Denver BRONCOS "Fight for LAMAR" Business...MANNING Mile High is ready on OFFENSE as are all those WEAPONS...the "D" is banged up with Key Players out everywhere...Can DEL RIO and FOX fix that "D" in time to beat the PATS?...#UnitedInORANGE #ORANGEcrush #BRONCOSnation

The AFC West Champion Broncos are back where they had hoped to be starting from last season's loss to the Purple Browns in Mile High. They have issues coming into the "Fight for Lamar" Championship Game on Defense but they still have Manning and that Offense and they might have to score a lot to head to the Big Bowl 48.

The Broncos Game with the Pats a month or so ago means absolutely nothing as the Stakes are higher as well as the Players and Schemes are slightly different on the Broncos Side of the Pig. The Broncos look like a Mash Unit on the Defensive Side as they have the following players out on IR:

OLB Von Miller (ACL)
CB Chris Harris Jr. (ACL)
DE Derek Wolfe

Both Miller and Harris Jr. are the Broncos two best players as they have played without Miller and have done well. Shaun Phillips has also provided a spark getting to the QB in Miller's Absence. Harris Jr. is the one player the Broncos will miss the most as he is their #1 CB and now Veteran Quentin Jammer who was torched by Bolts Rookie WR Keenan Allen after Harris left the game will try and fill the void. The Orange Crush did sign ex-Pats CB Marquice Cole as he was signed after being released by the Pats on December 26th. The Broncos have to stop that new Pats Run Game and that will dictate what they do form there.

All the Offensive Side of the Pig all is clear as the Broncos are healthy at all positions. The Run Game behind RB Knowshon Moreno will be key as Manning will throw to virtually anyone in the Vertical Passing Game. The Broncos have to believe their best Defense might be sustaining long drives putting up sevens to keep Brady off the field. Whatever worked in the 2nd half of that last game for the Pats and didn't for the Broncos you most likely will see right off. Adjustments as both Teams are solid at making them and its a chess match at its highest level.

Key Match Ups for Broncos on Offense...WR Demaryius Thomas vs Aqib Talib

Key Match Ups for Broncos on Defense...their Front Seven stopping the Pats Run Game

Red Flag..Broncos Quentin Jammer on anyone...Champ Bailey in the Slot..Tom Terrific is going right at both

#UnitedInOrange Vitals

Note: In parenthesis NFL Rank among all 32 teams

Offense 37.1 ppg (1st) 457.3 ypg (1st) 340.2 pass yds (1st) 117. 1 rush y
ds (15th)

Defense 24.9 ppg (22nd) 356 ypg (19th) 254.4 pass yds (27th) 101.6 rush yds (8th)

Explosive on Offense as we  know but the Run "D" has been their calling card all season and they need it to be on Sunday....

United in Orange only gave up 259 yards to the Bolts in the Divisional Round and only 65 yards rushing if that says anything on how solid they were on "D". DE Derek Wolfe out was a vital part to that Run "D".

Note: Numbers from NFL.com