“Far better
is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by
failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer
much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.”
--Theodore Roosevelt
“Oh #@$%. Here we go again.”
--Any Broncos
fan born prior to 1980
Well…..Here we are.
Again.
In many ways, our collective journey as a life-long
Broncos fans is not dissimilar to the post-World War II United States geo-political
narrative.
Allow me to explain.
1)
American
History: In
late 1945, the US surveyed the ruins of the old world order and found itself in
the hitherto unknown position of being a global military superpower. We were feeling pretty damn good about
ourselves.
Broncos
History: In 1977, after years of mediocrity and, let face it, crappiness, the
Denver Broncos found themselves atop the AFC for the first time in team history. We were feeling pretty damn good about
ourselves.
2)
American
History: In 1950, this new power was put to the test
during the Korean War. It didn’t go
nearly as well as we might have hoped or (at least for the average American)
expected, but when it concluded we were still confident about our future and
felt pretty good about ourselves.
Broncos
History: In
1978 (Super Bowl XII) this new role was tested.
The result wasn’t pretty. Denver
committed a record 8 turnovers and never gave our bad-ass defense a chance. Still, we were pleased with the direction of
the franchise and saw a bright future ahead despite the setback.
3)
American History: The US embroils itself in an ugly
conflict in Vietnam following the Gulf of Tonkin Incident in 1964. Confident, and eager to show our mettle
following the underwhelming result in Korea, Americans rally to the flag. By
the time our involvement ends 9 years later, optimism is dashed and the thought
of another conflict strikes fear and revulsion in the national heart.
Broncos
History: The Broncos return to the Super Bowl in 1987
and get thumped. They repeat as AFC
champions in 1988 and then get slaughtered.
Against all odds they return in 1990 and are given a beatdown of
biblical proportions by a historically good 49ers team. By the time the smoke clears, optimism is
dead in Denver, our team and city are cultural laughingstocks, and the very thought of returning to the big game causes grown
men to collapse into the fetal position. We carry this pain every day we draw breath.
 |
| For 20 years, we wore a cone of shame going into every season. |
4)
American
History: The
ghosts of Vietnam weigh heavily on the minds and hearts of all Americans as our forces take to the field of battle for the first time in nearly 2 decades. With baited
breath and a twinge of remembered dread, we await the outcome of Gulf War
I. The resulting and resounding victory lifts our
souls and liberates our spirits from the demons of past failures.
Broncos
History: After
a 7 year hiatus, Denver returns to the Super Bowl against a Packers team many
consider an absolute Juggernaut. The
collective memory and shame of monumental defeats pervades most fans. Even as we wear our Jerseys and high five
each other, a sense of resignation taints the very air we breath but we carry on, whistling through the graveyard. Against all expectations, the underdog Broncos
pull off a stunning upset and follow it up by destroying the Falcons the next
year. No longer saddled with the dishonor
of being losers like Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, or Minnesota, we are sitting
pretty in the Mile High City.
5)
American
History: Our previous successes still fresh in our minds, nobody doubts the
inevitable victories that await us as we launch military operations in
Afghanistan and Iraq. After some
stunning initial successes, the occupations take a toll and people begin to
remember the pain of loss felt in the 60’s and 70’s.
Broncos
History: After 2 extremely successful seasons and a record-breaking offense,
Denver returns to the Super Bowl. Optimism
is high and swagger is rampant throughout the city. By half-time, I was back in the 1980’s
rocking a curly mullet, listening to U2, and slinking away into a dark corner,
shocked that I had forgotten the fear that lurks inside the psyche of the true
Broncos Fan.
 |
| Not even those losers from Minnesota and Buffalo can understand the baggage we carry into these games. |
So…..Here we are.
Again.
Super Bowl 50: Carolina
Panthers vs. Denver Broncos
Spread: Panthers -4
The Matchups:
Broncos Offense vs Carolina’s Defense:
As far as Super Bowl contenders are concerned, Denver’s offense
sucks. Badly.
Only the lamentable Tennessee Titans had more 3 and outs this
year.
Game after agonizing game (including the AFC Championship
against the damnable Patriots), when one or two measly first downs would seal
the deal, our offense embarked on a campaign of almost criminal ineptitude.
Denver’s Offensive line is terrifying in its hideousity with
career backups and habitually over-matched youngsters getting routinely abused
by even journeyman-level opposition.
What little push they get in the trenches is negated by the fragile
running style of Ronnie Hillman and the walking high-ankle sprain known as C.J.
Anderson.
 |
| Ronnie Hillman meets reporters in the locker room following another day of hard running |
The Bronco’s passing game is laughable. Even if Manning is somehow able to summon the
spirit of 2002 and create enough torque to get the ball to an open receiver,
there is a 72% chance he drops it.
The Panthers are strong everywhere on defense aside from the
secondary and have proven to be very susceptible
to the deep ball. Our guy can’t throw an
accurate 30 yard ball without rupturing his spleen.
They have a Hall of Fame caliber linebacking corps that stuffs
the run like crazy and is almost never beat to the edges.
Carolina will load the box up, run a 3 deep zone, pack the
middle of the field, and dare Manning to beat them deep.
It looks ugly for the men in orange. We just need to protect the ball.
Verdict: Substantial Edge - Carolina
Carolina’s Offense vs Broncos Defense:
Depending upon the health of Denver’s safeties, the Panthers #1
offense may be in for a rude awakening.
The Broncos are fast, strong, confident, and extremely well
coached.
Conversely, Denver’s ‘D’ has not seen anything even close to
what Carolina throws at you.
