Week 9: Steelers at Broncos

[jjflr]

They've also been playing against the Steelers and Ravens defense the last two games. Granted, Baltimore isn't what they used to be on defense, but they're still no walk in the park.

eh, the ravens defense is average at best. they padded their stats against a couple of bad teams early in the season. it just appears to me that the broncos last 2 opponents know what the broncos are doing on offense now. there's enough film on them that the broncos now have to re-adjust because teams are catching up with them.

[BigBenCan7]

eh, the ravens defense is average at best. they padded their stats against a couple of bad teams early in the season. it just appears to me that the broncos last 2 opponents know what the broncos are doing on offense now. there's enough film on them that the broncos now have to re-adjust because teams are catching up with them.

I think that the Broncos offense was never that good, it was always their defense winning games for them. When were they even all that effective? You want to say that the Ravens defense padded stats against bad teams, the only time the Broncos scored more than 17 points was when they played the Browns, Raiders, and Chargers. They're playing better defenses now and they're getting exposed.

My biggest concern if I'm a Broncos fan is the defense. That is a group that seems to have more film against them, and teams are adjusting and making plays against them. They've given up 45 points in the 2nd half the last two weeks, and one of those two offenses isn't even in the top half of the league IMO. What was winning them games previously isn't anymore.

[jjflr]

I think that the Broncos offense was never that good, it was always their defense winning games for them. When were they even all that effective? You want to say that the Ravens defense padded stats against bad teams, the only time the Broncos scored more than 17 points was when they played the Browns, Raiders, and Chargers. They're playing better defenses now and they're getting exposed.

My biggest concern if I'm a Broncos fan is the defense. That is a group that seems to have more film against them, and teams are adjusting and making plays against them. They've given up 45 points in the 4th quarter the last two weeks, and one of those two offenses isn't even in the top half of the league IMO. What was winning them games previously isn't anymore.

i agree that the the broncos offense was never that good but now it's dwindled to non-existent.

and i 'sort of' agree that teams are figuring out what mcdaniels is doing on defense, but in neither of their losses have the broncos allowed an offensive touchdown in the first 3 quarters of either game, except for 1 tonight. i've seen mental letdowns in both games in the 4th quarter, almost like they've just resigned defeat on defense because the offense isn't scoring at all.

[BigBenCan7]

i agree that the the broncos offense was never that good but now it's dwindled to non-existent.

and i 'sort of' agree that teams are figuring out what mcdaniels is doing on defense, but in neither of their losses have the broncos allowed an offensive touchdown in the first 3 quarters of either game, except for 1 tonight. i've seen mental letdowns in both games in the 4th quarter, almost like they've just resigned defeat on defense because the offense isn't scoring at all.

So it wasn't in "neither" game then I guess. The Steelers were moving the ball at will on the Broncos for the entire 2nd half, before their offense was really sputtering. This wasn't a case of them giving up in the 4th quarter, they were outplayed from halftime to triple zeros.

[Texecutioner]

The Broncos clearly need to fix their problems on offense more than anything. There is no excuse for their offense to be this bad with all those weapons over there. The just drafted Moreno who looked like the best RB out of the draft and Eddie Royal hasn't been used near enough in this offense all season long. They've got a good O line, so Orton should be able to make some kind of plays. I know that Orton isn't that good and all, but they should be able to do better than what they've done on offense this season. Hell, just last night in the second half Mcdaniels ran a screen pass down the sidelines on 3rd and 10, and of course it went nowhere. It was a horrible play call. Mcdaniels may have gotten this defense turned around from what it was last season, but he tore this offense apart.

[BigBenCan7]

The Broncos clearly need to fix their problems on offense more than anything. There is no excuse for their offense to be this bad with all those weapons over there. The just drafted Moreno who looked like the best RB out of the draft and Eddie Royal hasn't been used near enough in this offense all season long. They've got a good O line, so Orton should be able to make some kind of plays. I know that Orton isn't that good and all, but they should be able to do better than what they've done on offense this season. Hell, just last night in the second half Mcdaniels ran a screen pass down the sidelines on 3rd and 10, and of course it went nowhere. It was a horrible play call. Mcdaniels may have gotten this defense turned around from what it was last season, but he tore this offense apart.

I don't know if that's the best example. Screen passes on third and longs are pretty common play calls, because those plays are safe and have the potential to pick up a first down if a team is pinning their ears back and blitzing he quarterback (like the Steelers were).

[CatClaw]

Last night was the first Broncos game I've sat through besides the immaculate defleciton and I'm just puzzled....they take advantage of W. Gay for the first two drives...then stop. The whole offense is buit around the short and intermediate routes and you have B. Marshall on your team, who is a half a foot taller than any DB on the field...How do you not take a few shots down the field? Just a few! I realize the Steelers D adjusted after halftime, but I was getting frustrated seeing ALL 11 Steelers on Defense in the TV frame shot before the snap full well knowing the Broncos weren't going to throw over their heads. I liked the use of the "jumbo" package in the passing game, since it gave Orton a little more time...but throw the ball downfield! OK...rant over.

[lawdog93]

I was at this game and it was a great game for the first 3 quarters. Orton made some mistakes that definitely cost them this week.

[Sway29]

I really think denver just started off magical and have come back down to earth. They are a good team but I just don't see any way they make noise in the playoffs

[myshkingfh]

They're only a game and a tiebreaker ahead of San Diego.