Bronco's RB Phillip Lindsay suffered an arm fracture last week, which will cause him to miss the next 4 games. Lindsay has been the bell cow and the heart and soul of the Broncos offense. With Lindsay out, Denver will need to lean on the legs of Royce Freeman. Freeman, who is more of a north south guy rather than a east west like Lindsay, is no stranger to a heavy work load.
Coach Vic Fangio commented on the situation this week, "It's not Royce I'm worried about, it's Drew Lock. he needs to be better and we should not have to lean on a running game. The kid just needs to hit the wide open targets that he is currently missing."
The Broncos currently sit at 4-5 and still have a glimmer of hope to make the playoffs.
After 7 weeks in to the season, the Denver Broncos sit at a measly 2-5. Is this because of their stout defense and vaunted pass rush? No. Is it because of their patchwork offensive line? Probably, but likely not. Is it because of a big headed, noodle armed, cement feet quarterback? Yes.
Here's why.. Joe Flacco just plain sucks. He can't throw, which you need to be able to do at the quarterback position. He can't move in the pocket, which means opposing defenses are just licking their chops when they see the Broncos come up on their schedule. Most of all, he's just not smart. He can't analyze a defense, he's likely colour blind, and seems to find it amusing when he throws 5 picks. This is just unbelievable with the weapons and talent he has available to him.
John Elway was quoted saying, "Joe is our only option right now. At least until Drew (Lock) becomes healthy. Shit, I've been thinking about coming back, but I'm too old and ugly." Elway is clearly frustrated with the performance of his quarterback, and we don't blame him.
Look for the Broncos to be in re-build mode for the next 2-3 season.
After a 2-0 start, The Washington Redskins have lost 4 of their last 5 games, but are looking primed to make a resurgence after a dominating victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
On the offensive side of the ball, QB Trey Robbins seems to be getting back into a groove after coming back from a torn shoulder suffered in Week 1. "Turnovers." Quoted Robbins after being asked what he needs to improve on in order to get the team back on the winning track. "It starts with protecting the pigskin, I now our guys on D will get me the chances I need. I just need to capitalize." This has seems to be getting easier for Trey with the help of a potent rushing attack. With the return of Phillip Lindsay and a health Derreus Guice, the Skins' run game has been having their way on the ground.
As for the Defense, nothing has really changed. Just a dominant attitude and a strive to keep all teams out of the endzone.
Look for the Redskins to turn up in the second half of the season.
Through 8 games, the Washington Redskins are 6-2 and are building steam.
This engine was expected to be powered by a breakout season from second year QB Trey Robbins, but that situation seems to lack consistency. The only thing consistent has been the Redskins defense. The unit has been posting top 5 standing in almost all statistical categories, but is standing out in one. Interceptions.
The Skins have posted 19 INTs through 8 games, that is a very impressive sta line for a very young secondary.
The back end is led by star FS, Troy Apke who is coming off a pro-bowl season and has been a presence in the middle of the field.
Loo for the the Skin to improve their turnover margin during the remaining game this season.
The Washington Redskins are all-in on Rookie gunslingers, Trey Robbins.
The Redskins reached for the young quarterback in the 3rd round in-order to fill the void left by recently release QB, Alex Smith.
Smith struggled in big situations last season which ultimately resulted in his contract termination.
Skins front office took a very hard look at the Qb draft class, even mulling the idea of trading up to get a top teir QB. Luckily, they were able to hold off and go with their gut and pick the low risk and high ceiling QB, Robbins.
Robbins had shown a lot of promise in the pre-season and through the first couple weeks of the regular season. Although he has shown the ability to make high level plays, he has also shown signs of a young, in-experienced kid fresh out of college.
Expect the Skins to continue to develop this young kid and push for a Super Bowl in the next season or two.
The bye week for the Washington Redskins has come and gone, so it is time to review the state of Skins nation.
The Redskins are currently sitting at a comfortable 6-2 with 8 more regular season game remaining.
Aside from the Dallas Cowboys, the road to the post season seems relatively easy, most opponents posting a below .500 record.
Alex Smith has had a mediocre season passing the football but still able to manage 6 games in the win margin.
The running game has been hit and miss, especially with premier back Darreus Guice battling injuries this first half the season, but this has also revealed a diamond in the rough.
In Guice's absence, recent acquisition, Phillip Lindsay has shined. Lindsay has been showing rare burst and agility these few past weeks and has been getting most of the passing downs over vet Chris Thompson.
Look for Thompson to be phased out as games go on if Lindsay continue to show promise.
The Redskins are making a push for a Division title and a shot at the Super Bowl.
It's week 11 and the Jaguars sit atop the AFC standings once again at 8-1. After a loss in week 1 to the rival Ravens, the Jags have won 8 straight including a dominant victory over the power house 49ers. Head coach Pinball Clemons stated after practice, "I'm not going to hype anything up yet. Our D has been lights out but out offense needs to turn up before we start sizing rings." He does have a point, where the Jags D ranks in the top of the league and the O is pretty much last in all categories. Looks for the Jaguars team to ease into the playoffs and make another push for glory.
