Preview: Broncos at Green Bay Packers

by Brandon on Sep 30, 2011 8:01 AM CDT in Green Bay Packers Preview

The final word on the injury report for the Green Bay Packers will come out later on Friday, but even if RB Ryan Grant and RT Bryan Bulaga are out, they have solid alternatives in their absence. I wouldn't be as high on RT Marshall Newhouse if I hadn't watched him have a good game against the Bears. Maybe he'll have problems with rookie LB Von Miller, but they'll have all week to prepare for it.

Everyone is probably aware that the Packers pass defense has been the weak link in their first three games (though it's improving with 5 INTs over their last two). They've been giving up a lot of yards, but a lot of quarterbacks are throwing for a lot of yards this season. And part of the reason teams are throwing so often against the Packers is that they aren't going anywhere on the ground (only 55 yards per game allowed rushing through the first three games).

Enter QB Kyle Orton. He was putting up some big numbers last season on long passes to WR Brandon Lloyd, but the duo has cooled off this season. Mile High Report notes that Orton isn't connecting on as many long passes this season, and they aren't attempting as many either. It'll be hard for them to take advantage of the Packers weakness in pass defense if the Broncos aren't going to challenge it. Their passing game appears to be built around the "dink and dunk" which isn't spreading it out for their running game (only 3.2 yards per carry so far this season).

The Packers have run the ball pretty well this season, but Mile High Report is liking the Broncos run defense so far this season. However the Packers offense is always built first around their passing game, and the Broncos pass defense has allowed a 106.8 passer rating in their first three games. The Broncos are hoping the return of CB Champ Bailey and DE Elvis Dumervil helps, but Dumervil has only played in one game so far and hasn't recorded a defensive stat of any kind since 2009. The weather forecast is favorable which should help QB Aaron Rodgers have a big game.

One thing to keep in mind: the Broncos have been keeping games close this season. If they can run a lot of plays by converting often on 3rd down, then they can keep the Packers offense on the sidelines and the score low (and close). The more likely outcome is that Rodgers has another big game against a struggling pass defense.

Packers 34, Broncos 17.

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Hopefully is a good and injury free game...

I just checked the local listings here, and I’m just glad they’re actually gonna show it here! Got to see the game last week, and now get to check this one out.

by RaY210 on Sep 30, 2011 8:51 AM CDT reply actions

Agreed

I’ve been living out of State for ten years now (formerly Seattle, now near Raleigh) and last year I finally gave in and purchased the NFL sunday ticket… a good year to be able to watch all of the games. Doing the same again this year. I figured after the cost of driving to a bar to watch the game, and the expense of all the food and drinkS that I order while there it works out to be about even. Plus I get a much more comfortable seat! I still feel it’s over priced… but what can I say, I’m addicted.

by jester13 on Sep 30, 2011 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Jim Nantz and Phil Simms

are doing the game for CBS.

"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

"It's a great day to be great, baby!"

Skol is a four-letter word.

The Munsters of the Midway still suck!

by NorthStarr on Sep 30, 2011 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions

game shouldnt be close...

…but in the NFL few games are blowouts. I expect the D to be able to contain an offense that is so underwhelming and spread it out against a suspect D. Denver may be one of the five worst teams out there.

I am expecting something like a 35-10 or 35-14. Maybe with a series from Matt Flynn. Wouldn’t that be great?

Go Pack Go

by bcbullyblinders on Sep 30, 2011 9:01 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

would be nice

if we blew them out. I’d like to see the Pack really control a game. I don’t feel like they have been able to do that yet this year. Not that I don’t appreciate a close game but It’s better for my anxiety if they just get a head by more than 2 scores.

by jester13 on Sep 30, 2011 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions

Just imagine if you were rooting for the Jaguars and their pathetic offense!

I already told you! I deal with the god damn receivers so the linebackers don’t have to! I have coverage skills; I’m good at covering people! Can’t you understand that? What the hell is wrong with you people?!

by msc32887 on Sep 30, 2011 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions

As Kyle is good marching all over the field...

…and terrible inside the redzone, and your D is giving a couple of yards and struggling against the passes but stopping the opposite offenses pretty well, I think the Broncos will reach your redzone multiple times and end with a FG on most.

On the other side of the ball, I really don’t know if I expect a deep dominancy of your offense, or just a short one… The fact is that you are the big favorites to win this game, however I don’t know if the score will be that large…. I could predict a 31-19, which is closer than yout 35-10.

