Broncos' defensive effort should help quiet some skeptics

[TXBRONC]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81329196&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

Broncos' defensive effort should help quiet some skeptics
By Bucky Brooks | NFL.com
Analyst

Denver's defense proved that it was for real with an outstanding performance against the Cowboys. The unit held Dallas' formidable running game to only 74 yards and forced Tony Romo into two turnovers. In addition, the Broncos' aggressive 3-4 produced five sacks and repeatedly knocked Romo around in the pocket. Elvis Dumervil, in particular, was sensational with two sacks and made life miserable for Romo. Although the Broncos entered the game ranked No. 1 in total defense, the impressive showing against an explosive offense will undoubtedly serve as an eye-opener to skeptics.

[Bronco Warrior]

Brooks is such a turd..is he including himself in the doubters? I have gotten a few questions thru to him on NFL Chats as have other Denver fan and he has always predicted Doom and gloom for us..especially the defense! Wish I had some of the negative quotes to put here.

[Tned]

While stats don't really matter in terms of wins and losses, that 4th down completion and missed tackle following the completion, dropped us from first in total defense to second.

[NightTrainLayne]

While stats don't really matter in terms of wins and losses, that 4th down completion and missed tackle following the completion, dropped us from first in total defense to second.

That means that it's essentially close enough to be considered a tie in my book. We're still waaaaay ahead in scoring defense.

[D1g1tal j1m]

Our D has gotten us this 4-0 start. Let's hope they can keep it going and especially stay healthy in the Secondary. Alphonso please come back healthy!!

[frauschieze]

From one of my favorite football sites:


Game of the Week I: Denver 17, Dallas 10
Denver’s first three opponents did not impress anybody. But shutting down a star-studded offense that had scored 86 points in its first three games is like a triple shot of whiskey at 7 a.m. on the Monday after Oktoberfest – it’s a real eye-opener.

It also tells us that it’s officially time to label the Denver D legit.

Specifically, after the defensive-fueled comeback victory over the favored Cowboys – yet another upset boldly and accurately predicted right here at CHFF – the Broncos suddenly have the best defensive front in football.

And you know why that’s important: the team that led the league in Defensive Hog Index each year since we introduced it in 2007 has gone on to win the Super Bowl (the Giants in 2007, the Steelers in 2008).

The full post-Week 4 Defensive Hog Index will be published after the Monday Night game. But, pending Minnesota’s performance tonight, here’s what the top five looks like right now:

2009 Defensive Hog Index (through Week 4, pending MNF)


Team YPA # NPP% # 3down% # Avg
1 Denver 3.22 6 14.79 2 26.42 3 3.67
2t Minnesota 3.45 7 12.24 4 22.22 1 4
2t Philly 3.61 9 16.49 1 22.5 2 4
4t Baltimore 2.62 1 11.59 6 33.33 10 5.67
4t New Orleans 3.81 10 12.88 3 26.79 4 5.67

The Broncos, in other words, are among the best in the league against the run; they’re among the best in the league at forcing opposing passers into mistakes; they’re among the best in the league on stopping third downs and; of course, at 4-0, they’re among the best in the league in the standings.

We saw pressure from the defensive front spark Denver’s comeback Sunday: with the Cowboys holding a 10-0 lead, Romo was stripped by blitzing safety Renaldo Hill, while D.J. Williams picked up the loose ball at the Dallas 9.

We also saw the continued great mystery of the Broncos, the luck of the Horseshoe, Kyle Orton, on the very next play. His pass was thrown directly into the hands of Cowboys linebacker Anthony Spencer … who completely whiffed on the pass when he would have had nothing but green grass and an easy 95-yard touchdown return in front of him. The ball ended up in the hands of Knowshon Moreno, who took it in for the 9-yard score.

The Broncos were back in business.

We call Orton the Horseshoe because good fortune seems to go this way and wins a lot of games when it doesn't seem he should, at least statistically speaking. But the truth of that matter is that he’s also playing smart, efficient football.

Orton has completed just 59 percent of his passes – but he’s been huge in the three most important indicators of passing success: He has a high average per attempt (7.7); he has a high passer rating (97.7) and right now he has an unbeatable TD to INT ratio (5 TDs, including a 51-yarder against the Cowboys, with zero picks in 117 attempts this year).

Pair the Horseshoe that's playing well with the league's best defense (6.5 PPG) and its best defensive front, and you have an undefeated team. – KJB

http://coldhardfootballfacts.com/Articles/11_2878_The_Hangover_%26_your_11th-grade_girlfriend.html

[Shazam!]

While stats don't really matter in terms of wins and losses, that 4th down completion and missed tackle following the completion, dropped us from first in total defense to second.

