Daily Archives: December 9th, 2012

Back-up QB Cousins leads Redskins to victory over Ravens (Reuters)

LANDOVER, Maryland (Reuters) – The Washington Redskins earned territorial bragging rights and continued their push for the playoffs by defeating the Baltimore Ravens 31-28 in overtime on Sunday behind the dramatic late-game heroics of rookie backup quarterback Kirk Cousins. A 34-yard field goal by Kai Forbath, set up by rookie Richard Crawford’s 64-yard punt return, ended the game four minutes into the overtime and ignited the crowd of 81,178. …

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Back-up QB Cousins leads Redskins to victory over Ravens (Reuters)

UPDATE 1-NFL-Back-up QB Cousins leads Redskins to victory over Ravens (Reuters)

* Redskins win fourth straight * RG3 not worried about injury * Ravens still lead AFC North by two (Updates with quotes, details) LANDOVER, Maryland Dec 9 (Reuters) – The Washington Redskins earned territorial bragging rights and continued their push for the playoffs by defeating the Baltimore Ravens 31-28 in overtime on Sunday behind the dramatic late-game heroics of rookie backup quarterback Kirk Cousins. A 34-yard field goal by Kai Forbath, set up by rookie Richard Crawford’s 64-yard punt return, ended the game four minutes into the overtime and ignited the crowd of 81,178. …

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UPDATE 1-NFL-Back-up QB Cousins leads Redskins to victory over Ravens (Reuters)

Second-half rushing attack, defense power Jets over Jags (The SportsXchange)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The New York Jets finally have a winning streak.

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Second-half rushing attack, defense power Jets over Jags (The SportsXchange)

Jets 17, Jaguars 10 (The SportsXchange)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The New York Jets finally have a winning streak.

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Jets 17, Jaguars 10 (The SportsXchange)

Broncos Riding High But Have Some Blemishes, Too

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) – The Denver Broncos are as complete a team as the NFL has to offer, with Peyton Manning ‘s pinpoint passes and Von Miller ‘s sack-strips setting the tone for a squad that hasn’t lost in two months. Still, there are blemishes for these Broncos (10-3), whose quest for that proverbial complete game marches on through maladies – red zone stalls, pass protection pitfalls, coverage blunders – that could derail their dreams. As coach John Fox said Friday following his team’s latest win, a methodical 26-13 beatdown of the Oakland Raiders: “We still need to get better.” Even though they’ve won eight straight, they have a lengthy to-do list. “Each week, there are little things we can tweak and fix,” linebacker D.J. Williams said. To still be searching for that all-around game this time of year is actually a good thing, Manning insists. After all, what good does it do to peak before the playoffs? “We’re still looking for that perfect four-quarter game, 60-minute game. I’m not sure if you want to play it early in the season. I think you hopefully want to find it somewhere in the month of December, maybe going into January,” Manning said. The Broncos really haven’t been threatened in any game since their 35-point second-half onslaught at San Diego on Oct. 15 that thrust them into this prolonged tear. They nonetheless keep finding enough flaws to prevent them from getting big-headed. “It’s hard for any team to run on all cylinders,” Fox said. “Everybody looks for that perfect game. You prepare for that perfect game no matter what phase. Very seldom do you reach that. We still need to get better. Guys have that mindset. We as a staff have that mindset. And we’ll see where it takes us. “I know coming back after this little break we’re playing a very good team in Baltimore. So, it’ll be a good measuring stick of where we are.” Even though the Broncos found a ground game to complement their passing prowess – Knowshon Moreno had a career-high 32 carries for 119 yards against the Raiders – there were enough problems popping up to keep the coaching staff busy over the long weekend as they prepare for their biggest game of the season Dec. 16 against the Ravens (9-3). After scoring a touchdown on their opening drive, the Broncos offense sputtered, turning the ball over at the goal line once and settling for field goals four other times while also scoring a TD on a 2-yard drive following Miller’s fifth forced fumble in five weeks. “Kicking a field goal is not the worst thing ever,” tight end Jacob Tamme said, “but there are going to be some times with those drives when we get great field position on offense, we need to score touchdowns.” Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas bemoaned the Broncos’ inability to finish off drives, which is becoming a nasty habit. “We’ve got some things to work on,” Thomas said. “We’ve got a great team coming up, and we’ve got to work on them a lot, because we need touchdowns, not three points.” The Broncos’ final trip into the red zone didn’t produce a touchdown, either, but they didn’t mind as Manning took three kneel-downs after Moreno carried eight times from midfield to the Raiders 8, forcing Oakland to use all three of its timeouts. “I was really proud of that last drive,” Manning said. “I thought that was really something special. Probably more of a line coach’s dream. Probably not exciting for anybody doing fantasy (football).” The Broncos have been emphasizing a better ground game for December, when weather becomes more of a factor but also because it will keep Manning’s play-action effective and his jersey clean. Moreno has made the most of his promotion from the scout team to the starting lineup these last three weeks following Willis McGahee ‘s knee injury that landed him on IR. The Broncos are averaging more carries (31 to 27) and more yards (109 to 105) and their first downs rushing per game (6.3) are exactly the same as when McGahee was in the lineup. It doesn’t always look pretty, though. Plenty of times, Manning has to tell Moreno where to line up – or even grab him by the jersey and shove him from one side to the other. “I’ve got to give him a lot of credit. He’s been running the service team, scout team, for the majority of the season. All of a sudden he steps right in, our offense is evolving each week, we’re putting new stuff in, changing things and he’s virtually had to learn on the run,” Manning said. “So, when you’re in the no-huddle, you can tell him what to do, he’s not sure. I just say, `Knowshon, ask me, make sure we’re on the same page.’” Denver’s defense has had its issues, too. The Broncos gave up pass plays of 58 and 56 yards Thursday night, the latter one for a catch-and-run touchdown toss from Carson Palmer to Darrius Heyward-Bey . This after allowing Tampa Bay to score 10 fourth-quarter points to turn a 31-13 lead into a ballgame. “We’d like to put together four perfect quarters, but we’ve got some fighters in this room,” cornerback Champ Bailey said. “I’m proud of what we’ve done up to this point but we obviously have to look back and see how much better we can be. When we do that as a group, the sky’s the limit for us.” Players had Friday off after two physical games four days apart. Some came in for treatment like Thomas, who caught five passes for 83 yards despite jamming his right shoulder just before halftime. “He’s being evaluated. It doesn’t appear to be anything real serious. Hopefully, he’ll be ready Monday when we reconvene,” Fox said. The Broncos have their share of thirty-something veterans who can sure use the extra rest, Manning said. “I think the guys are tired. You use these next three days to get your mental rest, your physical rest and to get recharged,” he said. “We’ve been on a pretty good run. We have some guys pretty beat up and mentally drained, as well.” Notes: The Broncos’ winning streak is the fourth-longest in franchise history. … Miller is one sack shy of Elvis Dumervil ‘s club single-season record of 17 set in 2009. … Miller and Dumervil each have forced six fumbles, tying Dennis Smith’s club record set in 1989. – By Arnie Stapleton, AP Sports Writer (© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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Broncos Riding High But Have Some Blemishes, Too

