Football

6-0 Showdown: Broncos Bash Pack 29-10

Peyton Manning is rapidly hitting form again with the Broncos as recent win shows.
6-0 Showdown: Broncos Bash Pack 29-10

Sunday Night’s game featured the undefeated Packers visiting the undefeated Broncos.

The storylines coming in centered around how the Broncos staunch defense would hold up against Aaron Rodger’s aerial attack, and if the bye week could solve the Bronco’s offensive woes. Questions surrounding Peyton Manning’s arm strength and ability were growing, particularly against a Packers defense that has been excellent this year.

The Broncos won convincingly: here’s what went down:

Manning Answers Critics:

The Broncos came out and punched the Packers right in the mouth. The precise route running and quick accurate passes that are a hallmark of Peyton Manning offenses were in full effect, carving up the Packers secondary. Demaryius Thomas broke out of a prolonged slump with 8 catches for 186 yards, and provided a downfield presence that has been missing most of the year. Manning showed poise and decisiveness in the pocket, driving his throws down field with authority. If this Peyton Manning is the one that shows up the rest of the years, the Broncos may be the team to beat in the AFC (a week 12 matchup against the Patriots could very well be between two undefeated teams).

 

Rodgers’ Rough Night:

Aaron Rodgers was held to just 77 passing yards as the Broncos secondary suffocated the Packers receivers and the pass-rush consistently put pressure on Rodgers all night.  He looked noticeably uncomfortable for most of the game, culminating in a strange desperation lateral/fumble that turned into a safety, a rare case of Rodgers trying to do too much. The Packers clearly miss Jordy Nelson stretching the field, and Eddie Lacy still isn’t the back he has been the previous two years. But the Broncos defense deserves most of the credit here, clinging like limpets to the Packer’s pass-catchers while the pass rush did an excellent job of both pushing Rodgers off his spot and containing him, not allowing Rodgers to escape and throw down the field. It’s a blueprint to beat the Packers, but few teams have the personnel to both rush and cover so effectively.

 

Injuries plague Packers:

A lackluster performance from Green Bay was exacerbated by a few key components missing crucial parts of the game, especially on the defensive side. The Packers, already beset by injuries this year, saw corners Sam Shields and Quinten Rollins leave the game with shoulder injuries while All-Pro linebacker Clay Matthews also left with an apparent knee/ankle injury, but was able to return. The Packers need them back healthy in a hurry as they face the undefeated Carolina Panthers next week, the talent-laden but discombobulated Lions the week after that, and the rising Minnesota Vikings in the following week, with their division lead cut to just one after Sunday’s loss.

 


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