The Divisional round of the playoffs had three blowouts and one tight game, and left us with a championship weekend that has two of the most intriguing games of the playoffs.
The two top teams from most of the season in the NFC will square off, and the AFC matchup pits the top defense in the league against an offense led by the league’s MVP.
Without further adieu, here’s a closer look at each game.
Sunday, 1 p.m. MST
NEW YORK JETS at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
TV: CBS
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: The AFC Championship provides a matchup between one of the best offenses in the league — the Indianapolis Colts — and statistically the best defense in football — the New York Jets.
The Jets play a style of football that many believe is the formula to win championships — they have the No. 1 rushing attack in the league and the No. 1 defense. It has proven successful through the first two rounds of the postseason, as they defeated the Bengals by 10 points in the Wild Card round and upset the Chargers by a field goal last week.
The Colts are led by league MVP Peyton Manning, who completed 30 of 44 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 20-3 victory against the Baltimore Ravens. Indianapolis has shown that with a leader like Manning, it can win games no matter the situation — like when it held the ball for over 33 minutes last week, or less than 15 minutes in a victory in Week 2.
Manning has plenty of weapons at his disposal, from receivers Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie to tight end Dallas Clark to running back Joseph Addai. The talented Jets defense will have its hands full against such offensive talent, but then again the Chargers boasted a top offense last week, and New York came out victorious.
It will be billed as a matchup between the Colts offense and Jets defense, though the ability of Indianapolis’ defense to slow down the New York rushing attack, and rookie Mark Sanchez’s ability to play smart throughout the game could be what decides the contest.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis. Revis has said he will rotate receivers throughout the game, trying to slow down the Colts passing attack. All signs point to him lining up against Wayne for much of the game, and if he is able to keep him in check, it could go a long way toward the Jets leaving the field with a W.
Sunday, 4:40 p.m. MST
MINNESOTA VIKINGS at NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
TV: FOX
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: The NFC Championship looks on paper like it should be one of the more entertaining games of the season. The Vikings and Saints put up a combined 79 points and 741 net yards of offense in the divisional round of the playoffs, so offensive fireworks could ensue with a trip to Miami on the line.
In the Vikings’ previous game, Brett Favre threw for four touchdowns, three of which went to Sidney Rice. In the Saints’ victory, Drew Brees tossed three touchdowns to three different receivers. Athough both quarterbacks have put together MVP-caliber seasons, the running game could play just a big a role in the championship game.
Last week, Reggie Bush rushed for 84 yards and a touchdown in addition to his punt return touchdown for the Saints. On the Minnesota side, Adrian Peterson managed just 63 yards rushing last week, but he ranked fifth in the league with 1,383 rushing yards during the regular season, and is always a threat for a homerun.
Occasionally overlooked in this offensive battle are two defenses that provide a lot of problems for opposing teams. The Vikings boast a ferocious pass rush led by defensive end Jared Allen, and two run stuffing defensive tackles in the middle in Pat and Kevin Williams. Meanwhile, the Saints pass defense snared 26 interceptions — good for third in the league — returning five of them for touchdowns. The unit also returned three fumbles for touchdowns, giving them the msot defensive touchdowns in the league.
Needless to say, there should be a lot of excitement come the second game on Sunday.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Saints safety Darren Sharper. Sharper tied for the NFL lead with nine interceptions in the regular season, and kept the playmaking going in the divisional round of the playoffs, recovering a fumble on the Cardinals’ second posession of the game. The veteran safety, who played with Favre as a Packer and against him as a Viking, certainly knows some of the Vikings quarterback’s tendencies, so watch to see if he can lure Favre into a mistake or two.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Playoff Preview
Oh, and we don’t use the term “Bronco Nation” anymore. We are to say “Bronco Country” as per the memo that was sent out on this blog some months ago! LOL!
