Game Thread - Week 5 vs Broncos

[mcmillenandwife]

Huge game today. It's hard to say a game is a must-win just 5 weeks into the season... but I think this is a must-win. Even with an extra team from each conference getting a playoff berth this year, a 1-4 start would almost certainly be too much to overcome. 

Gotta play clean. No turnovers today on offense, and need to force a couple of turnovers on defense. 

I don't have a good feeling about any of it, but as stated in a different thread, I don't believe Denver is as good as their 3-1 record. Protect the ball and I think we have a reasonable chance today.

[Cali-Steeler]

If they play the same game as the last 3 weeks. we lose for sure. Play book needs to change. Canada needs to change or be gone soon! Things have to change!

at 1 and 3, we have 2 games left. Bronc-Hoes today at home and Seasquawks at home again the following week "Without Russel Wilson " If we can win both (And its possible) We hit the Bye Week at 3-3. But.....

Then All hell breaks lose as the schedule gets crazy. 3 Key things to todays game #1 Play calling #2 Defense needs to step up. #3 receivers need to get on the same dam page and help Ben.

[mcmillenandwife]

Not related to the Steelers game, but I just tuned into the lame-ass Jets/Falcons matchup in London. 

One of the NFL rules I hate most is pass interference, specifically the "spot of the foul" component. PI is frequently questionable to begin with. No penalty should be worth 50 yards. Ever. 

College handles P.I better: 15 yards and a 1st down. Perfect IMO.

I know it's unlikely to change as P.I. has been a "spot of the foul" penalty for my entire life. But I hate it.

[mcmillenandwife]

At 1 and 3, we have 2 games left. Bronc-Hoes today at home and Seasquawks at home again the following week "Without Russel Wilson "  If we can win both (And its possible)  We hit the Bye Week at 3-3.  But.....

Yep. We've got to get these next two. As poorly as we've been playing, it's a little hard to envision. But like you said, if we can find a way to change things up, it's possible. Seattle without Wilson is a godsend provided we take advantage of the opportunity.

First things first. Gotta win today.

3 Key things to todays game #1 Play calling  #2 Defense needs to step up. #3 receivers need to get on the same dam page and help Ben.

Agreed on all counts. And no turnovers.

[mcmillenandwife]

A special teams penalty to start the game. Shocker. 

Nice first down run by Najee, though.

On 2nd, he turned what should've been a 3 yard loss into a 3 yard gain.

[mcmillenandwife]

Oooooo... that was 6 if Claypool could've tight roped. So close! 23 yards, nice first down.

[mcmillenandwife]

Dammit, Snell. Easy pass, right in the hands, easy first down... and he drops it. Snell has been worthless.

[mcmillenandwife]

Ben 50-yard bomb to Johnson!!! Perfect execution!!!!

Let me tell any Ben naysayers... that deep ball was absolutely perfect. PERFECT.

Good looking drive. Pretty much perfect if not for the Snell drop.

[mcmillenandwife]

Alright... let's see some stout defense now...

[mcmillenandwife]

Delay of game to start the Denver drive, then stuffed on the 1st down run.

[mcmillenandwife]

Great job on 3rd down by the defense. Nice rush, Bridgewater felt a little heat and threw that pass way short of the sticks. Minkah was all over it. 3 and out. 

[mcmillenandwife]

Solid runs by Najee on 1st and 2nd. Good 3rd and short situation.

Freiermuth makes the catch on 3rd to convert. That pass was HOT, very small window. 

Offense looking very smooth so far. 

[mcmillenandwife]

Another solid run by Najee. Kudos to the O-line so far. Another 3rd and short.

And Ben hits Ebron for the 1st down. Nice safe throw. Good to see the TEs getting involved.

[mcmillenandwife]

2 more good runs for Najee, another first down. Great job by Ben to handle that high snap.

[mcmillenandwife]

Dammit. Ben held that WAAAAAY too long, no one open, should've felt the pressure from behind. Coughed it up, their ball inside our 30.

We can't. Have. Turnovers.

[mcmillenandwife]

Woah! TJ Watt blew that run UP!!! Very, very nice. Disruptive.

Nice job holding them to a FG try.

But there you go... a turnover results in easy points.

Protect the f-ing ball, Ben!!! 

[mcmillenandwife]

That was a well designed play to Gentry. All 3 TEs involved today.

[mcmillenandwife]

Holy moly, Najee has amazing feet. That cut! Turned a loss into a 4-yd gain.

And then his first catch of the day for a first down. Najee is the man. Most talented player on offense right now IMO.

I must say, the play calling has been really solid today. Nice flow, no "dumb" plays. Sucks that Ben turned it over, but otherwise, we've been really pretty outstanding so far.

[Cali-Steeler]

Nice start except for one play so far. I like that they are getting everyone involved

[mcmillenandwife]

Nice start except for one play so far. I like that they are getting everyone involved

Agreed. They look like a different team this week. Good to see. Keep it goin'!

[mcmillenandwife]

Najee looked like Le'Veon on that run. Nice and patient. Solid gain again.

[mcmillenandwife]

Holy moly, that hole opened up a mile wide! 22 yard run by Najee, and a nice stick at the end!

[mcmillenandwife]

Ballage looses 3. TE Gentry got owned.

Then an incomplete pass to Ballage. 

We lose a LOT when Najee is off the field.

[mcmillenandwife]

Miscommunication between Juju and Ben. Announcer says it's an errant throw, but my money is that Juju turned inside when he should've turned outside.

Nice 48-yard kick by Boswell. Money. 

[mcmillenandwife]

3 and out. Good job defense (although we kinda lucked out because Edmunds was beaten, receiver just didn't see the ball).

Terrell Edmunds has been a waste of a first round pick. Not saying he's a complete bust... but he's definitely not been worth such a high pick.

[mcmillenandwife]

Man, Najee's lean is just outstanding. He's having a great game.

[Cali-Steeler]

? 3rd and 3 and we try to go for 20 hrs pass?

[mcmillenandwife]

3rd and 2, I hate that deep call. Low percentage play in a situation where we needed to just pick up the first down and keep the drive going. At the very least, you need to try to flip the field position there. Instead, they're set up at their 40.

I don't understand the aggression there. We're having stead solid gains, just keep driving. Really dumb call.

[mcmillenandwife]

Edmunds = worthless. Just set 'em up with a 3rd and 1 with terrible soft coverage.

[mcmillenandwife]

Edmunds AGAIN! Just got OWNED and gave up a 49-yard run. He's friggin' TERRIBLE