This signature was sacked by Von Miller.
I bleed Orange & Blue.

by Fabio Broncos on Oct 1, 2011 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions

I think

the Broncos will reach our redzone multiple times and end with a FG turnover (fumble, INT or downs) on most.

But, your team will probably score once from outside the red zone.

My prediction (made official by making it in in the Cheesestradamus contest:
Packers 38, Broncos 17

"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

"It's a great day to be great, baby!"

Skol is a four-letter word.

Jay Cutler and the Munsters of the Midway still suck!

by NorthStarr on Oct 1, 2011 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions

All right

once again, from Bronco Country, I bring good tidings, hopefully we can beat you guys but may the best team win. You guys are much classier than Titans fans!

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!

by the new Bradfather on Sep 30, 2011 3:11 PM CDT reply actions

Hey TNB

Good to see another Bronco here…

Let me add my 2cents about what you’ve just said. You must me saying it about the Titans fans because of the few ones who went to our blog last week and weren’t too informed about their own team and neither too classy. However, I made a post about our game against them at MCM (and you must remember that I predicted a win for us) and thei were 90% very classy. This is a very great point about NFL x the soccer here in Brazil. Here we can really discuss football withouth smacking fans (ok, there are some, but we can’t generalize huh).

But hey, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it about the TItans fans just because the Packers are or aren’t more or less classy than them…. All the fans here that I talked about football were classy too.

This signature was sacked by Von Miller.
I bleed Orange & Blue.

by Fabio Broncos on Oct 1, 2011 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions

I'd been to their blog earlier in the week

and they mocked me on every side. Also obrigado irmao. GO BRONCOS!!!

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

by the new Bradfather on Oct 1, 2011 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions

A. Green sightings?

Has Alex Green played at all during the regular season? I don’t really recall seeing him. With Grant out for the next game I’m curious to see what Green can do with some play time.

by jester13 on Sep 30, 2011 5:34 PM CDT reply actions

He'll probably work out perfectly

everything the Packers touch turns into gold. Mike Midas McCarthy! Hopefully, we can tarnish the golden touch somewhat Sunday but we’ll see what happens.

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

by the new Bradfather on Sep 30, 2011 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions

He's done some special teams

Im a bit excited to see him too. Especially in the passing game.

by Shoes31 on Sep 30, 2011 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Just had a look at the gamebook for first three games

He’s listed as a substitute in week 1, but no other mention (no stats, nothing in PBP). He’s listed as “Not Active” weeks 2 and 3.

by DaveInTucson on Sep 30, 2011 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Today on NFL.com...

when they listed Ryan Grant as “Out” they also reported that McCarthy said he was going with Starks and Kuhn as the main backs. Not sure why he isn’t going to bring in Green unless he isn’t up to speed yet.

In Every Climb and Place....

by PhoenicianPakFan on Sep 30, 2011 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Still might see some Green

"Our primary rotation will be between James Starks and John Kuhn. Alex (Green) will get in there at some point," McCarthy said of the prospects at running back for Sunday.

by GinSlinger on Oct 1, 2011 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions

PLAAY TEEEE BOOOOOWWWWWWW!

I hope they play Tebow. Packer fans need a good chuckle.

by DrCheese on Sep 30, 2011 6:10 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs

Kyle Orton and his big numbers last season

A few time ago, at MHR, we brokedown his stats and the most part of his big yards gained number was earned late on the games… Where the Broncos were down by multiple ball possessions and the opposite defenses were playing a lot of Prevent play callings…

But hey, Dr. Cheese, it’s dangerous for you to think this way, because the kid can really surprise you in a couple seasons and lead the Broncos to Super Bowl again.

I don’t disagree that he plays ugly the QB position, but don’t be bamboozled by that, as we know that it doesn’t matter in the end, my friend.

This signature was sacked by Von Miller.
I bleed Orange & Blue.

by Fabio Broncos on Oct 1, 2011 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

All I can say is

thank goodness Broncos fans don’t run the day-to-day affairs of the team. It is way too early to crucify Fox, Elway and Xanders, or as we refer to them as, EFX. We’ve done a good job this season with what we have, 1-2 isn’t so bad when one considers all of our games have ended within a field goal of victory. Perhaps tomorrow we don’t turn the ball over and pull the shocker, who knows?

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

by the new Bradfather on Oct 1, 2011 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions