It's All Down "Hill" if You Want to Be the "Champ"!

The match up this Sunday against the unbeaten Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos is a marque game for many reasons, for one the Colts are undefeated at 12-0 and going for an NFL record for consecutive victories and the #1 seed in the AFC throughout the plays. That's reason enough for any great team to want to go out and show the world on your home turf just how great you are. A win would definitely make a statement towards greatness and superiority in the NFL. They know what they need and want.

For the Denver Broncos this is a must win for themselves if they plan on playing after January 3rd at least in thinking. Sure they could lose this game and still possibly make the playoffs but, there are no guarantees of what the other teams in line are going to do. The mind set of this team is immediate and we need this game now, because without it there may not be any tomorrows. So, with all of that said how do we beat the unbeaten?

Success for a win in this game all falls on the heels of our defense, that's the bottom line. Containing Peyton Manning is a tall task and many have tried only to walk away hanging their heads in embarrassment. And it has happened many times. But, with every great offense there is an execution of defense that can beat it if they have a plan and stick to it. Today, a day before this great meeting of the two teams we'll explore if you will how the Denver Broncos defense can beat the great.

It all starts with the front 7. We can't exactly call them the Magnificent Seven because he is retired but they are a formidable bunch of guys who really haven't even played together very long, but, they seem to all have something in common, a desire to win and play well. And they have done that fairly well so far this season. Fields, Petterson and McBean will be on the field more than they are use to with Manning's uncanny ability to no-huddle to death out of you. These three guys, along with Marcus Thomas and Vonnie Holliday have to pressure Manning and stay in his face all afternoon. They will have opportunities to block and tip passes as Manning is primarially a pocket passer. Pressure is the key as mentioned on HT's post and be relentless not giving up on any play. Manning's OLine is dinged up a little, so that has to be somewhat of an advantage for our DLine, and who wants this game more? Us or them?

Wayne's law!

Reggie Wayne has moved to the forefront of Manning's offense since the removal of Marvin Harrison and hasn't missed a beat. He is Peyton's most lethal weapon in a bag of many and will be hard the defend. This will lie in the hands of two particular players who go by the name of Renaldo Hill and Champ Bailey. Bailey will have to shadow Wayne all day and not let him have much space, if much space is needed. Hill will cover the back door coming across with sneaky speed to intercept Wayne and the ball. These two will have their hands full and will need a large dose of energy to make it all work in their favor.  Deceiving is the best weapon Hill and Bailey will have for success and if they are, they may have some prizes to go with it. Advantage? I'll take my chances with Hill and Bailey any day and if they don't make too many mistakes with Wayne, they will win the battles and the war.

 Pierre Garcon The Newbie;

Garcon is just another weapon in Manning's repetoir of trick if you will and had a big game with the Titans catching 6 passes for 136 yards. They were the catalyst of the offenses success, averaging 22.7 yards per catch. Though he had no TD's he set up for Joseph Addai's 2 TD's. That's what Peyton is good at, targeting the DB's weaknesses and in this case it was Garcon. Andre' Goodman will be on him all day trying to upset his-and Manning's rhythm. Easy job for Goodman? Maybe, maybe not but Goodman has shown why the Denver Broncos brought him in out of the free agency cold. He has been hot of late with INT's and fumble recover TD's, so I have to give Goodman the benefit of any doubt that he can and will cover Garcon and have a good day. Just don't let me down Andre'.

Austin Collie is Mr GoodWrench!

Austin has made a his name a household product so far this year becoming the premier receiver Caldwell was hoping he would be. He has 47 receptions with 501 yds and 5 TD's this season to go along with his 10.7 ypc. He will be another of Peyton's go to guys and who will be shadowing him all day? It's a mater of the Law! Ty Law with his 11 interceptions of Peyton Manning will be on the youngster Collie on most plays I suspect and will have alot of work to do in defensing him. The kid is cagey and has very good hands. He makes quick moves to adjust his route and will occasion take a player out of his shoes. Ty will have to lay the Law down if he wants to be perfect with this kid. Advantage, Law, only because of his experience of Manning. Collie could have a big day though, so this will be fun to watch.

Last but not least, Dallas Clark;

This TE is rated right there with the best of them and has sure hands and great blocking ability. This guy has to be eliminated period, if that is possible. This responsibility could lie anywhere from a successful pressure by the front 7 and a couple of players. The more pressure the front DLine puts on Manning will require Clark to stay in and block. If the pressure is light Manning will let him roll out either way for a big time catch when everybody else is covered. That's when BDawk-a-Clock. Yeah that's right Mr Clark, meet Mr Dawkins for a bone crunching buffet. Well, I can wish can't I? And this comes down to my last point.

We have to come out and make a statement and they know that. Out that statement means that they will probably make some plays and when and if they do everybody on defense has to lay the wood on them just to let them know you are around and will be around to lay some more. And when the going get's tough and it seems like you don't know if your going to make it or not, you have to dogged mean and step up and make a statement. I don't want to see any mealey-mouthed tackles out there tomorrow, I want to see some bone-crunching hits going on! It is tackle football isn't it?"TAKE IT"!

This is hoping we have a great game tomorrow and win one for the McD! 12-4 Baby!!! Until we ain't!