Broncos Analysis: It's indeed a good looking mirror

I was worried, I could see some signs but I just didn't knew enough about the Broncos, so I decided to take the task of reviewing game tape of the Broncos. I first took the idea of watching every game because with a new scheme comfort zones are created with experience, but I believed that such a thing wouldn't work because of the diference of levels between the first team that they faced and their next 2 opponents. So, I looked at the Bengals and decided that they were a team that more closely resembles the Cowboys out of each of their opponents, they have a massive OLine, a good QB, 3 good pass catchers and a Defense that's hard to run over.

And went through the tape. The things that I noticed?

• As Rafael said Nolan knows Wade's D. One gap scheme? Check. The 3-4? Check. The 4-2 Nickel? Check. Some 3-3 and 4-2 that closely resemble the Cowboys package used in 2007? Check. Some 46? Check. The CBs play a 50/50 disposition of zone and man? Check. They like to keep the play in front of them to watch the development of the play (Memo to Romo!)? Check. Nolan likes Wade's D.
• When bigger isn't better (for them). The Broncos front 7 had some problems with the Bengals OLine, if an OLineman placed his hands on his target, game over, even if that target was Dumervil, but they're quick and the OLineman had some troubles with their hand placement. Houck needs to have his Lineman playing efficient technique, which so far they have (including some technique with their foots, J/K).
• The ILBs can mask the blitz. We saw James last season and how he was able to mask when he would bring the heat on a delayed or not so delayed blitz, Andra Davis had a good game as a blitzer, bringing heavy pressure at times and one sack.
• There was movement, but not Ravens like. I've seen a lot of the Ravens and every guy on the front 7could move on a given play. At least in the first game most of the movement came on the part of the LBs while they changed their gaps, a DLine would also slide to the next gap changing asignment with an ILB, too, but rarely.
• No Ben Hamilton? They may call Houston. If Ryan Clady is their best OLineman (and he is), Ben Hamilton is next on the list. Him and Clady are a really good tandem on the left side, with Clady being the techinque efficient and Hamilton the nasty guy that plays with mud and the dirty side of it.
• The right side ain't so hot. Can't tell which is the weak link between Kuper and Harris as they're spotty, when Kyle Orton counted for more than 3-Mississippi pressure got near through that side, but still good enough to get the job done.
  
• Blocking aide. Daniel Graham can block and pass protect, Tony Scheffler not so much. Correll Buckhalter is also playing more because Knowshon Moreno is learning the ropes.
• Memo to the front 7: Play it hard and try to touch the sky. Maybe that was Orton's injured finger, but he threw a bunch of low height throws that were either blocked, touched or came really near to either.

Things that the Cowboys have working for them?

• Andre Gurode likes them big. He hasn't had a bad game playing against a big guy in his career, he also likes those NT types. He has trouble with speed, though, and Denver surely knows it, they may try to keep him guessing and trying to throw LBs his way, including Dumervil.
• Start the game throwing the ball. It's obvious that the OLBs are still growing on the scheme and the short throws to TEs and RBs can hurt them and burn their blitzes with several YAC, with Barber and Choice being really good pass catcher they might forget about missing Felix with big gains in this sits. The CBs can also live big cushions in order to keep the play in front of them, look for some 1 and 2 Mississippi throws to Roy and Crayton.
• Then, run right through the middle and away from Dumervil. He's their best LB and he can play the run because he's quick and has leverage. Davis and Mario Haggan don't match up well with OLineman in space and anyone outside Flozell excel at getting to the 2nd level. D.J. Williams was hot and cold during the game.
• Advise to Romo: Look at the Giants. They played the same Defense, or at least the same idea and their passing gameplan was great, lots of shot throws and then they would look from mid to deep range routes (curls, posts and slants). Romo: It's also really important to stay away from guys looking at the development, with both safeties playing as deep zones as the Broncos like to play, the Giants game should also help to make you remember.

I'm still worried, but I can see the Cowboys walking out with a hard earned W, especially if Romo looks at the Giants.

Cowboys 27 - Denver 19. With the Cowboys making the last score in a time consuming drive.