ that’s John Elways number and i’m getting the Broncos’ and sure enough I drew the Broncos with the seventh pick! haha !!!!
I LOVE ME SOME DENVER BRONCOS!!!!!!ILMSDB
THESE ARE THE GLORY DAYS!!!!! Enjoy friends!!!
The Ravens only converted 1 stinking 3rd down IN BALTIMORE om Offense. Our D DOMINATED THEM in their own house! Thats why I’m not worried!
Great reference strand…we have one of the best Defenses in the NFL…….#2 AGAINST THE RUN I think!!!!!!!!!
Lol how funny that thats how it worked out OC.
2 overall D 3rd vs Pass and Run. 4th is point allowed (18.1)
OC….well played my friend……….way to put them in their place bro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SWEET STUFF OC!
I am a nervous wreck and you are so calm. Wish I I could be. I’ve cried twice today. I can’t do that Jaguar game all over again.
Great reference AB.I knew we are the only team in the NFL in the top 5 in Offense and Defense!!!!!!!!!!WHOQAH!!!!!!!!!!!
I believe we are top 5 in ST as well.
Cat……don’t worry girl…..be confident in the Raven killer………then you can boast(like me) when we win!!!!!!!!!
Tiff, Your stronger than you think! Tears are from strength girl!!
I’ll cry when we win the SB! HaHa!
It would take a major collapse and several early and significant injuries to even give the Ravens a chance. I know PM and Fox and the rest have all said the same ‘right things’. Showing proper respect – etc. but …we’ve seen both teams…the Ravens were not even a competitive —-
TAP YOUR CLEATS 3 TIMES TICAT06!!
How are tears a form of strength!? Honestly I only started crying after I watched that preview if Peyton’s recovery on NFL Network that airs tomorrow at 10. Peyton deserves to win the Super Bowl after how hard he’s worked.
While changing Anakin earlier he was making baby noises and I swear he said Go Broncos (Im sure it was my imagination and my fiancee thinks im crazy) but anyways the Chosen one has spoken so it shall be done! LOL
Be confident girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PFM is the man!!!!!!!!!
You all are the greatest! I don’t always comment but i always read most everything here every day….
Here’s to us being able to revel in victory tomorrow at this time!!!!!!!
ALL HAIL THE NECK!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr447PP-qT8
ALL HAIL NECK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OC……………ALL STRONG IS THE NECK!!!!!!
Tennessee, Cats Bday is Sunday bro! The Broncos will give her a great present this weekend. HaHa!!
Well, Im off to bed. Big day tomorrow. Gotta go see a friend whos in the hospital tomorrow, before game time. Laters!
My niece is here from TN and she has a cheer for the Broncos and has been saying “Go Broncos” a day!
Hey tbroncof you really got a good vibe man! Make sure to come around here to the blog more often and spread your good cheer again! I really like to come here and read good people with good things to say about our team!! Thats what makes me really like it here at home on this Bronco blog…
Bronc On Brother!!!!!
ILMSDB