First Step to Glory-Week 1 Broncos

Posted by Ben Bunce on September 4th, 2008 filed in Features, Opinions, Picks

This week Shanahan has once again shown his displeasure for the Oakland Raiders. “I said it doesn’t dissipate at all — that’s what that means,” Shanahan said. This comment was in reference to a reporter getting clarification from Shanahan on his bitterness against Al Davis. As many of you know Shanahan was fired from Oakland. And according to Shanahan is still $250K short in his bank account because of Mr. Davis.

Let’s get back to the game at hand. “First game of the season is always big, especially AFC West, on the road, Monday night,” Shanahan said. “It’s a big first game for us. We get a chance to showcase our team on national television (and the) AFC West. It’s something you look forward to.” So there you have it, it’s time to get it on. The season is here and ready to go with our first test, the hated Raiders await….are you ready?

How we matchup vs. the Raiders:

QB- Jay Cutler would make many quarterbacks look inferior by comparison, however, with Jamarcus Russell getting his second career start, the disparity is pretty wide. Not to mention…….

WR- Mr. Cutler has far better weapons. Ok, so Brandon Marshall will be missing in action week 1, oh well, they still have Eddie “big play” Royal, Darrell Jackson and Brandon “Slot Machine” Stokley. So, even without Marshall, the Broncos have two receivers with 1,000 yard seasons. Not to mention Kerry Colbert coming off a 100 yard performance and 87 yard touchdown in his last game during the preseason. Look for Mr. Royal to make a few catches and one big play, but Stokley will be the one that comes up with a few key third down receptions and keeps the drives alive as the running game keeps us going. Speaking of the running game…..

RB/FB- Selvin Young looks to build off of a 700+ yard season, as he begins the season as the lead back. However, if we have learned anything about Denver over the years, they will never keep a player in the starting lineup on reputation alone, so if Andre Hall gives us a better chance to win, he will be in there. Look for Patrick Hillis to really make an impact in this game.

His style of play reminds me of a “poor man’s” Mike Alstott and should be able to blow up some holes up the middle against the Raiders, and catch a few out of the backfield, a first down run or two, and block well for Cutler in pass protection. His versatility will really impress the team, as it has this offseason. I look for Denver to rush for 2 TD’s on the ground and really try and wear down the interior of this Oakland defense.

TE- Ok, pick your poison here. Do you want Nate Jackson or Tony Sheffler to beat you? Well, how about Daniel Graham? This team is loaded at TE and can dominate at the line of scrimmage with Graham or in the passing game with Jackson or Sheffler. Look for Denver to use lots of 2 TE sets in this game to run the football early.

And since Jackson is the better blocker, look for Jackson to be the 2nd TE and not Sheffler, who will see the field more if the team opens up the offense. Graham will act as the 6th OL and give extra protection for Cutler if Clady or Harris are having trouble protecting him. I look for Denver’s TE to win the matchup with Oakland’s LB corp.

OL- This is the matchup i’m really most excited to see. Our highly talented, but young offensive line vs. Oakland’s more experienced, bigger defensive line. The zone blocking scheme has really helped pave the way for huge rushing game’s against Oakland in past season’s, and I expect this game to turn out much the same way. However, if Cutler tests the secondary and has early success, they may just throw the ball around the field and ride Cutler’s hot hand.

How will Clady hold up against Derrick Burgess, Oakland’s premiere DE? He will fare rather well. Burgess’s major strength is his ability to rush the passer, Clady’s strength is his ability to protect the passer. And since Burgess isn’t much of a force against the run, I expect Clady to use his size to win this matchup. The interior of the Denver line is more polished and experienced, they should be able to use that savvy to run the ball up the gut against Oakland.

DL- This is where Denver will lose their matchup with Oakland. McFadden, Bush, and Fargas will rush for around 110 yards against us and probably get a rushing touchdown out of it. But, our pass rush has been nonexistent the past two seasons, and that trend continues through this game, or does it? The front four will probably get almost zero pressure, especially if Dumerville is unable to give it a go.

But, the Broncos will rush 5+ most plays, and stack 8 men in the box. This will force Russell to take advantage of 1-1 matchups on the outside with Ashley Lelie, Ronald Curry and Javon Walker. However, with Bailey, Bly and Paymah in coverage, I look for Denver to win the battle against Oakland in the passing game because of the blitz packages.

LB- Word out of Denver is that Boss Bailey will in fact play on Monday Night. Why is this such a huge deal? Oakland has a very good TE by the name of Zach Miller and he would have a field day against Jamie Winborn. Look for D.J. Williams to fly around the ball and penetrate the Oakland backfield on many occasions throughout the night. Webster will be passionate and a great leader as always, however, look for his inconsistency in the tackling department to frustrate Slowik as the game wears on.

I do believe Oakland will find success on screens and running right at Webster. I’d love to see Woodyard get some chances in blitzing situations. He is an animal and always seems to gravitate toward the football, which will serve him well on Special Teams to start things off in his young career.

Secondary- If Denver can pressure Russell, then look for their secondary to really dominate. However, if not, Russell may be able to kick off the rust and get comfortable in the pocket, something no Broncos fan will want. With Foxworth’s departure, Karl Paymah becomes the nickel back and Jack Williams becomes the dime back.

Champ Bailey will shut down his receiver and Bly will give up a play or two, however, if Oakland has any chance to win, they will have to pick on Paymah or Williams. The only problem is, Oakland doesn’t have the depth at receiver to make this happen, uinless Russell get’s all day to throw and then all bets are off. I’m predicting a sack from one of Denver’s safeties, and 2 interceptions from their corners.

PR/KR- I look for Eddie Royal to return kicks and do a fine job. However, this won’t be the week he gets his first return for a TD. He will have to wait atleast another week for that. But, if he can give the offense good field position, i’d look for Denver’s offense to really have a chance to explode, even in the feared home of the Raiders.

K- I’d look for Prater to get a couple of FG tries. He will make both, and kick a couple of extra points as well. The pressure of a big kick will have to wait.

P- Brett Kern, here is your chance to assert yourself as the Punter of the present and the future for Denver. I’m looking for him to punt a couple into the endzone after trying to pin the Raiders deep. He will hit atleast one 50 yarder and with a solid hang time, i’m looking for the Raiders to struggle finding a lot of room to roam on punts.

Ok, so you are waiting for a prediction………….I’m predicting a 20-13 win for Denver, however, it will be 13-13 late until Jay Cutler finds Eddie Royal for a game winning touchdown, giving the Chargers an extra person to fear when Brandon Marshall returns.