NFL Week 4 - Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos Game Notes

by John Bena on Sep 30, 2009 10:49 AM MDT in 2009 Game Previews Comment 40 comments

The Denver Broncos (3-0) play their first of eight consecutive games against teams who finished last year with a .500 or better record this week when they host the Dallas Cowboys (2-1) on Sunday. Kickoff at INVESCO Field at Mile High is set for 2:15 p.m. MDT.

QUICKLY:

* - The Broncos, who are 3-0 for the second consecutive season and for the 11th time in club history, are one of seven undefeated teams in the NFL. Head Coach Josh McDaniels has joined Red Miller (1977) as one of two

coaches in Broncos history to begin their tenure with the club 3-0.

* - Through three games, the Broncos have trailed for only 4:46 of 180 minutes played (2.7 percent) while leading for 129:43 (72.1 percent).

OFFENSE:

* - The Broncos are one of two AFC teams (Baltimore) to feature two players with at least 180 rushing yards in RB Correll Buckhalter (230) and RB Knowshon Moreno (184). Denver is fourth in the league in rushing, averaging 158.7 yards per game.

* - According to Stats Inc., LT Ryan Clady owns the longest active streak in the NFL (all 19 career games) of not allowing a full sack among starting tackles.

DEFENSE:

* - Coached by long-time NFL defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, the Broncos have tied for the third-fewest points allowed (16) by an NFL team through its first three games of a season in the Super Bowl era (since 1966).

* - Denver leads the league in several other defensive categories, including yards per game (214.7), yards per play (3.9) and fewest red zone drives (4).

* - OLB/DE Elvis Dumervil ranks second in the league with six sacks, which have all occurred in the previous two weeks (most in the NFL). Dumervil has posted an NFL-best four sacks on third down.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

* - The Broncos lead the AFC and rank second in the NFL in average opponent drive start after kickoffs (20.6-yard line).

* - K Matt Prater is 3-for-3 on field goal attempts of at least 40 yards and is tied for the league lead in touchbacks on kickoffs (7).

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Doom's sacks on 3rd down

go a long way toward ending drives and getting off the field. It’s been so long since we’ve been able to see a Bronco who actually gets sacks on 3rd down consistently. Keep it up, Elvis!

by BroncosBassist on Sep 30, 2009 11:06 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

DOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This team is much improved on third downs, mainly due to our improvements in passing defense. Last year we gave up lots of third and longs because our safeties couldn’t shut down the receivers and TEs long enough for the line and linebackers to get pressure. This year we are holding them longer, AND getting pressure on the QB faster. This combination has helped get DOOM some serious numbers.

Go Defense!!!!!! GET OFF THE FIELD!!!!!!!!!

Bringing Bronco love from 1,112 miles away

by kentuckybronco on Sep 30, 2009 1:08 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the D's theme song should be "Business Time"

Because they only need two minutes. You only need two minutes because they’re so intense! :-D

"Take what you can. Give nothing back!"

by Colorado_Kitten on Sep 30, 2009 1:24 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, just thought of a new name for our Defense - ( ORANGE THUNDER )

whata ya think.

Real Power, comes with the realization that One cannot change the Moment;
only ones perception of it: Atitude! JQM

by UB3 on Sep 30, 2009 1:42 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thunder is colorless. It is loud, powerful, scary, and can't be seen.

I like the thunder, I don’t know about the orange part.

Plus, thunder comes after lightning. Just having the same connotation as something coming behind the dolts makes me want to pass on this nickname.

Bringing Bronco love from 1,112 miles away

by kentuckybronco on Sep 30, 2009 3:38 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks,

It was just a thought, but thank you for your
response kb…
Perhaps its the Defense that,
should not be named.

Real Power, comes with the realization that One cannot change the Moment;
only ones perception of it: Atitude! JQM

by UB3 on Sep 30, 2009 3:53 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe. We're always open for suggestions, though.

For now, maybe we should just let it be what it is.

Bringing Bronco love from 1,112 miles away

by kentuckybronco on Sep 30, 2009 4:33 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Horse

Isn’t the horses name thunder

"Sanity is the realization that everyone is insane to some degree." Me

by 3nS on Sep 30, 2009 4:35 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

true...........

