2014 Broncos Season, Week 17


Week 17: Broncos 47, Oakland Raiders 14
Season Record: 12-4 (8-0 Home)
Key Play: With the Broncos leading 20-7 at the half, to begin the second half Denver got the ball. Running back CJ Anderson capped his day with a 25-yard touchdown run, his third of the game, to put the score out of reach. The Broncos never looked back.

Recap: Denver put itself in the position of having to win this game against the Raiders to assure themselves of a bye in the playoffs. They did, winning convincingly and looking pretty strong. Peyton Manning, for only the second time this season, didn't throw a touchdown pass. But the passing game looked strong, and the Broncos aren't hurting for points. But the team is hurting — hence the need for a first round bye. The team hasn't been off since week four, which was back in September. This bye will help get some players healthy and back on the field as they begin their playoff push on January 11. The Broncos are a different team at home than on the road, so at least the opening playoff game at home should be a good one. The team also goes into the playoffs with some offensive rhythm thanks to Sunday's game. But a potential AFC title game in New England — a place the Broncos have lost the past two seasons — still looms. It will be a hard road to the playoffs, but now the team is in and a bye week should help.

Game Balls:
* CJ Anderson. Anderson reminds me of Terrell Davis — a late round pick who bloomed for the Broncos at the right time. He runs hard and strong, and he might just help carry the team back to the Super Bowl.
* Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. The dynamic duo were back at it Sunday. It was another 100-yard game for Thomas and it was a 100-catch season for Sanders, options 1 and 1A in the passing game.
* Connor Barth. Barth has given some stability to the Broncos' kicking game. He missed just one field goal attempt all season and he's been a reliable performer and scorer for Denver.

Lingering Concerns:
* Julius Thomas. Since hurting his ankle in St. Louis, Thomas hasn't looked the same. He didn't even have a catch on Sunday. The Broncos need his production in the playoffs.
* Health issues. There are a lot of Broncos banged up, particularly on defense. This team needs to use the bye week to get back to something approaching full strength.
* Pass protection. The Broncos need to be able to hold up on the front line to give Manning time to find all his weapons. Sunday was better, but there is still work to be done.

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