Plummer it is
One round down, two more to go. The only problem is that the Denver Broncos face by
far their toughest test yet in facing the Pittsburg Steelers on Sunday. This Steeler team is almost a direct mirror image of Broncos themselves. One of the strongest qualities that both these teams have is the ability to shut down the run game. The strong combo of Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell will not win the game on Sunday for the Denver Broncos. Two reasons why the Broncos running game is not going to beat the Steelers. First, Bill Cower, Head Coach of the Steelers, is going to make a point in stopping Denver’s rushing attack in order to make Broncos Quarterback Jake Plummer beat them. Secondly, the Steelers defensive front seven play with an attitude; and they are good, real good.
Bill Cower is going to get what he wants on Sunday: Jake Plummer vs. the Pittsburg Defense. Plummer needs to play smart, mistake-free football on Sunday if the Broncos want to win this game. We all know Mike Shanahan is going to run the ball, so Jake won’t have to throw it forty times, but he needs to use the playaction and bootleg to his advantage. Nobody throws on the run better than Plummer, and with the Steelers keying so hard on the run, these should work just like they have all season long.
One concern many people have is the pressure that Jake will be feeling throughout this game. Pressure not only from the Denver fans looking upon him from behind Hall of Fame Quarterback John Elway’s shadow, but also pressure from hungry linebackers such as Joey Porter. The Steelers are experts at pressuring the Quarterback, and we saw this on Sunday as they made Peyton Manning’s life a living nightmare. The blitzes will be coming from all angles, and Plummer will be forced to throw both inside and outside the pocket under intense pressure. In order for a Denver win, Plummer needs to go through his progression and he needs to stay poised. This is Plummer’s big chance to step out of the shadow cast by Elway.
Good thing for Denver fans Plummer is not a headcase. This guy doesn’t care what anyone thinks (hince the middle finger gesture, the beard, the long hair…). The only thing Jake has on his mind right now is to lead his team and beat the Steelers. Well, if the Broncos want to win this game, they better hope their fearless leader at Quarterback plays mistake-free and smart.
On January 19th, 2006 at 6:03 pm
Rob, thanks for posting this entry.
It seems like all season long, everyone says the way to beat the Broncos is to put the game on Jake’s shoulders and force errors. I wonder when people are going to realize that he is a different QB who has a lot of confidence because Shanahan has built an offense that favors his strenths.
On January 21st, 2006 at 8:35 am
I’ve been a Broncos fan for the last 33 years, and I’ll always root for them, but I’ve got the same pre-game concerns that Apollo Creed’s trainer did when he was watching Rocky’s power-punching left hand in the meat locker on a local newscast in Philly. Whilst his boss yukked it up and was dismissive about the “Italian Stallion” being a credible opponent, I see some of the same unfavorable traits brewing in this game. After watching the Steelers dispose of the Colts last weekend, one can’t help but be impressed that this is a defense unlike any the Broncos have faced, not only this year, but in perhaps several seasons. I think the Steel Curtain is back, and it is just starting to realize how good it can be. The Broncos would do well to realize this, and I think they have. I’m just not sure that even though their full attention is on Roethlisberger et al. that this max focus will be good enough to beat the Steelers. The only way I see Denver winning this game is if they force turnovers as happened with NE. If they don’t, I think all of us Bronco fans might be in for a long afternoon. Go Broncs!