Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins don’t buy into the hype that this week’s game against the New England Patriots is any bigger than the 13 before it. Every game is big.
“It’s the NFL,” Bailey said. “You can say what you want — every week is a big test and the more you win, the bigger the test is. This is one of the better teams in this league. Every week is a big test.”
As Bailey alluded, the Patriots are one of the top teams in the AFC this season, currently sitting atop the AFC East with a 10-3 record.
With the Broncos on a six-game win streak, the team knows that every game is important.
“As you get further where we are in December playing meaningful games, every game gets bigger and bigger,” said Dawkins, who had limited participation in Thursday’s practice. “If you can’t get up for these games and if every game does not mean a little more, trying to push ourselves to get to somewhere we haven’t been as an organization in a long time — you’ve got to get up for these games.”
As the team continues toward its goal, Bailey said the group is only getting better.
“I don’t think we’ve peaked yet,” he said. “That’s going to be the key. We’ve got to keep improving because the good teams that are in the playoffs play great this time of year. So if we stay focused on getting better every week, the sky’s the limit.”
HISTORY OF SUCCESS
Since Sports Authority Field at Mile High opened in 2001, the Broncos have won six of their eight games against the Patriots.
Bailey has been a part of five of those wins, and with only one loss, has the best winning percentage against New England (minimum five games) of any active player in the NFL.
But he knows the past doesn’t necessarily dictate what’s going to happen on Sunday.
“We play well against them, but things can change,” Bailey said. “We’re confident that we’re going to play well. But (Tom Brady) is one of the best and you’ve got to give him his credit and the respect he deserves.”
Still, Bailey did allow himself to think back on one of Denver’s most memorable victories against New England, in a 2005 AFC Divisional Playoff game.
“Considering how much they’d won the previous years, they were pretty much unbeatable,” he recalled.
In a Broncos win, Bailey recorded the longest non-scoring interception return and second-longest overall interception return in NFL postseason history with a 100-yard return late in the third quarter.
“Well, that play was one of the biggest plays around here,” Bailey said. “It definitely, last time we were in the playoffs, last playoff win. Hopefully I can make more like that.”
Bailey was tackled at the 1-yard line , and he joked that former teammate Nick Ferguson was to blame. The Broncos scored on the next play courtesy of a 1-yard run by Mike Anderson, and Denver went on to win 27-13.
“To get a play like that to change the game and to get a win against a team like that, it was a special moment,” Bailey said.
WOODYARD EARNS AWARD
Thursday morning, the team told Wesley Woodyard that he was selected as its Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award recipient for the second consecutive season.
The award recognizes a player for outstanding leadership both on the field and in the community.
Dawkins said he couldn’t agree more with the selection.
“That speaks a whole bunch about a man’s heart,” he said. “Because he does not do it with a frown on his face — he wants to do it. He’s always trying to get us to come out and attend his events as much as we can. It seems like it’s always something that he has going on. So that means you have a young man who understands how much he’s been blessed and he’s trying to bless as many as he can with the overflow.”
McCARTHY TO PRACTICE SQUAD
On Thursday, the Broncos added safety Kyle McCarthy to the practice squad.
The second-year safety played eight games as a rookie for Denver in 2010.
INJURY REPORT
For the Broncos, three players were upgraded Thursday. After not practicing yesterday, Dawkins and Andre’ Goodman were limited. Eddie Royal, who was limited Wednesday, practiced in full.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: Safety David Bruton (Achilles).
LIMITED: Safety Brian Dawkins (neck), cornerback Andre’ Goodman (concussion).
FULL: Fullback Spencer Larsen (hamstring), linebacker Von Miller (thumb) and wide receiver Eddie Royal (concussion).
For the Patriots:
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: Safety Patrick Chung (foot), offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer (back/foot).
LIMITED: Cornerback Kyle Arrington (foot), quarterback Tom Brady (not injury related), wide receiver Deion Branch (groin), center Dan Connolly (groin), wide receiver Julian Edelman (back), linebacker Dane Fletcher (thumb), safety James Ihedigbo (shoulder), cornerback Devin McCourty (shoulder), wide receiver Matthew Slater (shoulder), linebacker Brandon Spikes (knee), running back Shane Vereen (hamstring), wide receiver Wes Welker (knee), center Ryan Wendell (calf), defensive lineman Vince Wilfork (not injury related), running back Danny Woodhead (abdomen).
Below are photos from Thursday’s practice.
-Gray Caldwell
Tags: Practice Photos
No doubt that the Bailey INT against Brady in the end zone and subsequent return was the biggest play here during Bailey’s time, it is still our only playoff win since the 1998 SB.
