That's why it's so hard to judge schedules in the preseason. What do you mean by ignoring Denver's schedule?

Let's not forget that Denver sits in the same boat. They've had the same easier schedule with the exception of Indy- which they lost to. For anyone wanting to point to Baltimore as a good win since KC doesn't play them this year, just remember that that Baltimore team isn't .500 currently and lost to Buffalo, who KC plays this week and isn't in Denver's schedule. So then you have the difference in schedules coming down to us playing Cleveland, while they play New England- another team the Bills took down to the wire and lost to in the final seconds.

We beat only scrub teams and haven't faced anyone. Well Denver's played winless Jax, 2 win Redskins, 3 win Raven team, 3 win Oakland, 2 win Giants, 3 win Philly and 4-4 Dallas. Basically the same schedule. But since you have a great offense and shitty defense it's legit. The one winning team you've faced you lost.

Ok, yeah I hear ya on that one... and they almost came back to beat the Colts, it was close. Denver's defense is best playing aggressively with a lead and when it's been close, their bend don't break play has hurt them.

Great Defense vs Great Offense ... I've always been a "big offense" guy, so I'll give a hat tip to the Broncos in the matchups with KC. They should be fun games though.

I know. It's was good for Denver that they still almost won that game. I don't give a shit really about respect. Keep doubting us. Keep the spotlight off of us.

It's the same defense Mannings had his career. Play with a lead and be aggressive. It's not worked in crunch time in the playoffs most of the time

Yeah, partly. They did reach 2 SuperBowls with Manning, winning one and losing another to a great Saints team.

Early on, PM was 0-2 in his first 2 playoff games which isn't shocking considering how many young QBs and teams fare. Lost twice to the dynasty Patriots in the 3/04 seasons. Lost twice to the Chargers when they were fully loaded on offense.

It happens... right now, as I look at the AFC - there are a couple of potentially really good teams that will be pesky in the playoffs, but no team is overall dominating right now. Pretty much the same thing for the NFC.

Peyton also had a bad INT in that Saints Super Bowl. He's had some bad moments in the playoffs that lend to the credibility to people questioning his ability in the playoffs

...and has led to Smith being sacked the 3rd most of any qb in the league. It's not like the guy is a statue back there either- as he's our 2nd leading rusher on the team. Not to mention for all the complaints about not throwing deeper to our. guys, well, you do have to be able to give him some protection to let longer plays develop. People talk about if you get pressure on Manning you can throw him off, and Alex is constantly having to guess which guy will blow an assignment and getting pressure.

That's not to deflect some of his poor execution at times, because he's overthrown guys and such too, but it's tough to get any rhythm down when they are limited in how often they can take shots down the field because I know they are calling a ton more plays that are short stuff simply because the protection can't be relied on to give him 5+ seconds many times.

Smith also takes a lot of sacks. It's his nature.

Part of his improvement in SF was using PA passing and having a ****ing all star offensive line...

Doug Marrone is being a real Tuel. He should have announced the starter by now.

Typically, Peyton Manning has always struggled with the Baltimore Defenses that were handed down by Marvin Lewis.

Now, follow with me for those that don't know. I realize you aren't playing Baltimore.

But, follow the bouncing ball. Im not being a dick, just I know there are people who wait for a mistake and destroy.

Marvin Lewis,
Mike Nolan,
Rex Ryan,
Bob Sutton.

They are all of the same mind set.

They all have the same philos.

Rex Ryans jets, always gave PM trouble.
As did Marvin Lewis' Ravens defenses before he went to Cinci,
Bob Suttons will as well.

He doesn't like pressure up the middle in his face, and that's what he is going to see a lot of.

Wes Welker, (chuck pagano, also out of that stable) was locked down by Darius Butler who absolutely threw Welker around like a rag doll.

I am gonna go out on a huge limb and say that Brandon Flowers is a little bitty bit better than Darius Butler. And the Colts showed, if you slow down Welker, the entire offense stops.

Ya, I know that's been his reputation of holding the ball sometimes too long and taking sacks he shouldn't, instead at least throwing the ball away and move on to the next play / down.

Honestly, I'm asking because I can't say that I've seen a lot of this this year. I'm sure there are a handful of these that he's probably the culprit because he didn't get rid of the ball when he should have, but I'd guess off the top of my head that is maybe 4 sacks?

I could be totally mistaken, and if anyone knows please share.

Speaking of PA, I'm assuming that we've seen less of this than I thought would be featured this year maybe in part due to our struggles with running between the tackles so far this year. Teams aren't having to focus as heavily in aggressively playing to stop the run, so it's not as easy to get them to bite in coming up?

Well, I know of at least one. He admitted that the last sack he took against Cleveland he took so the clock would keep running, and for Cleveland to burn a time out.

There are a few that I think he could of gotten rid of. I cant remember if it was week one, or week two against dallas where he ran out of bounds and it was considered a sack, he only lost like a yard, but he could of thrown it away.

He doesn't want to turn the ball over.

I do wish for the safety of himself that he took more chances to throw it away though.

We're gonna see a LOOOT of this kind of stuff on November 17th:

http://www.9news.com/images/640/360/.../151683054.jpg

I 'd guess two roughing the passer penalties and Tamba gets his helmet removed on a holding non call