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Posts Tagged ‘Week 2’

Looking Ahead, Correcting Mistakes

September 20th, 2012 - 3:39pm by Eric DeckerOther posts by

Let’s get right to it. Our focus right now is on Houston. Obviously we want to learn from our mistakes, and the first step is to eliminate turnovers. If you do that, you move the ball, move the chains, you get into a rhythm and it becomes a lot easier. That’s our main focus, just trying to get into that rhythm. Making plays when they’re there, and obviously eliminate the mistakes.

As far as those mistakes against Atlanta, it’s all correctable, which is a good thing. I thought from film obviously turnovers and decision-making, physical stuff as far as route technique, just technique work across the board. It’s all correctable. You can get better at that. Physically we matched up well. I thought we came back and played well in the second half, we’ve just got to build off that.

I think after a loss you always kind of step back and evaluate your own play, what you can do better. It does make you focus more. I think really our mentality is we’ve got to win, string together some games. That’s what good teams do.

For me, the long pass from Peyton late in the game that I couldn’t bring in, that one is on my mind. I wish I could have that one back. I should’ve made a play on it. Unfortunately I didn’t. But next time I get the opportunity, I’ll make the play.

But like I said, we’re on to Houston. Right off the bat, you know they’ve got a very tough defense. Very sound across the board. We’ve got to play physical, we’ve got to use our technique and we’ve just got to execute every play that’s called. Again, move the chains, eliminate turnovers and stay ahead of, obviously, the chains — no third-and-longs and second-and-longs.

Of course we’re expecting the fans to be out in full force on Sunday. With a big game, second game at home, I know the excitement level’s still there. We’ve just got to feed off that and give them something to cheer about. Hopefully we can use you guys as a 12th man on defense with the crowd noise.

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Talking to the Texans

September 19th, 2012 - 5:36pm by Sam DavisOther posts by

Two weeks into the regular season, the Broncos’ rush defense has been stout. Their opponent on Sunday, the Houston Texans, aren’t overlooking it.

In a conference call on Wednesday with Denver media, Texans running back Arian Foster called the Denver defense “one of the best in the NFL.”

“They’re so quick,” said Foster, who ran for 110 yards last week against Jacksonville and scored his third touchdown of the year. “They’re fast. They run to the ball and they’re just — honestly, they’re exciting to watch.”

The Broncos have allowed just 2.6 yards per carry this year on 54 attempts, which is the fourth-lowest per-carry average in the league.

Foster and the Texans saw plenty of Broncos Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio when was the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars — a divisional rival of Houston — from 2003-2011.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Jack Del Rio,” Foster said. “He was in our division for years. I’ve played against him and I’ve got a lot of respect for what he does and how he carries himself. Obviously, his defenses have always been good.”

Foster isn’t alone in the Texans’ rushing attack, though. With the help of fellow running back Ben Tate, Houston tied for second in the league last year in rushing.

“You can’t get every carry as a running back, so it’s great to have a capable (backup) running back that can be efficient,” Foster said. “There’s not a lot of drop off when you leave the field. It’s always good as an offense.”

Splitting carries among the backs could be one way the Texans can combat the effects of playing at a higher altitude, which is part of Denver’s home field advantage.

Hailing from a city that is even higher than Denver, Foster might not feel the effects as much as other ball carries. Still, it has an impact.

“It’s always going to be a factor,” Foster said. “I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and that’s actually higher elevation than Denver. Coming from there, I know that elevation is a factor.”

On the other side of the ball, Texans Head Coach Gary Kubiak addressed the challenge in facing quarterback Peyton Manning — a task he and the Texans are very familiar with. Kubiak saw Manning twice a year when the quarterback was with Indianapolis.

“He’s got some fine weapons on his football team, some good young players, and they’re running the ball extremely well too,” Kubiak said. “It’s the same challenge. Obviously, we’ve had that challenge many times in Houston with him in Indy. Now it just comes with a different uniform on. It will be a tremendous challenge to find a way to get some stops defensively.”