Decker, Thomas Go With ‘Salt & Peppa’

DENVER (CBS4) – Peyton Manning has been everything Broncos fans expected of him and more. Just ask wide receivers Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas. Manning has changed their careers. The duo has decided to take on the nickname “Salt and Peppa.” “It’s actually catchy. I think people actually enjoy it,” Decker said. “We made it up trying to get a promotional deal.” Though neither found the end zone, Salt and Peppa both had a solid game in the Broncos 23-10 win over the Oakland Raiders on Thursday night. Decker had eight receptions for 88 yards and Thomas finished with 83 receiving yards despite suffering a shoulder injury. Earlier this season Salt and Peppa were about to celebrate a touchdown before Brandon Stokley stole the ball and saved them from a fine. Stokley told CBS4′s Vic Lombardi that they own him $10,000. “Yeah, he’s told us a couple times,” Thomas said. “We’ll get him a nice steak dinner, take him out,” Decker said. “I already got him some shoes,” Thomas said. Lombardi asked them what they think the other does better. “I feel like he gets off the ball faster than me. He gets off press better than me,” Thomas said. “He needs to get better in the open field.” “I wish I was just a freak of nature, that would be nice,” Decker said. “Be big and fast and run by people and over people.” Decker and Thomas have friendly little wager going on to see who can finish with the most touchdown catches this year. Right now they are tied with eight.

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Decker, Thomas Go With ‘Salt & Peppa’

Broncos Fan Fever Is Getting Hotter As Team Keeps Winning

DENVER (CBS4) – Broncos fan fever is spreading as the team has now won eight straight games. “There’s something about Broncos fans. They separate themselves from the rest. They’re in a league of their own, there’s no doubt about it,” a fan said. With every win fans are getting more and more excited. They’re going all out cheering on the team with their eyes set on the Super Bowl. “This team is legitimately championship contending material,” another fan said. This year fans are showing their love for the team in every way possible — from Broncos-loving pets to babies dressed in orange and blue. One fan has painted a refrigerator with the team colors and logo and another decorated a Christmas tree to show his support complete with gifts wrapped in Broncos wrapping paper. “We’re die-hard fans. We’ve been since Elway was around,” another fan said. The Armstrong family is proud to have three generations of Broncos fans — from Grandpa Ron to 1-year-old Griffin. Win or lose they know a true Broncos fan bleeds orange and blue. “Just someone who wants to support the team, good or bad,” Ron said.

