The "Stiff Arm" that could...

Greatest stiff arm in Broncos History.

What do I say 2 days later to describe the amazing game the Broncos played against the Steelers on Sunday?

First it would be… The Thomas “Stiff Arm” will go down in Broncos lore as one of the greatest plays ever.

Second would be the obvious…UNBELIEVABLE!!

Then it might be…ABSOLUTELY, UNBELIEVABLE!!!

Then it might be… YOU GOTTA BE KIDDIN’ ME? AMAZING!!!

Then… YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! (while jumping up high in the living room air fist pumping the whole time.)

I can honestly say I haven’t screamed and yelled this much since the Broncos beat the Patriots in Denver 27-13 in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game in 2006. Guess what guys? That happens to be our one and only playoff win since the last Super Bowl winning season in 1999.

Still…the intensity of yelling for the game on Sunday was probably at an all-time high considering the circumstances and how everyone had written off the Broncos to lose it. As it turns out this game and the play that won it have to be considered as one of the best ever and certainly the best game ever in the new stadium.

I loved watching Elway get excited on the sidelines after the win and the whole stadium going wild.

So what’s next?

I don’t think it’s impossible for the Broncos to beat the Patriots this week. Here’s what I consider the keys to winning.

ON DEFENSE

First they must completely shut down the Pats running game which they should be able to do. If they can I think it makes it simpler for them to put a better pass rush on Brady.

Then it’s up to the Broncos front 7 seven to get some big time pressure on Brady. I hope they get away from the 3-4 and go with 5 and 6 man fronts sending 6 or 7 guys on every obvious passing play. That means they have to go to tight man to man coverage in the secondary. Hopefully they can cover one on one. I just don’t see the point in playing a deep zone against Brady and only sending 3 guys in to rush him. He’ll just pick us apart. They have to gamble and get pressure on Brady.

ON OFFENSE

Avoid turnovers; the Broncos had 4 in the last meeting. The Broncos must be able to run the ball and control the clock. The Broncos can’t win a shoot out with Brady. That doesn’t mean that McCoy shouldn’t let Tebow have some opportunities on first down to throw down field, they should. But they must control the ball and the clock and give Brady as little time as possible on the field.

If the Broncos get into a 3 and out offense early I think the momentum of the game shifts to the Patriots and as great as the Broncos played Sunday they can’t compete with Brady because he can ring up points quickly. They can’t get down by 2 or 3 TD’s by halftime or it'll be over and besides Brady won’t let up in the second half either.

The game will be won with an aggressive pass rush by the front 7 on Brady and a smart well conceived ball control offense that grinds away time on the clock.

If it’s tough assignment but this team welcomes it and I’m not going to be the guy that says they can’t win this one. Give us another miracle guys. GO BRONCOS!!!