Divisional Round Scenario #2: Broncos at Ravens

With the Ravens playing the highest surviving seed from the wild card round, if the 4th seeded Denver Broncos can fend off the 5th seeded Pittsburgh Steelers at home in the mile high city, they would be coming to Baltimore on January 15th as long as Cincinnati takes care of Houston. And the Ravens would be ecstatic. For as much as the Ravens would be salivating at the though of facing the Houston Texans, this is the match up they want most. Yes, it is the playoffs, and there are no "gimme" games, but this is as close as it gets.

The polarizing Tim Tebow (pictured) took over at QB for the 1-4 Broncos in week 7. He led a truly amazing turnaround that saw the Broncos win 7 of their next 8 games. Often struggling through the first 3 quarters or more of a game, and then becoming a superhero in the 4th quarter or even the final minutes of a game to deliver a victory. Of course, the defense played better down that stretch as well, and many observers would point to that as the primary reason for the turnaround. But the defense really hasn't played that much better.They're statistically a bottom-half of the league defense, with a few key players who can make a big play. I would argue that Tebow's late game heroics are the main reason for the turnaround.

That being said, like the Houston Texans, the Broncos enter the postseason on the heels of a 3 game losing streak. Both Tebow and the defense have looked unimpressive, particularly in a 14-40 blowout loss against the then 5-9 Buffalo Bills in week 16. Still, the Broncos ended up winning the AFC West with a .500 record at 8-8. Three teams in the AFC north alone have better records. Is there a chance Denver beats Pittsburgh and come to Baltimore? The more I type the more skeptical I become. But the answer is yes. A small, small chance. But if they couldn't beat the 7-9 Kansas City Chiefs in Denver last week, it's sure going to be tough to beat the 12-4 Steelers this week. The Ravens can hope though.

The Broncos offense in extremely run-centric, even incorporating option plays more commonly seen at the NCAA level. Head coach John Fox and his staff deserve a lot of credit for developing game plans to be effective with the type of players they have. The athletic Tebow has been very good running the ball, and until the last couple games actually did a very good job not turning over the football. He had 4 interceptions over the last two weeks of the season, compared to just 2 the entire rest of the year. He can make tough throws, but the consistency is not quite there yet. Former Raven Willis Mcgahee experienced a career revival this year in Denver, rushing for 1,199 yards, and becoming the 2nd player in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards with three different teams (Bills, Ravens, Broncos.)

On defense the Broncos have had an up and down season. Overall, they have been unspectacular. They have a few key playmakers, namely Champ Bailey, who is still a great corner in his 13th year. As well as DE Elvis Dumervil (9.5 sacks.) And they definitely found a star in OLB Von Miller, the 2nd overall pick in last years draft. He turned in 11.5 sacks and is a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate. But the secondary is aging, and the run defense has been bad more often than not.


Here's how the Broncos stack up statistically to the rest of the league:

Offense:

   Total Yards Per Game - 23rd (316.6)

    Pass Yards Per Game -  31st (152.1)

   Rush Yards Per Game - 1st (164.5)

           Points Per Game - 25th (19.3)

Defense:

      Total Yards Allowed Per Game - 20th (357.8)

 Passing Yards Allowed Per Game - 18th (231.5)

 Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game - 22nd (126.3)

               Points Allowed Per Game - 24th (24.4)


Players to Watch for:

Offense: RB Willis Mcgahee

   Mcgahee joined the Broncos this year after spending the previous 4 season here with the Baltimore Ravens. His rushing yardage gradually declined each year in Baltimore, and the past two years he was mainly a backup and complimentary back to Ray Rice. He was however still a valuable asset to the Ravens, serving as a goal line back and accounting for 20 total touchdowns his last two seasons in purple and black. The rest of not being a full-time starter may have benefited Mcgahee, who had an excellent year for the Broncos averaging 4.8 yards per carry, running for 1,199 yards (8th in the NFL,) 4 touchdowns, and adding 1 more touchdown on a reception.

Defense: OLB Von Miller

   Miller burst on to the scene as a rookie this year and quickly established himself among the best at his position in the league. The 2nd overall pick from Texas A&M recorded 11.5 sacks, 64 tackles, and 2 forced fumbles. He was named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster as a rookie, and is one of the favorites to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year.