There were plenty of positives for the Denver Broncos in their Week 6 comeback win at San Diego, and Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway hit on most of them in this week’s episode of Elway Access, hosted by Broncos TV’s Chris Hall.
Coming out of halftime facing a 24-0 deficit, the Broncos marched 85 yards down the field in eight plays, as quarterback Peyton Manning finished the drive with a 29-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.
That drive, followed by cornerback Tony Carter’s 65-yard scoop-and-score off a fumble, were the two biggest factors in shifting the momentum in Denver’s favor, according to Elway.
“The first series in that second half was so important to get us on the board and make it 24-7,” Elway said. “And what really switched everything for us was when Tony Carter picked up the fumble and returned it for a touchdown. So then it’s a 24-14 game and you know we’re right back in it. We were able to play well from there.”
Elway added that the team has talked all year about the importance of turnovers, and the five second-half takeaways from the defense were what led the team to a 35-point explosion.
He also called the offensive line “the unsung heroes” of the game, providing a nice pocket of protection for Manning, who wasn’t sacked on the night.
In the center of that offensive line was Dan Koppen, one of several veteran offseason signings that have played significant roles for the Broncos. Elway spoke highly of the importance that those players have had and will continue to have throughout the season.
“The thing is, any time you have veteran guys like these guys, they are very smart and know football very well,” Elway said of Koppen, linebacker Keith Brooking and safety Jim Leonhard. “They are all very, very smart players and do a tremendous job of playing the game of football and have been a tremendous help for us so far.”
Another topic of discussion during the 30-minute weekly podcast was the high level of performance that Manning has displayed in recent weeks. Elway believes Manning is showing greater accuracy and arm strength with each game, as well as a confidence that is “transcending throughout the whole offense.”
On Sunday night, Manning will go up against another great quarterback in the Saints’ Drew Brees.
“They are both very intellectual about the game and the way they read the coverages,” Elway said. “They’re both pocket passers that stay in there and have a great knack of getting the ball to the right place, reading defenses and throwing the ball with accuracy. They’re both champions. They both won a Super Bowl. It’s a great matchup and it will be a great game for our fans to go see on Sunday night.”
Elway hopes the fans will be a factor in the nationally televised tilt, as the team has placed an added importance on winning at home.
“We have to win our home games,” he said. “We have a great home field advantage here in Denver. When we’re playing at home, we can’t exhale. We have to put the pedal to the metal and realize these are the games we have to come out and play well against a team that is so explosive on offense like the Saints. This is a big game for us because we go on the road for two after this. We know we have our hands full with the Saints.”
Tags: Bye week, Elway Access, Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway, New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers, Week 6, Week 8
So I was looking at stats and got to pass yards per game. Drew Brees leads the NFL with 349.5 yards per game. Peyton Manning is tied for 2nd with 301.3 yards per game with…….Eli Manning. That was kinda funny to me.
PETYON….ELI…Brothers pitted against each other on the battlefield of green. A gridiron death match to prove once and for all who the best Manning is. Coming to televisions near you this Winter, Peyton…Eli…who’s Daddy’s favorite. Find out who, in….THE MANNING SUPER BOWL.
I’m curious to see how much of a factor Vitt returning to coach NO will have.
This game will definitely be a high scoring affair. Whichever team can get the most stops on 3rd down has the edge. Hopefully our home field puts us in that favorable position. Can’t wait!!!
Broncos Country Strong 2012!!!
Lol according to Woody Paige (I believe) that’s what it’s going to be.
About Doom he hasn’t played to his norm but his 28 tackles 5 sacks and 4 forces fumbles (at this point of course)are pro bowl worthy. Thomas is the 4 leading WR in the AFC behind Green Weller and Wayne
I actually thought Decker was going to be Mannings #1 target this season. Thomas is just so big that you have a lot of mismatches in coverage on him.
The last was to Brian.
Lol from the NFL.com power rankings this is whats said about Denver
Bye week in Denver, so the Broncos stay put at 11, just a tick ahead of Pittsburgh, their first victim of the season. Word is Eric Decker spent the weekend with some imaginary friends. Good deal, because the imaginary crowd he was hanging around before was really tripping him up.
Brian – even without Peyton being a Bronco…he has always out-ranked Eli. LOL
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000084198/article/nfl-power-rankings-week-8-bears-crack-top-3-lions-in-free-fall
This is about right for the top 14.
Brian Decker actually has been targeted more than Thomas has. Decker has been target 52 times to Thomas’ 48. Not that big of a difference.
Ok, so Thomas is 4th in yardage? I thought it was receptions.
Please please please beat the Saints! I can’t stomach the Who Dat foolishness on Facebook if we loss.
Yea Brian 4th in the AFC for yardage.
I think we need to step on the Saints’ throats. They’re struggling and we’re coming off an incredible win, so need to go in for the kill.
I agree brian!! Stop their little win streak dead this Sunday. I don’t care if they get 10 or 11 wins this season, but I don’t want us to be in that number.
We will be certain at the end of the game that Brees is not ‘killed’ – bend but don’t break!!! (Porter!!! i’m talkin’ to you!!!)
If we can play like we did in the second half for 60 min we will be their during playoffs. Special teams need to gett a grip, but excited with total team effort and Mannings skills could take us back to Super Bowl.
We need to be at our best this weekend! The saints have won two straight and are gaining momentum but so are we. I said a couple of weeks back that the Saints were the best 0-4 team in NFL history. They will have their hands full this weekend here at Mile High!!
Get loud Denver!!!!
Take that ball Broncos…its Denvers ball!!!!!!!!!!!!
This here is Broncos Country!!!!!! We don’t do nation anything around here!!!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!
Great stats on Forced Fumbles AB, keep them coming. That is one of my favorite stats, and given our Trio of Terror in Miller, Dumervil and Wolfe, I think we should keep track of who’s got the most FF’s. The turnover margin is critical, and we’re currently sitting at -3 for the season.. I’d like to see us post a double digit number on the + side by seasons end.
I was not impressed with New Orleans defense this last week and it has been their weakness every week. So if our defense can play a good game,bend:but not break and we push them with the no huddle we should score a lot. We need the A game because they can score and we sure dont want to get down again. I think it could be a score similar to the San-Diego game if we play well right from the git-go! Go,Broncos, steamroll the Saints!!!
Its unusual to get 6 takeaways last week, but if we can get 2-3 on average, the offense take care of the ball the way they did and special teams get focused, the double digit to the good is possible!