“Bronco Country” or “Raider Hater Nation”
Does anyone else think that Fox’s dancing football robot id the dumbest thing in the world? They have had that thing for years, and I laugh at it everytime I watch a gome brodcast on Fox.
Stopthemadness, nice to see new folks on the blog pumping new blood into our Bronco bank, blood bank that is, LOL. Good job on your post, however I think we are way too concerned over Marshall one way or the other, the ones who want him here and the ones who don’t.
You ask who will fill his shoes, who is to say his shoes have to be filled, the passing game is not why we ended up 8-8 and missing the playoffs once again. the lack or running game and the fact we couldn’t stop the run are the reason why. We did the same thing last year also when Marshall and Cutler had pro bowl years. I don’t really care what the numbers are to our star receiver if we remain an average team. What I do want is a winning team and keeping doing the same thing on O in the air with great #’s to Marshall does not produce that, so excuse me if I don’t buy the getting rid of Marshall will only make it worse theory. I don’t buy it for a minute, we have gone the Marshall way over and over, been there done that, it hasn’t produced anything but average mediocrity so far.
Why don’t we do what we require to do on O and fix the O line with a bigger center, two large guards and two power backs worthy of creating a strong running game for us once again. Ever since we’ve had Cutler, Marshall and Scheffler, we have gone away from the running game, that was part of Shanny’s downfall, he got so enamored by Cutler the wonder boy that he forgot all about what brought us to the pinnacle of the league in the late nineties, the running game. Granted we also had a lot of injuries at the RB position, but regardless of how it all transpired, ever since we have lost our running game we have become average, that is nothing but a fact, and keeping our attention on Marshall is just like missing the boat.
He and Scheffler are the remnants of what has become wrong with the Broncos and I therefore have no problem stating that we would be best to let them go and start in a new direction all together because what we had did not work, it has now been 4 years. How many years do you need to accept it? I’m all for trading Marshall and Sheffler to build up our draft picks and build both lines so we can start winning games the old fashion way, in the trenches which will give us a great running game that we can compliment with the passing game. That’s why we got Orton, so that he could compliment the running game, not the other way around, let’s use what we got to its best potential, stop the run, run the rock and the clock, hence keeping other offenses off the field and win with time of possession. I hope I answered your question as to why some of us fans would like to move on without Marshall. And, notice, I didn’t even use any of his “me, my stats and me” mentality, nor his troublesome off the field record as reasons to let him go, as you feel he has straightened all of that out. Pleasure replying to you, looking to more of your insights.
i dont get all this talk about marshy not wanting to be here…heard him on the fan…saying he wants to be a bronco…and that he’s gonna do whatever hes got to do to stay a bronco…PR move…maybe…but thats a heck of alot more concrete than speculation…we’re better with him..period..
Ok, McD probably didn’t bring Orton in just to compliment the running game, as the N-E motto is the dink and dunk, but after seeing Orton’s abilities for a year, I do believe personally he needs a strong running game more than most, simply because he moves around the pocket so poorly and his ability to deliver clutch throws under duress is close to nil, hence a running game is key to take the pressure off of him.
I think it’s great we can all come out here and agree to disagree about our beloved Broncos.
stopthemadness
Im with u but our pleas for sanity on this blog fall on deaf ears. With marshall its like republicans and democrats….they can argue their view points all day long but u can never convert the other, people stick to their beliefs…and many people on these blogs beleifs don’t align with ours so we just agree to disagree…Ive personally stopped arguing the point.
We are fans, we dont control the outcome…So for those who want him gone so much, if you get your wish, and our pass attack suffers…just remember you asked for it. And for those who say he doesn’t give his all, well…guess we were watching two different seasons…
GO BRONCOS TWENTY-TEN
Thats the only way Orton made superbowl with bears. Great D, Great ST, and Good running game. Without it Orton is worthless.
Which was one of the reasons i belive McD went for Moreno, Tried to bolter the defense in FA and I guess get phonzy for defense and special teams…. I dunno, at the end of the day…he miscalculated
A lot of QBs without a Great D, Great ST, and Good running game are worthless.
