Yeah, if I had to pick three guys who need to step up, it wouldn't be those three, because each has consistently performed all year. About the only exception that comes to mind was Welker disappearing during the NE game, but who DID have a decent game that day? Moreno and Tamme; that's about it.
The big guy (literally) who needs to step up is Sylvester Williams, or Unrein if one prefers: We need a dominant NT to fill Vickersons shoes so SD doesn't run all over our top ten run D as in both previous meetings. Next on the list: Ayers, Mincey and/or Malik Jackson must step up to similarly fill the huge hole left by Derek Wolfes absence. And Nate Irving must do what seems impossible for a third year third round draft pick who STILL only gets on the field if someone's hurt: Fill Von Millers huge shoes as both blitzer and run-stuffer.
Not that those are the only examples. Clark needs to have one of his good rather than one of his bad games, because SDs pass rush got to Manning repeatedly in not only our loss but our WIN against them. Beadles needs to get push at the line and open holes rather than just going downfield to block guys half his size, but he hasn't learned how despite starting every game for 4 years, so I hardly expect it now. Ball must remain as good in relief of Moreno as he's been the last month, and not fumble like he did previously.
On defense, and in addition to the earlier named players, Champ needs to show he's really back and in playoff form, and Woodyard may also; hopefully the bye has helped both of them get 100% healthy. Harris and Adams must vindicate my faith in the former as a legit #1/2 CB and the latter as legit centerfielder FS who fits there far better than anyone else on the team (don'tsayChamp, don'tsayChamp, don'tsayChamp....
) Ihenacho needs to play like he did in September, not November; finish off runs and get TO without PI penalties.
Depending whether we put Champ/Harris on Gates in the slot, we may need a huge game from Trevathan at Will. On the SD drive that started at their 1 in the last game, we left Gates COMPLETELY UNCOVERED on 3rd and long, which is inexcusable in a HoF caliber TE. He made the catch and extended a drive that went all the way to midfield before we finally forced a punt; although one of our Ds rare stops that day, eating 8:20 of the third quarter before punting to inside our 10 when we were down 14 still did brutal damage.
I'm not worried the team sackleader won't show up for the third meeting against his old team; he's shown up every game all year. Same with Welker: He's been Mannings go-to guy on 3rd and long for the same reason he was Bradys. Prater's only missed ONE kick (FG OR PAT) all year, and it was from 50+; he hit SIX others from that distance, and will be in Mile High: Not bothered. This article seems more like proposed reasons we won't lose than what's indispensable to winning. I mean, good as he's been, Prater hasn't outright WON many games (Dallas comes to mind.)
I guess it really depends on what one means by "so-and-so needs to step up," but if it means "Denver can't win without good days from the guys who've been our top performers each week all year," then three guys who need to step up are Manning, Moreno and DRC, because if they don't play at their typically high level we'll be beaten by halftime. As long as they don't get hurt though it's a safe bet all the guys who always show up will Sunday; it's the half that CAN'T show up (because of IR) that concerns me.