The Denver Broncos clinched the number one seed in the AFC with their 11th consecutive win, and all 11 wins have been by at least seven points.
The 2012 Broncos thus joined the 2005 Indianapolis Colts (13 straight) and the 1942 Chicago Bears (also 11) as the only teams to win at least 11 games in a row by a margin of seven points or more in a single season.
It has been and remains a remarkable, special season for the Broncos and our legions of fans.
I would say magical, but that was last year. When a team is playing like the Broncos, there is no magic involved, just focus, preparation, talent and real hard work.
And, of course, Peyton Manning.
But he is not the whole story here.
Peyton Manning this year set Broncos franchise records with 400 completions, 4,659 yards, 37 touchdowns, a 68.6 completion percentage and a 105.9 passer rating. While all Bronco records, those statistics represent the second-highest figures of Manning’s career. His 2012 figure of 8.0 yards per attempt is also third-best in his career.
But to paraphrase what the great Paul Harvey used to say, there is the rest of the story, and a lot of that has to do with defense.
Under Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio the Broncos this year ranked second in NFL total defense, the highest finish in team history, including the Orange Crush years under Joe Collier.
Until 2012 Denver had never ranked higher than third in total defense, that coming in 1989.
Defense is a big part of having a chance in the playoffs, and five of the top seven defenses this year are in the postseason—Denver, San Francisco, Seattle, Cincinnati and Houston all are there, while Indianapolis is the only team in the bottom seven defensively (the Colts rank 27th ) that made the playoffs.
Denver’s average finish defensively was 22nd over the previous four seasons, so this year’s team made gigantic strides on that side of the ball.
The cliché about defense winning championships is a cliché because it is so often true.
That unit is also a big reason why the 2012 Broncos won 13 games by at least seven points, in that this was a combination of Peyton Manning lighting up the Broncos’ side of the scoreboard while the defense dimmed the lights on the opponents’ panel.
Indeed, the Broncos scored at least 30 points 11 times this year, most in team history and tied for the fourth-most in NFL history behind the 2007 and 2011 Patriots and the 1999 Rams, with each of those teams making the Super Bowl.
The offense-defense combination is also behind a plus-192 point differential for the Broncos this year, tied with the 1998 Broncos for the most in club history. In the Super Bowl era, 35 teams had a point differential of at least a plus-190 during the regular season, with 17 of them making the Super Bowl and 10 winning it. So it creates good odds, but not certainty.
There is no such thing as certainty in the NFL playoffs. You must combine your talent with focus and preparation, and practice real hard.
All you can ask is a fighting chance, but the teams themselves determine their perceived playoff odds based on how they played in the regular season. And that balance between offense and defense, combined with an excellent kicking game, creates a fighting chance, playing at home before fans who have sold out the stadium for 43 years, as the Broncos head into postseason play.
Tags: Vice President of Corporate Communications Jim Saccomano
VON MANNING FOOTBALL 2013!!!
SUPERBOWL BOUND BABY!!!
B-R-O-N-C-O-S BRONCOS BRONCOS BRONCOS!!!
In the Calender year of 2012 the Denver Broncos had more wins (14) than the rest of the entire division (13)!!! AWESOME!!!
Anonymous Turtle!!!!
Turtle… That’s awesome! I keep pointing it to people that it’s not our fault that the AFC West sucks! Just lucky ducks I guess! But it’s not like New England has it much tougher, but Houston, whoa… I’m glad we don’t have to play the Colts twice a year! The Ravens have it harder than anybody else in the AFC!
Happy New Year Cat and Turtle, glad to see you made it through all the partying. Broncos 2013, all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!
New Year Edition
The Good- 11 straight, 6-0 in the division, tied for the best record in the league & #1 overall seed in the AFC! Amazing
The Bad- Hillman’s first fumble of the season. At least he got that out of the way before the post season
The Ugly- Ending the game minus in the turnover margin. As well as the season differential. It’s scary to think, with a 13-3 record how much better this team can be with a positive turnover differential. Scary, of course, for the opposition…
The Funny- Manning playing some free safety. While I’m sure Broncos Country was holding their collective breath’s as he positioned himself in front of that DB, and slowing him down to allow Dressen to make the tackle, and Manning hitting the turf… It very well could have been ugly. After though, no question remains for this fan that he’s strong & healthy…
With tons of confidence and home field advantage. Awesome defense. Those two TD grabs by Decker & Thomas were worthy of superhero status. Should be an awesome playoff run…
I can’t wait for the 12th- GO BRONCOS!
