Offense was incredible but the defense was just as good. Key plays allowed to offense to climb back in it and keep the Steelers point totals as low as possible. The pass rush arrived just in time to stop the Steelers at the end and send the game to OT.
5) Robert Ayers sack on Big Ben -
4) Broderick Bunkley sack - The missing of Maurkice Pouncey was evident as the defensive line had a fantastic game!
3) Von Miller sack - Miller got his first sack in a long time and in a crucial time. He had many opportunities this game and was very close here to getting a strip.
2) Quinton Carter Interception - The rookie stepped up big picking of Big Ben allowing the Broncos to add to their brilliant second quarter. This game right after a sack that changed the game, re-injuring the ankle of Big Ben.
1) Elvis Dumervil Sack Fumble - Huge play late when the Steelers were threatening for the win. DOOOOOM
Hope we have as many good plays as these against Tom Brady this Saturday like this one below!!
3 recs | 48 comments
Thanks Colby! I love this stuff!
BroncosRock! - January 11, 2012
That Dumervil sack was so huge. I firmly believe we lose the game if not for that.
tunesmith - January 11, 2012
Yeah, just part of the magic baby!
People forget how much of Elway’s magic was attributed to the defense making a big play to save victory or set it up.
Tim Lynch - January 11, 2012
And Miller's sack a few plays before
I was so hoping for a sack to at least push them further back to prevent a long GW FG. This is a nice defensive performance and confidence booster going into Saturday.
weazel - January 11, 2012
+1
oorange blood - January 11, 2012
Thanks again Colby
Personal favorite is Ayers steamrolling that left tackle and then Ben and then he almost got the ref too!
eastCOrange&Blue - January 11, 2012
Me too
The power he displayed was incredible. He blew up that tackle. Let’s see more of that Robert.
HBobbyT - January 11, 2012
I like Ayers's second sack, too
From what I remember, he actually got that one from the NT position in a 3-man rush and shot the gap between the guard and center.
BroncosBassist - January 11, 2012
Did you see Brady pick his panties up off the ground after Doom smashed him?
Oregon Crush - January 11, 2012
I don't know what's more amazing..
1. How Dumervil came in untouched and how hard he hit Brady.
OR
2. How Brady didn’t fumble and got up immediately after the hit, acting like it was nothing.
higgyhoops12 - January 11, 2012
gamesmanship
Brady was certainly feeing that one . . . he just is enough of a pro to keep it to himself. We need more of this on Saturday. Any QB, brady, manning, brees if you pressure them enough they will make bad throws and errors because doesn’t matter what they show on the outside, they all feel the pain, and some fear of impending pain at some level, on the inside when the big boys are hitting like that!!
We need VONDOOM to come up big!!
brettden - January 11, 2012
Did you also notice how many times they threw quick... not really giving our D-line a shot a Brady
Not sure why we were so soft at the line, but I guess if we are going to give those cushions, quick passes are not a bad way to eat up yards.
Da Bum - January 11, 2012
Brady was asked in an inter iew about that hit and he said he was taught at an early age that no matter how hard the hit, no matter how bad it hurt, to gdt ip as fast as they can and before the defender gets up. He said he felt it the day after.
broncs27 - January 12, 2012 via mobile
I think Tebow has a lot of this too...
I’ve seen Tebow take some shots and hop back up. He knows the league wants to prove a running QB will get killed and he knows he’s going to prove them wrong. Of course, being 235 lbs. and built like Ray Lewis helps.
Tezcatlipoca - January 12, 2012
tunesmith nailed it
that doom play saved the game. allen was in 3-man loser mode and let them score 2 easy td’s and had them marching to the game-winning fg. allen tries to give it away, but doom beats a double-team and leaps to the ball, saving our asses. doom-thank you, allen-give your team a chance and just rush 4. just 4. please, it’s night and day. we got lucky this time
davecheffy - January 11, 2012
I agree
Rushing 3 is just asking to be picked apart. I say never rush less than 4 and rush 5 at least 40% if not 50% of the time with an occaisonal 6 man blitz. Don’t give Brady too much time. Sure, he’ll get away with the quick slant once in a while, but we’ve got to trust Harris, Bailey, and Goodman to cover and make a quick tackle if they’re beat. 5 guys rushing and those 3 covering still leaves 3 guys to play the field, and help on tackling to limit YAC. Once Brady is hit enough times and gets frazzled he’ll start missing those passes. I’d rather lose getting beat, but have a chance with quick pressure than lose and let Brady have all day to pick us apart.
go4broncos - January 11, 2012
+1
Why did they stay in the prevent mode when it obviously wasn’t getting it done? rushing 3 scares the crap outa me. Don’t try that with Brady, he’ll pick us apart.
OldStrike - January 11, 2012
Don't understand the Q Carter rating being so high
It was a big play but all he did was catch a bad pass on the part of Big Ben. I don’t see anything special on his part. (Hey, Tebow isn’t the only QB to throw a bad pass).
frankencrank - January 11, 2012
The point of the matter is he made a clutch catch.....
where as our all pro CB didn’t later in the game and that led to the game tying touchdown. On top of that our Safety play was one of our weakest points in the 3 game skid. QC came back with a great all around game, and a pick :) In games like this its all about making the play when you are given the opportunity, and could mean the difference between winning and losing :)
Disturbed70 - January 11, 2012
Well, he made a catch but
it is debatable as to whether it is a “clutch catch” when it hits him in the chest. Yes, it was a big turn around in the game (it could be considered a “top 5” from that perspective) but it didn’t take anything outstanding to do, it was nothing more than what would be expected for the situation. There were many other plays that had a large impact that involved more outstanding play, IMHO.
frankencrank - January 11, 2012
Ive watched many a CB drop "gimme" picks like that
Our own Champ Bailey did that later in the game. It was a huge play
Calikula - January 11, 2012
I agree with this statement
Until you call Champ’s play a gimme. Sure… he should have made the catch, but he had to read the route and undercut it at the right time while leaping over (around) our diving safety. It was very doable because Champ was in the perfect position (just like when he sniffed out that mid range out route and lept to tip it away). It was hardly a gimme.
