Game Preview: Broncos (1-2, 3rd in AFC West) at Packers (3-0, 1st in NFC North)
This Sunday, the Packers square off against the Denver Broncos at Lambeau Field at 3:15pm. Because the Brewers open their playoff run against the Diamondbacks at 1pm, expect this football game to be over before anyone in the Milwaukee area even starts watching. If Green Bay backup QB Matt Flynn is behind center when you flip channels from the Brewers victory, it's not because Aaron Rodgers is injured...
So far this season, Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton (63 for 110, 672 yds, 5TD, 3 INT) has struggled against his own shadow, let alone opposing defenses. While his numbers aren't terribly shabby, they don't tell the whole story. Orton, content to dink and dunk down the field, has forgotten how to stretch defenses with talented WRs Brandon Lloyd and Eric Decker (injuries to RB Knowshon Moreno, WR Eddie Royal, WR Demaryius Thomas, and TE Julius Thomas haven't helped).
Brandon Lloyd. longing for a repeat of his 2010 deep threat success, has grown frustrated in recent weeks, complaining to the media about a lack of balls thrown his way: “I think we’ve kind of gotten in game management mode, as opposed to an aggressive, take-control mode. I think that’s what has limited us.” In the background of whiney players, fan grumblings for 3rd stringer Tim Tebow to ride in on a Gator and save the day grow louder each day.
However, Broncos fans (perhaps still blinded by Elway), forget it takes more than just a QB to win in the NFL and Tebow throws the football like a wingless chicken (he's about as tough to tackle as one though). Back when Johnny Elway tossed the pigskin, Denver could keep a QB upright and had some guy named Terrell Davis running the football. Today, the Broncos are ranked 23rd in points scored, 27th in total yards, 22nd in pass yards and an abysmal 28th in rushing yards.
On defense, the Broncos don't appear much better. So far through three contests, Denver's opponents posted a combined 106.8 passer rating. With CB Champ Bailey (he's nearly 100 years old) nursing a sore hamstring and the Broncos weak pass rush, that number should edge higher. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (74 for 103, 917yds, 8TD, 1INT) will throw for over 300 yards and at least three touchdowns.
As terrible as the Broncos seem, no one expected Patriots QB Tom Brady to surrender four interceptions versus Buffalo last week; a football's odd shape can lead to unforeseen bounces. On top of that, the Packers will be playing this week without RB Ryan Grant (kidney) and OL Bryan Bulaga (knee). T Marshall Newhouse will be asked to step up, potentially against Broncos number one draft pick, LB Von Miller. Furthermore, with the Packers secondary giving up big yards so far this season, Orton just may find his groove.
Summary...
The Packers are far too talented and focused to lose to Denver at home. Furthermore, the Packers strengths play too well to Denver's weaknesses:
1) Green Bay has been stout against the run, while Denver's Willis McGahee averages a sad 2.9 yards per carry.
2) Aaron Rodgers shredded New Orleans, Carolina and Chicago through the air, while Jason Campbell, Andy Dalton, and Matt Hasselbeck posted a 106.8 passer rating against Denver.
3) Clay Matthews, even playing injured, demands double teams...freeing up monster gaps for blitzing LBs and DBs, while Kyle Orton, sacked 8 times so far, attempts most his passes with defenders in his face.
At the end of the day, Denver's only hope for victory lies in at least three unanswered Packer turnovers, several key injuries and a complete implosion by Green Bay.
Prediction: Any given Sunday? Not this time. Packers 35, Broncos 13
Just for fun: James Jones scores two touchdowns on a 100yd day. Packer nation once again falls in love with his potential...
