Broncos' Wes Welker to be reinstated Wednesday, says NFL source

By Mike Klis The Denver Post September 17, 2014

Broncos' slot receiver Wes Welker is expected to be reinstated from his suspension by 8 a.m. Wednesday, according to an NFL source.

The 11th-year veteran would then be able to join the Broncos' practice session for the first time in two weeks.

Coaches across the league no doubt wish the NFL and players union could have finalized their revised drug policy sooner rather than later. Another game-planning Tuesday went by with the Broncos' coaching staff half-thinking they would have Welker for their next game Sunday at Seattle and half-thinking not.

To be fair, coach had to half-plan to defend Welker and half-not. Not that anyone around Denver feels sorry for Carroll and the Seahawks.

As of Tuesday night, league management and the players union were closing in on a reaching agreement on a revised drug policy, according to an NFL source. The new policy would feature testing for illegal performance-boosting, human growth hormone.

Then again, ratification of the revised drug policy has been expected the past two weeks. It got so close Friday, the NFL Players Association had its 32 team union representatives vote to approve the league's revised drug policy — ordinarily a final step to an agreement.

But now it appears a deal is imminent, which means Welker's four-game suspension would be reduced to the two games he already has served because his infraction for testing positive in the offseason for an amphetamine would shift from the zero- tolerance, performance-enhancement program to the substance-abuse jurisdiction which essentially places first-time violators on probation.

Welker has been training in Denver and is ready to join the Broncos at Dove Valley on a moment's notice.

He suffered a concussion in the Broncos' third preseason game on Aug. 23 but he was cleared two weeks ago by an independent doctor for a return to full football activities, including contact. Nine Broncos among Hall of Fame nominees

By Mike Klis The Denver Post September 17, 2014

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its preliminary list of 99 players and 14 coaches as modern-era candidates for its class of 2015.

The Broncos are well represented with eight players and coach Dan Reeves. The eight Bronco players: Receiver Rod Smith, running back Terrell Davis, center Tom Nalen, guard , linebacker Karl Mecklenburg, safeties Steve Atwater and John Lynch, and kicker Jason Elam, who is eligible for the first time.

Also making the cut of 99 players are offensive tackle Tony Boselli, who played at Boulder Fairview High School, and Chris Hinton, who was drafted by the Broncos with the No. 4 overall pick in 1983 but was quickly dealt to the Baltimore Colts as part of a deal that delivered John Elway to Denver.

The Hall of Fame candidates list will be whittled to 25 semifinalists in late- November, and then 15 finalists in early January. On the eve of XLVIX in Arizona, the Hall of Fame committee will select no more than five modern-era candidates, a senior candidate (Mick Tingelhoff is the only nominee) and two not- yet named contributor candidates for its class of 2015.

Atwater, Davis and Mecklenburg each made it to the round of 25 last year and Lynch was a top 15 finalist. Two-time finalist Randy Gradishar, by the way, has been moved to the pool of senior candidates.

Broncos Mailbag: Give in Denver's second-half defense triggers alarm

By Mike Klis The Denver Post September 17, 2014

Hey, Klis, what do you make of the first two games? Is it lack of coaching or just underachieving? The second halves of games have been concerning. Should we worry? The next six games are tough. Can we weather the storm? So far, has not impressed me; more blitzes would be nice.

— Nestor, Cimarron

Nestor - My thoughts are mixed. The Broncos are 2-0, and they just beat two teams that finished 11-5 and made the AFC playoffs last year. Yes, their second- half play is concerning. But the are 2-0, and the concern is their first-half play.

A little more domination was expected of the Broncos because they were playing at home and is their quarterback.

That's one thought.

But clearly Denver's D hasn't jelled yet. It has allowed 237.5 yards a game in total offense after halftime. Considering Atlanta ranks 32nd in defense with 472.0 yards allowed — which computes to 236 yards a half — the amount of bend in the Broncos' second-half defense is alarming.

Then again, the defense has come up with four goal-to-go, second-half stands, allowing three points instead of 28.

