Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2016 21:06:01 GMT -5
This data is similar to the bizarre NFL Hall of Fame voting over the years, and also to the perennial under rating of many western sports teams (including NCAA football teams) by the national sports writers.
Not a single CBS NFL TODAY talking head picked Denver to beat New England in the AFC Championship game, despite the fact that the Broncos had already defeated New England in 2015, and were the only NFL team in history with a winning record against Tom Brady and the Patriots.
The 2016 NFL Champion Denver Broncos were power-ranked at # 8 in the NFL in mid- December.
Additionally, the Denver Broncos were never power ranked #1 in the NFL all season-- even after crushing the Green Bay Packers while remaining undefeated last fall.
America's sports writers did finally rank Denver #2 going into the Super Bowl... (Brilliant!
)
DENVER BRONCOS
Power Rankings
WEEK RECORD RANK COMMENT
Week 18 12-4 2 Peyton Manning is back, but the Broncos just need someone to protect the ball. They ranked first in total defense for the first time in franchise history.
Week 17 11-4 4 The Broncos had been shut out in the second half, but a 14-point effort (plus three more in overtime) Monday night not only kept the Broncos in the playoffs, but in position for a first-round bye.
Week 16 10-4 8 The Broncos outscored opponents by 40 points in the first half of their past three games.
Week 15 10-3 5 Brock Osweiler is turning it over much less than Peyton Manning, but he's taking sacks at nearly double the rate (8.8 percent to 4.5 percent).
Week 14 10-2 4 The Broncos have rediscovered their running game, averaging 161 yards and 4.5 yards per rush with Brock Osweiler at quarterback. They averaged 86 yards and 3.8 yards per rush to start the season.
Week 13 9-2 3 Brock Osweiler isn't 2-0 -- the team is. But Osweiler does have a better Total QBR, completion percentage and interception percentage than Peyton Manning this season.
Week 12 8-2 3 Brock Osweiler got the start in Week 11. The Broncos didn't commit a turnover for the first time all season and rushed for a season-high 170 yards.
Week 11 7-2 7 Peyton Manning is injured and playing his worst football since his rookie year. Brock Osweiler, who has never thrown a pass in a situation in which the lead was within a touchdown, will start in Week 11.
Week 10 7-1 4 The Broncos' defense finally looked mortal Sunday, and it led to a loss. The Broncos rushed for a season-low 35 yards, and Peyton Manning added two more interceptions to continue the offensive woes.
Week 9 7-0 2 Peyton Manning is now one win from passing Brett Favre (186 wins) for most all time by a starting QB (Elias). He can break the record in Indy this week.
Week 8 6-0 4 The Broncos' offense has been more likely to commit a turnover (15 percent of drives) than score a touchdown (12 percent) this season. The 1-6 Lions are the only other team to do so.
Week 7 6-0 3 The Broncos are 6-0 despite Peyton Manning's 10 interceptions. That's his most through the first six games of a season since his rookie year (14 INTs).
Week 6 5-0 4 The defense has scored three second-half touchdowns this season -- the same number of offensive touchdowns scored by the Broncos in the second half.
Week 5 4-0 3 The Broncos lead the NFL with 18 sacks. Even more impressive? Eleven players have recorded at least one sack this season.
Week 4 3-0 4 The Broncos are tweaking their offense for Peyton Manning. Just four snaps under center in Week 3 (55 in Weeks 1-2) and 29 snaps from the pistol (one in Weeks 1-2).
Week 3 2-0 5 The offense is struggling, averaging a league-worst 3.73 yards per play. The defense, on the other hand, is thriving, allowing the second-fewest yards per play (4.23).
Week 2 1-0 4 The Broncos are 1-0, but there's cause for concern. Peyton Manning's last four games (including playoffs): 59.3 completion percentage, three TDs, five INTs and a 32.2 Total QBR.
Week 1 0-0 5 Which Peyton Manning will show up for the Broncos this season? Manning had three interceptions in his first seven games last season, but threw 12 over his last 10 games (including playoffs).
