Game Preview: Chicago @ Denver

Since this is my first game preview, I wanted to try it before the regular season begins. The 3rd preseason game is the most important because the starters will play the longest. For this reason, I will focus my attention on most of the starters.

Since this is my first game preview, I wanted to try it before the regular season begins. The 3rd preseason game is the most important because the starters will play the longest.

QB - Orton looked decent against San Francisco, but that was to be expected. He showed he could still command the offense and lead them on long drives. Against Seattle, he looked much more comfortable and in control. As a result, his passes were crisper and on target. He has quickly developed good chemistry with the wide receivers. Even though there is a long way to go, he has shown the ability to lead the Broncos' offense.

So far in the preseason, he has had 5 drives of at least 7 plays and 3 minutes in game time. I have listed them below.

1. 13 plays, 6:57(8 pass, 5 run)
2. 7 plays, 3:03 (4 pass, 3 run)
3. 7 plays, 3:39 (3 pass, 4 run)
4. 12 plays, 5:51 (9 pass, 3 run)
5. 14 plays, 7:36 (10 pass, 4 run)

Despite throwing 64.2 percent of the time, the Broncos have been highly effective so far. Here is a breakdown of the catches by the top 3 WRs, top 2 TEs and the top 3 RBs (although Knowshon isn't included here, he will most likely be considered the top running back when he is healthy).

1. Eddie Royal: 8 rec, 90 yards
2. Jabar Gaffney: 5 rec, 55 yards
3. Brandon Stokley: 4 rec, 24 yards, 1 td
4. Daniel Graham: 1 rec, 12 yards
5. Tony Scheffler: 1 rec, 5 yards
6. Peyton Hillis: 3 rec, 36 yards
7. LaMont Jordan: 3 rec, 34 yards
8. Correl Buckhalter: 1 rec, 8 yards

These numbers aren't exactly eye-popping, and yet the one number here that I love is 8 (it will be 9 when Knowshon is healthy). That is a lot of targets for a quarterback who is learning a new system. The biggest positive we can take so far from the preseason is that on every play, there will be 4-5 targets every for Orton to throw to.

Whether it is a WR, TE or RB, it does not matter. He has the perfect supporting cast to help him succeed in the passing game. The running backs are also going to be a great help towards his development. They all can run well, too. Hillis averaged 5.0 yards per carry last year and is a tough runner with deceptive speed. In the last two years, Buckhalter has average 5.0 and 4.9 yards per carry, respectively. He has great quickness and despite being an 8-year veteran, has only played in 5 seasons. Jordan is a tough, big back who can be great in short yardage and goal line situations. With a much better offense, he was still able to average 4.5 yards per carry.

Orton not only has great receivers and running backs, but he also a great offensive line. The first unit from last year has done a great job at giving Orton time. They face a good test this weekend. The Bears have a very disruptive front seven and will try to disguise their looks to make it difficult for Orton.

1. Royal, Gaffney and Stokley to make big plays after the catch and find the endzone
2. Scheffler to try to establish himself as a good receiving option for Orton against a talented Chicago defense
3. all the running backs to find the holes and have a bigger impact than they have so far in the preseason
4. Orton to throw high percentage passes, and eliminate his redzone INTs
5. the offensive line to be tested and still give Orton the time he needs to make the throws
6. Josh McDaniel's and Kyle Orton to have improved communication to save timeouts and help the offense run more smoothly

So far, the starters have look pretty good considering to amount of new players, coaches and a whole new system. Mike Nolan has done a great job teaching the players and puting them in the right position. This team was poor at tackling, had only 26 sacks and 6 INTs last year. Although Denver has not had an INT yet, they have 7 sacks in 2 preseason games. Another focus for Denver has been playing a more physical defense, especially against the run.

1. Kenney Peterson has 2 sacks so far and has done a great job of getting pressure
2. DJ Williams also has a sack, and looks comfortable in his new spot
3. Elvis Dumervil has a sack and looks very capable in his new pass rushing position
4. Newcomers Ryan McBean and Chris Baker have also contributed with a sack each and have been able to apply pressure on the quarterback
5. The secondary has contributed several times to the sacks listed above with good coverage
6. The defense as a whole has tackled well

Overall, the defense has looked much better already than last year. The key is for the veterans to step up and set the example. The younger guys need to follow and play with that same discipline and fundamentally sound football. The stats so far, even though it is preseason, that are a good start for Denver is against the run.

