Against All Odds: Denver Broncos Franchise (M10)

[Mr. Franchise]

Around The NFL: Week 14

Raiders inch closer to playoff berth:



The Raiders now improve to 8-4 and move up a game in the AFC West as the Chargers dropped their game. The Raiders smacked the failing Redskins 22-3 as JaMarcus Russel threw a TD pass with 0 INT. The Raiders take on the Broncos next week in Denver.

Tony Sparano on the hot seat:



Tony Sparano took the league, and the AFC East by storm with his "wildcat" offense. But this year it is fooling no one. The Dolphins have fallen back to their old ways as they are now 1-12 on the season with a 27-20 loss to the Jaguars. We will most likely see a coaching change in the near future.

Giants keep the NFC East race close:



The Giants will not give up on their season as they win their biggest game of the year against their dreaded rival Eagles. The Giants won 17-6 and now move a game up in the standings due to the Redskins and Eagles losses. The Giants sit tied at 2nd with the Redskins and Cowboys.

Matt Cassel goes off on the Bills:



Matt Cassel has struggled in his new home in Kansas City, but this week he went back to his Patriots days as he threw for 432 yards and 4 TD with 0 INT. The Chiefs kept their playoff hopes alive with a 44-16 beatdown to the Bills. The Chiefs now sit at 7-6 forthe season.

Playoff Picture-

DIVSION LEADERS
8-5
10-3
11-2
11-2

WILD CARD LEADERS
10-3
8-5

IN THE HUNT
7-6
7-6
7-6

DIVISION LEADERS
8-5
7-6
10-3
8-5

WILD CARD LEADERS
9-4
7-6

IN THE HUNT
7-6
6-7
6-7

[Mr. Franchise]

Denver Broncos Week 14 News

Dumervil and Rideau re-sign with Broncos-



There were some rumors that the Broncos were gonna franchise tag Dumervil during the offseason, but due to some negotiation troubles with linemen Ben Hamilton and Chris Kuper, they decided to save it for one of them. Dumervil signed a 6 year $40MM deal, $16MM of that gurenteed. This may be a risky move since the 3 year man doesn't have a sack yet this season, but the Broncos have enough holes at LB so they couldn't afford to lose him.

Brandon Rideau signed a 4 year deal worth $5.28MM. Rideau filled in the slot role when Marshall left as has done nicely catching 22 balls for 266 yards and 2 TD.

Other news and notes

• Ben Hamilton refused a 3 year $17.86MM offer and will most likely test free agency after the year.
• Chris Kuper, the 3rd year man, refused a 5 year $25.65MM offer and will most likely be franchise tagged.

We'll keep tabs on these signings.

[Mr. Franchise]

Champ Bailey single handedly beats Raiders

Broncos- 34
Raiders- 17

DENVER, CO- Champ Bailey looked just about the best he's ever been in today's game. Not just him though, but the entire defense. Champ Bailey strated his epic day during the post-halftime kickoff. The play was botched as there was no returner waiting for the ball. The ball bounced and lied at the 1 yard line, but Bailey had the awareness to scoop it up and weave through the defense and take it to the house. One of the best plays of the year. He then followed this up in the 4th when JaMarcus Russell was drving down the field to try and tie it up. Bailey jumped the route and took it to the house for his 2nd TD of the game. But enough about him. The other MVPs of this game were the defense and Knowshon Moreno. The Broncos D was able to force 5 fumbles in the rainy conditions, intercept the ball 3 times and only allowed 10 points (R. Seymor returned an INT for a TD) Meanwhile Knowshon Moreno did not fumble once on his way to over 100 yards, which was direly needed because of Chris Simms struggles. Also Eddie Royal was able to have a good day, even against a shut-down corner like Asomugha.

"Great win, I think we proved how weak the Raiders really re, they're a fluke, they got us in the first gameand we got our revenge." Said coach McDaniels after the game. "Oh man I'm feeling great, I've never played better, baby! WOO!!!" Said a continuely estatic Jarvis Moss, a once proclaimed bust, has been great since moving to DE. He had and INT, FF, and SACK in a career game.

The Broncos take on the Eagles next week as they try to keep their bleak playoff hopes alive.

Stats-

Passing-
C. Simms- 18/39, 196 YRDS, 1 TD, 3 INT
J. Russell- 18/38, 205 YRDS, 1 TD, 3 INT

Rushing-
K. Moreno- 16 ATT, 119 YRDS
J. Fargas- 26 ATT, 131 YRDS,
C. Buckhalter- 11 ATT, 22 YRDS, 1 TD

Recieving-
E. Royal- 4 REC, 37 YRDS, 1 TD
Z. Miller- 3 REC, 33 YRDS
J. Walker- 3 REC, 40 YRDS, 1 TD
J. Fargas- 3 REC, 22 YRDS
B. Rideau- 3 REC, 51 YRDS
D. Heyward-Bey- 3 REC, 56 YRDS


Player of the Game-
Champ Bailey- 4 TACK, 1 INT TD, 100 YARD KR TD

[Mr. Franchise]

Around The NFL: Week 15

Steelers clinch division:



The defending champs have done what most defending champs can't. Get back to the playoffs. Most teams struggle after a championship season, but not Mr. Clutch Be Roethlisberger. Ben has a career high 3600 yards already with 29 TD and 15 INT so far in the year. Ben has stepped his game up and keeps getting better. The Steelers took advantage of a weak AFC North this year as the Browns and Bengals both fell below expectations. The Steelers sit with a 12-2 record at the moment and look to take the conference and grab that first week bye in the last 2 games.