Chargers asked for permission to speak to Denver Broncos Director of Player Personnel Matt Russell about GM job. Broncos denied the request.
Albert Breer @AlbertBreer
Matt Russell’s name is a hot one out there, but it’ll be hard to pry him because he’s got Colorado roots and already has GM-like duties.
AB Russell himself denied the request. He does not want to leave Denver.
Bills request to interview McCoy.
@VicLombardi: Regarding the report out of San Diego on Matt Russell, the Broncos did NOT deny an interview. Russell’s not interested in leaving Denver.
This is good news:
@BroncosForums: MT @JHeath_DEN Per AP,Del Rio indicated he would be very choosy in potential new teams and noted it would have to be the “right situation.”
Mike McCoy has a 3rd interview set up. The third is with the Bills. (Bears and Cards being the other two)
@JHeath_DEN: “I’ve got the best owner in sports here and the best boss in John Elway,” Russell told DP. “I want to be part of something special (here).”
I can see the Bears spot being very attractive. My guess is they get an offensives mind.
Who ever takes it though has to be fond of the cover 2 zone defense
Great news about Matt Russell. We NEED to continue having quality drafts, if we want to maintain our position in the league. Player personnel is even more important than any coordinator, one could argue. Great day in Broncos Country!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Russell isn’t a dummy. LOL
http://www.nfl.com/m/article/0ap1000000120857/nfl-power-rankings-denver-broncos-finally-claim-no-1-spot
http://m.espn.go.com/nfl/rankings
Getting some recognition now are we, Cat…that’s never been good for the Broncos…even though it infuriates me!!!
Lotsa folks recognizing that Russel Wilson – (could be first rookie to win the Super Bowl) – and the Seahawks are looking like the scariest NFC team going into playoffs.
I’m picking the Bengals to beat the Texas and then coming into Denver to end their season.
I give the Colts a slight emotional edge over the Ravens, but their season will end in NE.
I think the Broncos beat NE because we are a better team all around…I think NE beats the Broncos because their coaches will get creative to win…If the Broncos score early and often-they make it to the big game…If the Pats can keep it close until the end – Brady will dominate Manning in the final shootout.
I see GB taking out the Vikes in statement fashion….and I can go either way on the Niners / GB game…slight edge to the Niners.
Seahawks will roll through Wash…ATL…GB or SF and be in the big game…
You heard it here first!!! IMHO!!! LOL!!!
Happy New Year!!!!
Oh and the NFC beats the AFC in the Pro bowl…again!
But the AFC wins the SB!!! (No stinking rookie is going to win the big game!!!)
Manning is the only choice for MVP…now that he is a Bronco, (at least in uniform – just for Cat! LOL) he may face some of that ‘major market’ prejudice…that’s the only reason I can see for him not getting it…other than a few INT’s this season???
Peyton Manning will win the MVP hands down! There’s no way Peterson wins. What AP did was special, but Peyton Manny BROKE ALL OF THE RULES OF GRAVITY in human terms of the NFL MIRACLE, MAKE IT HAPPEN BROKEN RECORDS MAYHEM! Yada Yada Yada to INFINITE AND BEYOND!!
BRONCOS 2013!!!!!!!!
Ahhhhh!!! YES!!!
http://broncotalk.net/2013/01/43947/broncos-buzz/jack-del-rio-likely-to-stay-put-in-denver-as-dc/
DB I don’t think Seattle gets past RGIII.
Cat, those power rankings sure look pretty! LOL
And N.E. loses in DENVER. You can take that to the bank! THE BLOOD BANK!! HaHa!!
New blog, Strand!
You are right,it has been a very special season this year, for the team,organization and the fans. The formula that they used was preparation and focus on one game at a time and they are sticking to it now in playoffs. If the put in the hard work in preparation and maitain their great focus,it could be a special Super Bowl Victory season. Go, go Broncos and Orange Crush whoever you face in the playoffs!
Fan Question asks which win was my favaorite win. Well they don’t have my answer as an option. Every time the Broncos win no matter whom its against its my favorite win. Lets hope they keep winning all the way to the super bowl including the super bowl. That would great for everyone. The super bowl would be everyones favorite win.