Going into the bye week, the Jags are 6-1 and 1st place in their division. Alot of their success has to do with QB Hunter Woodhead. After winning the job over Tyrod Taylor in the pre-season, Woodhead has surprised all of Jags Nation with his ability to get the ball down field without making many mistakes. He has definitely found a favorite target in WR Allen Robinson who has put up his best numbers in years. Look for the Jags and their new found QB to make some noise the rest of the season and make a push for Super Bowl glory.
The Jacksonville Jaguars routed the Saints in week 8, by a score of 38-14. Not by the usually scoring defensive ways though. This time it was due to their offense, and not with the legs of Leonard Fournette. The Jags torched the saints through the air for 4 touchdowns and 250 yards. WR Allen Robinson had 3 of the 4 TDs on Sunday, and seemed very excited about this new game plan they have incorporated. "I'm always happy to get the ball thrown my way, especially when I'm in the endzone.." Robinson was quoted saying after the game. "Ball control is key, we need to not turn the ball over and we will be fine." Coach Clemons said during the post-game presser. He is right, victories usually come for the Jags when they have 0 turnovers on the stat sheet. Look for the Jags to continue to air the ball out and grind it on the ground. This will make for a very tough offense to stop.
It's week 10 of the regular season and the Jacksonville Jaguars are home and resting on a bye after finishing the first half of the season with an 8-1 record. This is a key week for thee Jags to rest up and make a push deep into the playoffs and hope to capture their first Super Bowl. The 8 wins this year are mostly due to the stellar play of the Jaguar defense which ranks in the top 5 in all categories. where as the offense seems to struggle through the air and only able to move the ball on the ground with Fournette, when he's healthy.
When asked about the struggles on the offensive side of the ball, coach Pinball Clemons was quoted saying "..we don't need to worry about out O when our D is flying around like they have been. All I told Blake is that he just needs to protect the ball and be smart." Blake Bortles seems to have taken coach Clemons' words to heart these past few weeks, since there hasn't been much of a turnover problem on offense. "Just gotta take what's given to me." Blake said to media at practice today. "I practice against the best of the best and I need to use that to my advantage on Sundays".
Look for the Jags to continue their streak of wins and go deep into the playoffs this year.
(image) Patriots ILB Donta Hightower, eyes down an opposing quarterback.
After an abysmal season last year, the New England Patriots appear to have turned a new leaf. They have quickly jumped to a 3-1 start after beating 3 playoff caliber teams in the Bills, Packers, and Vikings. The Patriots squad came into this season as a patchwork group of guy with little to no playoff aspirations. That has now took a complete 180.
Lead by rookie QB Nathan Reece, the Patriots offense looks to be the most efficient unit in the league at scoring points as well as protecting the ball. "This is everything you need out of the offense, scoring and keeping the pigskin safe and allowing our defense to make plays." coach Adam Schefter said after a decisive victory over the powerhouse Vikings in week 4. Reece does not get all of the credit, outstanding play by star RB Darveon Dockery with the help of great play from a mainly rookie offensive line. When asked about his ability to protect the ball and easily adjust to the speed of professional football, Reece said "It's not me. It's the guys around me. My receivers run great routes and they get open. My line gives me the time I need to make the plays. Along with the defense playing lights out, it makes it so easy."
Speaking of defense, this unit seems to be the most surprising this year. With the emergence of Safety Rashaud Westbrook and linebacker Layne Meier, the Patriots seem to be the most dominant defense in the past 4 weeks. "They fly all over the field, they have the most heart and the highest motors" coach Schefter said.
The Patriots are building steam with their sights set on the post-season and it doesn't look like there is anyone that can stop them.
After failing to win a single playoff game during the existence of the UMFL, The Denver Broncos have finally put an end to the drought. The Broncos prevailed over the division rival Oakland Raiders in their Wildcard matchup, 27-20. The Broncos offense looked to struggle through the air, but were dominant on the ground, lead by HB Trashaun "Tibby" Thibodeaux. Tibby's second half 61 yard touchdown run all but punched the Bronco's ticket to the divisional round.
Adrian Jones
Position: WR
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 178lbs
Adrian Jones, a second year undrafted receiver out of Michigan is currently taking the UMFL by storm. Relatively unknown coming out of college and only used as a return man in his first season, Jones is leading the league with receptions and is in the top 5 for yards and touchdowns. What makes Jones so dangerous is his blazing speed which provides separation for elite QB Paxton Lynch to complete routine throws. "He's always wide open.." Lynch said in an interview after the Broncos beat the Browns on Sunday. "He's not just fast. He runs great routes, and has soft hands. He's extremely dangerous" Coach Kubiak added. Jones is looking to become a household name in the UMFL the season and looking to take the Broncos to the promise land.
Trashaun Thibodeaux
Postion: HB
Height: 6' 1" Weight: 209
Born in Gatineau, Quebec, Trashaun Thibodeaux looks to make his Canadian mark on the UMFL. Drafted by the Broncos in the 7th round, Thibodaux was over looked by almost every team in the league. The large framed RB looks to make an immediate impact on the field with a Broncos stable of running backs that have been subpar this past season. Look to see Thibodeaux get a lot of touches week 1 against the Cardinals.
The Denver Broncos have release CB Aqib Talib and HB CJ Anderson today. Talib, 32, has struggled to find playing time last season after his burst came into question during the pre-season. As for Anderson, he had his carries diminished due to the emergence of Booker and Herman in the backfield.