Last year, Denver allowed 146.1 yards per game and 5.0 yards per carry . So far, Denver has allowed 104.0 yards per game and 3.9 yards per carry. If Denver can continue to put pressure and hit the gaps quickly and precisely when they need to, along with good tackling, they will continue to improve against the run.

1. Denver really struggled against teams on third down last year, allowing teams to have a 44% conversion rate (ranked 25th). So far they have had several 3rd and longs and have failed to force punts
2. Robert Ayers will need some more time to really get adjusted to the NFL game and the system Nolan has put into place. It will take some time, but it would be great for his confidence to come out and put pressure on Cutler and disrupt the running game
3. Alphonso Smith has high expectations for himself and the Broncos are expecting a lot from him as well. He needs to learn the pace of the game as well and put his stamp on a few big plays
4. The front seven has more talent than most people and even Broncos fans would give them credit, but there are still some miscues, missed tackles and a lot to learn in this new system. As a whole, they need to get to the point where they don't have to think as much, and can begin to read the offense and dictate what the other team does

Jay Cutler, tight end Greg Olsen and running back Matt Forte are very talented players who put a lot pf pressure on the defense. Against San Fransisco, Vernon Davis had two long passes in the middle of the field. Olsen will be difficult for Denver's linebackers and safeties. Forte is athletic, but also a great runner. He will force the linebackers to play the gaps well and tackle well. Cutler can throw the deep ball well, so the corners and safeties need to communicate and maintain good coverage down the field.

1. rookies Robert Ayers and Alphonso Smith to ty to make a few big plays
2. the front seven to try to dictate Chicago's offensive line and slow Forte down
3. the front seven to put pressure on Cutler and force him into bad throws
4. the defense to force Chicago into 3rd and longs, put pressure on Cutler, and force a turnover or a punt

Last year, they continued their struggles as a unit.

• 23rd in kick returns with 21.8 yards per return
• 13th in punt returns with 9.8 yards per return
• one of the worst in the NFL in opponents average starting field position (still looking for the exact number)

So far, they have shown considerable improvement. Against the 49ers and Seahawks, they have allowed:

• Punt Coverage: 5 punts for a 5.4 average
• Punt Returns: 8 punt returns for a 10.1 average
• Kickoff Coverage: 6 kick returns for a 14.2 average
• Kickoff Returns: 10 kick returns for an 18.2 average

Denver has imrpoved its pursuit and tackling on special teams and it has shown. Punt coverage has forced possesions at the 11, 5 and 12 . Kicking coverage has forced possessions at the 20, 18, 16 and 17. When given the opportunity to pin the opponent inside the 20, Denver has taken advantage of it with more regularity. Denver also has done significantly better on kickoff coverage. Even with the muff return in Seattle that was returned passed the 40, they have shown the ability to get to the return man.

Chicago has had a great special teams over the years. Last year, they ranked 5th in kickoffs with a 24.9 average but slid to 28th with a 6.7 average. Chicago has focused on increasing there punt returns all training camp, so look for them to make a huge improvement in that area. Denver is well aware of what Hester can do if he returns either kicks or punts. This game should be a good test for them.

Matt Prater has shown he can kick from a good distance, but his accuracy has not been the best. Last year he made 25 of 34 attempts which comes to 73.5 percent. So far he is 2-2 in the preseason, with one over 50 yards. Britton Colquitt will try to challenge him and is 1-1 in the preseason.

1. the returners to focus on catching the ball first, then running up the field
2. this is a great opporntunity for both Alphonso Smith and Kenny McKinley to show they can contribute in a big way
3. Denver to continue its pursuit of the return man on both punts and kickoffs and limit long returns like the one against Seattle
4. Denver to try to utilize some "coffin corner" punts
5. Matt Prater to make all the field goals and extra points to secure his spot
6. no miscues like the blocked punt

Finally, teams succeed when they play mistake-free football and win the turnover battle. Last year Denver was -17. So far they are -6. They were 6th last year in total penalties and 20th in penalty yards. So far, they are 5th in total penalties and 5th in yards (the top 4 all have only 1 less penalty called). Look for Denver to try to win the TO battle against Chicago and continue to play without a lot of penalties.

I hope you enjoy this. Let me know what you are looking for in this game.