We'll see what all this contradictory information means after the Broncos play Seattle this Sunday. If The Seahawks have their way, then the first two games provided warning signs that the Broncos have more flaws than expected. If the Broncos play well in Seattle and give the Seahawks a game, then Denver is a top- three to top-five team that we all expected.

The Seattle game may not be overly important in terms of how these teams finish the season. But I think the measuring stick is very large.

Hi, Mike. It goes without saying that I love Peyton Manning, and as with most cases of unrequited love, I am very sensitive to rejection. So: I often hear Peyton in the media refer to the team he plays for as "the Broncos," instead of "us" or "we," as if he were somehow apart from the team, or say that he is "trying to help the Broncos win a Super Bowl," as if he were a hired consultant or contractor rather than the heart and soul of the team. Do you know, when he was in Indy, did he also refer impersonally to his team as "the Colts"? Maybe the Colts are the only "us" Peyton will ever know. Was hoping you could reassure me that Peyton really does love us, or break it to me gently that one day Peyton is going to go back to his ex.

— Eric, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Boy, there is nary a wee detail that goes without inspection from our mailbaggers. I did not pick up on Manning's choice of pronouns, as you have, Eric.

I went back to look at his postgame transcript from Sunday's win against the Chiefs. I counted 28 "we's," four "ours," a couple "us" and zero "Broncos." That doesn't mean when Manning is speaking in a national TV interview, he won't substitute "Broncos" for "we" or "us."

But I've always thought Manning did all he could to embrace the city of Denver as quickly as possible. He immediately moved his family here. He's all over the place during the offseason, but he is the league's No. 1 ambassador and he does carry that obligation.

I think the best way to put your concerns at ease, Eric, is to look at the $1 million his PeyBack Foundation donated this year. He gave $630,000 to Colorado youth- related charities; $175,000 to Tennessee groups; $120,000 to his home state of Louisiana and $75,000 to Indiana organizations.

So that's 63 percent for "we" Coloradans; that's 7.5 percent to "them" Colts.

That's what I call putting your money where your mouth is.

Two games are not a season, but looking back all the way back to last year, the Broncos defense has had a tendency to make opposing look like all-world. Orange Crush defense? Please do not make me laugh. It is just wishful thinking from Jack Del Rio. Do you think it is an issue of talent or scheme (lack of creativity or aggressiveness by the coaches)?

— Park, Texas

Park - The Broncos added four Pro Bowlers to their defense this year: DeMarcus Ware, T.J. Ward, and , who returned from last season's injury and suspension. All-star talent by itself, though, does not a defense make. You can build an all-star offense and it would click immediately if it has an all-star quarterback.

Defense is different, though. They have to play not as individuals but as a unit. Ward can only fly around if his safety mate knows how to cover him up. Ware will use a certain pass-rush technique based on Terrance Knighton's move at defensive tackle. The linebackers can only fill a gap the defensive linemen create for them.

And with all the rules and regulations, it's hard to tackle anyone 1-on-1, anymore. A defense has to swarm to the ball. It takes chemistry and time to develop chemistry.

From what we've seen of the Denver D so far, it needs more time.

What do you think of Denver's clock management at the end of the Chiefs game, Mike? Letting the game clock tick down with the Chiefs first-and- goal and 1:45 on the clock ... Denver with three TOs in their pocket?! Very basic to take timeouts but Denver missed it completely! Black-and-white they just missed it. Worrisome.

— Bill Brown, Los Angeles

Bill - I put this to John Fox. He didn't miss it. His strategy here was because the Broncos were up 24-17 — and the worst that likely could have happened is a tie and overtime — he let the situation play out.

True, the Chiefs could have gone for the two-point conversion. When the Chiefs didn't go for two after scoring a with 7:11 remaining — as they should have — leaving the score at 21-17 instead of trying to make it 21-18, it did go through Fox's mind that Andy Reid may have been saving his two-point play.

