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
Jim, you’re serious? Best defensive ranked Bronco team ever?
It helps when the offense keeps them off the field.
So DB, I know you say we don’t go for the throat but somehow we have the second highest point differential this season…hmmmmm. Looks like the numbers say that Fox ball is pretty effective in its own way.
I gotta say, between last years, magical, on the edge of your seat, heart attack season and this near flawless season, as a young bronco fan, this have been 2 exceedingly memorable seasons i will never forget.
courtesy of SI
First Down: Eric Decker
The Denver Broncos have had some very talented pass-catchers during their history — Rod Smith, Brandon Marshall, Ed McCaffrey, Shannon Sharpe and so on. None of those players accomplished what Eric Decker did Sunday.
With the first of his two TD grabs in Denver’s 38-3 rout of Kansas City, Decker became the first Bronco ever to record 20 touchdown catches over a two-year span. The former Minnesota Golden Gopher hauled in eight touchdowns last season, as the Broncos used Tim Tebow and Kyle Orton at quarterback, and finished with 13 scores this year.
Congrats to Decker!
Later days,
TRB
I’m wearing my Decker jersey today. Ballin’!!!
Decker has been a beast!!! Knew it though. He is Peyton’s favorite!! LOL
It does say we have the best point differential. Hmmm… After yesterday I bet DB has to change his opinion about how we score points. Just a guess!
No matter what happens the rest of the season, this has been special very special. What gets me most excited is next yr, can you imagine how dialed in everyone will be, and , all the free agents that will want to play in denver now wow. Wonder where Mcoy is going next yr or if he will want to stay and win the division again. All I know is our fans better get ready to do some yelling at these games and when back some of that mile high misteek
NE is plus 226 on the season.
I am trying hard to stay grounded like the team is. Not get too excited about losing coordinators yet. Congratulations Broncos on a fantastic season!
Now the real work begins. All the positioning just sets the table, now its time to deliver the goods. I am especially excited about Champ’s attitude of “we have a lot of work to do” before we are thinking about Super Bowls.
The real test will be NE Pats. They are the best coached team left in the AFC after the Broncos. They have the most competitive QB/leader after PM and they have the least selfish roster. All those things add up to one whale of an AFC championship game in Mile High! Gooooo Broncos!
Woops. Guess I yielded and looked ahead instead of one week at a time!
Hi Cat, Thought I heard my name???
What I will admit is that the Broncos on both offense and defense played a full 60 minutes and didn’t let off like they have in other games. And you have to admit that seeing the Broncos driving down the field in the forth quarter with a 30+ point lead was a unique adventure yesterday!
But DB, they were driving using the run, not the pass. Which is what they have been doing all season. The Chiefs just happen to be very bad against the run. The game plan remained the same.
Osweiler only attempted three passes, every other play was a run.
4 passes, sorry.
DB, my absolute favorite part of yesterday’s game besides Demaryius’ ridiculous one handed TD catch was Decker’s ridiculous one handed TD catch with 10 seconds left in the half. BAM!! Yes, yesterday was great. Even hurdled the adversity of a fumble and a mixed up offensive line for one set of downs.
When Clark was in for Franklin, He got beat twice in two plays and jumped the false start on the other. So stay healthy Franklin. That one sputtered series was all on Clark.
Also, I have to say that Beadles has some major hustle. When Hilman fumbled and Manning slowed him for Dreesen to make the tackle, Beadles was only a step and a half behind Dreesen. Good hustle big guy.
@9NEWSSports: #Broncos sold the 5,000 available tickets to the Jan 12 playoff game in 9 minutes.
RH Franklin was trying to be a hero when he didn’t need to be.
year, his leap turned into a face plant quickly.
“year” wtf was I writing.
*True
I tried desperately to get one of those 5,000 tickets right at 12pm – no luck. Ended up having to buy 2 upper level tickets for 250 each.. It’ll be worth it though! I’ll be screaming my lungs out (and making sure everyone in my section is too)!!!
