Broncos fans in the grandstands against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Here is a quick Dirty Dozen (plus one) quiz regarding the Denver Broncos. Circle the correct answer – and keep your eyes on your own paper. Answers at end of quiz.
Question 1: The Broncos have shown after two games that they are:
A.) Really good; B.) Really, really good; C.) Easily the class of the AFC West; D.) Not to be trifled with during the regular season.
Question 2: Bronco quarterback Peyton Manning is:
A.) The second-best Bronco QB ever, behind Frank Tripucka, of course; B.) Going to be decent when he understands Adam Gase’s offense; C.) Still unable to throw the deep ball; D.) Better than all the rest of the Mannings, Archie included.
Question 3: Denver’s best running back is:
A.) Floyd Little; B.) Knowshon Moreno; C.) Montee Ball or Ronnie Hillman, depending on which one can hold onto the ball the longest; D.) Willis McGahee.
Question 4: The first loss for the Broncos will come:
A.) Monday night at home against the Oakland Raiders; B.) In October of 2014; C.) Nov. 24 in New England against the Patriots; D.) In the second round of the playoffs in their playoff opener at home against Baltimore.
Question 5: Denver’s defensive backfield is:
A.) Getting hosed by the National Football League’s blind zebras; B.) A bunch of cheaters; C.) In need of refinement in terms of technique; D.) Just fine, thank you.
Question 6: Bronco linebacker Von Miller is:
A.) Losing money as we speak; B.) Going to give Jack Del Rio’s defense a huge boost when he comes back in Week 7; C.) Really, truly sorry, and he really, truly means it; D.) Von who?
Question 7: The AFC and a berth in the Super Bowl is Denver’s for the taking if the Broncos can just get by:
A.) Suddenly scary opponents in the AFC West – 2-0 Kansas City, and San Diego and Oakland, both 1-1; B.) Jacksonville in Week 6; C.) Tom Brady and Julius Edleman in Week 12; D.) The Baltimore Ravens any time it matters.
Question 8: New Bronco starting tight end Julius Thomas is:
A.) Antonio Gates Reincarnate; B.) Not a bad guy to look for when you can’t see Wes Welker; C.) Going to be a pretty decent player when he learns how to block; D.) Making us all forget about Joel Dreessen and, yes, even Jacob Tamme.
Question 9: Speaking of Wes Welker, it is apparent after two games he:
A.) Adds a new dimension to an already loaded offensive arsenal; B.) Is really short; C.) Is going to be OK when he learns how to hang onto the ball; D.) Almost on the Manning level – both Peyton and Eli – when it comes to television commercials.
Question 10: The Broncos, thanks to the hurry-up, no-huddle offense, are:
A.) Leaving foes gasping for air by the second quarter; B.) The scourge of the NFL; C.) Tough to prepare for; D.) Rather exhausted themselves.
Question 11: The Broncos have had plenty of time to prepare for their first two foes. The Broncos are at their best when:
A.) They have more than a week to prepare; B.) They have a short week allowing three or less days of practice; C.) They have a playoff game after a bye week; D.) They are playing in late January or early February.
Question 12: Bronco QB Peyton Manning is on pace to:
A.) Lose his second Super Bowl; B.) Win his second Super Bowl; C.) Pass for more than 60,000 yards – this season; D.) Double the sales of Buick, Papa John’s, MasterCard and virtually any other company you have ever heard of.
Extra Credit: John Elway is:
A.) Feeling rather smug; B.) Worried about the demise of his golf game; C.) In need of a better barber; D.) Hoping his good friend Matt Russell has learned his lesson and can now pay attention to his duties.
ANSWERS: 1. A, B, C, D; 2. B, C, D; 3. D; 4. C; 5. A, C, D; 6. A, B, C, D; 7. A, B, C, D; 8. A, B, D; 9. A, B, C; 10. A, B, C; 11. A. 12. B, D; Extra Credit: C, D.
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