Biggest error in my mind was getting a non power runner and incorporating him into a running O that even so had zone scheme coaches, McD all year long tried to turn into his power running scheme. It’s as if Dennison and Turner had an input as to who to draft as a RB, if not McD must of over estimated Moreno’s ability and gave up on a pure power RB because of it, either way, something went terribly wrong with that whole deal.
Marshall is a gamechanger. Passing attack and ground attack, I can’t think of any other receiver that can nring that dimension. Isn’t a bubble screen an extension of the run game.
Look at the superbowl. Its not because of their ground game. The playoff participants, lets see- The Pats with Brady, The Chargers, The Bengals and Ravens. The NFC is more of the same. The Cowboys and Romo, Packers and Rodgers, Cardinals and Warner.The Eagles and McNabb-which will soon be transitioning to Kolb. Even the Vikings. They have AP and still, relied on the passing attack. So with the exception of the Jets and Ravens, the two teams that relied on running and defense, it is a passing league.
That is where Marshall comes in. You can have a mediocre QB (cutler) or an efficient QB (Orton) and still have big results.
A lot has been said about his desire to play for this team. I wonder if he were paid, like Mr. Bowlen said soon after the Dallas or New England game, what then? Would he be free to concentrate on getting the Broncos to the playoffs, West Champions, Superbowl…
I think Shannahan realized the changing culture of the league resulting in the Cutler era. When in hindsight, it looks like it was more Marshall.
So if McD is let go in a season or two and trades Marshall, what will be accomplished.
Marshall is just pissed bc all of the other players in the nfl getting more money than him and them not giving even half of his effort. I would be very pissed too. I would hate to start with a team and get a little contract and then prove my self to an extent and not get more money for it. It’s like McD wants the best players and wants to give them such little money and expect them to want to stay. That is the issue here, I dont care what anyone says. For example, if you go to a great college and make straight A’s and leave with a 4.0, you expect to get a very good high paying job depending on what your profession is. I mean look at all the other players too that we haven’t gave contracts or more money to??? Doom has had one of the greatest attitudes than anyone and he doesn’t have a new contract!!!! Look at Cutler, he lead the league in interceptions this year and SUCKED and he got a 5 YEAR BIG DEAL!!! Lets face it, if we dont start dishing out some money, we will lose about everyone and we will not see the playoffs for quite some time.
Please organization and staff, realize that you have to pay people to show that you want them here and to also show them how good they are…
What do yall think????
brian, agreed, that’s why I said “more than most” in my 11:28am post.
And if we get the running game back, how nice would it be to have the beast as an option. Could be scary for any DC to gameplan for!
I am very content with trading Marshall. Throw the numbers up all you like, but he is a cancer on this team. As far as the offensive stats, we went from being the second and an 8-8 record, to thirteenth with an 8-8 record. Tells you that you can have the second most yards and end up average, because yards don’t win games. Catches per game don’t win games, and a piss poor excuse for an attitude definitely doesn’t win games. McD was a rookie coach last year, and has shown he understands where he went wrong and I guarantee he will fix it.
All im saying, well partly what im saying, is none of the players had a problem with being a Bronco until Hoodie came into town. No one on here can tell me they havent noticed Josh’s ego through the year.
P.S. im not new, ive been blogging on this site for years, just had to create a new account cause none of my posts would show cause of awaiting moderation
I have to brag just a little bit, so far it looks like all my picks division round and on are all right! Not too shabby.
stevecan: take a look at the defense numbers between those 2 years, night and day.
Our defense will suffer somewhat from the loss of Nolan, and Offense will be missing a playmaker/deep threat/short threat/anywhere on the field threat without Marshall
Who else had poor attitudes? Or was that a Marshall reference. And if that is the case, when did he show that? Before he was benched? After? Has he came out publicly and stated he doesnt want to be a part of this team?
