Week 8: Broncos vs. 49ers (in London) Preview

Just to be nice and so I don't have to suffer going over the details, I won't mention any of last week's so-called "game". Ancient history if you ask me. So we move on to week 8, a game that will be played in London, England against the San Francisco 49ers at Wembley Stadium.

Offense:

This week it will be a QB battle of Kyle Orton and SF's Troy Smith who the 49ers head coach decided to replace the injured Alex Smith with instead of the original back-up David Carr. Can't tell you much of anything about Troy, other than his 3 years spent in Baltimore, since he hasn't played one down this season (his first) with the 49ers. It almost seems like he's a rookie getting thrown into the starting lane. I think this is a great shot for our defense to rally together and really put some pressure on a QB who hasn't played in over a year. Granted, this will be a far from easy test but this is as good of an opportunity as any to get a struggling defense back on it's feet.

Orton on the other hand will definitely need to keep his eye out for a few key players on the 49ers defense... more like, Denver's Oline needs to watch out for these guys to protect Orton. Our front 6 have given up more sacks than I'd like to account for on Orton and it's time we shut down an opposing defense. Orton is at his very, very best when he is protected in the pocket and not rushed around like some lost girl on the playground. Drives me nuts when he gets rushed and he just holds onto that ball forever and ever! Getting riled up already. lol

One of the biggest playmakers Denver needs to watch out for is RB Frank Gore. He's rushed 135 times for 573 yards (avg. 4.2) and one TD. And that's just his rushing stats. He has also 37 passes for 341 yards (avg. 9.2 yds a carry) and 2 TDs. Without question, our defense has got to hold this guy down. We're 30th in the league in stopping the run, Lord help us when we come face to face with #21. He can and will do serious damage if we let him. As for our running game, it... is... veeeeerrrrryyyyyy... slooooooolllllyyyyy... cooooommmmiiiiinnnngggg... toooooo.... liiiiifffffeeee. lol Having Knowshon Moreno back made a big difference last week. He was in all game. I hope he is free from harm with this last hammy injury (tellin' ya, put these guys up in bubble wrap!!). I am still waiting for him to find a gap and break free for the end zone. This weekend would be a great time for that to happen *hint, hint*.

Still loving our WR corps... they were covered very well last week but they can make a big difference as well this week. SF is 15th in the league in pass defense, right smack in the middle of the pack. I envision Brandon Lloyd getting quite a few passes thrown his way, but I'd also love to see Thomas in there. Wasting precious talent & time putting him on punt return duties. A very talented WR has been getting injured for returning punts... does McD have any idea how stupid that sounds?? Good gravy. Put him to REAL use on offense catching passes and let Squid take a good portion of the returns (so long as he can catch the ball and hold on to it). Alright, enough of my venting about what McD could do better. Wasting my breath here.

SF also has some power receivers that our D needs to keep close. Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan and RB Gore are the top 4 receivers for the West Coast team. They are just as threatening to our defense as our receivers are to their D. Denver is still 3rd in the league in pass offense, we need to keep it up but still balance it out more with our run game, if at all possible. For the love of football... Moreno, PLEASE stay healthy. We need you man.

Defense:

With the return of Brian Dawkins and Andre Goodman, I think the Broncos can have something to be upbeat about on defense and the team as a whole. Dawkins without a doubt plays a major role on defense, let alone the team. Having him back on the field will get everyone back in the game. I really, really want to see this defense put some major pressure on Smith, bury him 6 feet under over and over, get his pretty little uniform all dirty with mud & grass, make Mike Singletary regret putting him in as a replacement... need I say more to get my message across?? And for Pete's sake, stop Frank Gore. Stop their run game, period. If you look at San Francisco's offensive stats alone, it would seem like a walk in the park for our defense but I can assure you it won't and shouldn't be. I want to see this team fight for it to the very last second.

The 49ers defense is mostly stuck in the middle, makes sense since they've only won 1 game so far this season. 14th in stopping the run, 15th in pass defense, 13th in yards allowed and 23rd in points allowed. Patrick Willis, Nate Clements & rookie Taylor Mays are just a few names our offense should be aware of but our Oline should definitely be on the lookout for Parys Haralson & Travis LaBoy who have 3 sacks each. They will be hungry for more and we can't afford to let them get to Orton or force the pocket to collapse and have him run around with the ball like a lost little girl. Play smart football Broncos... smart football!!

Special Teams:

I want to see Squid take more returns. Catch the ball. Run the ball. Hold onto the ball. Nuff said. lol

Injuries:

Good news for Denver is Brian Dawkins and Andre Goodman will most likely be back for the game on Sunday. Bad news is, Denver still has some big playmakers out like Robert Ayers (foot) and Wesley Woodyard (hammy). Also, WR Eddie Royal was hit with groin injury and was limited in practice but he did travel with the team to London, so maybe that's a good sign he'll get to see some play time. Just don't aggravate the injury even more. We need his Royal-highness out there.

QB Alex Smith & Center Eric Heitmann are definitely out for the game. CB Nate Clements (ankle), RB Anthony Dixon (hammy) and CB Tarell Brown (back) were all limited in the 49ers Wednesday practice in London, while TE Vernon Davis (ankle) missed the Wed. practice. LB Ahmad Brooks (knee) had full participation in practice.

Some of these injuries could be the difference in how the game goes and ends. Interesting as always.


I would love nothing more than to say this should be an easy game considering SF is 1-6, and despite having a good RB who has put up some big numbers, their run game is 27th in the league. They are dead last in putting up offensive points, 21st in offensive yards and 16th with pass yards. Seems like such an easy feat with those numbers but stats aren't everything to a team.



Despite all the heartache Bronco Country has witnessed from this team, I'm still a firm believer they will turn everything around and put on a great game for not only us adoring fans but for the UK. They will be the ones to give football and the NFL a good name around the world when they come back home with a 28-20 victory.

Broncos vs 49ers (in London) Preview

Trivia Questions:

1) What uniform number did running back Otis Armstrong wear (1973-1980)?

2) Who had the Broncos' longest reception of 2003?

3) How many punts did Rick Upchurch return for touchdowns in his 9 seasons with the Broncos (1975-1983)?

Good luck & GO BRONCOS!!!!!