Mile High Monday: Broncos Dominate Eagles and Move to 4-0

Sep 29, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker (83) breaks a tackle by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Brandon Graham (55) in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Eagles 52-20. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Imagine if Peyton Manning had played in the 4th quarter?

The Denver Broncos were so efficient and productive on Sunday that Manning was wearing a baseball cap after only three quarters. But that was more than enough during Denver’s 52-20 demolition of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Broncos are now 4-0 on the season and show no signs of slowing down. They are joined by five other teams who remain undefeated after the season’s first month, 4 others after the Monday Night Football game this evening, and they look like the most likely of the group to keep it going for a while.

Here are some thoughts on Denver’s big victory:

• As has been the usual over Denver’s 15-game regular season winning streak, they exploded after the first quarter and turned a 14-13 lead into a 52-13 margin. Their explosiveness is what makes the Broncos offense so scary. At some point in every game Denver will find their rhythm and run off several touchdowns in a row. The question for the opponent is can they survive that storm? Nearly all the time the answer is no.
• How easy does Demaryius Thomas make it look? And when is the national media going to wake up to what this guy is doing? One of my favorite plays of the day was the quick hitter to DT in the left flat that he took to the house in the third quarter. He looked so big and fast, yet it looked like he wasn’t even trying. Go back and watch that replay and soak it in. He is excellence in motion.
• Wes Welker has to be considered the best offseason acquisition in the league. He runs sharp routes, has great hands, and is ridiculous in the open field after the catch. It’s so obvious that he’s an All-Pro receiver when he has the ball in his hands. He has taken this offense to the next level and already has six touchdowns on the year after his two scores against the Eagles.
• Denver’s offense was impressive in 2012, but what has them rewriting the record books in 2013 is the addition of Wes Welker and maybe more importantly the emergence of Julius Thomas. He didn’t get in the end zone yesterday but 3 of his 4 catches resulted in first downs. With all the talented receivers on the field Thomas is the one who creates the matchup nightmare for defensive coordinators. Seriously, how do you stop all four of these guys??
• The Broncos defense gave up a ton of yards yesterday but they came up with big stops at the right time. It was the epitome of the bend but don’t break defense. All in all I thought it was a valiant effort against the second best offense in the league. Without their two best defensive players the young guys have stepped up and impressed me. Danny Trevathan and Duke Ihenacho combined for 19 tackles and Nate Irving had a highlight-reel tackle for loss.
• Veteran defenders Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Wesley Woodyard and Shaun Philips have been the solid and steady presence that has allowed the young guys to flourish. Every time they showed a replay DRC had his man blanketed. Philips registered another sack and has brought the pass rush everyone was certain would be absent without Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller. And last but not least, Woodyard is the heart and soul of the entire thing. He racked up 8 tackles, half a sack and 2 QB hits and has turned into an absolute monster. John Elway needs to get him locked up long term ASAP!
• Denver was aided with two special teams touchdowns yesterday: A 105-yard kickoff return by Trindon Holliday and blocked punt return by Steven Johnson that got Mile High rocking. With how the Denver offense was going the Eagles had zero margin of error in the other phases of the game. The special teams scores broke their back and turned the game into a laugher.
• I suppose I need to talk more about the brilliance of Peyton Manning, but what can I say that hasn’t already been said. I’ve never seen a quarterback play at the level he is right now. I’m thankful he plays for the Broncos and I look forward to watching him work every week.
• Up next for Denver is a road matchup at Jerry’s World against the Dallas Cowboys. I’ll be there; who’s coming with me? Go Broncos!

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