Preseason 12-4 4 The Broncos grabbed DE Shane Ray to rush the passer along with Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. The Broncos' pass rush ranked fourth in generating pressure last season.
Not a single CBS NFL TODAY talking head picked Denver to beat New England in the AFC Championship game, despite the fact that the Broncos had already defeated New England in 2015, and were the only NFL team in history with a winning record against Tom Brady and the Patriots.
The 2016 NFL Champion Denver Broncos were power-ranked at # 8 in the NFL in mid- December.
Additionally, the Denver Broncos were never power ranked #1 in the NFL all season-- even after crushing the Green Bay Packers while remaining undefeated last fall.
America's sports writers did finally rank Denver #2 going into the Super Bowl... (Brilliant!
)DENVER BRONCOS
Power Rankings
WEEK RECORD RANK COMMENT
Week 18 12-4 2 Peyton Manning is back, but the Broncos just need someone to protect the ball. They ranked first in total defense for the first time in franchise history.
Week 17 11-4 4 The Broncos had been shut out in the second half, but a 14-point effort (plus three more in overtime) Monday night not only kept the Broncos in the playoffs, but in position for a first-round bye.
Week 16 10-4 8 The Broncos outscored opponents by 40 points in the first half of their past three games.
Week 15 10-3 5 Brock Osweiler is turning it over much less than Peyton Manning, but he's taking sacks at nearly double the rate (8.8 percent to 4.5 percent).
Week 14 10-2 4 The Broncos have rediscovered their running game, averaging 161 yards and 4.5 yards per rush with Brock Osweiler at quarterback. They averaged 86 yards and 3.8 yards per rush to start the season.
Week 13 9-2 3 Brock Osweiler isn't 2-0 -- the team is. But Osweiler does have a better Total QBR, completion percentage and interception percentage than Peyton Manning this season.
Week 12 8-2 3 Brock Osweiler got the start in Week 11. The Broncos didn't commit a turnover for the first time all season and rushed for a season-high 170 yards.
Week 11 7-2 7 Peyton Manning is injured and playing his worst football since his rookie year. Brock Osweiler, who has never thrown a pass in a situation in which the lead was within a touchdown, will start in Week 11.
Week 10 7-1 4 The Broncos' defense finally looked mortal Sunday, and it led to a loss. The Broncos rushed for a season-low 35 yards, and Peyton Manning added two more interceptions to continue the offensive woes.
Week 9 7-0 2 Peyton Manning is now one win from passing Brett Favre (186 wins) for most all time by a starting QB (Elias). He can break the record in Indy this week.
Week 8 6-0 4 The Broncos' offense has been more likely to commit a turnover (15 percent of drives) than score a touchdown (12 percent) this season. The 1-6 Lions are the only other team to do so.
Week 7 6-0 3 The Broncos are 6-0 despite Peyton Manning's 10 interceptions. That's his most through the first six games of a season since his rookie year (14 INTs).
Week 6 5-0 4 The defense has scored three second-half touchdowns this season -- the same number of offensive touchdowns scored by the Broncos in the second half.
Week 5 4-0 3 The Broncos lead the NFL with 18 sacks. Even more impressive? Eleven players have recorded at least one sack this season.
Week 4 3-0 4 The Broncos are tweaking their offense for Peyton Manning. Just four snaps under center in Week 3 (55 in Weeks 1-2) and 29 snaps from the pistol (one in Weeks 1-2).
Week 3 2-0 5 The offense is struggling, averaging a league-worst 3.73 yards per play. The defense, on the other hand, is thriving, allowing the second-fewest yards per play (4.23).
Week 2 1-0 4 The Broncos are 1-0, but there's cause for concern. Peyton Manning's last four games (including playoffs): 59.3 completion percentage, three TDs, five INTs and a 32.2 Total QBR.
Week 1 0-0 5 Which Peyton Manning will show up for the Broncos this season? Manning had three interceptions in his first seven games last season, but threw 12 over his last 10 games (including playoffs).
Preseason 12-4 4 The Broncos grabbed DE Shane Ray to rush the passer along with Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. The Broncos' pass rush ranked fourth in generating pressure last season.
