AFCW - going into Week 3

[Mile High Mania]

So, it was good to see that the division was 3-0 vs the NFC this weekend (Den > NYG, KC > DAL, SD > PHI). And, 3-0 vs the NFCE to boot - very nice.

Broncos 2-0
Chiefs 2-0
Raiders 1-1
Chargers 1-1

Not bad after 2 weeks, but I'm still not too sold really on either the Raiders or the Chargers. Chargers should be 2-0, but they're not and are very helter skelter. The Raiders ... they lost to the Colts and then beat the Jaguars. The Jags account for 2 of the 6 total wins within our division.

Week 3 -

The Raiders (1-1) travel to the Broncos (2-0) and honestly, while the 'any given Sunday' mantra is alive and well, Denver should win this by a big margin and move to 3-0 setting up back to back games vs the NFCE (Eagles and then Dallas). Broncos have had 2 big wins after sputtering in the first half of both games... the Raiders can win, they've shocked Denver at home in recent years. No time to fall asleep or get lazy for the Broncos.

The Chiefs (2-0) travel to Philly (1-1) - and this will be an interesting one as the Eagles can be explosive, but KC's defense is legit. Can the KC offense step it up? This is one where both Charles and Alex Smith need to be big. I think KC needs a statement win. The Jags suck and while Dallas has weapons, they have a mediocre record in recent years and losing at KC shouldn't have been a shock really. But, if KC wants that 'respect' and to quiet the doubters --- the offense needs to match the defense this week and make this a statement win.

The Chargers (1-1) travel to the Titans (1-1) and oddly enough, the Titans have played fairly well. Both teams were bitten late vs the Texans, so anything goes I guess.

This is a week where I honestly think the home teams prevail. There's a lot up for debate with KC/PHI and SD/TN ... and wouldn't be surprised if either/both AFCW teams won. However, I think the home teams pretect their yards this week.

It would be good though to see KC and SD win in week 3.

You?

[donkhater]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

The Chiefs (2-0) travel to Philly (1-1) - and this will be an interesting one as the Eagles can be explosive, but KC's defense is legit. Can the KC offense step it up? This is one where both Charles and Alex Smith need to be big. I think KC needs a statement win. The Jags suck and while Dallas has weapons, they have a mediocre record in recent years and losing at KC shouldn't have been a shock really. But, if KC wants that 'respect' and to quiet the doubters --- the offense needs to match the defense this week and make this a statement win.

KC winning in Philly won't garner them respect. If they happen to win Thursday night, the talk in NFL circles will revolve more around Chip Kelly's experiment and whether or not it will work in the NFL after two teams as marginal as SD and KC beat them at home.

KC will have to continue to improve and win the entire season (and next) before most of the NFL buys into them. That's the way it works when you've been as crappy as this team has been for a while.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Good take. The repeated comments on Peyton's arm strength and all that is interesting to me. It's not like the guy can no longer throw a good pass and I don't think you're saying that at all.

At first, many were saying the receivers were average and it was because of Maning they're putting up big numbers. Sounds like some (maybe not you) want to suggest that it's actually now more the receivers and not so much Peyton that are actually doing all the work.

Peyton's made some nice passes - in the first two games though, way too many drops. Decker needs to get his head right, I think he spent too much time with his hot wife and the reality show in the offseason. Welker dropped a couple yesterday and the others have as well.

No, they're not always pretty... but he is damn effective and when he needs to thread a needle - he can still do it. I don't like him having 80+ attempts in the first 2 games and I really don't like Moreno doing well, because I fear they'll trust him again and he'll rear his ugly head again when it matters most... @ Dallas or @ KC, something like that.

(off topic) Moreno has talent, but he has a $.02 brain and I will never trust him again... yes, played well yesterday, great blocks and nice fumble recovery with the yards and the TDs. But, I'm not convinced that he's still not a knucklehead.