Team G Pts/G Yds/G RushYds/G PassYds/G Int IntTD FFum DefTD Tack PD Sack

DENVER 4 6.5 239.8 77.3 162.5 6 0 4 0 155 25 15.0
SF 4 13.3 284.0 73.8 210.3 5 1 2 3 168 20 11.0
NY Jets 4 14.3 277.8 100.3 177.5 4 0 3 0 167 20 4.0
Indianapolis 4 15.5 308.3 106.5 201.8 3 0 5 0 208 19 12.0
Washington 4 15.5 301.5 128.0 173.5 2 0 5 0 174 22 7.0
NY Giants 4 16.0 232.3 117.3 115.0 5 1 5 2 135 20 8.0
New Orleans 4 16.5 295.3 83.3 212.0 10 2 1 3 164 25 10.0
Atlanta 3 17.7 381.3 136.0 245.3 2 0 5 0 146 10 5.0
New England 4 17.8 287.5 95.3 192.3 1 0 3 0 152 12 8.0
Minnesota 3 19.0 259.7 92.0 167.7 4 0 4 0 132 11 8.0
Cincinnati 4 19.0 345.3 103.0 242.3 2 1 3 2 160 21 12.0
Dallas 4 19.5 371.3 115.0 256.3 2 1 3 1 170 19 6.0
Pittsburgh 4 19.5 279.8 61.5 218.3 1 0 3 0 142 22 8.0
Chicago 4 19.5 319.5 93.5 226.0 3 0 3 0 192 15 14.0
Miami 4 19.8 299.5 61.0 238.5 3 1 2 1 146 17 11.0
Baltimore 4 20.0 291.8 59.5 232.3 6 0 3 1 167 17 10.0
Seattle 4 20.5 343.8 124.0 219.8 2 0 4 0 172 17 9.0
Green Bay 3 21.0 335.7 128.7 207.0 7 1 3 1 140 16 5.0
Jacksonville 4 21.5 381.0 98.8 282.3 4 0 6 0 183 13 3.0
Oakland 4 21.5 356.8 146.3 210.5 4 0 2 0 203 20 9.0
Arizona 3 22.7 360.0 79.7 280.3 2 0 6 0 134 13 8.0
Houston 4 23.0 368.8 165.0 203.8 2 0 4 0 168 19 4.0
Philadelphia 3 24.0 262.0 106.0 156.0 6 0 4 1 127 12 10.0
San Diego 4 25.5 365.8 151.0 214.8 4 1 3 2 179 14 6.0
Tampa Bay 4 26.8 393.5 171.8 221.8 4 0 2 0 185 17 6.0
Tennessee 4 27.0 362.0 79.8 282.3 3 0 4 0 189 13 9.0
St. Louis 4 27.0 359.5 135.0 224.5 2 0 2 0 183 12 7.0
Buffalo 4 27.5 377.0 150.5 226.5 3 2 4 2 201 16 11.0
Kansas City 4 28.0 379.0 128.5 250.5 2 0 3 0 186 27 5.0
Carolina 3 29.0 362.3 182.7 179.7 2 0 2 0 143 9 4.0
Cleveland 4 29.5 403.3 176.8 226.5 1 0 2 0 200 17 7.0
Detroit 4 33.5 361.5 121.3 240.3 2 0 4 1 161 20 7.0

[TXBRONC]

While stats don't really matter in terms of wins and losses, that 4th down completion and missed tackle following the completion, dropped us from first in total defense to second.

But I think the defense is still number one in scoring defense.

[skycoyote]

An I was mad cause Bowlen didn't bring in a defensive head coach. LOL

[Dean]

I was as vocal as anyone in my disbelief in Fields' and McBean's ability to stop the run and provide pressure to collapse the pocket. Fields has done much better than I could have imagined and the front office picked up two 3-4 DEs to shore up that position. I was wrong. They (the defense) are the real deal.

[TXBRONC]

An I was mad cause Bowlen didn't bring in a defensive head coach. LOL

Of the candidates available for the head coaching position I think Bowlen made wise choice.

[skycoyote]

Of the candidates available for the head coaching position I think Bowlen made wise choice.

Agreed! Aren't ya glad we didn't get Spagnuolo.

[Shazam!]

Agreed! Aren't ya glad we didn't get Spagnuolo.

Spagnuolo was my 1st choice, but before he even interviewed for the Broncos' job I heard nothing but bad things, local coverage here from the NYJ and then Detroit. Then I was all in for McDaniels and was delighted when he was announced.

[TXBRONC]

Agreed! Aren't ya glad we didn't get Spagnuolo.

I don't think Spagnuolo would have been a bad choice because I think he would have more success here than where he's at. Nevertheless right now McDaniels looks like he was the best choice.

[Dirk]

It's amazing how winning heals. I love it!

[TXBRONC]

It's amazing how winning heals. I love it!

That was said even Denver was weathering this storm. If the Broncos started winning it would cure a lot ills.