After taking care of the Ravens, the Broncos received a San Francisco treat on Sunday night.
Thanks to the 49ers win over the Patriots, the Broncos are in sole possession of the second seed in the AFC playoff race. A coveted first-round bye comes with the top two seeds. To clinch the second seed, the Broncos need to beat the Browns and the Chiefs in their final two weeks.
The beauty of the 2012 Broncos is that to them, they only have one game left, not two. They have the ability to keep their attention fixed on the task at hand. That task is sending the Browns back to Cleveland with a loss on Sunday.
“The only thing that’s going to mean something to me is if we play well and get better this week and try to beat Cleveland,” quarterback Peyton Manning said. “That’s really all we’re focused on. That’s been the best thing we’ve done all year is approach every opponent the same, regardless of who the team was and where we were playing and what the situation was and what their record was.”
This is what veteran leadership does. It keeps a team grounded. It keeps a team looking forward. And the younger players are taking note. They know they cannot listen to people telling them how great the Broncos are.
“You can’t listen to that,” safety Rahim Moore said. “I’m going to tell you this, it’s never as good as you think, and it’s never as bad as you think. Those types of things come with the territory. You have to welcome it, but at the same time, you can’t get complacent because it can all go downhill. You have to stay focused and stay hungry.”
The Broncos are hungry for a trip to New Orleans in February. They are hungry to put a third Lombardi trophy in the lobby at Dove Valley.
This is a team focused on the ultimate goal. And the Broncos are smart enough to know that reaching that goal is accomplished by doing things the right way and not overlooking any of the small details. They’re smart enough to realize that reaching that goal is accomplished not just by beating the Browns but by playing well in the process.
“That’s the thing I’ve always believed in, in the month of December, ‘Are you getting better? Are you making some strides every week?’ We still have some things that we want to get better at, we feel like we need to get better at, and that’s what we’re trying to do this week,” Manning noted. “Usually if you get better, hopefully a lot of times some good things will follow. That’s our goal is to get better this week and to try to beat a good Cleveland team.”
This approach won’t win any public relations contests. No matter how hard one tries to dress up hard work, the story is never all that exciting. The Broncos are at this point because they are talented but they don’t take that talent for granted.
“It’s truly the same thing it’s been all along. Getting better every week. If we keep doing that, then we’ll take care of everything we need to take care of,” tight end Jacob Tamme said.
It has worked to this point. The Broncos might as well stick with it. It just might get them to the Super Bowl
In what areas would you like to see the Broncos improve in Sunday’s game against Cleveland?
All the best to you and your families this holiday season. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Mike
Tags: AM 850 KOA, Mike Rice, Rice Takes
But either way I am a super happy Bronco fan!
When following a team as long as I have historical perspective becomes very important, at least to me.
Cat. I maintain that I thought this team had a very good shot. I believed it enough to put $100 on the line in Vegas before a preseason game had even been played. The odds were 16:1. So Go Broncos!!! I still have a better than average shot at a nice little payday.
I just wish that the late great Steve Sabol was with us to document and deliver the historical goods. RIP Steve.
Bay, your knowledge of history is outstanding. You are indeed the resident guru.
What has happened in the past has no bearing on what will happen in the future.
Not saying it isn’t important, it just doesn’t effect the possible outcome.
Like the ridiculous notion that Denver’s odds of winning in Balt. last week were lessened in some way because Denver had never won there before. Or that Denver’s odds had improved because Peyton won there more often than not. Both very silly notions. Those teams that had lost or won were not this team. Those wins and losses had no bearing on that game.
Yes Bay – You are still the best at starting a conversation. I try…but …I just don’t have your touch or persona or something???
Good convo!
I have to work today…and I plan to spend it later!!!
I hope the end of the world comes with big explosions…I’ve always enjoyed explosions!!!
Where are those Mayans anyway???
broncos are awesome but they need to keep on par offensively with the patriots whom they’ll likely face in the divisional round
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/68693/will-manning-miller-take-home-hardware
VON MANNING FOOTBALL 2012!!! SUPERBOWL BOUND BABY!!!
RH, I love the first couple sentences of your post but Mr. Saccomano might have some real issues with it, LOL.
DB, the Catholics killed the Mayans, haven’t you heard? haha, as the historical figure here I thought I should straighten that out.
You know your historical stuff Bay. No arguing that.
This is another one of those statements that cracks me up. “The browns are 3-0 against the AFCW opponents” as if it some how means the Browns could have our number. Have you seen the other AFCW teams?! of course even the Browns could be 3-0 verse them.
Just read on twitter that in addition to ankle problems, Kupe has been having migraines.
RH709 you’ll get your money back!!!
I hope so Cat. I hope so.
I didn’t do it for the money. I did it for fun and cause I honestly thought it was possible. It was a way to be more into it (as if I needed that).
I made a bet with a buddy of mine who is a Niners fan and he had to put a $100 on S.F. So we found a betting site and put our money on the line.
Kupe can take a month off. Hopefully that is enough time.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/12/21/3tfo-browns-broncos-week-16/
RH there’s a new blog, I responded to you there. Thanks for the article!
Rh what website is that ?