(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Like it or not Donkey Fans, Denver is in a must win situation on Sunday, against a team that is playing their third straight divisional game, and has good confidence going into a home game.
Why is it a must-win? It’s a must-win situation because their schedule is brutal after the game at Oakland. They play Dallas, New England, at San Diego, at Baltimore, Pittsburgh, at Washington, San Diego, and the New York Giants in a row before they visit the Chiefs.
The fans just can’t help but talk themselves up after a lackluster performance at Cincinnati, and their 11th straight home opening win against Cleveland. What makes their team so special?
You can’t argue with stats, right? Denver is ranked first in points given up this year, allowing only 13 points. They are second in yards allowed, which has their fans praising Mike Nolan.
What they may realize, but fail to mention in their articles is that Oakland’s defense is much improved as well. Oakland defense was on the field against Kansas City, in Kansas City, for 38-plus minutes, and only allowed 10 points.
Still, Denver fans will insist that they can run to glory against this defense. They say that running against Richard Seymour and Greg Ellis is a surefire way to slow down the pass rush. I think that it is running game suicide and three and out series' waiting to happen.
Denver fans are also quick to point out that Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell is a bust in progress. However, their head coach disagrees.
Josh McDaniels has been quick to point out JaMarcus has the highest average per completion in the league, at 16.6 yards per completion.
He also is bright enough to realize that some of the blame falls on the shoulders of Oakland’s rookie pass catchers, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy. While both have blazing speed, 4.25-40 and 4.32-40 respectively, McDaniels states that wide receiver is a tough transition in the NFL.
“That's a hard position (WR) to come into the league and just immediately play, do all the little things well, because you see so many things you don't see in college football," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said.
While JaMarcus is willing to throw himself under the bus, with the understanding that when things get good, he will be the one taking credit, he is also saying that he will intentionally throw balls away, and let the superstar punter Shane Lechler do his job while his receivers progress.
Many people are calling Russell out, saying his accuracy is to blame, and that “you can’t teach accuracy.” This couldn’t be further from the truth.
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