New York Jets Week 5 Know Thy Enemy: The Denver Broncos

Oct 5, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback

Peyton Manning

(18) and wide receiver

Demaryius Thomas

(88) are interviewed after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 41-20. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

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This week we talked to Sayre Bedinger, editor of Predominantly Orange, our Fansided site representing the Denver Broncos. Take a look at our conversation about the Broncos and our upcoming matchup:

THE JET PRESS: Talk to my readers about how special it is to watch Peyton Manning work on a weekly basis.

PREDOMINANTLY ORANGE: It’s truly remarkable. The only problem is, we’ve gotten so greedy. Broncos fans, perhaps rightly so, expect a touchdown on every single possession. Manning is an elite talent, perhaps the best to ever play the position in the history of the league. The fact that the Broncos have such a talented roster around him makes this a truly special team to watch, unlike anything he had in his days with the Colts, in my opinion. It’s really something else.

TJP: Is there any fear that the Broncos will overlook the Jets, falling into the famous “trap game” scenario? How will Peyton and the gang keep that from happening?

PO: I don’t think so. The Broncos are extremely motivated and disciplined when it comes to taking each game seriously. The mark of a great team is winning the games that you should, and never losing focus even in games you might lose. The Broncos have their share of mental errors and slow starts, but since Peyton has come aboard, the focus of this team as a whole has been phenomenal. The Broncos sometimes take inferior opponents TOO seriously and give other teams too much respect, almost not giving themselves enough credit. You can see throughout some games this season that the Jets’ defense is capable of playing shut down ball, and Rex Ryan has a scheme that has often given Manning fits. Rest assured, he’ll be prepared and have his boys prepared as well.

TJP: Without Monte Ball, what is the Broncos’ run game looking like?

PO: It’ll be Ronnie Hillman‘s job to lose, but as the Broncos look to a power running game I wouldn’t be surprised to see C.J. Anderson and rookie Juwan Thompson get cracks at carries as well. The running game had been abysmal this season until Ronnie Hillman came in against Arizona and broke off a few big runs. The offensive line has been the problem, not so much the backs, but everyone takes their share of blame. It will truly be a ‘hot hand’ approach, I feel. I could see that hot hand being Juwan Thompson, the UDFA out of Duke who’s been nothing short of stellar since coming aboard.

TJP: Rex Ryan’s defense got gashed last week in San Diego, but we know that is not typical of a Rex Ryan defense. We have a terrific front seven. How do the Broncos plan to stop them?

PO: In pass protection, the Broncos are ready for anyone. Peyton Manning has hardly been touched, and the Broncos have really improved in scheming their protections vs. the blitz. The key is going to be getting a push in the running game. The Jets will want to try and be aggressive on running downs and get the Broncos into long down and distance situations, so it’s going to be tough.

TJP: What is your prediction for Sunday?

PO: I think the Broncos win the game. So much is made about how to stop Peyton Manning and rightfully so, but the Broncos have proven time and again this season that their defense is becoming a true force. I don’t think Geno Smith or Mike Vick can help even a strong defensive performance by the Jets keep pace with the Broncos in this one.

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