Patriots clinch AFC East:



Tom Brady missed all of last year with an injury, and with the great play of Matt Cassel last year ,most thought Brady was a system QB. Brady has proved most people wrong as his return to the team has boosted them back into the playoffs and a division championship. The Patriots now sit at 11-3 and have taken advantage of having the Jets and Dolphins in their division. Brady already has 3700+ yards and 34 TD and is looking to reach 40 TD for only the 2nd time in his career in the final 2 games.

Michael Turner and Adrian Peterson closing in on 2,000 yards:



Adrian Peterson and Michael Turner have benn beast all year. Both sit at 1,700+ yards with 2 games left. Turner with 1,773, and Peterson with 1,747. Both are trying to becom ethe first backs with 2,000 yards since Jamal Lewis did it back in 2003. Both have an outside shot at breaking Earl Dickerson's 2,105 record if one of 'em has a couple of huge games. We'll keep tabs on their final 2 games to see if they reach it.

Giants come back from last place to take division lead:



The Giants looked absoloutely dead a couple of weeks ago sitting at 5-7, but the tides have turn. The Eagles and Cowboys both dropped their games this week and in a crazy twist of fate the Giants are back on top. The NFC East has had one of the tightest races ever this year and it continues. Eli Manning has been having a career year leading all of the NFL with 35 TD passes. We'll see if they can hol onto this leading into the final 2 games.

Playoff Picture-

DIVSION LEADERS
8-6
Y-11-3
X-12-2
Y-12-2

WILD CARD LEADERS
X-11-3
9-5

IN THE HUNT
8-6
8-6
7-7

DIVISION LEADERS
9-5
7-7
X-11-3
8-6

WILD CARD LEADERS
9-5
8-6

IN THE HUNT
7-7
7-7
6-8

[Mr. Franchise]

Eagles cream Broncos in the "Battle of the 7-7's"

Broncos- 17
Eagles- 38

PHILADELPHIA, PA- The Broncos stepped onto the visiting teams field today looking tired and defeated. It's been a long season for the bunch, and today it showed. Chris Simms started the first half off by getting picked of 5 times, 1 of them being returned for a TD. The defense didn't help as they ended the half giving up 31 points. There were some changes in the 2ndhalf as rookie QB Tom Brandstater was brought in for the 2nd half. He didn' play all that bad, but was picked off. The defense played better by olny giving up 7 in the 2nd half, mainly because the Eagles were just running the clock down. It's been fairly obvious all year that the Broncos are just a good QB away from having a great team. Cutler wasn't the answer, Orton wasn't the answer, and Simms isn't the answear. It'll be interesting to see who it will be come next year.

"Our team is just gassed. It's been a long, long year, and for my first I think we've done a good job, we're gonna build from here and we got one more important game. Our next game will decide if we have a losing season or not, and that's huge." Said a suprisignly relaxed Josh McDaniels. None of the players were availeable for comment as they went straight to their hotels.

The Broncos finish the season off next week in Denver facing the Chiefs.

Stats-

Passing-
C. Simms- 12/25, 214 YRDS, 1 TD, 5 INT
D. McNabb- 14/27, 188 YRDS, 1 TD
T. Brandstater- 7/16, 122 YRDS, 1 INT

Rushing-
K. Moreno- 14 ATT, 58 YRDS
B. Westbrook- 21 ATT, 110 YRDS, 2 TD
C. Buckhalter- 7 ATT, 19 YRDS

Recieving-
P. Hillis- 5 REC, 32 YRDS
D. Graham- 5 REC, 44 YRDS
D. Jackson- 4 REC, 59 YRDS
B. Celek- 3 REC, 18 YRDS
K. Moreno- 3 REC, 145 YRDS, 1 TD
J. Avant- 1 REC, 12 YRDS, 1 TD


Player of the Game-
Santa Claus

[Mr. Franchise]

Around The NFL: Week 16

Race to 2,000 continues:



Adrian Petrson has overtaken Michel Turner as the rushing leader. Peterson now has 1,917 yards over Turner's 1,885. Peterson overtook him with another huge game rushing for 170 yards and another TD, his 16th of the year. Peterson is making a strong case for league MVP or offensive player of the year, and even has an outside shot at the single season rushing record. Find out if he makes it next week when the final statistics are announced.

