The offseason got off to a big start for the Broncos this week. There are plenty of opportunities to share your thoughts in some of the other blogs and many of you have already done that.
As for me, I’m going to focus on the playoffs over the next few weeks. I’ll break down the upcoming games, make my predictions and hopefully get yours as well.
AFC WILD CARD PLAYOFFS
NEW YORK JETS 23, INDIANAPOLIS 20
The Colts are not what they used to be. Certainly injuries have played a part in that. And those injuries have put a serious dent into Indianapolis’ high-octane offense. Tight end Dallas Clark: out. Wide receiver Austin Collie: done. Running back Joseph Addai: Just coming back after missing half the season.
And the Colts expect to win a playoff game against the Jets? Come on. It won’t happen.
I’m not a huge fan of the Jets’ offense. Mark Sanchez hasn’t shown the ability to put the team on his back. And now his shoulder is, at least, sore.
But the Jets can run the ball, to the tune of 148.4 yards per game, fourth-highest in the NFL during the regular season. That will be a great match-up against the Colts’ porous run defense, which ranks 25th by surrendering 127 yards per game.
It just doesn’t add up for Indy. The Jets win on the road and move on.
BALTIMORE 17, KANSAS CITY 13
The Chiefs’ turnaround this year has been admirable. In fact, it has been down right impressive. But hold the phone just a minute. The Ravens are darn good. You don’t win 12 games by mistake.
While the Ravens’ defense has slipped some, it is still really good. They allow an average of 16.9 points per game (third-best in the NFL), 93.9 rushing yards per game (5th) and 318.9 yards of total offense per game (10th).
One can spin stats many different ways but no matter how you look at it, those are indicative of a top-notch defense. In my opinion, it is a defense that will be able to do enough to at least slow down the NFL’s best rushing attack. Kansas City averages 164.2 yards per game on the ground.
As tough as it is to face the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, the Ravens won’t be intimidated. This is their type of game. The Ravens get it done but it won’t be a work of art.
NFC WILD CARD PLAYOFFS
NEW ORLEANS 37, SEATTLE 6
Really, is there any analysis needed of this game? For a road team, the Saints get the best playoff draw in the history of the NFL. We’ll hear the Saints offer up their best Lou Holtz speech about how dangerous the Seahawks are.
Don’t believe a word of it.
The Seahawks are bad. They have a bad record in a horrendous division. 7-9 in the NFL West? For that, the Seahawks get to host a playoff game. Enjoy it while it lasts, because it won’t be for long.
One and done for the Seabirds. The Saints march on. Expect it to get ugly. Really ugly.
GREEN BAY 30, PHILADELPHIA 24
This is an intriguing first round match-up. Green Bay won the regular season meeting, 27-20, at Lincoln Financial Field. I know, that was way back on September 12, the first game of the year.
I go back and forth on this one. On the one hand, I love the Packers’ offense. With quarterback Aaron Rodgers back, the Packers are a threat to go deep into the postseason, even though the running game is somewhat suspect.
On the other hand, I like the playmaking ability of Eagles’ quarterback Michael Vick, even though he is coming off a game against the Vikings in week 16 in which he lost two fumbles, threw an interception and was sacked six times.
Defensively, both teams have been at least solid, with moments of great play and moments to forget.
In a close match-up such as this, I’ll take the better quarterback. That would be Aaron Rodgers of the Packers. The Pack Attack is back, at least for the first round of the playoffs.
I know, I’m going out on a limb by taking all four road teams to win this week. I think, however, the road teams are the better teams. And the better team usually wins in the playoffs.
What are your predictions? I’d love to have you share them. Thanks for reading and enjoy the games this weekend.
Best,
Mike
Tags: 2011, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Mike Rice, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, NFL playoffs, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Wild Card Weekend
Too bad we don’t have our fourth round pick. There is a RB from Illinois declaring for the draft. His name is Michael LeShore and he’s projected bottom 3rd/top 4th.