It all lies on the shoulders of McD. Players and coaches are defecting. Thats not Mr. Bowlens doing. Or maybe it is
If anyone is a cancer to this team, its the head coach. There used to be a time when players drove the coach out of town.
How is it that McD has so much power? He hasn’t accomplished anything yet. And he keeps talking about accountablility, though I haven’t heard anything from him in a few weeks. Except the two sentences after Nolan departed.
we cant all depend on draft picks either, whos to say they turn into stars the way Marshall has, we have the talent, KEEP IT!
I love how McD said in his press conference before the KC game that the word of the week was ‘accountability’. Isnt that, catching 21 balls in a game against Indy, single-handedly dismantling the Giants D, making a play of the year against Dallas, not fumbling once this year after it being a problem with him. I say look in the mirror McDaniels, try being ‘accountable’ for that 2-10 slide after starting out 6-0.
I’d be alright with Marshall staying a Bronco. I think one of the biggest problems is how he went about trying to get a new contract. Acting like a child during practice isn’t going to get you very far. His production on the field, the effort he has shown, and keeping out of trouble the remainder of the season is how you get a new contract. Now the whole deactivating thing in week 17 like many things it could’ve/should’ve been handled differently by McD. It all depends on how big of dollar signs Marshall has in his eyes. If we offer him a fair contract and he turns it down because he wants more money well then I guess he really doesn’t want to stay a Bronco. If he does sign a fair contract with us, I’d expect him to perform just like he did this season and not get mad about wanting more money.
its like this, try to imagine Detroit dealing CJ, or the rams trading Jackson, or TB trading Barrett Ruud, or Indy dealing Peyton.. all im saying is rookie head coaches should not be able to flash their ‘power’ within the team this way without establishing themselves as knowledgable at what they are doing. I, as a fan, am tired of my team being the laughing-stock of the NFL in the off-season after last year.
agreed brian,
that said Marshall is a top 5 WR in the NFL, he should get some new ground-breaking record setting contract for a WR but it would be in the range of something like 5yr-66 mil
hats off to Clady, he called both games yesterday in his appearance on nfl network….he said the Colts will win because their dfense is playing better, and thats exactly what happened, they shut-out the jets in the second half. and he said the game b/w Vikes and Saints will be “close” and it did went down to the wire…that was awesome..lol…
ok, the talk about all this trading is causing my head to spin..aha..i’d love for us to keep Marshall,but as much as we love the “one team” unselfish philosophy, we know its still a business.players have to payed. I say he EARNED a significant raise, 3 consecutive years with 100 recps and over a thousand yards receiving. He hauled in some TDs and made plays that our other receivers couldn’t have made….and we weren’t losing because he wasnt tough or selfish….the team still had to win w/ or without him in the games.
I’ll wait for the FA before I have my picks..
Moss and Crowder, Middlebrooks, Lelie, Deltha O’Neal, Marcus Nash, George Foster and Jay Cutler. Those are a few high picks! DJ Williams and Ryan Clady.
You McD haters are all correct, I guess I need to forget about him being a critical proponent of a dynasty. And some need to pull your head out of your asses. The only numbers that matter are Win/Loss period. There is no night or day, 8-8 still means you won 8 games and you lost 8 games and the lack of playoff appearances reflects just that. So throw for 4500 yards, 25 touchdowns, catch 20 something passes every single game but at the end of the day all that matters is the W. Anyone who is a fan of this team knows exactly what that means.
McD has looked in the mirror and came right out with the truth. He did not know how to respond to losing. He had never lost more than one game in a row in his career. He lacked the ability to effectively motivate players on an individual basis win or lose and definitely after a loss. All from his own lips. That his play calling was sub par on more than one occurrence and multiple times he was out coached. What more do you want? But then again I wouldn’t expect the fans that accept 8-8 and less records and lack of playoff appearances because we ranked high in yardage output to grasp the fact that McD has held himself accountable.
