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IN DENVER BRONCO PRE-GAME ANALYSIS

MILEHIGHREPORT.COM 

"There is one certain way," replied the Prince [William of Orange] "by which I can be sure never to see my country's ruin, -- I will die in the last ditch."

The young and battered Denver Broncos go into Qualcomm Stadium as underdogs.  They have led the division after every game this year and beat the Chargers earlier this year, but nobody will give Denver any chance of winning this game.  Does Denver have a chance of winning this game?  Is there any way our beloved team avoids ruin?

Join me.  We will break down the game together, and then on Sunday night each of us can find his or her comfortable couch to watch the game.  As one, we will all fight the good fight, and perhaps avoid having to die in the last ditch.

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It appeared the Broncos were on their way to clinching the AFC West title last week after they took a 13-0 lead against the Bills in the second quarter, but Buffalo rallied to earn a 30-23 victory.  Denver controlled most phases of the game, registering 532 yards of offense (7.3 per play) and limiting the Bills to just 275 yards and 26:49 of possession. But the Broncos had two turnovers and struggled in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on only two of their six trips inside the 20-yard line.

Despite being forced to place 16 players on season-ending reserve lists due to injuries, including seven running backs, and one of the league's youngest rosters, the Broncos travel to San Diego having held sole possession of first place in the AFC West following every game this year. A victory against the Chargers would make the Broncos just the fifth division winner in the 16-game era (since 1978) to maintain sole possession of first place in its division following every game.

Denver faces a challenge to achieve that distinction against the Chargers, who have won their last three games. San Diego's previous two wins have come on the road, including last week's 41-24 victory against a Buccaneers squad fighting for a playoff berth.

The two clubs' first meeting in Week 2 was one of the NFL's most memorable games this season with the Broncos defeating the Chargers 39-38 at INVESCO Field at Mile High. Following Jay Cutler's 4-yard touchdown pass to Eddie Royal with 24 seconds left, the Broncos became just the third team in NFL history to give up the opportunity for a tie and win a game with a successful two-point conversion when Cutler found Royal again in the end zone.

Its a condition that you can get used to.

Like a sailor drenched to the bone, yet always thirsty, the fires that the Broncos have lit this year to warm them are a bizarre form of torture, scorching them on one side while the other side freezes.

The great play of our undrafted rookie LB is a boon that forces us to play an unsound 4-4 alignment that our own Hoosierteacher labels "a gimmick run at the professional level."  Our QB's immaculate gifts steer the team amongst the reefs of shipwreck as often as they steer us clear.  When our best defensive players return to the field, our defense plays worse than when they were gone.

Even when this team sweats they shiver.

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The NFL has moved the Broncos/Chargers game, previously scheduled for 4:15 est to 8:15 est with the game now to be televised on NBC.

Personally I was hoping the game would remain at 4:15, but expected this move just the same.  Being televised in Primetime should just add to the hooplah that should be coming in the week ahead.

For Everything Bills Related, Check Out Buffalo Rumblings

Well, here we are again.  Another chance to clinch the division, and this time, the game is at Mile High.  Really, this game against the Bills is both interesting, and a little bit scary to me. 

For what it's worth, I think the plan to avoid knowing the outcome of the Chargers-Bucs game is very smart.  I want to see the Broncos come out on Sunday, and be ready to play well and win this game, regardless of what happens in Tampa, or anywhere else.  Then, I'd like to see the Broncos go to San Diego looking to win another game and finish 10-6.  It's definitely worth the risk of injuries to go legitimately beat the Chargers on the road, so that everybody can shut up about the Hochuli situation.

Below the fold, we LIGHT UP THE SCOREBOARD....

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YOUR SOURCE FOR THE VERY BEST

IN DENVER BRONCO PRE-GAME ANALYSIS

MILEHIGHREPORT.COM 

For Everything Bills Related, Check Out Buffalo Rumblings

This is it!  Denver would have had a hard time clinching against Carolina last week, but this week Denver has a game that they should win.

If Denver wins, Denver makes the playoffs.  If not, all the cards fall into one game, and that's Denver at SD.  While Denver is better than SD this year, it can be hard to win on the road, and hard to beat a rival division team.  I'm looking at this game as the game where Denver needs to take the big gamble and throw in players that may not yet be 100%.  With a win, we have a better chance this week and can use next week to rest key players.

Despite our problems with injuries and some weird playcalling, Denver is poised to make a playoff appearance this year.  I don't think we will do well once we get in (er, if), but playing in a big stakes game will go far in preparing our young players for the future.

There's just one catch...

The Bills aren't going to roll over and die for our benefit.

When I coached, I was blessed to be with a winning program.  My biggest concern for preparing players was getting them to take the competition seriously.  My motto was "Hard Work beats Talent, when Talent doesn't work hard".  If Denver doesn't play hard, the Bills will win this game.  This game will determine how badly Denver wants the post season.

More below the fold...

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