Wonderful is an UNDERSTATEMENT!!!
You guys wanna know how impressive Williams really is, just consider what Sean Payton did to acquire him:
Williams was hired by the New Orleans Saints on January 15, 2009. Head coach Sean Payton, who was heavily involved in the effort to recruit Williams to the team, raved about Williams “because he was so impressive and prepared” in his interview. In fact, Williams was so impressive that Payton offered and took a voluntary $250,000 cut in salary to help facilitate his signing with the team. He took over a Saints defense ranked 23rd in the NFL in yards allowed and tied for 26th in points allowed in 2008.
Williams’ contributions to the Saints’ defense in 2009 were one of the primary ingredients for the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance and victory in SB XLIV over the Indianapolis Colts.
Ha! DP said Williams has some explaining to his D just got HAMMERED for 41pts and that’s what happens when ur blitz happy…. So the broncos are going to narrow it down from these 6 candidates? their saying maybe 1 or 2 more after this weeks playoff games…. I really think they need to interview don capers
Bay, I agree with your thinking in not bring in any free agent players and thats the way to go. We need young defensive players all across the board to rebuild the team. I`d only bring in one player and one player only. Baltimores DT Haloti Ngata. He`s a stud up the middle and only 27 years old. Thats just a thought.
Out of curiosity where did Gregg Williams coach before he arrived in N.O.?
Redskins
Dude807 and the DP: Easy on using the Saints’ loss to question Williams.
This is a three time post repeat of mine:
The Saints D ranks 3rd in total D in the league, 3rd against the pass and 3rd against the run also!!!! And has anyone already forgotten Williams’ D defeated Peyton Manning in last year’s SB?
The Seawhawk game was just one game and nobody on the coaching staff had that team ready to play starting with the HC.
It was the very defintion of a trap game, it happens to the best of them…
Everyone would be well served to keep that loss in the proper perspective and I am sure our executives aren’t going to make the rush judgements that you guys are making over one game…
Webster’s dictionary Trap game definition: playing a 7-9 team in the playoffs.
Bills, Redskins, Jaguars.
Fox’s interview has been rescheduled because of snow.
Josh McDaniels isn’t only Denver coach Minnesota likes. Broncos special teams coach Mike Priefer interviewing for same job today w/ Vikings.
I back Bay with what he’s saying about Williams. Since I was born and raised in New Orleans I’ve been able to see all of the Saints DC since I was able to watch and understand football. Williams is the best the Saints has ever had. Plus what coach takes a pay cut let alone takes a pay cut to bring another on board.
Williams wouldn’t even waste his time if he didn’t have a interest. So I say it’s a good sign and the bottom line is one way or another we are gonna have a damn good coach, whoever we choose. Plus we are gonna have someone who wants to be here!
So Kolb wants to be traded if Vick returns! Looks like the market for Orton just took a hit!
Actually Williams started coaching with the Oilers!!! Then he coached for the Titans, then the Bills etc….. Many, many years of experience, often leading his teams to top 10 D’s in the league.
Since now Williams will be interviewing I can be rolling with more info about him, haha:
From 1997-2000, Williams was promoted to Defensive Coordinator of the now Tennessee Titans after the Oilers moved out of Houston. As the Defensive Coordinator, the Titans led the league in total defense and only gave up 191 points, the third fewest in the NFL since the league adopted the 16-game schedule in 1978. The defense also helped lead the Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV where they lost to the St. Louis Rams.
In Washington, with Williams’ aggressive defensive scheme, the Redskins’ defense ranked third in the NFL in 2004 and ninth in 2005.
I want Williams just because I think Bay deserves it!
I disagree and don’t think you’ve got a lot of your wishes. Just the desperation ones.
Do it for Bay Denver, imagine how happy he’d be!
UK has the faith….
Desperation ones? You lost me lad, LOL.
