John Fox's Conservative Coaching Style Only Thing in Way of Broncos Championship

After having a first-round bye in the playoffs, the Denver Broncos (12-4) will take the field this Sunday to face the Indianapolis Colts (12-5) in the divisional round of the playoffs. A trip to the AFC Championship Game is on the line.

This is the third year in a row Denver has had a bye in the first round and the chance to host playoff games.

For those fans hoping to avoid a repeat of the 2012 playoffs, when the Baltimore Ravens came in and knocked the No. 1-seeded Broncos off, there is one thing that can lead to a recurrence of just that—head coach John Fox.

Yes, Fox has helped guide the Broncos to some very successful regular seasons. But he still needs to be taken to task for his shortcomings when he is faced with the biggest moments of a game and a season.

The Broncos rattled off 11 straight wins before heading into the playoffs. None of that meant anything after a focused, energized Baltimore Ravens team came in and went blow for blow with them to knock them out of the postseason.

To this day, many Broncos fans probably haven't forgiven Fox for his conservative choices down the stretch.

Despite having one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, Peyton Manning, and two timeouts in his pocket, Fox chose to have Manning take a knee and head to overtime rather than try and get into range for a field goal.

When you play not to lose you get beat. Fox needs to take a different approach and realize that the time is now for this Denver team.

The Colts are coming into town with one of the best quarterbacks in the league leading the charge. They are more than capable of doing exactly what Baltimore did two years ago.

Rather than stick to the same old routine, Fox needs to change it up. This needs to be the case not just against Indianapolis, but as long as the postseason lasts for the Broncos.

While some may not like to admit it, the Broncos won't win a Super Bowl unless they take some chances. They can't just show up and win the game because they have the best players.

But that's the problem—they have the best players. Taking all players into account, the Broncos have the most talented roster in the league. Coaching and preparation have been the team's hindrance.

So how does Denver get to the Super Bowl and win it? With Fox being more of a risk-taker and his coaching staff following suit.

Offensively

The Broncos have proved they can be a dominant passing team with Manning, but more recently, they've pounded defenses with their running game.

In the playoffs, the Broncos don't need to be a running team or a passing team; they need to find a way to be both.

The key will be their aggressiveness. Isn't that what the Broncos were supposed to be this season anyway?

At times, the Broncos have been predictable on offense. But because they have shown such versatility, it's time to take advantage of it.

Why not start the game with some short, easy passes to get Manning into a rhythm? Then, out of nowhere, go to the power-running game with Virgil Green coming in as an extra offensive lineman to help out Louis Vasquez.

Yes, teams would start to recognize that when Green is on the field, a running play is likely coming. That is why offensive coordinator Adam Gase needs to install some pass plays out of these strong run formations designed to get Green the ball.

Despite his run-blocking prowess, Green can be effective in the passing game. That is something many teams around the league may not be ready for.

Look at what the Cincinnati Bengals did in the Wild Card Round last Sunday. With injuries to two of their key offensive starters, they inserted Rex Burkhead into the lineup, and Burkhead, a running back, caught three passes for 34 yards.

This was a prime example of taking advantage of all of your weapons. The Colts clearly weren't expecting to see Burkhead, and the element of surprise gave the Bengals a chance early.

Green will be a key to Denver's postseason run.

In addition, the Broncos need to mix in some no-huddle offense. They have gone away from it in recent weeks, but catching a team who is not prepared for it, specifically in the thin air of Denver, could be a huge advantage.

Again, the Broncos don't need to do this exclusively, just mixing it in will throw a wrinkle into the opponent's game plan.

Defensively

The Denver defense has put together a very good season, and it will be the biggest factor in whether the Broncos can return to the Super Bowl and get the victory.

But defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio has two of the league's best pass-rushers at his disposal in Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. It's time to unleash them.

Del Rio should be working on schemes that allow these two players to get after the quarterback. He shouldn't be afraid to blitz and blitz often.

Cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris are good enough to play man-to-man, so why not leave them on an island?

Trick Plays

A well-timed trick play here and there can be the difference in winning a big game in the playoffs. Yet, Fox rarely ever calls for one.

With a strong running game that defenses will be loading up to stop, a flea-flicker would be an excellent call. A flea-flicker called at the right moment is all but impossible to defend. And the Broncos not only have the running game to help sell it, but they have players who can stretch the field.

If the Broncos are able to gain big chunks of yards against the Colts, a flea-flicker to start the third quarter would be a great call. Manning could find Emmanuel Sanders downfield for a huge play, possibly even a touchdown.

A fake punt is another call that would show a different side of Fox. It would also help establish a sense that the Broncos are going to be aggressive and adopt a win-at-all-costs attitude in the playoffs.

The entire team can rally around an approach like that.

Or, Fox could take the usual approach. He could stay conservative and hope to get by on talent alone. He could be unprepared and not ready for a physical team, like Super Bowl XLVIII against the Seattle Seahawks.

If he takes that approach, you will see Manning the Broncos suffer another disappointing postseason moment.

The Broncos are a team that is in win-now mode. John Elway put them in that spot. It's time for the head coach he chose to lead that team to get on board.