Inside the Numbers: Week 2

September 19th, 2012 - 9:19am by Stuart ZaasOther posts by

2.6
Through two games, Denver’s run defense has proved stout, holding opponents to just 2.6 yards per carry. That figure ranks fourth in the league in 2012.

3
Linebacker Von Miller sacked Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan in the fourth quarter of Monday’s game, marking his third quarterback takedown of the season. He is tied for second in the league behind Clay Matthews.

6
Cornerback Tracy Porter notched his sixth pass breakup of the season in Monday’s game at Atlanta. He is tied with Tim Jennings for the league lead in that category through Week 2.

7
Monday’s game marked the seventh-straight regular season game that wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has led the Broncos in receiving yards. That is the most since Lionel Taylor led the team eight straight games during the 1963-64 seasons. Thomas finished the game with eight receptions for 78 yards and one touchdown.

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No Worries

September 19th, 2012 - 7:43am by mike_riceOther posts by

I know the NFL is a bottom-line league. Close games, good effort and heart don’t mean too much if a team can’t win games.

I also all know it’s very early in the season. It is tough to come away with many solid opinions because so little football has been played.

After what I saw Monday night against the Falcons, however, I think the Broncos are better than I originally thought they would be.

I know it sounds crazy, but I can’t remember feeling better after a loss.

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Elway: ‘Ready for the Challenge’

September 18th, 2012 - 4:58pm by Tyler EverettOther posts by

The second episode of the weekly Elway Access podcast is now on DenverBroncos.com, less than 24 hours after the Broncos’ 27-21 Week 2 defeat at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons. With Broncos TV’s Chris Hall hosting, Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway gave his thoughts on Monday night’s game and answered fan questions submitted via Twitter.

After falling behind 20-0 in the first half on the road against a strong team like the Atlanta Falcons, the Broncos fought back to make it a six-point game with less than four minutes to play.

“Number one, any time you turn the ball over like that on the road, even at home, your chances of winning are very slim,” Elway said. “To be able to do that and come back is difficult. Especially going into a place that’s hard to play, and do it in the first quarter.”

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Broncos at Falcons: Participation Breakdown

September 18th, 2012 - 4:17pm by Sam DavisOther posts by

 Playtime Percentage

 A breakdown of Broncos’ players participation in Sunday’s Week 2 loss at Atlanta

PLAYER
G M. Ramirez
T R. Clady
G Z. Beadles
WR D. Thomas
C J. Walton
QB P. Manning
T O. Franklin
WR E. Decker
WR B. Stokley
TE J. Dreessen
RB W. McGahee
TE J. Tamme
RB L. Ball
RB K. Moreno
WR M. Willis
TE J. Thomas
T C. Clark
S M. Adams
LB V. Miller
CB C. Bailey
DE E. Dumervil
LB J. Mays
S Rahim Moore
CB T. Porter
DE D. Wolfe
DT J. Bannan
LB W. Woodyard
CB T. Carter
DT K. Vickerson
LB K. Brooking
DT M. Unrein
DE R. Ayers
DE M. Jackson
S Q. Carter
S J. Leonhard
S D. Bruton
LB N. Irving
FB C. Gronkowski
CB O. Bolden
LB D. Trevathan
LB S. Johnson
LS A. Brewer
P B. Colquitt
K M. Prater
C D. Koppen

OFFENSIVE PLAYS
77 (100%)
77 (100%)
77 (100%)
77 (100%)
77 (100%)
77 (100%)
76 (99%)
74 (96%)
63 (82%)
59 (77%)
53 (69%)
27 (35%)
13 (17%)
11 (14%)
7 (9%)
1 (1%)
1 (1%)