Cam Newton is mobile, has a strong and accurate arm, and is (for
the first time in his career) not making stupid decisions with the football. Coupled with ridiculously fast receivers,
Carolina’s big play potential is without peer.
They have a tremendous offensive line and a solid, if not spectacular,
corps of running backs.
All this having been said, Denver’s Defense is a Boss.
Verdict: Push
Special Teams:
I would say that Carolina’s kicking game is stellar but since they
hardly ever punt and always score touchdowns in the red zone nobody knows.
Denver, on the other hand, punts all the time and is always
settling for 3. Kicking the football
away in one form or another is our milieu.
Verdict: Edge Denver
Intangibles:
The Broncos, as an organization, are riddled with individuals with
big game experience and typically I would consider this an overwhelming
advantage.
However, I think that the Panthers may actually be too brash (or
too obtuse) to realize that their appalling lack of big game expertise is a
detriment.
 |
| Like this guy, Carolina doesn't get it and maybe that's not such a bad thing. |
The overwhelming consensus in areas outside the Rocky Mountain
region is that Carolina is an unstoppable force and victory is almost a
foregone conclusion. In fact, local
stations in Charlotte are already discussing the planned parade route for this
coming Tuesday.
Undoubtedly, the Panther’s coaching staff is feverishly trying to
keep such talk from reaching the ears of their young players and are
fabricating disrespect narratives in order to keep them focused during game
preparation but it is a losing battle.
Being loose and confident is good.
Being over-confident against a Defense like the Broncos could be fatal.
Kubiak et al have the not insubstantial challenge of being
conservative without being predictable and keeping Manning mellow enough that
he doesn’t start to freak out if things start to go wrong.
Still, Denver faced a tougher schedule, overcame much more adversity,
and has played in many hard-fought games this season. Carolina played 14 cupcakes in 18 games and feasted on
them.
Manning has a chance at an Elway-style fairy-tale ending and will
leave nothing on the field. Hell, we may
even see “Old Guy Does a Helicopter Part II”.
 |
| Anybody who doesn't want to see Peyton Manning go out like this is a butthole pure and simple. |
Verdict: Slight Edge Denver
The Game Plans
Carolina:
For most teams in this position, I would recommend they avail themselves
of all manner of creative and unusual plays and formations. The Panthers are no exception.
Their offensive line excels at run-blocking and manages the trenches
like a spikey-helmeted German Sargent on the Western Front during The First
World War so I suspect they will pound the ball, power sweep with Cam, and
relentlessly attack the interior.
However, Denver is not what you would consider a “quick-strike” offense
so go ahead and take risks down the field to keep the defense honest and try to
jump out to an early lead.
We may see a few arm-punts on 3rd and long situations where
they send Ted Ginn on a fly pattern and have Newton chuck the ball 50 yards
downfield to try and draw an interference penalty. If the ball is picked off nobody cares
because it’s better than relying on a punter who hasn’t seen any meaningful action since
2013.
Defensively, the plan is simple:
Do what everybody else has been doing against Manning for the entire
season. Crowd the line, run a 3 deep
zone, take away the short stuff, and force the 40 year-old with a bad foot and
nerve damage to throw to the sidelines or beat you deep.
Don’t worry about the running game. Denver sucks at it.
Denver:
If the Broncos decide to attack one of the NFL’s premier defenses
against the rush by running Ronnie Hillman and Chris Anderson off-tackle 30
times I am going to lose my freaking mind.
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| Reliable sources leaked the Bronco's offensive playbook last Wednesday. You are seeing it here for the first time. |
That Denver needs to protect the football, win the field position
battle, and give their defense a chance to win the game is not in dispute. However, Kubiak and Dennison must mix it up a
bit by incorporating screens, misdirection, and maybe even a shovel pass or two
into the docket. Keep it safe but not
predictable and head into the locker room at half-time within striking
distance.
On defense, Denver needs to play a little more zone than they are accustomed to so that safeties and corners don't have their backs to one of the best running QBs in the game. Mix in some man and disguise coverages. Cam Newton isn't renowned for his mental prowess. If you can confound Tom Brady, you can force Cam into doing something stupid from time to time.
Carolina reminds me of the CU Buffs in the 1990 Orange Bowl against
Notre Dame.
Kubiak should Paraphrase Lou Holtz’s pre-game speech to The Irish:
''Number one, they're
used to scoring a lot of points….They ain't playing any Tampa Bay. We've got to
be patient on defense. Just play our football game. On offense, we want to
control the football. All we want's a first down, first down, first down.
Frustration will set in on Carolina’s offense.
''By the middle of
the third quarter, they will leave the game plan completely and start
grab-bagging. Remember me telling you that. They are not patient. The
quarterback will want to make plays and we aren't gonna let him.''
If Denver is within a 7 points at halftime, the Orange and Blue may yet again reign supreme as Lords of the Gridiron.
Prediction:
Undoubtedly, there are people out there in my beloved city
reading this blog and cringing with every praiseworthy statement I hurl at the
Broncos. My playoff record over the previous 2 years has been…..I am trying
to think of a nice way to put it….shitty.
Well rest easy comrades. Denver's offense has, at times, been so bereft of energy, imagination, and skill that it sets the game of football back 80 years.
I'd love to see '18' go out in a blaze of glory. It would a fitting end to a magnificent career and a proper thanks to the man who returned hope and relevance to the organization.
But the reason we tell fairy tales to our children and flock to the theaters for feel-good stories isn't because such stories are commonplace.
For every John Elway there are 100 Dan Marinos.
Carolina - 24
Denver 16
