The Count: Why the Broncos Probably Won't Win It All

[DaKCMan AP]

The Count: Why the Broncos Probably Won't Win It All

The Denver Broncos seem the perfect embodiment of this offensive NFL era as the highest-scoring team in league history. But you have to look a long way down the list of the other top-scoring teams since the Super Bowl began to find a squad that actually brought home a ring.

Denver's Peyton Manning-powered offense is averaging a record 38.1 points per game entering their finale Sunday on the road against the Oakland Raiders, whom the Broncos must beat to secure home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. But of the other top 10 teams in points per game since 1966, just one—the 1999 St. Louis Rams—was able to translate its prolific scoring into a championship. And that "Greatest Show on Turf" St. Louis team ranks just 10th in the period at 32.9 points per game.

The second-highest scoring team ever, the 2007 New England Patriots (36.8 points per game), remained unbeaten until Super Bowl XLII, where they were upset 17-14 by a New York Giants outfit that ranked just 17th that season in points allowed. The 2011 Green Bay Packers (35.0) managed just 20 points in losing their first playoff game to the Giants. Last season, the Patriots (34.8) were shut out the entire second half in losing the AFC Championship Game to the Baltimore Ravens. And the 1998 Minnesota Vikings (34.8)—who, like the Broncos, entered the playoffs as the top-scoring team ever—fell well short of their average in losing the NFC title game 30-27 to the Atlanta Falcons in overtime.

Another Super Bowl winner among these high-powered offenses can't be found until the 18th-highest scoring team, the 2009 New Orleans Saints (31.9 points per game). The 1994 San Francisco 49ers (20th at 31.6) and 1998 Broncos (22nd, 31.3) also won the sport's ultimate prize.

—Michael Salfino

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/...?mod=djemITP_h

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by lcarus

They won't lose. They'll run out of time. Because as Knowmo knows, the game isn't ever over unless Denver is ahead on the scoreboard.

QFT

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Which team does Manning choke against this year?

I dunno... BAL, SD and MIA are battling it out for the final spot.

I figure DEN and NE get the byes. I'd love to see NE lose to BUF, but likely won't happen.

Means CIN and IND are likely hosting games and I would take both of them to win at home. If that's the case and IND is the 4th seed, then they travel to DEN and I don't see DEN losing that matchup in Denver.

Which would probably set up a rematch vs NE in Denver and anything could happen, but I like their chances a whole lot with Gronk out.

If things stay the way they are right now, Denver has a great shot at advancing to the SB with their offense clicking as it is right now. Sure, most games will be high scoring, but it could very likely happen.

I think a 3rd game with KC would be awesome... doubt it happens though.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Yeah, I'm nowhere near as emotional about all of this as I was when I was younger and before they won two. I'd love to see them do it again and it would be a disappointment if they failed again, esp in their first game. But, I'm way past the freak out mode with this stuff.

Yes. Same here, exactly so.

Denver has issues, but offensively, they can account for areas where they fall short... there isn't a flawless team in either conference.

True.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

I still like KC's chances of beating Indy in a rematch in the WC. I think there's a decent chance that we're the team who plays Denver in the Divisional playoffs. That could be fun.

Anything can happen. KC hasn't been right since the bye week. They're scoring a ton of points (avg of 31.2 over those 6 compared to 23.8 over the first 9, but the TO margin drops from +15 to +2 and the defense has fallen apart.

I could see KC winning at IND, I was surprised they only put up 7 in the last game against them...