clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Denver Broncos set focus on the Arizona Cardinals for Week 5 - Horse Tracks

Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Finally. The Bye Week is officially over for the Denver Broncos as John Fox and some key players met with the media yesterday to talk about various things, including the Arizona Cardinals. The best news, of course, was that Danny Trevathan might see the football field this weekend for the first time since his leg injury.

The Cardinals are all about the defense and were able to reach that 3-0 record without the services of their starting quarterback, Carson Palmer. When asked about that, Fox added, "The job that that team’s done and that coaching staff has done for your backup to go in and perform like they did, it’s tremendous. They’ve got a top-5 defense that they can lean on, and rightfully so. It’s a very, very good football team."

Pretty much exactly right. The Cardinals, like the Texans, don't need a quarterback to win football games. However, also like the Texans, it will eventually catch up to them. One of the ways a great defense wins is by making opposing teams one dimension and with the Broncos they don't even have to try all that hard since the run blocking is laughable on the Broncos side of the ball.

Speaking of ball, Montee Ball had a few things to add about the running game that I wholly agreed with. He explained, "Focus on what we do. Everyone has to do their assignments and if the line does their job, if the running backs do their job, receivers do their job, we’ll have success in the run game."

It was a perfect way to put the onerous on everyone when everyone knows the real problem is the line not doing their job in the run game. Hopefully those guys up front appreciated the fact that Ball could have thrown them under the bus and rightfully so, but didn't. So step it the $*%^ up!

Everyone has to do their assignments and if the line does their job ... we’ll have success in the run game. - Montee Ball

Ball also needs to play in pass protection and the Cardinals defense can be quite ferocious, but Ball seems to have a firm understanding of what he needs to do in order for the offense to be successful against them, saying, "They do a great job of switching up the personnel on defense, from dime, from base, from all that stuff. They do a great job of flipping and switching it up. Especially as running backs, we’ve got to stay in tune with the center and making checks and all that stuff. Other than that, they fly around. They fly around and play together, so it’s going to be an exciting game."

All good things, now if only they can execute the game plan for a change - especially in the run game. I have heard that Montee Ball is leading the league in broken tackles but is near the bottom in yards per carry. Unleash the beast!

Horse Tracks

DeMarco Murray, Philip Rivers lead NFL MVP race; Steve Smith Sr., more | The MMQB
With nearly a quarter of the season in the books, we take stock of the MVP race and find some new names at the top. Plus, Steve Smith Sr. torches his old team, Teddy Bridgewater’s brilliant debut, Roger Goodell gets an earful in Texas and the night the football world watched baseball.

After bye, tough slate resumes | DenverBroncos.com
The Broncos’ bye came early this year. While the rest was much-needed, their upcoming opponents will not allow them much respite.

Back to work | DenverBroncos.com
Rahim Moore and Terrance Knighton talk about how they spent the bye weekend and the long season ahead.

Denver Broncos ready for first look at full defense - ESPN
The plans for the Denver Broncos' defense spent a great deal of time on the drawing board, iPad, desktop monitor or anywhere else plans are constructed these days.

Broncos' offense not struggling as much as facing good competition - Denver Post
Let's suppose Demaryius Thomas gets some stick to his buttery fingers. Suppose, too, Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase de-emphasizes the rushing game and his unit regains rhythm through Peyton Manning's precision passing.

Denver Broncos eyeing ... Arizona Cardinals - Denver Post
Arizona joins the Bengals as the NFL's only undefeated teams. The temptation to call the Cardinals flukes should be tempered. Arizona is 10-2 over its past 12 games, dating to Oct. 27.

On touchdowns, history and Peyton Manning - ESPN
When it comes to numbers and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, tight end Julius Thomas has, on occasion, offered what is one of the most apt descriptions of what often happens when Manning throws passes.

The MMBM: Week 4- The Dallas Cowboys will win the Super Bowl - SBNation.com
Monday's only must-read NFL column is back with some startling words about the Dallas Cowboys, Joe Flacco and plenty more from around the league.

The Jets aren't helping Geno Smith - SBNation.com
The Jets are counting on second-year quarterback Geno Smith to provide some consistency to their season. He's not doing that, and he's not getting any help from the team around him.

Tom Brady's last stand - Outsports
While the Patriots' offensive woes aren't all on Tom Brady, his $1 million replacement will get his shot sooner than you think.