As incredible as that sounds to a lifetime Bronco fan, one playoff win in 12 years!!!!!
Hopefully that will soon change….
Hey, bay, Concerning your 7:24 am post. It seems I offended you. Wasn’t my intention.
Sorry bout that.
It looks like both offense and defense are running the passing drills!!!….???? LOL
No really – if Mays can catch the ball and Royal can’t!!???
The D always has to have pratices catching the ball for INT purposes.
I know Bay – just funny to have more pics of the defense catching the ball than the offense – especially in the context of all the drops in the past few weeks.
I just wondering if all of these ‘photo finishes’ the last few weeks are starting to give the impact players the jitters a bit. We are starting to get to the stage where these guys have been catching Tebow passes for over 2 months and there should not be such a high percentage of drops.
Lets hope that our receivers catch the balls. Lets hope that DT has learned how to hold his hands. Bay I also hope that Willis gets more action too. You were right he does catch everything.
Except that Willis fell down and caused an INT.
That ball should of never been thrown, even Tebow agreed to that. When I saw it live I said just throw it out of bounds as he was almost out of bounds himself, and my buddy said that’s what he was trying to do, throwing it out of bounds, and he should of, that was was purely on Tebow in my opinion and of course the INT was all pro quality.
The kid from UCLA is doing great! Willis has somewhat followed in the footsteps of the great Rod Smith, (both undrafted WR’s).
Look forward to seeing Willis and or Royal more involved this week in the passing game. D & D (Demaryius and Decker) should also be able to break loose. With the Patriots ranked #32 in pass defense, we’ll be looking to exploit them, but not without running the ball first. It’s been exciting watching the Broncos play this year!!
It also great to see different players contributing in all three phases of the game! Don’t forget Royal did contribute with two Td’s vs. the hated Raiders, to help get the Team going after the lopsided loss vs. the Lions. Let’s see who steps up this week.
See you on Sunday @ Sports Authority Field at Mile High!!
GO BRONCOS!!!!
Broncos – 27
Patriots – 24
nfl.com is showing parts of the thu night game right now. Given how atl is playing you don’t need to see the whole thing, hehe
yeah – but!!! you can’t ever tell that with Tebow. He is always going to take the responsibility on himself. Not saying that it was Willis’ fault either. Not many guys are going to keep upright after tangling their feet with a guy the size of Tillman. I wish Tebow had said – “it wasn’t a pass, it was supposed to be out of bounds, I just didn’t get it away – my bad.” Or, “I let that one go high I was really off target – my bad.” That is different than the soft statement he actually did make.
Looked to me if Willis had continued to run and then come back a step on a little hook route – Tillman is beat and Willis has the opportunity to roll out and make a play. Tillman had time waiting for that ball to come in
I agree – Tillman INT was all-pro! That’s the way the game is played.
The question as to whether or not Willis could have caught that ball- is an I doubt it – it was too high and too out-of-bounds. I just think that if Willis completes his route – he has a shot at it and Tillman doesn’t.
looked to me like the defender was actually able to lean against Willis to help make the catch and stay in bounds.
Jacksonville with no offense!
Maurice Jones Drew is fun to watch. Gabbert as a rookie is interesting. If he can survive his O-line and lack of rec. – he might end up being a franchise QB.
Yeah actually Willis was not in position to make the catch running out of real estate on the sidelines as Tillman was inside of him pushing him out.
The play was basically dead and Tebow didn’t need to go there, just throw it out of bounds and take your medicine on that play.
But I obviously understand where the Tebow fans come from.
But there are some Willis fans outh there too, LOL.
Jaguars defense is pretty good though.
Haha LOL – I hear what you say – (truth is I expect every player to make mistakes – I just think Tebow shoulders an unfair share of both blame and credit. If Brady / Manning make a bad throw – it’s the coaches fault. Tebow does it – he can’t be a QB in the NFL.)
recovered by ATL
Ouch. Bad STs will kill you every time.
Turner in untouched. TD!!!
I’d hate to have just spent 750 millions buying the Jaguars, LMAO!
You can feel the bellicose in the air with Dawkin’s quotes. I know the front eight is going to be salivating to get a shot on Brady.
I just hope our secondary can cover the hot routes and check-downs that Hoodie has cooked up. Bill and co. have been completely lauding our team, as he usually does with others. He don’t want to give our team any ammunition to work with.
But that’s the way he is — not at all like Rex. Bill is cold and methodical, plus he probably already has spies at our practices LOL j/k.
I just hope we put fourth our BEST effort, in every aspect of this game. I would love nothing more than to win this one and be 2 games up in our division.
ILMSDB
-Royalty
17 – 0
ATL
I know you don’t care – I don’t either – except I was born in GA and I have cousins that are already starting to talk.
