After Sunday night’s display of sheer dominance from the Denver Broncos in an all out beatdown of the Green Bay Packers, fans are buzzing around their work places with renewed faith in star QB Peyton Manning. Some are even getting on the phones with Vegas to put in their Super Bowl 50 bids. Not so fast Denver fans, the team may be still undefeated but until last night, they did not look like the best team in the NFL much less their own division.
As far as the AFC West is concerned, I believe the best team in the division is one that has not been spoken of using the word “best” in years. I told everyone, the Oakland Raiders will not win until Al Davis retires or dies. Rest in Piece Mr. Davis. He did a lot for the game and I appreciate being able to write about it today due to his contributions. However, I knew the team had poor management across the board and would not pull in quality players or coaches until Davis was gone. And I was RIGHT!
Statistically speaking, they are middle of the pack in all defensive categories except Rushing Defense, which currently ranks second in the league, allowing a bold 82.9 yards per game. Even the New York Jets have to give up respect when speaking about this high-powered offense ran by Derek Carr. According to Senior Reporter Randy Lange of newyorkjets.com, MLB David Harris had this to say:
“Too many points, way too many third-down conversions, way too many big plays, way too many extra yards, too many missed tackles. That’s the outcome you get when that happens.”
Harris is right, the speed of the Offense was at an uncomfortable pace for the Jets making it difficult to get into certain packages is what the tale of the tape was yesterday for the J-E-T-S.
Bill Musgrave has this offense playing at such an abnormal level that the team through 8 games has 17 TDs and only 4 INTs through the air. Derek Carr is proving to be just as good, if not better than Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel and Blake Bortles who were all selected above him and all are playing at a good level this year. He has the help he needs in a solid ground game from Latavius Murray and two WRs that make life oh so easy in Michael Crabtree and rookie Amari Cooper who together have 78 catches, 1048 yards and 6-TDs.
Mix this fairly new developed O with a stout D courtesy of Ken Norton Jr. and this is a recipe for success in the AFC West. With the record of 4-3, if the season ended today we would be looking at the most dangerous “Cinderella” team in years.
Jermaine Lockett is a Writer and CEO for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Facebook or twitter
