The Broncos had a break the first week of the playoffs after obtaining the number one seed in the AFC. They will face the Ravens at Mile High for the Divisional round after the Ravens beat the Colts the previous week. The Ravens had a spirited performance last week on the back of their leader and franchise icon, Ray Lewis, declaring his retirement after the season. The home crowd was rocking and so were the Ravens, getting after Luck and securing the win.
They face a much tougher assignment in this week 15 rematch against our beloved Broncos. Who will progress to the Conference round to take on either the Patriots or Texans? We will find out Saturday.
Why to Watch
Broncos in the playoffs, Manning's first playoff game for the Broncos, possibly Ray Lewis last game, what more could you want?
Inside Story
I said it above; this is Ray Lewis's last hoorah in the NFL. His team will do everything it can to get him to one last Superbowl. But we ourselves are trying to take our own legend to the Superbowl and give one final present to a great owner. This game will probably surprise a few people and be really competitive because of it.
Injury Report
Mike Adams (S), Knee, FULL
Ryan Clady (T), Shoulder, FULL
Orlando Franklin (T), Knee, FULL
Trindon Holliday (WR), Ankle, FULL
Chris Kuper (G), Ankle, FULL
Jim Leonhard (S), Thigh, FULL
Tracy Porter (CB), Concussion, DNP
Matthew Willis (WR), Knee, FULL
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Anquan Boldin (WR), Shoulder, FULL
Dannell Ellerbe (ILB), Ankle, LIMITED
Tandon Doss (WR), Ankle, FULL
Adrian Hamilton (OLB), Illness, FULL
Vonta Leach (FB), Knee/Ankle, LIMITED
Ray Lewis (ILB), Triceps, FULL
Albert McClellan (LB), Shoulder, FULL
Pernell McPhee (DE), Thigh, FULL
Haloti Ngata (DT), Knee, FULL
Bernard Pierce (RB), Knee, LIMITED
Bernard Pollard (S), Chest, FULL
Ed Reed (S), Shoulder, FULL
Jah Reid (T), Toe, DNP
Jimmy Smith (CB), Abdominal, FULL
Terrell Suggs (OLB), Achilles/Bicep, FULL
Marshal Yanda (G/T), Shoulder, FULL
David Reed (WR), Thigh, LIMITED
Torrey Smith (WR), Back, LIMITED
Prediction
The prior game between these two saw the Broncos take control late in the first half and run away with the game. Since then the Ravens have got a number of players back, one being Ray Lewis and are now more acquainted with their offensive coordinate. The previous OC was fired before the Broncos game. The Broncos will face a better team than last time but you can’t look past the Broncos at home. I am feeling a 31-24 score line to the Broncos. Go Broncos!
Ladies
A few of the lovely ladies from the Ravens.
No preview post this week since I have been preoccupied with Christmas as I would believe most of you are. But the Broncos still have a game against the Browns this week. So from Broncos Blog, Go Broncos, Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. ~ Aussie.
After two weeks of ship warfare the Broncos are hitting the road to take on the formidable Ravens. The Broncos have run away with the AFC West winning seven straight games since the bye and are battling for the number two seed in the AFC. But they are going up against stiff competition in the Ravens. The Ravens are the only team on the Broncos schedule since the bye that are heading for the playoffs.
The Ravens defense has been struggling with injuries but their offense has kept them in games this year getting their record to 9-4. Luckily for the Broncos they are taking on the Ravens at the perfect moment as the Ravens are coming off two close loses, one in overtime.
Before the bye I would have said the Broncos would not win this game. But the Broncos have been the story of two teams this season. There was the new team learning about each other and the dominate force that has bonded together since the bye. If the Broncos want that number two seed and to keep momentum going a win against the Ravens is a must.
Why to Watch
Two top teams fighting over a possible bye week in the playoffs. All on a bright sunny afternoon, what more could you want?
Inside Story
I would like to use this section to give big props to Luke Richesson and his team. What they have done with the Broncos this season has been exceptional. I want to bring specific attention to what they have done with Knowshon. As we know Moreno has gone from bulking up too big, to trimming down too much and dealing with all the injuries in between. But with what Luke Richesson and his team have done with Knowshon, shaping and building his body have turned him into a solid football player. These guys were a great find in the off season.
Match Ups
Both sides of the ball will be hotly contested. But I want to focus on the Ravens offense. They have some serious weapons in Ray Rice, Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin, not to mention their decent QB in Joe Flacco.
The Broncos defense I think will be up to the task and should be able to get after the QB but I am worried more about Ray Rice and the middle of our line. If Woodyard is rested again Williams will need to step up and plug those holes.
Injury Report
Trindon Holliday (WR), Knee, FULL
Chris Kuper (G), Ankle, LIMITED
Demaryius Thomas (WR), Shoulder, FULL
Matthew Willis (WR), Knee, FULL
Wesley Woodyard (WLB), Ankle, LIMITED
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Jameel McClain (ILB), Neck/Back, OUT
Ed Dickson (TE), Knee, LIMITED
Dannell Ellerbe (ILB), Ankle, DNP
Arthur Jones (DE), Shoulder, LIMITED
Jacoby Jones (WR/RS), Ankle, FULL
Vonta Leach (FB), Ankle, DNP
Pernell McPhee (DE), Thigh, DNP
Bernard Pierce (RB), Back, LIMITED
Bernard Pollard (S), Chest, DNP
Ed Reed (S), Shoulder, FULL
Ray Rice (RB), Hip, LIMITED
Jimmy Smith (CB), Abdomen, FULL
Terrell Suggs (OLB), Biceps, FULL
Deonte Thompson (WR), Thigh, FULL
LaQuan Williams (WR), Thigh, FULL
Marshal Yanda (RG), Ankle, DNP
Chykie Brown (CB), Knee, FULL
Prediction
I don't see the Broncos dropping 30 points on the Ravens but I do think this game will be very close. 26-23 to the Broncos, going right down to the wire.
