WHAT WENT RIGHT
Record-Setting Win
Several records were set in Sunday’s win against the Browns. First and foremost, linebacker Von Miller set a new franchise, single-season record with 17.5 sacks.
Next up, quarterback Peyton Manning tied Brett Favre for the most career games in NFL history with at least three touchdown passes. Both players have 72.
In addition, wide receiver Eric Decker’s two touchdowns Sunday gave him 19 over the past two seasons. That total ties the franchise record for receiving touchdowns in a two-year span, with that mark previously shared by Rod Smith and Anthony Miller.
Fast Start
The Broncos wasted no time jumping out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter and a 14-3 lead at halftime before leading by as much as 25 in the fourth quarter.
The opening drive was fueled by the Manning to Demaryius Thomas connection. Thomas caught three passes on the eight-play drive for 57 yards — including a diving 22-yard touchdown.
“We always talk about starting fast,” Thomas said. “This is my first time, for me, starting that fast as an individual. We started fast as an offense and defense started fast, everything was clicking.”
Third-Down Dominance
On Sunday, the Broncos converted nine of their 15 third downs, good for 60 percent. The Browns, meanwhile, converted just three times — a 25 percent conversion rate.
That production on the key down played a big role in why Denver was able to run away with the game.
“If you protect the ball, if you convert third downs and if you get touchdowns in the red zone, you know that is what we kind of think about on offense,” Manning said. “I’m just trying to do my part and the defense has done a good job holding offenses to field goals and have gotten us some field position.”
WHAT WENT WRONG
Porter’s Injury
Cornerback Tracy Porter returned to the active lineup on Sunday, but midway through Cleveland’s first drive, Porter was involved in a big collision with wide receiver Josh Gordon.
“He was down,” Fox said. “It was a pretty hard collision, something I was kind of crossing my fingers for. It didn’t work out, but he’ll battle back.”
Porter did not return to the game due to suffering a concussion.
“Knocked out on the 3rd play back, (shaking my head),” Porter wrote on Twitter. “Guess I was too excited lol. But all is good. Don’t worry I’m looking to be back next week.”
Ball Security
While the Broncos didn’t lose a fumble on Sunday, the club put the ball on the ground twice on special teams.
Returners Trindon Holliday and Jim Leonhard both fumbled, but the Broncos recovered each loose ball.
“We had a couple put on the ground,” Fox said. “Not too many of these are perfect. You strive for perfection, but you very seldom get it.”
Manning also threw an interception, but the Broncos special teams unit got the turnover back when it recovered a fumble by Joshua Cribbs.
“That was my fault,” Manning said. “I probably should have just thrown the ball away.”
Letting Them In
For nearly three-and-a-half quarters, the Broncos kept the Cleveland Browns out of the end zone.
But with 7:56 left in the game, quarterback Colt McCoy hit wide receiver Greg Little for a 6-yard touchdown strike.
The ensuing two-point conversion attempt, however, was no good. The defense sniffed out a McCoy sneak.
Tags: Cleveland Browns, Week 16, What Went Right, What Went Wrong
BAM… McCoy meet WOOD!!!
Two fumble by punt returners. Like I said last week, Broncos #1 off season acquisition must be a kick/punt ruturner who can actually return without fumbling . Curent crop sure can’t.
Hi OSS! did you get to watch the game today?
That guy we need may already be on the team OSS, I think Bolden has a chance to be a solid returner with good coaching… I wouldn’t be surprised to see him do that some this upcoming week, he looked solid in pass coverage today
Oldsouth, or just spent a ton of time helping Holiday.
Russell Wilson is 1 TD Pass away from tying Peyton Manning’s rookie record of 26… All kinds of Records going down this year
BT; I got NFL Game day so no problem. Not getting my Money’s is year though. This was only the second game I’ve had to watch via Game day. Ohwell. Money well spent. I’m looking forward to rediung the attachment you sent me. I suspect it will e well intoi January when I have the time. My wife and I service about 30 greeting card customers and switching from Xmas to Valentine’s Day/St. Pat’s will keep us busy. Still essentially nio snow here. Any at your palce?? Also, agree with ytou about Bolden. Seems to me he diud some in pre-seasson and looked okay.
ALL HAIL THE NECK!!!!
