Broncos’ defense keeps opposition off balance

By Robert Rousseau  |   Tuesday, September 26, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Denver Broncos
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Before the season most of the chatter about the Denver Broncos seemed to focus on their offense. In short, people wondered how the ultra-talented Javon Walker would do returning from injury, and were concerned that Jake Plummer's less-than-satisfying AFC Championship Game performance against the Steelers was a glimpse of things to come.

Further, Broncos fans salivated at rookie quarterback Jay Cutler's performance in the preseason, and the media pounded home the team's running backs situation with the Bells (Mike and Tatum).

Here's the thing, though. So far in the regular season, it's been the defense that's deserved some attention on its way to carrying the team to a 2-1 record. Even more interesting is the way in which the unit's stoppers tend to apply their craft.

Simply put, the Broncos are quite good at taking away half of what offenses want to do.

In the first game of the year, their stoppers were never even given a chance and still somehow managed to keep the Rams below 20 points (five offensive turnovers is too much to ask any defense to endure). Therefore, the next two games are really the ones that tell the story.

Against the Kansas City Chiefs, they certainly weren't able to silence Larry Johnson (he had 126 yards rushing). But they did, in essence, quiet the Chiefs' passing game (only 133 yards through the air). Translation? Only six points for Kansas City at home, and a 9-6 overtime win.

Fast forward to Sunday night. Up against one of the best, if not the best quarterback in the league in Tom Brady, the defense took a different approach. The group stopped the rushing game (only 50 yards total on the ground). For all the talk preceding the game about Laurence Maroney and Corey Dillon, the two only gained 18 and 16 yards rushing, respectively.

So, despite Brady's 320 yard passing performance, the Patriots only managed to score seven points.

We often hear that coaches want a balanced offense. Unfortunately for teams playing the Broncos this year, that's exactly what they take away - your offensive balance. Thus far, by making teams one dimensional, the defense has made up for several feeble offensive performances.

Imagine the possibilities if the offense finally does get in gear.

Original Denver Broncos analysis, courtesy of RealFootball365.com
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About Robert Rousseau

Robert Rousseau is a sports writer that has been published in a variety of print and online venues. He’s been writing for RealFootball365.com for almost three years now. When Rousseau isn’t writing about college football he tends to be penning mixed martial arts pieces for MMAFighting.com or ...
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