Blueprint to beating Falcons

by The Gun Young on Nov 11, 2008 11:07 AM MST Comment 11 comments

The Falcons have lost 3 games.

In all 3 games, Turner has been held to less than 100 yards rushing.

The Falcons trailed early in each loss.

And Ryan has attempted over 30 passes in each loss (the only games in which he has). Not surprisingly, 4 of 5 of Ryan's INTs have come in these three losses.

For the Broncos, we know avoiding offensive turnovers is our number 1key to victory.

But if we can also get an early lead, hold down their run game, and force Ryan to throw +30 times, than we should taste victory.

The bad news for the Broncos is that all 3 Falcon losses have come on the road.

However, each Falcon loss has come after a home victory, and they have not won more than two games in a row all year. This week's game comes off a Falcon's home win, and their second in a row. So that could be good omen for the Broncs.

Of course, stopping Turner will be hard for our defense, so to do so we will have to commit to 8 in the box, and we will have to tackle well. Luckily they do not have a TE like Winslow to abuse us this week, so we need to also use that 8 in the box to blitz the heck out of Ryan.

No doubt he will make some plays, especially against our defense. But he is a rookie QB, and once again if we can force him to throw 30+ times, with lots of pressure, than we should get some stops and/or some turnovers.

Of course, offensively for the Broncos, we need to score 28+ points, and we need success early. With the way the Saints lit up the 4th quarter on the Falcons, I think we should start with the way we ended at Cleveland (single back-Hillis, with 3 WR or two TEs and 2 Wrs). And Cutler needs to play turnover free.

Yes this will all be difficult, but we know it is possible. This is how we have won each game this year (score a lot, not turn the ball over, stop the other team's run game, and win a shoot out).

I see it happening again this week. Go Broncos!

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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I will be at the Atlanta game!

This will be my first Bronco game that I have seen in person. So we can’t lose this one. :-)

To have striven, to have made the effort, to have been true to certain ideals - this alone is worth the struggle. - William Penn

Tom Arnold, of Fox Sports Net's Best Damn Sports Show Period, said this about Warren Sapp: "Hey, Warren, the Raiders signed you to a seven-year deal. I guess Bill Callahan was right --- they are the dumbest team in America."

by Philistine21 on Nov 11, 2008 11:42 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Bring us luck Philistine!

That’s ok with me. We’re playing for wins, not media publicity....HT 9/11/08

by firstfan on Nov 11, 2008 12:48 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Alright Phil!

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Nov 11, 2008 7:54 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

:-)

To have striven, to have made the effort, to have been true to certain ideals - this alone is worth the struggle. - William Penn

by Philistine21 on Nov 13, 2008 10:49 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Outstanding post Gun!

I have been doing a bit of analysis of “The Trenches” and have arrived at exactly the same conclusions. Your observations regarding TE are dead right on. We must avoid turnovers, get an early lead, and force Ryan to pass. Atlanta has the # 1 rushing offense in the NFL and if they get the opportunity to turn that loose on us it could wear down our front seven and make for a loooong afternoon (or morning here in Alaska). I will have more on Special Teams later, but remember that they have Elam kicking off and a punter with a 39.3 average. (Kern is 47.1) Their leading punt returner is Jennings with a 6.6 average. We have the edge in ST’s. Excellent post Gun Young. Thank you.

That’s ok with me. We’re playing for wins, not media publicity....HT 9/11/08

by firstfan on Nov 11, 2008 12:58 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Good points about our ST advantage.

I am so glad we finally put Royal back to receive KOs in addition to PRs. Without the desperation from injuries and losses, Shanny might never have made this move.

by The Gun Young on Nov 11, 2008 1:15 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Good job Gun Young.

I hope it happens just the way you said.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Nov 11, 2008 7:55 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I think that if we can manage any running game at all

we will win. If we can balance our offense to keep the Falcons D off balance and wear down their front seven, I think our offense will shine. Defensively, there is a hope of getting Champ back this week; he is from the Atlanta area and has said that he wants to play in this one, but I don’t think he’ll be able to go. I like what I’ve seen from Paymah, and our secondary has played pretty well considering the injuries and complete lack of talent. We absolutely MUST stop the run this week. If Michael Turner gets into a rhythm, we are done for. This game will be won or lost by our front seven.

I wish they would put Larsen in there at MLB; he hits with AUTHORITAH, unlike a certain gunshy Niko Koutouvides. Who cares if he goes to the wrong gap, at least he’ll be decisive and knock someone’s lights out. And, hopefully, he won’t do one of those depressing “look at my enormous muscles with my Nike bicep bands on them” dances after the play.

It was once said that a million monkeys typing at a million computers could reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the internet, we know that is not true.

by papigrande on Nov 11, 2008 9:50 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

You called it right across the board papi!

From the running game to playing Larsen both ways! Good job!

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Nov 17, 2008 3:31 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey Gun...

nice post. Totally agree and see this game as a very difficult challenge and if Denvers D is up to it, And we win this one, I think it will go a long way toward creating the mindset that we need to finnish out the season.

by metalman5050 on Nov 13, 2008 10:05 AM MST reply actions 0 recs