DON’T WRECK THE NECK!!!!!
Did Tebow really refuse to do what he was supposed to do?! Is this the twilight zone?! I miss one NFL Game Day and I’m in a different dimension!
Sweet OSS… I’m looking forward to hearing what you think! There really isn’t enough snow to speak of, just enough to stick to your shoes but not go over the top… The Mountain has a little more but not enough to make a difference in Spring
Tebow told his coaches Tuesday after they announced McElroy the starter that he didn’t want to be a part of the Wildcat… That’s why Kerley ran it today… Good For Tim! He should have taken the ball and handed to Charger then turned around and blocked for him after the way he was treated. The NFL may be a business, but to treat a person as little more than a commodity is nearing abuse…
What did you think of those Seahawks tonight Cat? Set a record for 3 game scoring in the NFL with 150 points (Unreal!)!!! Carrol has those guys playing hard! Wilson has a very strong case for ROY!!!
Wilson’s win that shouldn’t be should take him out of ROY in my opinion. But I’m a Luck fan and he has done more for his team than any of those other cats… I don’t care how many INTs he has.
I’m pretty sure the Seahawks will be one and done in the playoffs and if OT, they’ll have to go through Green Bay and Green Bay is going to make them look foolish.
Well, sorry I don’t agree. I can’t tell my boss no at work without it being called insubordination, but I guess the NFL is different. Perhaps he should’ve just stayed home today and of gone to the game at all. But you and I see things differently when it comes to him.
Wilson needs two TD’s to break Peyton’s Rookie TD Pass record of 26! I’m going to take the over on the Seattle’s Post Season win/loss over/under of 1!!! That team is on a mission
Go for it. That doesn’t change my opinion about the Seahawks chances in the post season.
Would never dream of trying to change any football related oppinion you have Cat! but if I was you I wouldn’t go betting any money against the Seahawks in January! That defense is for real
I don’t bet money on football. But I’m also not going to count Green Bay out. Hey have a score to settle.
Ad I hope you’d bet against the stupid Seahawks if they did somehow meet us in the Super Bowl because our defense is on a mission too. In fact, our team is on such a mission that everybody just expects us to win and we aren’t flashy about it so people think we’re boring. But we are just as dangerous.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/68988/seahawks-and-their-qb-are-hotter-than-hot
Russell Wilson ROY!!! Superbowl is in February, and no way do I bet against our Squad… I’m trying to just figure who we would play in that situation… Our Team is quite amazing but that in no way discounts what Seattle is doing with a Rookie QB! Colts either, I’m a Luck fan for sure (hate the Colts) and he has had a huge impact on his team this year, but if you had to pick one QB to win One game from Luck, RGIII and Wilson I think Wilson is the best choice today
http://nfl.si.com/2012/12/23/nfl-playoff-scenarios-for-week-16/?sct=uk_t2_a3
many games of interest in week 17! Only ATL can take a Vacation next week
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1456324-russell-wilson-seahawks-qb-makes-strong-rookie-of-the-year-argument-on-snf
Russel Wilson Offesive ROY!!! This is for the Stats people, good side by side comparisons of the three candidates
Give Stokely a game ball!!!…He intercepted Manning and knocks a guy cold!!! What is that guy, 36??? That just looks like hard-nosed NFL football to me! and he bounced right back into the game!!!
I hate to be rooting against Kubiak…………..Yeah Vikes!!! Go Luck!!! Colts!!! Colts!!! Colts!!!
Glad to see Tebow is human – I hope it was complete insubordination!!!…but I doubt it…
Coaches have a choice…they can trade for someone who CAN do the job – or they can take what they have and fix it. In this case it is Holiday whom I recommend fixing. He’s little and he’s young. He needs to be drilling sun-up to sun-down…till he gets it!!! (at 5’5″ having 250lbs bearing down – it is difficult but it is mental – I say stick with it till he gets it…Lord, I hope he gets it soon!!!)
Broncos are still not looking invincible to me…
Holy smokes!!! did you see that??? Niners got their clocks cleaned!!! Seahawks have got to be the most feared opponent for the SB. Here is hoping that someone stops them before SB time but I’m thinking that Seattle has the pregnant woman look and I think they are fixed to give birth to something!!! Get us the heck outta their way – somebody please put them outta our misery!!!
