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
Lol Cat!
AB… TOM MOORE. That is all.
I’m a girl, I think of feelings and stuff. Not that I don’t think Manning wouldn’t demolish them. It would be much like what the Pats did to us last year. I just would rather he not have to go through that so soon. It’s not like he needs a bigger chip on his shoulder anyway.
Cat that would be nice as well. I wonder is he is familiar with our offense…..LOL jk
Shhhhhh… Don’t you think he’d JUMP at the chance? Alls I’m sayin’!
I think so Cat.
AB, you think Cowher comes back this season some where?
BT I have heard reports that he has some interviews set up. But havnt heard where. If the right situation comes I think he might. I would like to see him go to Chicago.
Bears arnt wasting any time in their search. They have 5 interviews set up already. One is with Mike McCoy sometime this week.
My take on the coaching opening.
Arizona Cardinals Andy Reid or Jay Gruden
Buffalo Bills Lovie Smith or Bill Cowher
Chicago Bears Mike McCoy Jon Gruden Jay Gruden Bill Cowher
Cleveland Browns Jay or Jon Gruden
Kansas City Chiefs Jay Gruden or Chip Kelly
Philadelphia Eagles Chip Kelly or Romeo Creenel or Lovie Smith
San Diego Chargers Jon Gruden or Bill Cowher or Chip Kelly or Andy Reid
AB: Both? Wow!!! Why would anybody in their right mind leave the broadcast booth where you never get fired for being wrong vs Hc job where you can go 10-6 and get fired????
OSS Jon loves the booth but he loves coaching more. I dont see him leaving unless the right situation comes along. Kind of like Cowher leaving his analyst position.
OSS what about BBBPs?!? Any come true?
Busy day today on the blog. I missed quite a bit today. Winning is a Mile High feeling!! EXCELLENT!!
Oldsouth, its called $$$$$
McCoy will interview for the HC job in AZ and Chicago.
I’d hire Lovie Smith in a heart beat as a HC!
As for Andy Reid, he’s a fine HC with a sinking ship in Phillie. I’d bring in Reid as a HC as well if I owned a NFL team.
Happy New Years guys! I’m off to party!!!
The Year 2013 is going to ROCK because the Broncos are going to win the Super Bowl!!!!! <3
Strand I am not a happy fella with Smith being fired. THought he was doing a good enough job to keep it. I too would hire Redi or Smith as an HC.
Norv Turner is the equivalent of yester-years Marty Schottenheimer of the NFL. They both can go into the playoffs, but couldn’t win the BIG ONE!!
Have a good one Cat.
HAPPY NEW YEARS CAT!! BE SAFE BRONCO BUDDY!! 2013!!
Oh, I know AB, I just got caught up with earlier posts and read what ya said. Lovie Smith is a great HC in my book.
Ive been ranting and raving about Smith since last night (Obviously not all on here) got into an argument with a guy who was saying they should fire him and hire McDaniels.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/denver-broncos/0ap2000000098315/Evolution-of-the-Broncos-colors
Very cool to watch
Yeah right! What a joke! LOL
Cat: I’m busier that a one legged man in an ass kicking contest at the moment. Will try to get to them this weekend. Lot’s of interesting BBBPs on the cusp of yea or nay.
Don’t know about anybody else, but I can easily see all homne playoff teams this weekend loosing.
Seahawks D is exceptional.
Ravens are circling the drain as are the Texans
Packers can’t stop AD.
Thanks for the vid AB, I am intensely happy.
I think the Colts and Bengals both win
RH, if thats the case we play the Bengals then I believe. Am I right about that?
That is true. If Houst wins we play the Colts or Ravens.
HAPPY NEW YEARS BRONCOS COUNTRY!! BRONCOS 2013!! HAHA!!
I’m not afraid of any of them three teams whatsoever!
Me either. I see the Bengals as the best of the wildcard bunch.
Nice.
its gonna a long two weeks. our team is just so amazing we will almost certainly trounce qhomever we play. cin bal indy. i dont think any of them can hang with us. 10 point victory i think.
Especially in our own backyard with Peyton Manning at the helm. And our FANS are gonna go nuts. Its going to be thunderously loud at MILE HIGH! I can hardly wait!
Hmmmm should I put another 100 on this team? Odds are now 2:1
RAD!!
i think Elway should tell Rio stay around as DC cuz Fox is up there in age and you can have the HC when he retires
no one will hire Romeo as a HC
Haley might get the Arz job
in 1989 our D was 1st in points allowed.
had fun watching yesterday’s game! Go Broncos!!!
if we get a superbowl victory i imagine everyone would want to stick around to try for a repeat. after all. whats better than 1 ring?
Have a great New Year Bronco fans!!!
Crennel will never be a head coach again. IMO
Reid is done as head coach as well – I expect him to become and announcer – losing a kid sucks the life out of a man. IMO
Lovie should have never been fired and will easily find a new position. IMO
N. Turner should go back to coaching as an OC – but I think he will take a year off. IMO
IMO the ownership of the Jets is wacked – keeping Ryan is a worse move than firing Lovie. IMO LOL
I think I am the only one who can see Romeo being a HC again. Oh well lol.
Anyways Happy New Year Broncos country and boy what a great year it has been! May next year be even better than the last
Happy New Year Everyone and thanks for the Broncos supplying us with a place to discuss the greatest team in football. Hope everyone stays safe and has a great new year. Even Daddy. jk
PUM PUM PUM!!!
Happy New Year Broncmigos!!!