It’s interesting how the ones who like McD don’t care for Marshall and the ones who love Marshall can’t stand McD. Why is it that the fans can’t just enjoy the game without taking side about individuals so much. I mean I love to discuss how we can improve this position, that position, how bad we are here or there, etc… but I try to look at it in terms of what would make the team better, not personal vendettas. We all know Bowlen has picked McD as his HC, if I can’t accept that I would rather drop out of sight from broncoland until he is gone than have all this negative energy going around about my life. As they say, life is too short. I guess what I’m saying is some of you are making it so hard on yourselves, I don’t know how you can do it. I am not happy with what’s going on, but I accept it because that’s the road Bowlen has chosen and if it doesn’t work, it will change soon enough, I’ve seen countless HC changes and I followed my Broncos through all of those changes always looking at what could make us better, but never having any bitterness about it, it’s just too unhealthy. It’s like the weather, if you don’t like it, stick around, it will change. Just saying the way some of you are going at it, you probably won’t make it through this off season and it might definitely kill some of you depending on how we fare next season, we don’t want that, LOL.
Democrats and republicans people…we can talk forever but i dont think we can convert the others
I am like Brandon Marshalls biggest fan so i want him here. Orton benefits. Running game benefits. New up and coming QB has him as a safety blanket. He kills it in dink and dunk AND going Deep. He has improved his Character. McD called him out he held no grudges. Proved himself. I feel we have put alot of work and investment into him. He is a better man and to rtrade him now would mean we did all the work for another team.
Bowlen isnt stupid. Said Marshall was playing for a better contract. and Bowlen isnt known for clutching his pocket. If he feels its deserved Marshall will be here (im hoping) and Doom of course will get payed. They just waiting for CBA…wont know till like March 5th so we can save our breaths……
McD a critical piece in a dynasty? He wasnt a head coach in NE, or the QB, critical my ass
…more like save our fingers. LOL!!!!
I got news for you guys, you keep using the language you are using, you’ll be looking for another handle once again, they haven’t messed around with that on this website, and that’s one of the reason I stick to it. Clean fun is what it’s all about.
lmao…thx for the correction schneider…yes save your fingers lol.
Yall are gonna be so surprised when Marshall is back. If belichek can work with Moss, Bengals with Ocho, Ari with Boldin, Giants with plek, EVERYONE with TO…im sure we can find a way to work with talent. Thats a coaches job. To work with his players not ship em out every time. U do that and u will never have a complete team.
Either way its a win win for the Broncos so it is what it is. Marshall goes, I wont jump ship love the blue and orange too much. Even my college was blue and orange. but ill definitely be rooting for him forever, u can believe that lol
I lost my cool for the first time in awhile but for the reason of wandering how could anyone be content with what we had the prior three seasons? I am truly at a loss in that regard. I do however apologize in advance for the comment “pull your head out of your asses”. Being as such when we are all sharing our opinions there is no true right or wrong. The only truth is that we are all here because of the very team we all love so much.
stopthemadness, go to http://www.google.com and search Josh McDaniels. When you see the links on your screen click on the one from Wikipedia and read the coaching history of Josh McDaniels. You maybe surprised in what you read.
Baylin, I have no personal vendetta against McD. And Im not losing sleep over it, I can assure you that. But I refuse to believe that us “fans” and our opinions don’t matter. Look at what happened in Cleveland. The fans demanded change and guess what? They got it! I know McD is here to stay. For at least a year or two. But improvement must come from the top. Like I mentioned, even Shanny didnt have full control over the offense and defense, his second year. He had to prove himself before Mr. B handed him the keys to the Ferrari.
With that said, even fans of other organizations are questioning his actions. And in order to be considered a “real fan” or a “true fan”, we all have to buy into it? Rose’s!