Once again I disagree with you, BT. Put Wilson on the Cilts and how many games does he win? Plus, since he has a win that he should be credited for he shouldn’t get ROY. Both Luck and RGIII are more impressive to me. Just because you expect good things out of Luck and RGIII and Wilson seemed to come from nowhere it doesn’t mean the other two are unworthy. And only ONE of those cats is playing on a team that went 2-14 just a season ago and was literally stripped of its talent.
Tebow makes millions of dollars. He should do the right thing and wait this out until he gets his shot next year, but obviously he can’t.
*shouldnt
Honestly I’d rank the ROY right now with RG3 being first, Luck second, and Wilson third. I love watch Wilson play and overcome the odds with his height and what not. But he is handing it off to Lynch and has by far a better defense then the other 2. Luck has the best record with the worst team, which is impressive, but not as impressive as RG3 winning the NFC East… this is, of course, assuming he beats the cowgirls the way I expect. I’d say if RG3 wins next week he’s the ROY, if he loses and the Colts beat the Texans than Luck should be it. Wilson is on a good team, but I think they’d be doing just as well with Flynn.
Ahhh Cat… I thought you ‘Loved’ Stats?!? The stats seem to indicate that Wilson is the clear choice for ROY?!?
I hope for Wilson’s sake you watched the game last night. Luck and RGIII are cool cats for sure, but Wilson is just playing better football than the other two right now…. Any one of them could play on the other’s one team, and if allowed to implement the system that is best for them would have equal success to where they are playing now, they are all top notch athletes
My Vote: Wilson
Is it snowing in Casper? It is starting to snow here, Big Heavy Wet Snow Flakes!!!
Good Morning Broncos Country!
The Good- Aside from the records mentioned above, how about 10 straight wins. And tied for the best record in the AFC.
It was also good to see Prater nail the 41 yard FG
The Bad- 1) The penalties. Especially the delay of game in the red zone, that preceded the INT. 3rd & 2 is much different than 3rd & 7 in the red area.
2) The defense giving up another late TD. To a backup even…
The Ugly- Oh the drops on the Punt Returns. Even Cribbs was afflicted. Luckily we recovered all the drops (including his, lol)- but this has got to change come January. Those can turn into game altering plays… I’m also including Tracy Porter’s nasty collision. We need him come playoff time. Get well soon buddy!
A bonus ugly has to go to the refs and throwing the yellow sock on #24 for the roughing the QB call… That was terrible. And even after they had a conference and a chance to get the call right, the still penalized him. I’m all for protecting the QB, but what are the expecting, the D to hug the QB’s…
The Funny- Ok. I don’t know of anyone else has noticed, but Brock O is a tall kid, and when he is under center he has a really funny stance because of his height. Maybe I’m the only one who finds that funny. Hahahahahahaha
Broncos Country Strong 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!
* oh I’m sorry. It was unnecessary roughness and not roughing the QB that Champ was flagged for
sndvl, Good Morning! How would you file Stokley knocking out Brown?!? That might have been the best hit a Bronco laid all season (Except when Mays took off part of Schaubs ear on a legal hit!!!) WHAM Brown flat on his Back… Priceless, and I’m counting it as a bonus Christmas Gift from the Broncos!!!
Yeah Turtle, it was vicious. And another call the refs kind of missed. Just glad they were both Ok.
It looked like he was pushed and led/lowered his shoulder to protect himself.
It kind of upsets me too. Because the Falcons used that same play way back in week 2 at the end of the game to seal their win… Where was the flag then? Oh yeah, replacement refs! Lol
Haha… Replacement Refs! What a bad joke they were!
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8777470/chuck-pagano-indianapolis-colts-returns-team-facility
Great Story for Christmas!!! I hope for their sake they go out and own the Texans! For our sake I hope they can squeek out victory at least!!!
B-R-O-N-C-O-S BRONCOS BRONCOS BRONCOS!!!
Luck wont sit, Pagano is back on sidelines for the colts. No one wants to loose their last game before playoffss. Play offs go threw mile high BoooooooooYa. I was so mad when the browns went for 2 pts yesterday. I would of hit the score on the head, missed by one pt. 34-13 was mine 34-12 final that sucks.