Bringing Bronco love from 1,112 miles away

by kentuckybronco on Sep 30, 2009 5:27 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

After reading that "Camelion" post from the CSG I am even more confident for this weeks game.

Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.

by Tim Lynch on Sep 30, 2009 11:15 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm still stoked about...

CRUSHING OAKLAND. I hate…hate.. the Raiders.

by _Atwater27 on Sep 30, 2009 11:20 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

"Hate... hate" is so harsh...

I’m more of a lover.

I LOVE to hate the Raiders.

by SinDonor on Sep 30, 2009 11:35 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's often overlooked

But touchbacks are a huge part of a kickers overall performance. Prater may have missed 2 field goals (in the harsh wind mind you) but his kickoffs have been stellar and have contributed greatly to our #2 NFL rank in opponent drive start after kickoffs. That’s a great asset.

by T.Dot_Bronco on Sep 30, 2009 11:32 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed

Two weeks in a row KOs sailed into the stands. That’s a statement right there.

The bigger statement was two vaunted kick returners (Browns and Raiders) starting in their end zones…and rarely reaching the 20. That has to suck all the wind out of a team that keeps thinking “we are in this game if we can just break a return for 6” – and by the end of the game the coaches are telling their stud to just take a knee.

"Life is a daring adventure or nothing" - Helen Keller
"He will always be a slave who does not know how to live upon a little" Horace

by PositivIntegral on Sep 30, 2009 11:37 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

the two misses

were also on a very windy day. And I agree that touchbacks are huge, helps with overall field position a lot more than is mentioned.

Not all change is good, just as not all movement is forward.

by Trogdoor on Sep 30, 2009 11:44 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

People keep underestimating how bad the wind gusts were that day…yeah Prater could have adjusted a bit more, but the gusts were not predictable…he needs a flier on that one game.

Now don’t get me wrong…to me the jury is still out on Prater’s FG kicking. I want to see him do it consistently from over 40 yards and when the game is on the line before we label him a keeper…

"Precipitation, which side are you on?
Are you on the rise? Are you falling down?
Let me know, Come on let's go, yeah
Got some if you need it!" -EV

by sadaraine on Sep 30, 2009 1:29 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Prater was named

AFC special teams player of the week, I believe.

by JeffG on Sep 30, 2009 7:20 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes - Congratulations to him!

Hillis/Moreno in '09

by Emmett Smith on Sep 30, 2009 7:24 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is it Sunday yet?!

There is only One Moment—this moment—the Eternal Moment of Now

by sirsam on Sep 30, 2009 12:34 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Note

I love the notes for the bronco’s but if this is a Dallas vs. Denver game notes shouldn’t we get some notes on the Opponents

by nsink on Sep 30, 2009 1:33 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks John,

just goes to show ya, theirs new sheriff in town,
he’s brought his new deputy and his pos’se.
Go Broncos

Real Power, comes with the realization that One cannot change the Moment;
only ones perception of it: Atitude! JQM

by UB3 on Sep 30, 2009 1:38 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

No no no no no

Madona pos’se…pos’se

HILLIS

by robbo650 on Sep 30, 2009 6:07 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

?, I don't understand robbo,

pos’se – body of men assisting a sheriff

Real Power, comes with the realization that One cannot change the Moment;
only ones perception of it: Atitude! JQM

by UB3 on Sep 30, 2009 7:07 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

sorry its from family guy

HILLIS

by robbo650 on Sep 30, 2009 8:04 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol, slow on the uptake..

happens as we get older.

Real Power, comes with the realization that One cannot change the Moment;
only ones perception of it: Atitude! JQM

by UB3 on Sep 30, 2009 8:23 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

214 yards per game average = #1 in the league

The second place team is the Jets with 245 ypg average.

That’s quite a large difference between #1 and #2 spots…

Similar, Our D allowing only 16 pts is #1, and #2 is again, the Jets with 33 pts allowed… Just over double the points We have allowed…. Good show ol’ chaps….

Man, I hope we continue this consistency of improvement, game to game… A shutout would certainly break the NFL record for least points allowed after the first four games… I’ll have to check on that.

Hopin’ We keep on keepin’ on as We have (if not better)!