@AdamSchefter: Arizona and Chicago have asked for and received permission to interview Broncos OC Mike McCoy for their HC job. Will interview this weekend.
LOL RH!!!!!
Interesting note about Franklin, he was selected with one of the two 2nd round draft picks we got in exchange for Marshall. The other one was used to move up and select Tebow..
So, we finished at -1 in the turnover margin for the season. Not great, but much improved from -12 last season. To put this into perspective, NE leads the NFL at +25. Ball security is paramount.
I’m sure by now, we’ve all read about the Bears seeking permission to interview Mike McCoy. I said the other day that McCoy would be crazy to give up this job with Peyton as his QB, but the Bears job is a veryy attractive position IMO. If they offer him the job, I don’t expect him to turn It down, it’s just too big of an opportunity with a solid franchise.
I, along with others, have been critical of McCoy in the past, but I do hope we can hold on to him in the interest of continuity. Of course, if I had to choose to let go of one of our coordinators, it would be McCoy, but I’d love to see us keep everything together and build a dynasty.. High class problems my friends! Happy New Year all, let’s go Broncos!!!
Josh McDaniels just said he’s not leaving New England. I wish Jack would come out and say that here.
I think JDR will stay for a ring (or two).
What is nice is that most of these coaching gigs will be full before the playoffs end. This bye week is the only chance these teams have to try and coax McCoy and JDR.
True. I’m with you. I think JDR stays. He seems to be having a blast. No danger in losing his job and had an ELITE QB to run his offense. Just me thoughts though.
Rex Ryan retains his job. Lovie Smith is fired. Are you kidding me?
Chip Kelly is rumored around the Browns or Chargers.
Too early to say who will be where. There seems to be so much ritual and ceremony around coaches hiring. Does anybody believe Fox’s hiring wasn’t a done deal when they were stiil interviewing others?
Someone mentioned John Gruden looking into a HC job. Not him. His brother is a successful coach with the Bengals and considered a good prospect.
I was rooting for Fox. He had done a decent job in Carolina when the GM actually let him.
When the chance to have JDR be the coordinator came, I was salivating.
Fox’s one trip to the SB came with JDR as his DC.
http://m.espn.go.com/nfl/story?storyId=8796029
Fox doesn’t want the Broncos in Vegas this weekend! LOL! Practice Wed-Fri, workout at 10 am on Saturday!! Meetings on Monday!!
Man, 2 weeks without a game. I might need to start drinking or something.
OSS John and Jay Gruden both have been contacted for interviews.
Wolfedom that ticked me off. How can Ryan keep it and Smith lose it? They have been good for a few years. They just have gotten bit by the injury bug at the wrong time.
If McCoy leaves I would love to try and get Dungy (I doubt he comes back for an OC job and doubt he come back at all at this point. Just a pipe dream I know) or get a former offensive minded HC or great offensive minded OC that can really work with the Manning offense.
If McCoy leaves we will hire Tom Moore. That is my prediction!
RH it’s not without football! That Seahawks/Redskins game is going to be sick!!! And the Colts embarrassing the Ravens? And Cincy beating the Bengals? <3 it. I cannot for the life of me thinks the other game though.
Hey cat so you think Texans win because Cincy beats themselves? LOL
LOL I need help! I means Texans. Crap.
The other game is a third meeting of Vikes and Packers.
I just really want Cincy to win apparently. I’m probably the only football fan who doesn’t want to see Manning vs. Luck until next year.
Oh yes. Now I remember. Thanks, AB!
Lol Cat I want to see it in Denver this year and in Indy next year.
AB! Dungy was a defensive coach before becoming a HC! you think he’d try his hand at Offense this late in his career?
Of course you do… But I don’t want Manning to have to go through that. I could careless about the Colts feelings.
BT I know he was a D coach. I just like him as OC for us because his familiarity with Manning and his offense.