Broncos Week 7 Gameballs and Horseshoes on Defense

by KaptainKirk on Oct 25, 2011 5:00 PM MDT in Game Ball of the Week

The Denver Broncos pulled out a miraculous win in Overtime on Sunday, beating the Miami Dolphins in their own house for the first time ever. It was by and large a team effort, but there were outstanding performances that helped that victory. Whether it was a game-changing, momentum-changing or inspiring play, there is one Gameball and three Horseshoes to be handed out on Defense. So lets get to it.

D.J. Williams gets the Game Ball on Defense for his play of the game. In overtime, D.J. Williams brought a determined rush and strip-sacked Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore with a Tomahawk chop to force a fumble. Not only that, but he recovered the loose ball at the Miami 36 yard line. That gave the Broncos excellent field position and an opportunity to win the game. Three plays later, Matt Prater hit the game-winner, a 52-yard Field Goal. Prior to that, both the Broncos and Dolphins had exchanged 3 and outs and Miami was driving for it's own opportunity. They got the ball at their own 15-yard line and had made it to the 43, before Williams decided to make his game-changing play. For his 5 Tackles, 1 Sack and 1 Forced Fumble, he earns the Game Ball.

Now to hand out the Horseshoes.

The first Horseshoe goes to Chris Harris.

One of the best in-game adjustments on Sunday, was the one made by Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen. Cornerback Jonathan Willhite was getting torched all game by each Dolphin receiver and Davone Bess in particular, but going into the 4th Quarter, undrafted rookie Chris Harris was inserted into the lineup as the Broncos went to their nickel package. Harris had a Special Teams Tackle, downed a Britton Colquitt punt and had two Pass break ups in Overtime to help the Broncos in their amazing victory in Miami on Sunday. The first PBU came on the first play in the Overtime period when Matt Moore tried to complete a pass to Brandon Marshall. The rookie wasn't having any of that. The second came just 4 plays before DL Williams Sack/Forced Fumble gave Denver the ball. Moore was trying to get the ball to Davone Bess deep over the middle, but Harris denied the Dolphin Wide Receiver. 3 minutes later, Matt Prater kicked the game-winning Field Goal.

The second Horseshoe goes to Brian Dawkins.

Against the Dolphins, safety Brian Dawkins recorded his 24th and 25th career Sacks to tie for the 3rd-most Sacks by a Defensive Back since the statistic was tracked beginning in 1982. This was Dawkins second career multi-Sack game, the first coming on Nov. 9, 2000 vs. the Arizona Cardinals.

In the 1st Quarter, the Dolphins had the ball on the 17-yard line in a 3rd and 6 situation. Weapon X crept up towards the Line of Scrimmage and had a running head start at the snap. He rushed around the right side nearly untouched. Miami Running Back Reggie Bush was too late on his block and Dawkins blew right by him to make the Tackle on Matt Moore for his 24th Sack. That forced the Dolphins to punt from their own end zone. Topping off the play was the Mile High Salute he gave to the Bronco fans in attendance.

Dawkins 2nd Sack of the day came on another 3rd and 6, this time, in the 4th Quarter. The Dolphins had the ball at the Denver 22-yard line, leading 12-0. This time the Broncos had seven men on the line with Dawkins on the far left side. Miami RT Marco Colombo backed up too far and barely even shoved Brian as he headed for the quarterback. The pocket was being collapsed by a Bull rush from Ryan McBean from the middle. Elvis Dumervil took a double-team deep on the right, while Von Miller rushed in between the two. If Wolverine hadn't got there Von would have made the Sack. A loss of 3 yards on the play forced Miami to take the Field Goal. That was last time the Dolphins would see the end zone in the game. Dawkins finished with 5 Tackles on the day.

The third Horseshoe goes to Broderick Bunkley for his inspiring play.
Denver was in a rut and needed someone to show some heart. In the 3rd Quarter, Dolphins Running Back Daniel Thomas ran the ball up the middle. But Broderick was there to stuff the rookie for a 2-yard loss. That seemed to give a little life to the Bronco Defensive Unit even though 5 plays later, Matt Moore completed a 16-yard Touchdown pass to Tight End Anthony Fasano to make the score 12-0 Miami. The Dolphins attempted a 2-point conversion, but Moore overthrew Brandon Marshall on the fade.