First team to three consecutive SB wins!!!! and then some, right? I think four and we oughtta let someone else have a fair shot : )

by PearlJamBroncoGFunk on Sep 30, 2009 1:55 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Yahoo! Charles Robinson article

What do you all think about this? http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Anm3eyCQaJKntKBeNcHd8yNDubYF?slug=cr-inconvenienttruths093009&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Specifically, what do the Broncos need to do the next three games to legitimize themselves as a playoff team? And as a title contender?

by Huntyr Green on Sep 30, 2009 2:30 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Someone send him Tuesdays Quick Hits.

Or better yet, lets all send it to him.

by OrangeTorpedo on Sep 30, 2009 3:01 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still don't get

How Dallas is a playoff caliber team when they have only beaten Tampa and Carolina, they are a combined 0-6.

by Copley on Sep 30, 2009 3:56 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

@ that article

Cutler’s great in the first three games of the season. Let’s see how he does in the last three.

I fail to see how the Broncos are overrated by anyone except Broncos fans.

by lolcopter on Sep 30, 2009 6:09 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

3-0

Based on the first three games I think we could conclude that we have a good chance of winning three out of our last five games. This leaves the eight in the middle. Even if we go 3-5 in those eight we still finish 9-7 which should be good enough to win the AFC West. Hmm… I’m thinkin’ playoffs.

It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
Leave the hateful vitriol to the uninformed - HT 3/16/09

by firstfan on Sep 30, 2009 3:00 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Doom will have to go against one of the best this week.

Flozell Adams is one of the best LT in the nfl besides Ryan “Iron Braids” Clady. For Doom to be successful with Adams he has to be quicker getting off the snap and a problem with Flozell because he has a hearing problem in one ear. His false start penalties came at home when the fans aren’t as loud for offensive plays than they are against defensive ones…Umhhhhhh…Should be interesting how he does with the Mile High Club Sunday where the roar will be intense. He surely will have one eye on the snap as well as the pass rushers. This could be a big day for our defensive line.

Dallas is in a who plays corner funk and decisions on who will play that position will probably be a game time one. Our wide receivers while improving every week will still have their hands full with Dallas’ DB’s. I give the edge to Denver on this as our DB’s have played real well together and have shown why they are in Denver.

The quarterback position is a toss up here while Kyle is mistake free in his first 3 campaigns Romo has turned the ball over. The crowd noise will become a factor though not as much as it was in the old stadium. Romo has passed for more yardage but with his inconsistancies I give Kyle the slight edge here just because he has been smart with the ball.

The running game will be a big part of this game as well with Bucky and Moreno once again being asked to chew up the yardage and the clock. Marion Barber probably will be back for this game (IMHO I think it is a mistake) and if he further injures the leg it will weigh huge on Wade Phillips’ tenure in Dallas. Jones is out and they have a “Choice” to make in the running department. Again, I give the Broncos the edge here with our RB corp.

Defensive lines are comparable in my opinion and Dallas fans believe they should of had the Gaints game in hand if not for the turnovers by Romo. This should be a hard fought contest between two physical teams. The altitude and crowd noise may be the biggest factors in this game. Go Broncos and good luck on Sunday.

by bfree2bronc on Sep 30, 2009 3:24 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I must have been editing my post as you wrote this

If you read it you will find that we are in accord, bfree.

"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop playing." -- George Bernard Shaw
Breaking jaws or the NFL in Oakland who cares? Fall on your pirate’s sword - Ponderosa

by KaptainKirk on Sep 30, 2009 3:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just read yours and lol

That was funny, but your post is better than mine. I was going over some thoughts I gathered over at DMN and the fans over there think this will a an easy win for them. We’ll see though.

by bfree2bronc on Sep 30, 2009 4:17 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sunday

GOD I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE GAME THIS SUNDAY!!!
I am just as excited as anybody about our great start but I can’t wait to play a team like Dallas!! These first 3 games have me so pumped to play a big physical team like Dallas! Also I really think we can win- Orton needs to continue to play smart football but I think there may be some chances to spread the field a little bit!
I LOVE THE BRONCOS!!

by Speespee on Sep 30, 2009 4:12 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs