Denver Broncos 2013 Quarterly Review

One fourth. We're already a quarter of the way through of what has been a magical season thus far. I asked the MHR Staffers last week (when the Broncos were technically one-fourth through the season): What do you have to say about the ride?

Again, note these answers are from Week 4!

Topher Doll

Favorite Moment So Far

I'd go with beating the Eagles. The Broncos offense played a nearly perfect game and the defense was able to slow down what was considered a decent offense. I am also a bit biased since I am an Oregon Ducks fan and Chip Kelly ran away from his punishment in Oregon and abandoned his school instead of manning up and accepting responsibility for his poor choices instead of running away and say "screw you guys" to his players and coaches.

Biggest Surprises Thus Far

Not a huge surprise but worth mentioning is the overall success of the run game. Outside of a slow start in week 1, Moreno has lead this group of backs to a three game streak where they averaged 4.7 yards per carry, 138 yards per carry and 1.3 TD's per game, and that doesn't even talk about their receiving contribution. There were a lot of members who literally said this was the worst group of running backs in the NFL, glad the Broncos didn't listen.

Biggest Disappointments Thus Far

This is tough but I'll go with off-the-field issues. From two front office arrests to Von's multitude of issues, this team has had more arrests and games missed to suspensions than any other team since Fox and Elway took over (outside of the Saints Bounty Gate) and it only seems to be getting worse. These aren't flukes, they are a trend.

What Do You Expect to See in the Next Quarter?

The Broncos face a slightly tougher 2nd quarter facing somewhat decent teams like Dallas and Indy. I want to see the secondary actually stop a quality quarterback. They've struggled against young or bad quarterbacks, I want to see them against Tony Romo and Andrew Luck, and this should be a good test. The Broncos know what they have on offense and in the defensive line, but I still have questions about the linebackers, corners and safeties against a quality quarterback and wide receivers.

Ian Henson

Favorite moment thus far

Just the fact that the team has four wins so far. I don't know anyone in the mainstream media that had the team undefeated at this point. Especially after the Von Miller news broke or the face that Manny Ramirez would be playing center indefinitely.

Biggest Surprises Thus Far

That Knowshon Moreno was the running back that broke out. I think that we knew what we had in him, but none of the other three running backs have really challenged his starting position at all. I think that is by design though, around Week Six will be the time the team starts phasing someone else in, whether it be to keep Moreno healthy or just to see what they actually have in the stable.

Biggest disappointments

Injuries, suspensions and fax machines have taken four of the top five players on this team. The fact that the Broncos are so strong right now makes me believe that perfection is possible.

What do you expect to see in the next quarter?

More records, I think that this team has proven one thing-- it literally is next man up. When Von and Champ Bailey return it is not as if the defense will just start leveling teams. It will be the same defense really, at best those guys will be rusty, at worst they will be bad.It is great to have such talent in the background though.

Brian Shrout

Favorite moment thus far

Watching the Broncos post 52 points in a single game. I've been following the Broncos since 1969 and have never seen a performance like that one.

Biggest Surprises Thus Far

That our defense has more sacks and more interceptions at this point in the season than we did in 2012 when Miller, Dumervil and Bailey were all playing.

Biggest disappointment

That we pulled Manning in the fourth quarter of the Philadelphia game so that we didn't put up 60 points (just kidding). I'm not sure that I have a disappointment so far this season.

What do you expect to see in the next quarter

More of the same. Our next quarter includes Dallas (2-2-0, 0-2 vs AFC West, 19th in total defense, 27th in passing defense), Jacksonville (0-4-0, 0-3 vs AFC, 22nd in total defense, 11th in passing defense), Indianapolis (3-1-0, 2-1 vs AFC, 8th in total defense, 7th in passing defense) and Washington (1-3-0, 1-0 vs AFC West -- that was Oakland, 31st in total defense, 25th in passing defense). The only team that I see that represents a challenge/danger would be Indianapolis.

Bronco Mike

Favorite Moment So Far

Stomping the Ravens into oblivion during the home opener

Biggest Surprises Thus Far

Robert Ayers and Shaun Phillips filling in admirably with 10 sacks combined through 5 games.

Biggest Disappointments Thus Far

All of the injuries our team has had to deal with on a week to week basis.

What Do You Expect to See in the Next Quarter?

Continued domination and 4 more wins

Tim Lynch

Favorite Moment So Far

7 touchdown passes against Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens. Exorcising demons is a necessity for confidence and that was one hell of an exorcism, plus I haven't seen a ratbird fan trolling this blog since! It's like winning TWICE!

Biggest Surprises Thus Far

45 PPG is the biggest surprise. I mean its pretty incredible if you think about it. As a truly mentally ill fan, I did actually fantasize about how well the Broncos could do this season and the first four games is like exactly how my fantasies would play out. If that weirded you out, its okay, it weirded me out a little too. :P

Biggest Disappointments Thus Far

Von Miller.

What Do You Expect to See in the Next Quarter?

Wins. Lots and lots of wins.

Big Pete

Favorite Moment So Far

The moment the clock struck 00:00 opening night in Denver against the defending chumps. Seven touchdowns and six months of anticipation were complete and we all let out a giant sigh of relief as we basked in the greatness of Peyton Manning's historical night and the Denver Broncos dominant performance!

Biggest Surprises Thus Far

The play of Chris Clark. When Clady went down, I overreacted and thought our super bowl aspirations were over. Little did I know that Clark was from New Orleans (damn near my 2nd or 3rd home it feels [Rock Chalk Jayhawk bitches!]), so I should have known that he could get the job done! I just never thought that we would go on without skipping a beat, I really didn't. Anyways, Chris Clark is my biggest surprise. If he reads this (unlikely), I'm sorry that I doubted you!

Biggest Disappointments Thus Far

Montee Ball. It's in fashion to have Von Miller be the biggest disappointment, but he was gone before the season started, so I have moved on. My disappointment goes towards our 2nd round pick Montee Ball. He is inexplicably fumbling the football. Where did this come from? Part of the reason why he was drafted (I would think) is because he simply doesn't fumble! Sure, he is being more and more productive ypc wise with each passing game, but his fumbling has got to stop. Until he takes over as the undisputed #1 RB for us and quits dropping the rock, he will be on this list.

What Do You Expect to See in the Next Quarter?

I expect another 4-0 quarter and Von Miller playing lights out for us when he comes back. I also expect Montee Ball to settle down and start taking some meaningful snaps away from Knowshon and Hillman. Oh, and I expect another 15-20 TDs from Peyton Manning! AND, if this is a perfect world, I expect Tony Dungy to publicly apologize to DT, Decker, Welker, JT by admitting that they are the best receiving corps that Peyton has ever had. Alas, that last one won't ever happen even if we go 19-0 and obliterate every offensive statistic for a football season. Stupid homer Dungy!

Mr. East

Favorite Moment So Far

Peyton Manning. That is all.

Biggest Surprises Thus Far

Danny Trevathan. Between his amazing play and his freak injury leading to an even freakier recovery, this kid has been lights out this season. It's hard to believe how late in the draft he was selected. Also, kudos to Kayvon Webster. I'm starting to think I was very wrong about that guy.

Biggest Disappointments Thus Far

That I haven't been to a game yet.

What Do You Expect to See in the Next Quarter?

Absolute domination. Jacksonville moving to London out of sheer embarrassment.

Give us your "Quarterly Review" in the comments!