-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

DEFENSIVE PLAYS

















68 (99%)
66 (96%)
65 (94%)
64 (93%)
63 (91%)
62 (90%)
61 (88%)
60 (87%)
42 (61%)
40 (58%)
38 (55%)
37 (54%)
36 (52%)
28 (41%)
9 (13%)
8 (12%)
7 (10%)
5 (7%)

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-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYS
3 (10%)
3 (10%)
3 (10%)



3 (10%)
1 (3%)

9 (31%)


20 (69%)

14 (48%)
5 (17%)
3 (10%)
6 (21%)
1 (3%)
1 (3%)
1 (3%)
6 (21%)
-
6 (21%)
9 (31%)
5 (17%)
16 (55%)
14 (48%)
1 (3%)
1 (3%)
12 (41%)
5 (17%)
-
20 (69%)
5 (17%)
25 (86%)
25 (86%)
20 (69%)
20 (69%)
15 (52%)
15 (52%)
8 (28%)
8 (28%)
7 (24%)
3 (10%)

Broncos at Falcons: Key Plays

September 18th, 2012 - 4:15am by Stuart ZaasOther posts by

Third-and-12 from the Denver 12: Peyton Manning’s pass intended for tight end Jacob Tamme was intercepted by Falcons safety William Moore and returned 33 yards to the Denver 1-yard line. Three plays later, running back Michael Turner jumped over the pile and crossed the goal line to give Atlanta the early lead.

Second-and-11 from the Denver 27: For the second time in the team’s first two possessions, Manning’s pass was intercepted by a Falcons safety. Thomas DeCoud came down with the deep pass and returned it 15 yards to the Broncos 43-yard line. Denver’s defense held Atlanta to one first down on its ensuring drive and the Falcons settled for a Matt Bryant field goal.

First-and-10 from the Atlanta 40: With the Broncos driving into Falcons territory, Manning’s pass again wound up in the wrong hands. This time it was Robert McClain who picked off the deep pass and returned it to the Atlanta 47-yard line, ending a potential scoring drive.

Third-and-9 from the Atlanta 48: Following the third interception, Atlanta had the ball with prime field position to add to its lead. On third down, safety Mike Adams tipped Matt Ryan’s pass, forcing it to fall harmlessly to the turf. The officials threw a flag for defensive pass interference, but Head Coach John Fox challenged the call, which would eventually be overturned to force a fourth-down punt.

First-and-10 from the Atlanta 45: After starting with solid field position of its own, the Denver offense turned over the football for the fourth time in the opening quarter. Running back Knowshon Moreno fumbled the football and after much discussion, it was ruled that Atlanta had recovered. The Falcons converted that turnover into another Bryant field goal to go ahead 20-0 early in the second quarter.

Broncos at Falcons: Quotables

September 18th, 2012 - 4:15am by Stuart ZaasOther posts by

Head Coach John Fox

On QB Peyton Manning’s three first-quarter interceptions
“Again, you have to remember that Peyton Manning is a new quarterback in our system. He is adjusting to teammates, adjusting to the things we’re doing. It’s not going to happen overnight. I’ll just leave it at that. He’s just going to get better. I think we learned a lot about our football team tonight. We realized that you can’t be minus four in the turnover ratio if you expect to win – especially against a good football team like Atlanta at their place.”

On the defense keeping the team in the game early
“I thought our guys battled. As I told them in there, it didn’t start nearly as well as we’d expect it, yet we still battled and had an opportunity to win the game – just came up a little bit short.”

On positives from the game
“I thought there were some good things in the game. I know losing is never really an easy pill to swallow – obviously, this wasn’t an easy pill – but I thought there were things that were positive. I thought our run defense was a little bit better. I thought we ran the ball pretty efficiently. We got close, even being minus four. They got their hands on balls, they caught them. We got our hands on balls, didn’t catch them. Even at the end with the fumble, we didn’t get it. Sometimes you have days like that. We can learn from it. We have to do a better job of coaching and our players will do a better job of playing.”

Quarterback Peyton Manning

On the interceptions
“Disappointing start. Any time you come on the road and throw three interceptions in the first quarter, it really puts the team in a hole. It put the defense in a hole and gave Atlanta some great field position that they took advantage of. It’s disappointing. Really a tough start. I won’t make any excuses for three poor decisions, three throws into coverage and just have to be able to eliminate those. Usually when you turn the ball over four times you don’t have a chance to even win the game. So, I thought that we did fight back and had a chance there at the end. But, in the end I put our team in too far of a hole.”

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Broncos Fall to Falcons, 27-21

September 17th, 2012 - 10:14pm by Tyler EverettOther posts by

The Broncos came back from a 20-point first half deficit to cut Atlanta’s lead to 27-21 with 3:25 remaining. But the Falcons were able to run out the clock and prevent Denver from completing the comeback.

Running back Willis McGahee led the way for the Broncos with 113 yards rushing and two second half touchdowns on 22 carries.

Denver fell behind 10-0 early in the first quarter and was unable to erase a 20-0 first half deficit in a 27-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football.

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Broncos at Falcons: Gameday Coverage

September 17th, 2012 - 9:59pm by Sam DavisOther posts by

BRONCOS AT FALCONS:

BRONCOS FALL TO FALCONS, 27-21: Denver was able to cut into a 20-point first half deficit against the Atlanta Falcons, but ultimately came up six points short.

Below are the blogs from tonight’s action.

BRONCOS ON TWITTER: Follow the action on Twitter, as well, via the Broncos’ official gameday account. @BroncosGameday will keep fans updated with live, in-game updates throughout tonight’s matchup.

NFL GAMEPASS: For international Broncos fans located outside the United States and Mexico, watch tonight’s game live and in HD with NFL GamePass.

BRONCOS TV: ON SITE: Click here to watch Broncos TV On Site: Georgia Dome, featuring Chris Hall and Gray Caldwell. Each week, they come to you live from field level to break down the Broncos’ matchup.

PREGAME PHOTOS: View photos from the pregame action as the Broncos arrive in Atlanta and prepare to take on the Falcons on Monday Night Football.

TONIGHT’S INACTIVES: Click here for a list of the players that will not suit up tonight.

BRONCOS WIN TOSS: The Broncos won the toss and elected to receive. Click here for a list of Denver’s captains and starters.

FALCONS STRIKE FIRST: Michael Turner’s 1-yard touchdown run put the Falcons ahead early in the first quarter.

FALCONS EXTEND LEAD WITH FIELD GOAL: The Broncos defense held Atlanta to a field goal after the Falcons took over in Denver territory.

DEFENSE HOLDS AFTER THIRD INTERCEPTION: The Denver defense forced a Falcons’ three-and-out following a third Peyton Manning interception.

MORENO FUMBLES, FIRST QUARTER ENDS: The Falcons begin the third quarter with the ball and a 10-0 lead following a fourth Broncos turnover.

FALCONS ADD TO LEAD: Atlanta converted on a 42-yard field goal to extend its lead to 13-0.

FALCONS LEAD 20-0: A 73-yard touchdown drive put the Falcons ahead 20-0 late in the second quarter.

BRONCOS ON THE BOARD: Peyton Manning hit Demaryius Thomas for a touchdown in the final seconds of the first half. Watch the play here.

MANNING PASSES ELWAY ON ALL-TIME PASS ATTEMPTS LIST: A strong second quarter helped Peyton Manning make a bit of history.

FALCONS EXTEND LEAD: Roddy White’s third-quarter touchdown grab makes it 27-7 in favor of Atlanta.

INJURY UPDATE: Linebacker Joe Mays left the field in the third quarter. Click here for his status.

TOUCHDOWN BRINGS BRONCOS CLOSER: An 88-yard drive that culminated with a Willis McGahee touchdown run narrowed the deficit for the Broncos.

BRONCOS WITHIN ONE SCORE: Willis McGahee’s second touchdown of the game brought the Broncos to within one score.