By Mike Wynn Sports
This one sure has all the makings of a mile high shoot out. Denver Broncos have scored 80 points in their first two games this season with Jay Cutler looking like he’s ready to bust out and have a Tom Brady like season. New Orleans certainly can points on the board as well as the Saints have scored 24 points in each of their first 2 games of the season against two very respectable defenses in Tampa Bay and Washington. Broncos were certainly lucky to get the win Sunday as a blown whistle blew an obvious Denver fumble recovered by San Diego dead and gave Denver the ball back and they scored shortly after and scored on a ballsy two-point conversion for the win. New Orleans was not as lucky on the road as the Saints gave up two fourth quarter touchdowns in 2 29-24 loss in Washington. So let’s take a look at the match up Sunday and we’ll start with the visiting New Orleans Saints.
New Orleans off to a 1-1 start this season, which is better than last years 0-4 to start the season, but they have to feel like they let one get away giving up final 14 points of the game to Washington in the fourth quarter. The Saints Achilles heel is going to be their defense, and it showed on Sunday. Redskins racked up 25 first downs and 455 total yards including 306 in the air, and this is a team that managed just 209 total yards the week before against the Giants. Drew Brees threw 2 interceptions and only 1 touchdown Sunday, which certainly isn’t a good sign, but he was without their star receiver Colston. Saints rushing trio of McAllistor, Bush, and Thomas only mustered 46 yards on 18 carries Sunday and never really got it going on the ground. New Orleans continues to deal with injuries in their secondary. Their best corner Mike McKenzie has yet to play this season, but they say he’s close, corner Aaron Glenn strained his ankle Sunday against the Redskins, and he was replacing opening game starter Randall Gay. Problems in the secondary is the last thing you want right now if you’re about to play the Denver Broncos.
Denver Broncos offense is looking like the New England Patriots offense of 2007. 41 & 39 points in their first two games this season and QB Cutler has been superb completing 70% of his passes, tossing 6 touchdown passes and just 1 interception. Denver receiving duo of Marshall and Royal could turn out to be the best duo in the league this season if the first two weeks are any indication. Rookie Eddie Royal chewed up the Raiders in week 1 with 9 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown, but that was diminutive compared to the 18 catches and 166 yards that the returning Brandon Marshall had last week against the Chargers. With the passing game in high gear, the rushing game for Denver was also able to roll to the tune of 145 yards on 24 carries for a very nice 6.0 yards per carry average. Obviously nothing wrong right now with the Denver offense, but the Bronco’s defense was not exactly stout last week against San Diego. Chargers stormed back from a 31-17 half time deficit to lead 38-31 before the official screw job with seconds remaining, which led to the Broncos final touchdown and ultimate win. Broncos defense was burned for some big plays Sunday, and a special teams lapse that allowed Darren Sproles to return a kick 103 yards for a touchdown will have to be rectified with Reggie Bush coming in Sunday.
Ultimately I’m going to side with the over in this game Sunday. Bronco passing game should have another big game with or without the return of Mike McKenzie in the Saints secondary, and the New Orleans offense will continue to put up points against ant defense in the league. I know the total is high at 51 but I don’t think it’s quite high enough and we will look for that mile high shoot out Sunday in Denver.