You know that dude is eyeing our QB!!! Can’t have him!!!
2 drops in a row – MJ Drew is the only one that is going to resist the onslaught.
I gotta go eat and play softball. Have fun!!!
I would have taken them to L.A.
According to the announcers he wasn’t trying to throw it out of bounds but what do they know … only TT would really know what he was doing.
I think he was trying to complete a pass and give his reciever a chance … like with many of his throws that look inaccurate … its always a throw where either his receiver catches it or no one does … willis just got tangled up andd Tilman just made one of the most athletic INTs ive ever seen … it happens. I was more mad at him for the fumble than the INT.
Remember that Bailey pick like it was yesterday …. amazing stuff I tell ya.
Picture of Royal looking in the pass …. id preffer to see pictures of royal COMPLETING THE CATCH… just me tho.
Later days, TRB
Stopped watching that game. 24-0 at the half. Boring game.
McCoy said the throw was bad judgement on Teow’s part during his presser today. He’d know.
Thank you, so my judgment of the play was correct.
Hehe, this blog is great… a big ol Bronco Soap Opera!!!
Bay, How’s your shoulder?
I’m so excited for Sunday! Since Shannon Sharpe made a spectacle of our Crushing them it has been one of my favorite match ups… Brady is hands down the best QB/Leader in the NFL over the last Decade and it is always great to get to watch him, regardless of competition!
I would guess Fox will take a little extra satisfaction from winning this game, and it would be appropriate for it to end on a Long Prater FG…
I want the first poster of VON sacking Brady… I call it! ;o)
VON TEBOW FOOTBALL!!! Can’t we all believe?
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FTP
Anyone else love the Irony of Haley getting fired and McD being talked about as his successor? I love it… and I LOVE the fact that the KC fans are already taking up arms against McD!!! Good on them… (I’m sure all this was said before)
Good Luck to the ‘Neck Beard’ this week, I want him to beat the Raiders next week sooo badly!!!
Anybody else a little extra excited for this weeks game?
Why are the JAGS on prime time 3 times this year?
Apparently Jockey (one of Tebow’s sponsors) has announced a giveaway of 1 mil dollars worth of goods if Tebow wins the superbowl this year.
As if Tebow needed more incentive. Now he can be charitiable even by winning.
Good Question?
How many times do you think they will put Denver on Prime Time next season? I bet we have at least 4 games…
its time for Elway too say Tebow is our QB of the future.
The kid has made this franchise relevant again.
I think the Broncos roll the Pats.
We own the Pats.
So good to see Dawk and Goody back at practice. I hope they’re 100% for the game. I asked this earlier but didn’t see an answer: Since the team was off Tuesday – and this game is a home game so they won’t be getting on a plane on Saturday – are they practicing Saturday?
Let’s see what happens gameday TRB…..
? Orlovsky puts up 24? against New England
? Grossman puts up 27? against New England
Ummmm…. Tebow puts up… with alot of undeserved BS…
Those two players have no business as starting QB’s in this league, and yet they have been around for years… We are truly blessed to have Timmy as OUR Quarterback, so again I must thank someone… Not sure who, but since Xanders was here/is here maybe I’ll thank him!!!
)
A big BRONCO HOORAH for Xanders!!!
Um – grossman was one bad pass away from winning that game – you put Tebow in that same situation – he does not lose!!!
Hi DB… how’s your day?
Unleash!!!!!!!!!!! Tim tebow and we will win and also wrs must catch the ball
Unleash Tim tebow lol skip bayless
Thanks for asking Turtle – we just won 17-15, but I hit terrible. I liked your 10:29 post!
I would love to see some hurry up offense, I saw ‘Dillo say it earlier and I couldn’t agree more… We have 0 presence in the middle of the field, and AGAIN, i’m gonna ask the Football gods/our coaching staff to get the TE’s involved… as long as Tebow keeps plays alive there is no reason not to have a TE block, then release to drag the middle and be wide open all day… We really are only seeing the tip of the iceberg in regards to what TT can do, so the more chances we give him to dominate the quicker he will do so…
It would really be unpleasant to be a fan of any other team in our Division right now, and for once I feel so badly for them I can’t even go rub it in on other blogs… They will be looking up at the Broncos for many years to come!!!
) 
)
Where are you getting a Skip Bayless report?
DB, always good to pick up a W when you don’t play your best! We can only play softball here about 5 months a year on account of weather!
I’m getting so excited for the game… It’s almost pathetic how I plan my entire week around those 3 hours!!!
Got KC fan and 2 SD fans on my softball team. We all agreed that the Broncos were the best team to represent the AFC West. It was unanimous against the Raiders. Haha LOL