I have a personal vendetta against McD, dude door dinged my Ferrari. j/k Just trying to lighten it up in here.
according to your own analogy stopthemadness, BMarsh is not a critical component of this team. And being as much why would you put forth such effort in justifying his “Baby T.O” tendencies?
Theroyalbeast very true. All things can be over come with the greatest remedy of all, winning. If we won with Culter at QB and Shanahan at the helm on a consistent basis within the last decade, we would not be having such heated debates. But it is what it is. Some believe yards are the end all to losing, others don’t. Some want to put a franchise on an emotionally flaky super star others on a head coach who hasn’t came into his own yet. Time tells all, and I for one am ready for the ride.
How is it that a rookie head coach gets blasted in his first year? He did contribute to immediate success of this team. Did it end good? My gosh NO! I mean seriously, I saw enough of JMac to WANT him back. Did he make mistakes? Yep, but holy crap do you really want him out?…..I know I don’t, not yet! I’m with Josh on this one!
Also,
There is WAY TO MUCH we fans don’t know! I would love to know who was truely calling that defense. I think I know the answer to that. Nolan right? Ya think there was some chemistry problems with Josh and Nolan when defenses were be called wrong? Maybe….but let’s remember Nolan was attracted to a “contract” that the Dolphins were willing to provide. I just think there was defensive schemeing that wasn’t mutually agreed upon between the coordinator and the head coach.
Lastly,
We all know JMac is building something. Building a strucutre? a foundation? A system? whatever you want to call it, I believe he knows what he is trying to create. Now here’s the interesting thing to me. We talk SO MUCH about the skilled players. How much wieght they hold. What they mean on and off the field, the leadership, the skill, the talent, the years of experience…..right? So my point is when every single captain is approaching Josh and wanting the hammer, do you find that odd? I don’t! I find it refreshing! I find it refreshing that some of my team’s future Hall of Famer’s and Pro Bowlers are wanting something from him! They want consistentcy! They want accountability! They want a Team!
I know we’ll never know what is truely being said behind closed doors. However, when I see “Quality” players hanging out around that door, I’m encouraged to know that the “Veterans” are helping Josh build that Team!
I’m putting my chips with them and Josh…it’s just my thoughts.
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
Truth is, the only reason I couldn’t give up the BMarsh debate until this post is I HATE wide receivers. Every so often one may come along who grinds it out, does his job, contributes to the team and we all love em for it. But for every few Rod Smith’s there are twenty others. With very few exceptions wide outs require more complimentary assets contributing to their success then any other position and yet remain with the mindset that they are the football gods gift to the game. So excuse me if I don’t bow down to one, that is an average route runner at best, who seldom will throw down a block, run a slant route, etc. He does however have strong hands, good possession and is 2 to 3 inches taller than the corner backs covering him.
If like Royalbeast implied, BMarsh and McD can hash out their issues and something good comes of it, I will eat my words and acknowledge I was wrong, but until then I will stick to my guns and wish farewell and future successes to him in another jersey.
If Marshall goes, I’m fine with it, if he stays, I’m fine with it, why? because either way it goes, it’s part of what McD feels is best for the team to return to winning. In order to be given a shot at HC, you have to be given a fair chance at doing it your way for a least a couple of years, this was only year one. Chill pill time, LOL.
What’s today’s topic?
Hahahahaha, good one florio.
oh… rehashing Bmarsh crap?
Nice
ugh
Why hasnt a DC been named yet? Still looking for the right guy? Waiting for the CBA? talk about ugh…
The NFL has become a passing league. An NFL-single season record 10 signal-callers threw for at least 4,000 yards in 2009, and 12 quarterbacks passed for at least 25 touchdowns. That also set a new league record.
true sndvl, waiting for the new DC is crappy…at the same time we hope its the right choice..not that many experienced 3-4 DCs available..IMO…
who else in the NFL plays a 3-4 defense?
I think McD is going to hire himself to be the DC. Then he can call the plays on both sides of the ball and nobody else can mess it up…