Then in the 4th Quarter, Bunkley asserted his will again. The Dolphins had the ball at their own 33-yard line and Joe Mays had just stopped Daniel Thomas off Right Guard for no gain on 1st and 10. The Broncos used their 1st Timeout and then the Dolphins tried the same play. This time Bunkley made the Tackle after a 3-yard gain by Thomas. Denver used it's 2nd Timeout with 5:39 left in the game. On 3rd and 7, Miami tried Thomas off Left Tackle, but Broderick would have none of it, stopping the Dolphin RB cold with the help of Ryan McBean. The Broncos used their last Timeout as the Dolphins were forced to punt once more. The punt resulted in a Touchback and the Broncos would drive down the field for their first Touchdown. Bunkley finished with 4 Tackles in the game and 3 of them helped inspire his teammates.

That's it for the Defense. You'll have to wait another day for the Offense.

Go Broncos!

Poll

Should the GameBall on Defense go to

D.J.Williams?

261 votes

Another player?

68 votes

329 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

nice post!

i think mcbean has mad strides in the past 2 weeks, coming in and doing great against sd i think gave him a shot for more playing time this week and he proved his worth again, yea maybe hes a stop gap player(jerrel worthy?) with no future in denver but he has worked his tail off since the horrible preseason and first couple weeks hes had i think hes gunna be on this horseshoe award a few times in the future

by bronco_badger on Oct 25, 2011 5:38 PM MDT reply actions

+1

I’m starting to change my mind about him.

by Dan Hart on Oct 25, 2011 5:39 PM MDT up reply actions

Me too

He has really stepped it up the last 3 weeks and has not gotten a stupid 15 yard penalty that cost us.

by kimbertr on Oct 25, 2011 6:01 PM MDT up reply actions

I hope he makes the list too.

Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
My ship finally came in, but it was the Kobayashi Maru.
Follow @MHR_KaptainKirk
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by KaptainKirk on Oct 25, 2011 6:41 PM MDT up reply actions

Just get a hot wife McBean

that way you don’t have to dabble in voyeurism, here’s a suggestion

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!

by the new Bradfather on Oct 25, 2011 9:02 PM MDT up reply actions

I found out bro....

the lady he was stalking…. her name is Sally Facemaskenstein.

"If you went to the Fair with this guy and you played that game where you have to throw the ball through the hole..... HE may never get it through the hole, but he's still gonna be walking away with all the stuffed animals" Prime on Tebow!!!

by PaleHorse78 on Oct 25, 2011 11:02 PM MDT up reply actions

Too bad he's an alledged stalker.

by ruralnugs on Oct 25, 2011 5:49 PM MDT up reply actions

Great post Kirk

And it shows a while why I’m not a supporter of the idea of trading DJ. At least for 3 years, he must be in a Bronco uni.

This signature was sacked by Von Miller.
I bleed Orange & Blue.

by Fabio Broncos on Oct 25, 2011 6:01 PM MDT reply actions

I was for trading him and think that it was mostly the right play call/design at the right time...

but if we can keep him and woodyard somehow I would not complain at all. I was always a big fan of DJ’s until some of the folks here pointed out that most of his tackles come too far down field in comparison to what Woodyard was showing in his starts. If he can keep making these game changer/winning plays though I will jump back on ship though.

by Broncolove on Oct 25, 2011 9:10 PM MDT up reply actions

Got to be DJ

Miami was driving and had momentum and he just shows up and pretty much wins the game right there.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Oct 25, 2011 6:51 PM MDT reply actions

No love for fells?

Fells made the catch of the year, and finished it with a TD.

He should at least get a spur for his efforts

Bleed(ing out) the Orange and Blue

by WhyBroncosWhy? on Oct 25, 2011 7:13 PM MDT reply actions

This is the Defense post...

..tomorrow is the offense.

"Pain don't hurt" - Swayze (Road House) -- We miss you man!

by bonaire on Oct 25, 2011 7:17 PM MDT up reply actions

red face in

3..2..1….