Ladies
Some of the lovely ladies from the Ravens calendar.
Funny Vid of the Week
The Shannon Sharpe impersonation is great.
After dispatching the Buccaneers and their motley crew the Broncos ship pulls into waters controlled by the cowardly sea dogs, the Oakland Raiders. Captain ‘Forehead’ Manning doesn’t take to kindly to the silver & black and will be looking to sink his second ship, the Black Hole, in the span of a week.
Though Captain Manning may be without his trusted Quartermaster Brandon ‘Old as Shit’ Stokley, who is resting below deck with a bum hip. Captain Manning could also be missing his Master Gunner ‘Uncle’ Woodyard who injured his ankle in the Buccaneers encounter. But Captain Manning has full faith in his young crew to send the Raiders to see Davy Jones.
The Raiders ship lead by Carson ‘the Red Water Pistol’ Palmer is of the opposite mindset. His crew has been battered and abused by the rest of the league and he isn’t holding out hope for this contest. Since the Broncos took control of the AFC West the Raiders will be battling for their proud. The Red Water Pistol will be helped by the return of Darren ‘Upper Body’ McFadden and new deckhand Mike Goodson.
For both crews this is a rivalry between two opponents that detest each other. The contest will be intense and hard fought on both sides of the ball.
Other News More information coming out about the tragic events surrounding LB Belcher.
Why to Watch
The Broncos beat the Raiders 37-6 last time they played. Why would you not
want to see that again?
Inside Story
Everywhere you look people are talking about the Broncos Vs Ravens game next
week. As both teams are in the hunt for the number two seed in the conference. Hopefully the Broncos aren’t doing
the same in overlooking the Raiders on the short week and thinking about the
Ravens. The Broncos have a job to do on Thursday.
Sadly Raiders HC Allen lost his father who passed away earlier this week. He
hasn’t been at training and what role he plays on Thursday is unknown. But our
thoughts and prays go out to Allen and his family. Match Ups
Look across the park. There are favorable match ups for the Broncos at most positions.
The one player to watch out for is Darren McFadden. McFadden has killed us on the ground in the past. Our front seven has been up to the task so far but with Woodyard likely out they will need to double their effort.
I would also like to note here that for the previous few weeks I have been mentioning Decker, in the hope he would hook up my fantasy team. In that time he has done absolutely nothing, so a big screw you Decker hahaha.
Injury Report
Robert Ayers (DE), Non-Injury, FULL
Wesley Woodyard (LB), Ankle, DNP
Matthew Willis (WR), Knee, LIMITED
Brandon Stokley (WR), Hip, LIMITED
Manny Ramirez (OL), Back, FULL
Virgil Green (TE), Hamstring, FULL
Chris Kuper (G), Ankle, FULL
OAKLAND RAIDERS
Phillip Adams (CB), Concussion, DNP
Tyvon Branch (S), Neck, FULL
Jack Crawford (DE), Toe, LIMITED
Matt Giordano (S), Concussion, LIMITED
Mike Goodson (RB), Ankle, LIMITED
Taiwan Jones (RB), Ankle, LIMITED
Darren McFadden (RB), Ankle, LIMITED
Mike Mitchell (S), Concussion, LIMITED
Carson Palmer (QB), Right Thumb, FULL
Marcel Reece (FB), Hamstring/Quad, LIMITED
Richard Seymour (DT), Knee/Hamstring, DNP
Khalif Barnes (T), Triceps, LIMITED
Juron Criner (WR), Shoulder, LIMITED
Brandon Myers (TE), Shoulder, LIMITED
Prediction
The game should be a blow out. But the Raiders are always tougher in Oakland. I am feeling something like 34-9, Broncos.
Ladies
I few quick pictures from the Oakland cheerleaders. The first is the cover for their new calendar.
Funny Vid of the Week
This is from 2011. There are a few of Broncos in there which are funny.
That is it from me. Go Broncos and beat the F***ing Raiders! ~ Aussie.
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1 - Thurs - Aug 9 - at Chicago - 31-3 - Win 2 - Sat - Aug 18 - vs SEATTLE - 10-30 - Loss 3 - Sun - Aug 26 - vs SAN FRANCISCO - 24-29-Loss 4 - Thurs - Aug 30 - at Arizona - 16-13 - Win
Season - 13-3
1 - Sun - Sep 9 - vs PITTSBURGH - 31-19 - Win 2 - Mon - Sep 17 - at Atlanta - 21-27 - Loss 3 - Sun - Sep 23 - vs HOUSTON - 25-31 - Loss 4 - Sun - Sep 30 - vs OAKLAND - 37-6 - Win 5 - Sun - Oct 7 - at New England - 21-31 - Loss 6 - Mon - Oct 15 - at San Diego - 35-24 - Win 7 BYE 8 - Sun - Oct 28 - vs Saints - 34-14 - Win 9 - Sun - Nov 4 - at Cincinnati - 31-23 - Win 10 - Sun - Nov 11 - at Carolina - 36-14 - Win 11 - Sun - Nov 18 - vs Chargers - 30-23 - Win 12 - Sun - Nov 25 - at Kansas City - 17-9 - Win 13 - Sun - Dec 2 - vs TAMPA BAY - 31-23 - Win 14 - Thurs - Dec 6 - at Oakland - 26-13 - Win 15 - Sun - Dec 16 - at Baltimore - 34-17 - Win 16 - Sun - Dec 23 - vs BROWNS - 34-12 - Win 17 - Sun - Dec 30 - vs CHIEFS - 38-3 - Win