Chiefs take first place in AFC West:



In a surprising turn events the surging Kansas City Chiefs have taken first place in the AFC West. The off-season trade for Matt Cassel has really paid off as the Chiefs sit at 9-6. They control their own destiny now as all they have to do is beat the Broncos to clinch the division. Larry Johnson has lead the team with a resurging year racking up 1,100+ yards after becoming the Chiefs all time rushing leader. The Raiders and Chargers both dropped their games and sit tied at 2nd.

49ers clinch NFC West:



The 49ers have had a suprise turnaround season and it's all due to coach Mike Singletary and RB Frank Gore. Singletary has turned the defense around and Frank Gore has over 1,500 yards alreay and is the #3 rusher in the league. The 49ers have all but eliminated the NFC champion Cardinals playoff hopes.

Raiders playoff hopes all but gone:



After a 6-0 start and the defense playing like the best in the league, the Raiders went 2-7 in there next 9 games. JaMarcus Russell started to look like the old JaMarcus Russel and now the Raiders are 8-7 and sitting in 2nd place. What sealed the deal was a 29-13 loss to the Browns in which JaMarcus Russell didn't throw a TD pass and the defense was lit up by Derek Anderson. Raiders fans aren't too happy, but they have nothing to complain about seeing as expectations were so low coming into the season.

Playoff Picture-

DIVSION LEADERS

9-6
Y-12-3
X-13-2
Y-13-2

WILD CARD LEADERS
X-12-3
9-6

IN THE HUNT
8-7
8-7


DIVISION LEADERS
Y-10-5
8-7
X-11-4
8-7

WILD CARD LEADERS
X-10-5
8-7

IN THE HUNT
8-7
8-7
7-8

[Mr. Franchise]

Chiefs clinch division in last game of season

Broncos- 30
Chiefs- 41

DENVER, CO- The Broncos season is over, and it comes as a loss to the division rival Chiefs. The Chiefs have surprised everyone as they clinch the AFC West. The entire game the Chiefs led with a great rushing attack from Larry Johnson and some great plays by Matt Cassel and Dwayne Bowe. The Broncos offense couldn't get it together as Chris Simms was picked off early for a TD, followed up by a Correll Buckhalter fumble. The whol game they were out of sync and it has become clear that Chris Simms won't be the QB next year.

"It's been a long year and now or focus just switches to the offseason. I got one year under my belt now, and all we can do is try to improve. Just keep moving forward." Said Coach McDaniels regarding his first year. "Of course it's a dissipointment, but we can build on this. We'll just come back next year bigger and better." Said defensive captain Champ Bailey, who is on course for yet another Pro Bowl entry.

Well it was a season of ups and downs, but as of right now, it is a season that is over. The Broncos look forward to next year, and building forward form their 2009 last place finish.

Stats-

Passing-
C. Simms- 25/40, 322 YRDS, 2 TD, 3 INT
M. Cassel- 19/29, 325 YRDS, 3 TD

Rushing-
K. Moreno- 20 ATT, 60 YRDS, 1 TD
L. Johnson- 28 ATT, 123 YRDS, 1 TD
C. Buckhalter- 5 ATT, 9 YRDS

Recieving-
J. Gaffney- 8 REC, 164 YRDS, 1 TD
J. Charles- 4 REC, 144 YRDS, 2 TD
D. Graham- 3 REC, 28 YRDS
C. Buckhalter- 5 REC, 66 YRDS, 1 TD
D. Bowe- 3 REC, 65 YRDS



Player of the Game-
Matt Cassel- 19/29, 325 YRDS, 3 TD

[Mr. Franchise]

End of the Year Standings

Y=FIRST WEEK BYE

DIVSION LEADERS

10-6
13-3
Z-13-3
Z-13-3

WILD CARD WINNERS
13-3
10-6



DIVISION WINNERS
Z-11-5
8-8
Z-11-5
9-7

WILD CARD WINNERS
11-5
9-7

WILD CARD WEEKEND MATCH-UPS

AFC GAME 1:
10-6 AT. 13-3

AFC GAME 2:
13-3 AT. 10-6

NFC GAME 1:
9-7 AT. 9-7

NFC GAME 2:
11-5 AT. 8-8

FINAL YEAR STANDINGS


AFC West:
Chiefs- 10-6
Chargers- 9-7
Raiders- 8-8
Broncos- 7-9


AFC North
Steelers- 14-2
Ravens- 10-6
Browns- 6-10
Bengals- 4-12

AFC East
Patriots- 13-3
Bills- 8-8
Jets- 5-11
Dolphins 1-15


AFC South
Colts- 13-3
Titans- 13-3
Texans- 7-9
Jaguars- 5-11


NFC West
49ers- 11-5
Cardinals- 8-8
Seahawks- 8-8
Rams- 6-10


NFC North
Vikings- 9-7
Bears- 9-7
Packers- 6-10
Lions- 4-12

NFC East
Giants- 8-8
Eagles- 8-8
Redskins- 7-9
Cowboys- 7-9


NFC South
Saints- 11-5
Falcons- 11-5
Panthers- 7-9
Buccaneers- 3-13