Bleed(ing out) the Orange and Blue

by WhyBroncosWhy? on Oct 25, 2011 9:38 PM MDT up reply actions

x

Respect is not given it is earned dog gonit...and they don't respect us...nobody respects us... you know what you got to do in that situation? TAKE IT!!!!!
Follow @MHR_Troy

by Troy Hufford on Oct 25, 2011 10:17 PM MDT up reply actions

you just compared me to jay cutler

Low. Real low.

Bleed(ing out) the Orange and Blue

by WhyBroncosWhy? on Oct 25, 2011 10:27 PM MDT up reply actions

haha, I apologize...

Respect is not given it is earned dog gonit...and they don't respect us...nobody respects us... you know what you got to do in that situation? TAKE IT!!!!!
Follow @MHR_Troy

by Troy Hufford on Oct 26, 2011 8:12 AM MDT up reply actions

LMAO

"Bombs dropping down overhead. Underground. It's instilled to want to live." -EV

by sadaraine on Oct 26, 2011 9:39 AM MDT up reply actions

bailey should get a horseshoe for taking Marshall away all game

"It's all over fat man!"
-Tom Jackson
"When John Elway is standing in lava with a football, he will stay there and sink until you're open"
-Seanbaby

by Calikula on Oct 25, 2011 7:42 PM MDT reply actions 2 recs

Marshall

was definitely not a factor

by Lolly Tran on Oct 25, 2011 7:43 PM MDT up reply actions

Champ probably deserves one every week!

I guess since we are so used to him shutting people down he needs a pic or forced fumble to get one anymore! No offense or complaint KK, just love Champ!

by Broncolove on Oct 25, 2011 9:16 PM MDT up reply actions

Me too!

by KaptainKirk on Oct 25, 2011 9:34 PM MDT up reply actions

Champ wasn't on him all game

I noticed that early…even late they had Chris Harris on him.

"Bombs dropping down overhead. Underground. It's instilled to want to live." -EV

by sadaraine on Oct 26, 2011 9:40 AM MDT up reply actions

DJ earns the game ball. He made the game’s biggest play. He made the game winning play.

I was there!

by McGeorge on Oct 25, 2011 8:17 PM MDT reply actions

I agree McGeorge

and you were there! The Broncos game I attended in 99 was comparable to this, we beat the Raiders in the snow at the old Mile High via a 50+ yard field goal in overtime although this comeback the Broncos had at South Beach was better

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

by the new Bradfather on Oct 25, 2011 8:31 PM MDT up reply actions

Right on Kirk...

by bfree2bronc on Oct 25, 2011 8:53 PM MDT reply actions

congrats to chris harris on his new (red??) horseshoe. the kid deserves it. he made a couple of huge plays in a short time.

"Well, it's not like we signed him off the street..." — J. Fox

by oxmouth on Oct 25, 2011 9:01 PM MDT reply actions

Chris Harris has earned himself more playing time!

I was watching with some friends at my house (most of whom are Rams fans) and I had to point out that he was an undrafted rookie FA. I was surprised to see him chip in like that with the game on the line but I think we can say we are finally coaching up our talent!!

by Broncolove on Oct 25, 2011 9:14 PM MDT reply actions

I love thease posts thank you KK

I say DJ. Was a man on sunday and Von did pretty good as well.

by CenCalBronco on Oct 25, 2011 9:28 PM MDT via mobile reply actions

Von was considered

But I have to put some limits. He had a decent game though.

by KaptainKirk on Oct 25, 2011 9:38 PM MDT up reply actions

Copy that.

by CenCalBronco on Oct 25, 2011 10:05 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

DJ gets the game ball for sure!!

w/out the forced fumble the come back would not have happened!

I'm so optimistic I'd go after Moby Dick in a row boat and take the tartar sauce with me.~Zig Ziglar

by timmaybronco on Oct 25, 2011 10:49 PM MDT reply actions

agreed

His one big play was worth more than all others combined. Dawk was a close 2nd….. so was Chris Harris (who I’m loving btw). If we can add another young DT, CB, and possibly MLB, then this D can be elite with time in the same system. Thankfully, gone are the days of switching DC’s every year.

by PaleHorse78 on Oct 25, 2011 11:08 PM MDT up reply actions