Trading Marshall, trading Phonzy, firing McD, all those are serious campaigns that I lead here and came to fruition.
Cross Rivera off the list
Yeah, all negative “getting rid of” moves because the situation had got so dire in each case!
I think you deserve a positive one, like getting the coach you want, drafting D-line, drafting a power-back, zone-blocking….etc
Rivera was the front runner for Carolina all along that’s probably why we never bothered contacting him.
Got it now UK, thanks for the love!
How well does Williams adjust? What was his demise when he was HC? Gotta give the naysayers everything Bay bc ya know they will be hitting you with questions like that.
Rivera going to Carolina has gotta weaken the Chargers surely? I still consider them the competition for teh West. The Chiefs aren’t that good and the Raiders took another massive backward step.
Worst to First for us next year (like the Chiefs this year)…
lol at dude807 and DP be easy…. i’m not saying williams is a bad coach i’m just saying i’m not surprise his D got torch for 41pts because everybody knows he’s a blitz happy guy.. when u blitz there’s somebody always open, and in his system u better have some damn good safeties and CBs….. And that’s what happen in that game jeremy bates knew he could beat them in that area cause freeman and harper was lost out there
As the Bills’ head coach, his team was known for highly conservative calls, especially on offense. He was the inspiration for Gregg Easterbrook’s designation of “the maroon zone” by frequently punting in opponent territory.
There you go, haha.
But with Dennison assistant HC/OC that would not even be an issue… Plus it was back when he knew little, after seeing Payton operate I would imagine his conservative ways on O have changed quite a bit, but it would actually work perfectly well for us to be somehow conservative on O with the great zone blocking scheme running of Dennison and to bring Tebow in slowly.
How did I do? LOL.
Agreed that’s a sizable loss for the Chargers, not official yet, but I’m rooting, thank you Rivera.
I think it’s enough to keep everyone @ “Bay”, hahaha, no matter which Greg Williams side they are on.
interesting how a lot of these candidates have a history w/ the Bill’s(mularkey, Williams,Stuudes, and i thinkg Fewell or Koetter) and we assume they are not top flight because of bad records, and i think it was mostly because they had bad teams to work w/ at most times..IMO.. hopefully thats the case.
I’d really like to see Dennison back. But Fox and Williams are too hard to pass up w/ their defensive minds..
I’ll still root for Dennison,I think he would be the most successful candidate,because he knows how we roll! but on the other hand,we would have to find a good DC,if there is one in the running.just me.
Any chance Fox would consider a DC job,if he dosen’t find a HC gig?
To be honest Dennison,Williams,Fox,or Fewell either one would be ok,I think either of these guys would make the Broncos a great HC.
One things for sure,we definitely have some contenders in the hunt now!
John Fox would make me nervous being oue HC. He was HC of the Panthers for nine years and eventually hit rock bottom. They are pick number one in the draft. For that to happen with a coach who`s been there for almost a decade. Now thats bad.
Fox will probably land a DC gig if he isn`t offered a HC position.
I would like Dennison as HC and Fox as DC,I think that would be the start of a great staff.jomho.
That could happen BFE. It`s realistic.
My question is this…. Which coach could hold the ship together better when we are faced with adversity. Whether it’s injuries or other distractions!
Fox and Williams have similiar accomplishments as defensive coordinators, just look at their Bio’s, both are impressive. Fox has a better resume as a head coach and would probably be more likely to take a DC job here after the season he just went through. Williams personality fits but only if he really wants to be here, that is what he is all about. He would only come for the head coachig position if he will come at all. The teams he has been a DC for improved immediately when he arrived. Kind of like the Broncos did when Mike Nolan came here. Must have been why McD ran him off, he was showing him up. Dennison sounds safer with a high profile DC like Fox or Nolan though I will have to admit, with a defensive head coach we would finally have some stability on that side of the ball. It would be nice , however, if we don’t swap one side of the ball for the other. How about co-headcoaches. LOL