Da Bum - January 11, 2012
In respect to Champ's skill set
And for Champ, himself, I’d say it was a “gimme”. I think he’d say the same. But, again, that’s because of who he is.
broncomack - January 12, 2012
Well, I really wasnt calling it a gimme
hence the quotation marks. I was trying to convey that interceptions aren’t really gimme’s, and when a corner comes up with one, its huge. Its even bigger when you consider the lack of interceptions on this team. So you and I agree on the subject
Calikula - January 12, 2012
impact play?
there are no larger “impact plays” in a game than turnovers :)
Disturbed70 - January 12, 2012
Word
Calikula - January 12, 2012
Ayers sack is awesome, but Champ's blowup of the bubble screen was the best play of the game, imho.
I mean, he read it perfectly, and his quickness is something only he is capable of. Just fantastic play.
azbroncomaniac - January 11, 2012
I can watch these over andover andover andover...thx C!!
Clompy - January 11, 2012
I want to set the Dumervil - Brady sack .gif as my desktop wallpaper.
Tezcatlipoca - January 12, 2012
Sacks, forced fumbles, interceptions
Bring ’em to the Patriots game!!
GB2
83BroncoFan - January 11, 2012
ayers is my breakout candidate for the playoffs
hes been playing lights out
broncowrestler29 - January 11, 2012
2 things
1. Bunkley would have dominated Pouncey even if he was there. He owned Mangold, the best center in the game, as well as countless other great centers this year. That guy has been instrumental in the reviving of our defense.
2. Ayers had his best professional game. The guy took his play up a notch for the playoffs and it was very evident from the first snap of the game. He brings a fire that this defense has lacked.
ShyandObese - January 11, 2012
Two good points.
I’m wondering why the Eagles let Bunkley go, as he’s been very good this season. Was he underachieving in Philly? If so, that’s another hat tip to the coaching staff for help getting him motivated and in a position to be successful.
Ayers, Bunkley, McBean/Thomas and Dume have shaped up in to a strong defensive line. One more talented D-tackle and this line will be formidable. Not dissing on McBean and Marcus Thomas, they’ve played well, but another beast next to Bunk and you have yourself a serious D-line.
Oregon Crush - January 12, 2012
"One more talented D-tackle..."
How about Ty Warren?
spock - January 12, 2012
That's the great hope
If he’s back and ready to play next year (Big Vick, too?), that would be nice. Draft a bit of depth (doesn’t have to be too high of a pick) and the Broncos are looking good.
broncomack - January 12, 2012
Bunkley primary strength has been stopping the run
The Eagles changed their defensive philosophy and Bunkley’s strengths were less useful for them.
ShyandObese - January 13, 2012
Champ's tip needs to be here
Seriously, how is that missing?
I was like “wattttttttapppllllllllayyyyyyyyy” when I saw him tip that ball.
What a champ!
Bartimaeus - January 11, 2012
Yeah seriously
That one saved a big play and maybe a score. Not sure who, but there was a WR ready to make a catch on that one. That made up for the INT he dropped. Hey, how about another Champ INT against Brady?
weazel - January 11, 2012
That was my vote for fav play of the game
IMO that was just as huge as any play above. Anyone have a video of it, I would love to see it again
uclabruin34 - January 12, 2012
NVM
found it for those that want to see it. SO CLUTCH! Love that play, even though it wasn’t on any highlight reels.
He’s playing Man on Wallace with what looks like the safety who is supposed to pick up Ward. When the ball is in the air he leaves his man to knock it down. so good!
uclabruin34 - January 12, 2012
forgot the link haha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ReP5-y8otE
uclabruin34 - January 12, 2012
I wanted to. It was on my list. Just didnt fit it in. Nice when you have this many to choose from
Colby - January 11, 2012
Bunkley
If they resign him in the off season, am I the only one considering an orange #77 jersey?
mikebirty - January 12, 2012
I want to buy a jersey for every player that was on the team in 2011-2012...
… just to remember how magical this season has been since mid-October.
Tezcatlipoca - January 12, 2012
You could probably pick up a #8 pretty cheap to start your collection off with...
BroncosBassist - January 12, 2012
Really liked Ayers sack
just bullrushed the o-lineman and ran him over
skithebert - January 12, 2012
Carter's open field tackle on Mike Williams is in my top 5
I LOVE A SACK! But a sack shouldn’t be a top 5 just because its a sack! Doom’s sack fumble changed the game so that one I think makes the list but my 5 would be.
5. Carter’s open field tackle on Williams. He misses it might be 6.
4. Carter’s open field tackle on Redman on third down. The Steelers were driving, a dump pass to Redman, and Carter stones him doesn’t give up a yard. Pushes him back to bring up 4th DOWN!
3. Von Millers sack
2. Champ’s Break-up
1. Doom’s sack fumble to give us a shot in OT
Colby nothing against your 5! Thanks for putting this together. I love a sack highlight reel! Let’s hope we carry that on to Foxbourgh
MileHighPride - January 12, 2012
I can't believe how well Carter played!
When Champ should’ve had that INT in the end zone Carter was in the WR’s hip pocket. One of the fastest men in football and he was right there. The tackles, the INT, the big plays. This guy 2 weeks ago was missing tackles by a mile. Sunday he might have been the D-MVP! Thanks Carter for stepping up when you needed to the most!
MileHighPride - January 12, 2012
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