Damn this was just a really bad week for me.

bad week for me,some close results though

People still picking the Broncos to win the super bowl? I'm convinced they won't even make it that far.

If Ravens make it to the playoffs, they will be a legitimate threat (no joke). With the way the Broncos have been playing the last few weeks (blowing huge leads, Manning being inconsistent in the snow) I think almost any team in the AFC has a legitimate shot at beating them at Denver. And if they do make it to the Superbowl, whatever NFC team is there will destroy them.

Damn it Bengals!

Thanks, Patriots! And here I was thinking the egg the Broncos laid on Thursday night would cost them home field.

Just wanted to pop in and say that I hope the Raiders regret going with McGloin over Flynn. He's doing quite well in Green bay.

Even as a Broncos fan I can admit I can easily see the Broncos not even winning a playoff game again this season. Mostly because of the defense. They generate very little in terms of a consistent pass rush, and the back end of the secondary is extremely weak. They ask guys like Mike Adams and Duke to man up against tight ends and backs way too much. The linebackers are quick and extremely good at man coverage, particularly Woodyard and Trevathan, but they don't shed blocks well and can get eaten up in the run game.

It's very much built like the defenses that Peyton had in Indy, only in Denver there is no Freeney/Mathis killer combo, and they aren't running on turf inside of a dome. Which also affects the offense. Not only is it not guaranteed that Peyton will lead the team to big offensive numbers, but even if he does, the defense is not nearly as capable of punishing teams having to throw a lot like his Colts D was.

Back to the offensive side of the ball, I am amazed that the pass protection and run blocking have held up as great as they have considering the injuries. But I think there are a number of good man coverage teams who can rough up the receivers at the line and slow the passing game down enough to give the offense fits. Teams like New England, Miami, Baltimore, Kansas City, and even the Colts. Peyton also seems a little too eager to audible down to a run play in many games, a lot of times at the expense of a rhythm in the passing game, like the game against the Patriots.

But it is mostly the defense. I will forever contend that the Ravens were not in the same league as the Broncos last season and the Broncos would win that game 9/10 times. But the Ravens hit a few deep heaves including that last minute prayer in the 4th and got some incredibly lucky calls on shitty officiating. These are things that could easily happen again no matter who they face. Or like the Chargers game Thursday, they could just have an off game in the passing attack. And when they can't pass, they can't run for shit either.

However, one thing in the Broncos favor is that unlike last season where you had the Pats and Texans and even Baltimore all looking good heading into the playoffs, this season there is no real AFC powerhouse or favorite. The Patriots lost Gronk and imho lost their ability to contend for a SB as well. The Colts are extremely hit or miss, and the Bengals are getting more and more banged up on defense.

I'm just glad we made it there for another season, but I have no idea how the playoffs will go. I disagree about the AFC winner getting destroyed by the NFC though. Seattle and New Orleans are not nearly as good away from home, 49ers have not been as good as we all expected, NFC East winner will be dispatched easily, I don't trust Cam Newton to win in the playoffs yet. That leaves the NFC North winner, only team there that is scary to me is Green Bay.

The main reason I don't see Denver winning the Super Bowl is because of the reasons you listed. A high-octane offense is great when it works, but it suffers when you go against a team that is physical and has good defense. IMO the Broncos don't have a "back-up" plan if their offense isn't running as smoothly, as its been evidenced in their 3 losses. What are they going to do when they play a tough, physical team at the Owl? At least teams like Seattle, Carolina and San Francisco have great defenses that can carry them to a victory if the offense isn't doing good. They all also have strong running games in case the passing game is off due to cold weather, rain, snow or whatever conditions they'll face at the Owl. I was a little premature at saying the NFC will destroy the Broncos, but I don't think Denver has a chance to beat either of the 3 teams I listed above (also, lol at the Saints, they shouldn't even be in the conversation).

Then again, it's the NFL. Anything can happen. I too am glad the Broncos are good this season. They're a classy organization and they have a great coach and QB.

:)