Sometimes you have to do whatever it takes. That’s just what the Broncos are doing.
Last Sunday against the Chiefs, it took winning ugly. In the NFL, however, there is extra credit for style points and no penalty for lack thereof. There are W’s and L’s. And the Broncos got a W.
The Broncos got the win over the Chiefs while scoring a season-low 17 points. But it was also the second-fewest points they have allowed in a game this year. Denver surrendered six in a rout of the Raiders back in September.
A tough, defensive-minded football game might not be as fun to watch as a high-scoring one, but last Sunday against the Chiefs, the Broncos showed they can grind out a win the old-fashioned way. You can add it on to the various types of games the Broncos have won this year.
They have shown they can come back on teams that jumped out to a big lead. While the comebacks ultimately fell short against the Falcons, Texans and Patriots, the Broncos finished off the job in the first meeting against the Chargers.
The Broncos have also shown they can blow a team out. They had little trouble against the Raiders, Saints and Panthers.
They have won key games when they had to. Victories over the Steelers, Bengals and Chargers (second meeting) were vitally important and the Broncos came through when the opponent pushed them.
The Broncos have won with Peyton Manning dominating through the air; they have won when Manning hasn’t quite been at this best; they have won by getting big plays at big times; they have won when they create big plays on defense and they have won in spite of the fact that the opposing defense has often created more takeaways.
They have even won when some of their key players have been hurt.
Whatever they can do, however they have to play, all the Broncos want to do is keep winning.
“Ultimately, it’s about trying to get the win,” quarterback Peyton Manning said. “It’s just playing better overall offensively. You always want to play better each week. You want to be playing your best football, hopefully, here in the month of December.”
December’s first challenge is not clinching the AFC West or figuring out how to slide into one of the top two spots in the AFC. Instead, the first challenge of the month is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
“I think we’ve got to keep our heads down,” defensive lineman Justin Bannan said. “No sense on fantasizing about anything unless you get the work done. We’ve got a lot of work left. We’ve got a long road ahead of us and really we’ve just got to be focused on this Sunday.”
When it comes to defeating the Buccaneers, the Broncos might need to win a good ‘ole shootout. The Broncos average 29.8 points per game, third in the NFL. The Bucs are right behind them in fourth, averaging 28.2 points each time out.
They’ll likely have to shut down a really talented running back to defeat Tampa Bay. Rookie Doug Martin is tied for third in football with his 95.5 rushing yards per game.
Certainly the Broncos know what is at stake this week when it comes to the playoff race. But they aren’t talking about such things.
“All our focus right now is on Tampa Bay,” Fox said. “We’re just, right now, locked and loaded on preparation for the Tampa Bay Bucs.”
Locked and loaded. Sounds like a great new way to win another game.
Thanks for reading. What positive things did you take out of the grind-it-out win over the Chiefs?
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Mike
Tags: Mike Rice
B-R-O-N-C-O-S BRONCOS BRONCOS BRONCOS!!!
I predicted last week that K.C. would lay a big ole goose egg. Didn’t happen. But I’ll say this, I also predicted that K.C. would not get a TD against us. I’ll take it with a W. HaHa!!
Mike, I still enjoy the Grid Iron Grill after Dave Logan and Company interview the players in the locker room. and Broncos Extra with David Treadwell until 8:00 P.M. We be spoiled!! Lots to enjoy!! Thanks again Mike!! ROCK N ROLL!!!!!!
Without the stress of not knowing what’s going to happen during the game (I did watch live), I really enjoyed watching this game later on the DVR. Denver exerts a lot of pressure on the opposition (generally, and in the pass rush) and are tough in all 3 phases. What a great in-season pick-up Holliday was! Koppen too, obviously. Even though Denver gave up some edge rushes, their D came through in the end. I also said out loud before the last offensive drive that “this is where good teams put it away,” and that’s exactly what they did.
It think the key in the playoffs, aside from a 1 or 2 seed, which would help but is not required, is for Denver to play with a lead. If they can do that, even against a team like New England, it just puts the opposition in a bind and helps the defense a lot. Denver has a legit shot this year being such a threat in all areas of the game, let’s hope for no more injuries.
Kudos to Denver, they all count the same!
THE BRONCOS ARE TURNING IN TO A DOMINATE TEAM
This was a great write-up. Unlike college, it really doesn’t matter as it is all decided in the playoffs. Still, I think that how well the Broncos have played during this six game winning streak is being taken for granted. After a horrendous start, the Saints were really rolling when they came to Denver and the Broncos blew them out. The win over the Bengals, should also not be overlooked. The Bengals were coming off a bye week, and the Broncos went into their house and pretty much had their way with them. And now the Bengals haven’t lost since. Even last Sunday against the Chiefs if Prater makes his kicks it’s a 14 point win.
This weekend’s game vs TB is one we may win by 10 or more. That being said, it’s not as critical as it’s not vs the Conference. All W’s are important, but when it comes to tie breaking procedures, this game isn’t as important. If we were to lose a game down the stretch, this would be one of the least hurtful.