Peyton was okay but not great against the Chargers and we lost by 7 points. Rivers was great and he only won by 7 points. The Bronco defense had a chance to get a clean interception in the end zone and stop a Charger touchdown drive and dropped the ball. The Chargers defense did not drop the interception that stopped our chance at the lead late in the game. I gave up on the game early and starting hitting plastic golf balls in the snow (great for simulating sand) because I've been Bronco fan since Jon Keyworth was making those miracles happen. I don't remember many teams in Broncos lore that swept the AFC West, which is probably what we would have done with a victory over Philip Rivers. (Is it just me or is Rivers the one Broncos rival that you love to hate and hate that you love?)
Our defense gets tested and they often pass in the end, but they get tested nonetheless. There is no real question about what this offense can do. If they just uncovered a Wes Welker replacement in Andre Caldwell then I am afraid for the NFL. The only real question about the Bronco's is still this defense. Are they as good as they look like they are when they need to be? Or is the defense playing soft because they think that Peyton is puttin' up 50?
The truth is probably somewhere is the middle of both questions as is most truth, but I would like to point to another mental dynamic that is affecting our defense. What is the incoming offense thinking when coming up against Peyton? He might put up 50.
Sure, the defense that has to go up against Peyton is aware of his ability, but defense is a cocky world to live in. Until you punch a defense in the mouth, they talk stuff and walk with swagger. Great defenses won't quit until the clock runs out. Its part of the DNA of a defensive player. However, if you are the incoming offense against Peyton, you are praying for all of your cocky defenders and realizing that if your prayers don't work, you will have to match 50 in order to win.
Peyton has not only turned this team into a championship contender, he has made the Denver Broncos into the most hunted team in the league and every team prepares like they are going in against Goliath. Who is this attack being waged against?
Teams have tried to beat up Peyton to beat the Bronc's, but the blitz the heck out of Peyton plan got destroyed by the screen and check down approach we've been using every since the high ankle hysteria began. Teams are still attacking, but most of the energy is into beating up the receiver so he can't get into the route. When Broncos opponents lose the fight, Decker and the two Thomas' are getting in the end zone for 6.
I contend that the rock that David keeps throwing at this Goliath is being aimed at our defense. Has our defense prepared themselves for this reality. Doesn't appear so, but they do adjust and they do get key stops and turnovers. We would like to see their best just to help us know that they have it in them, but the truth is that we only need this defense to rise to the challenge of one big game.
When Peyton is great, as he often is, the defense only has to be good, maybe even okay. On that rare occasion that Peyton is not great, the defense will need to be good maybe great for the Broncos to win it all. We've seen signs of really really good from this defense, but only time will tell if they can be great when it matters.
And the answer to the question in the headline? Two (2). The Broncos swept the AFC West in 1998, the year they won the Superbowl against Atlanta, and they did it again last year when they got burnt deep by the eventual Superbowl Champion Baltimore Ravens.
The AFC West don't play dat sweep stuff. Not much. ( I included AFL history in this)
http://www.nfl.com/schedules/2011/REG/BRONCOS
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