Can't believe Ball fumbled it (again) on that first drive... him and Hillman, with Moreno have to be the holy trinity of butterfingers for a RB trio. Again, that's why they're passing so damn much.

Anywho... they're making great second half adjustments, need to put it all together for a full game. And, kudos to the defense - while they're giving up too many big plays and 50+ points in two games is too much, they're not pathetic. Lots of young guys getting valuable experience right now...

Yeah, to clarify, I'm not saying Peyton's arm is weak by any means. What I mean is more that his bread and butter isn't necessarily throwing a perfect pass every time nor chucking it 50 yards down the field on a regular basis. He does both on occasion, but he also sometimes overthrows an easy pass, throws behind a receiver, etc. In other words, he's human.

But the thing that sets him apart is that he sometimes throws those imperfect passes to guys who don't have anyone anywhere near them. He's absolutely fantastic at finding the guy everyone on the defense forgot about, even when they're the 3rd or 4th option. In addition, he's still got a good knack for extending plays and, again, finding the guy who manages to slip out in the open during the chaos.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

responses in bold ;P

Coaching- Game 1 manning skips one that gets counted by the Loveing and Adoring refs. Harbaugh goes deer eyed and does not throw the flag. Donks make them pay for the poor coaching- a close game is pretty much over after that.

Yesterday- Giants could go into half with lead-kick a chip shot field goal-instead throw a pic into triple coverage. Might as well take a shot right and hope there is enough time to get the FG. Poor choice-Donks were waiting.

Good teams seem to get lucky-and the donks have had every call their way-they will be tough to beat. If the Faders don't shut down Manning's two yard wobblers to open guys-they won't have a shot. I think the Donks play it smart and wait for the gifts to come their way like they have the last two games.

[Halfcan]

I will add the Donks receivers have not done him any favors either- they have dropped a ton of balls. So I guess it evens out. They are the team to beat and will only get better with Chump and VonD coming back.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Coaching- Game 1 manning skips one that gets counted by the Loveing and Adoring refs. Harbaugh goes deer eyed and does not throw the flag. Donks make them pay for the poor coaching- a close game is pretty much over after that.

Yesterday- Giants could go into half with lead-kick a chip shot field goal-instead throw a pic into triple coverage. Might as well take a shot right and hope there is enough time to get the FG. Poor choice-Donks were waiting.

Good teams seem to get lucky-and the donks have had every call their way-they will be tough to beat. If the Faders don't shut down Manning's two yard wobblers to open guys-they won't have a shot. I think the Donks play it smart and wait for the gifts to come their way like they have the last two games.

Again, I kind of agree. However, when most teams get a call that goes their way, they might have a good drive to take advantage of it, then go back to normal. When the Broncos have had calls go their way, they use them to completely destroy the other teams' momentum beyond repair. That's not all luck.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by donkhater

KC winning in Philly won't garner them respect. If they happen to win Thursday night, the talk in NFL circles will revolve more around Chip Kelly's experiment and whether or not it will work in the NFL after two teams as marginal as SD and KC beat them at home.

KC will have to continue to improve and win the entire season (and next) before most of the NFL buys into them. That's the way it works when you've been as crappy as this team has been for a while.

Enh, possibly. KC has been down for a while, but the NFL loves Reid and they like feel good stories. The NFL world isn't out to just hate on KC for the sake of hating. I think many want to see a solid performance from both sides in a quality win before they jump on the bandwagon though. I don't expect much from Dallas, but I did think they had a great shot of winning yesterday.

It proved how good the defense is going to be this year and really how fragmented Dallas is going to be in my opinion. That team will win nothing with Romo - he's Jake Plummer without the personality and somewhat prettier stats. I liked Plummer and loathed the bad decision making, but you knew he wanted to win and was a team player in my mind. Romo ... the jury is out, but he really likes being the Cowboys' QB.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Again, I kind of agree. However, when most teams get a call that goes their way, they might have a good drive to take advantage of it, then go back to normal. When the Broncos have had calls go their way, they use them to completely destroy the other teams' momentum beyond repair. That's not all luck.

Yep true. I think it is just how it is. We saw that yesterday with the refs pushing to get a Cowboy win. Manning brings in the most money of any NFL player to the league and will Always get special treatment.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Coaching- Game 1 manning skips one that gets counted by the Loveing and Adoring refs. Harbaugh goes deer eyed and does not throw the flag. Donks make them pay for the poor coaching- a close game is pretty much over after that.

Yesterday- Giants could go into half with lead-kick a chip shot field goal-instead throw a pic into triple coverage. Might as well take a shot right and hope there is enough time to get the FG. Poor choice-Donks were waiting.

Good teams seem to get lucky-and the donks have had every call their way-they will be tough to beat. If the Faders don't shut down Manning's two yard wobblers to open guys-they won't have a shot. I think the Donks play it smart and wait for the gifts to come their way like they have the last two games.

Not all calls go their way... that drive yesterday in the 2H when there were like 4 defensive penalties ... 2 were total BS. That's the only way NY scores there...

And, they're doing much more than just waiting on gifts.

[King_Chief_Fan]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

What is it with Chiefs fans pretending Manning can only throw for one yard and apparently has the spine of a small infant?

just to rile up the once a week donk fans that come trolling

bye now

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Enh, possibly. KC has been down for a while, but the NFL loves Reid and they like feel good stories. The NFL world isn't out to just hate on KC for the sake of hating. I think many want to see a solid performance from both sides in a quality win before they jump on the bandwagon though. I don't expect much from Dallas, but I did think they had a great shot of winning yesterday.

It proved how good the defense is going to be this year and really how fragmented Dallas is going to be in my opinion. That team will win nothing with Romo - he's Jake Plummer without the personality and somewhat prettier stats. I liked Plummer and loathed the bad decision making, but you knew he wanted to win and was a team player in my mind. Romo ... the jury is out, but he really likes being the Cowboys' QB.

Excellent post-couldn't agree more. The annoucers saw it different though-they praised EVERYTHING about Romo and even flashed his comeback win total several times as if setting up a "Big Come Back" even the refs were seating the table for it-lol I had to turn off the tv announcers at half. F them and their constant Cowboy propeganda love.

[ThaVirus]

Does anyone know Romeos exact game plan against Manning?

Is it primarily man or zone? Primarily blitz heavy or dropping guys in coverage? Staying back and keeping everything in front of you or taking away the short stuff and making him beat you deep?

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Not all calls go their way... that drive yesterday in the 2H when there were like 4 defensive penalties ... 2 were total BS. That's the only way NY scores there...

And, they're doing much more than just waiting on gifts.

yes those calls were BS- I think they did that to try and keep BOTH Mannings in the game. But overall you can't say Peyton does not get extra special treatment-always has and always will. You hated it when he was a Colt but now......

Yep we would love it too-lol

[saphojunkie]

Guess what? Being a great team and also being lucky are not mutually exclusive.

The Broncos are very, very good. But they certainly look a lot better when their opponents randomly throw insanely horrible interceptions to safeties who have no offensive player within fifteen yards of them.

Chiefs fans who say the Broncos aren't a great team are kidding themselves.

Bronco fans who say their team isn't benefiting from unforced errors by the other team are doing the same.

Here's how I see the first two weeks in donkey country:

[Mile High Mania]

There's definitely a mix of both right now, but to Denver's credit, the defense has made some great plays. It's not all brain dead mistakes by Flacco and Eli.

[Valiant]

Donks are good. I have no idea why teams are not trying to hit Peyton more. He will make some of the quick throws, but eventually you get to him. And he gets knocked off quick. Problem is no one is doing it and he is torching. Same with the wrs. Your safeties have to pop them. Because very few teams can match passing game with in todays nfl and what they let them do.