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Broncos Fan Fever Is Getting Hotter As Team Keeps Winning

Two games where weather could be a major factor (National Football Post)

Inclement conditions are expected in Buffalo for Sunday’s showdown with the Rams.

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Two games where weather could be a major factor (National Football Post)

With Denver Broncos off Sunday, Fans Should Pull for Houston Texans, Washington Redskins

By Rich Kurtzman Denver locked up their division three weeks ago with their victory over the Chargers in San Diego, winning the AFC West for the second straight year for the first time since 1986-87. Of course, that hasn’t stopped them from running off three more wins—an NFL-high eight straight in all—and continuing to fight for playoff improved playoff positioning along the way. The Broncos, at 10-3 before kickoff of the games Sunday, technically sit in second place in the AFC standings, but they’ve also played one more game than everyone else. Because the Houston Texans sit at 11-1, and they hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Denver, the Broncos have little hope of catching them and gaining the No. 1 seed overall. But for the men in orange and blue, the No. 2 seed in the AFC, with a coveted by and the home field advantage for their first playoff game that comes with it, is still in reach. Like Houston, though, the New England Patriots own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Broncos as well, making Monday’s game between the two powerhouses all-important for Denver. Yes, it would benefit the Broncos for Houston to knock off the Patriots in New England, though it will be no easy task. The Patriots, led by veteran quarterback Tom Brady, possess the No. 1 offense in the entire NFL. Their 35.8 points per game are a full touchdown better than Denver’s 28.8, while they lead with a total of 426 yards per game as well. Brady is beastly behind center, running offense more efficiently and more quickly than anyone else today. The Patriots leave opponents gasping for air as they hurry to the line to call another play, only to have Brady hit one of his many deadly pass-catching threats. Houston will put up a fight, allowing a fourth-best 18.4 points per game, and if they can force turnovers, it will only help the cause. More likely though, the Texans’ high-powered offense will have to try to keep up with the Pats, Monday. And if anyone can do it, Houston can. Matt Schaub is a special quarterback, with star wideout Andre Johnson to go to, they can score in one play. Not only through the air, as Arian Foster is arguably the best running back around today. He’s quick and strong, while also being incredibly speedy and able to break off long touchdowns on a whim. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) There’s another game, one on TV today, that affects the Broncos as well—Baltimore at Washington. The Ravens are 9-3, and would improve to 10-3 to tie Denver, but due to their better conference record, would still hold a better playoff seeding if the two teams tie. That means Broncos fans are hoping the 6-6 Redskins, with their blossoming star Robert Griffin III, can beat Baltimore. RGIII is magical, rejuvenating the Redskins’ fanbase and becoming a rock star in less than an entire season in the league. Mike Shanahan not only knows how to use RGIII by rolling him out and letting him run the rock, he also still believes in a balanced offense, giving big boy Alfred Morris the ball on the ground a great deal, too. But Baltimore is a tough team, led by a gritty, albeit injured, defense. Ray Lewis is injured, and so is Terrell Suggs, but there’s still playmakers and hard-hitters. And the Ravens’ offense shouldn’t be slept on. Joe Flacco doesn’t get nearly enough respect for his great play as of late, and Torrey Smith is an athletic freak of a receiver. Their offense is fueled by running back Ray Rice though, the dynamic runner that loves to break long runs inside and out. He also gives their offense a chance to control the clock, making it even more difficult for Washington Sunday. For more Local Football Bloggers and the latest Broncos news, see  CBS Sports Denver . Rich Kurtzman is a Denver native, Colorado State University alumnus, sports nerd, athletics enthusiast, and competition junkie. Currently writing for a multitude of websites while working on books, one on the history of the Denver Broncos and Mile High Stadium. Find more of Rich’s Denver Broncos pieces on Examiner.com .

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With Denver Broncos off Sunday, Fans Should Pull for Houston Texans, Washington Redskins

Broncos’ Manning in conversation with great quarterbacks

In the buildup to the Broncos’ 26-13 victory over the Oakland Raiders on Thursday night, NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin pontificated about Peyton Manning’s legacy.

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Broncos’ Manning in conversation with great quarterbacks