Still, it's highly unlikely Reid would have let a 60-minute game come down to a two-point play. That's not how he's coached the past 16 seasons, anyway. If the Chiefs score, they take the 24-24 tie and go into overtime, where the revised rules meant Manning's offense would have seen at least one series unless the Chiefs scored a touchdown on their first series.

Had the Broncos been up, say, 23-17 during all those goal-to-go downs, Fox said he would have used his timeouts.

If the AP story is true, it is time for John Elway and everyone from the Broncos to demand Roger Goodell resign immediately.

— Dorothy Star, Frisco Dorothy - Elway wouldn't have a say. It would be Broncos chief executive officer Joe Ellis who would make that call. And Ellis is a strong supporter of Goodell. Back in the day, Ellis worked nine years for Goodell in the NFL office.

I do think someone in the NFL office saw the inside-elevator bank video of Ray Rice's sucker punch to his then-fiancée. I don't believe Goodell was aware of the tape. I'm guessing, but no way Goodell is so lenient on Rice's initial punishment if he knew there was a tape of the punch. If he was, then I don't think he'll have any choice but to resign.

But what I think doesn't matter because there is an ongoing investigation. Let's see what Robert Mueller discovers.

So let me get this straight: It is not OK to throw a ball to prevent a loss if it goes some undefined distance? BUT, it is OK to throw the ball into the butt end of the lineman in front of you (an ineligible receiver), when a defensive lineman has his arms wrapped around you. In the play in question, Alex Smith clearly started the motion after he was wrapped up. Smith KNEW what he was doing. Why is the quarterback rewarded for his behavior in this case? Particularly when, it could have changed the outcome of the game.

— Deborah, Ventura, Calif.

Deborah - Yes, Alex Smith knew what he was doing. Just like when Ben Roethlisberger is clobbered and is falling down and he manages to throw the ball away, it's legal for him to do that.

In Smith's case, the replay guys in New York should have given stronger consideration to intentional grounding. That would have made it second-and-15 from the Broncos' 40. But maybe the guys judging the replay in New York were baffled by the chicken-and-the-egg quandary. Maybe they decided they couldn't assume Smith wasn't trying to throw to an eligible receiver because his arms were wrapped.

But replays did show Smith's arm was going forward when he lost the ball. It may have been DeMarcus Ware's hit that knocked Smith's arm forward. Ware and the Broncos' defense deserved the strip-sack there.

But that was a call where the letter of the law trumped common sense. Fair or not, the letter of the law trumps all.

Hey, Mike. My understanding is that the turf at Mile High is subpar to say the least. I realize they used a new fiber-wound hybrid system, but apparently the system doesn't live up to the promise. What are the chances the Broncos simply own up to this and install an artificial field? OR, go back to regular sod, which can at least be easily replaced?

— Daniel J. Fester, La Crescenta, Calif.

Daniel - Fiber-wound hybrid system, really? I was going to refuse to answer this question, as it would fall under the category of grass.

But as I thought about it, there is no such thing as useless information for our mailbaggers. Daniel, the Broncos use a GrassMaster seed blend. They won't sod because it's not safe for the players. Houston sods, and Von Miller tore his knee up there last year. Wes Welker tore up his knee on Houston's sodded field in the final game of the 2009 season.

The reason why the Sports Authority Field at Mile High playing surface looks so ugly between the hashes is the seed hasn't had a chance to properly sprout following an unusually busy summer at the stadium.

There was a Manchester United soccer match that required a short-cropped pitch. That messed up the grass. There were several Outlaw lacrosse games played there and the annual CU-CSU rivalry game.

There were also three training-camp practices at the stadium instead of the usual one. The killer was the July 30 practice during a torrential downpour. The field never quite recovered from that one.

And on top of that, the Broncos opened their preseason schedule at home for the first time since the stadium opened in 2001 and the regular season began with back-to-back home games for only the second time in 14 seasons.

The seed hasn't had a chance to settle. Did you see those birds flock on the field near the end of the game Sunday against the Chiefs? They don't call it birdseed for nothing.

There's hope that after the road game at Seattle this week followed by the bye that the field will look better for Game 4 against Arizona, on Oct. 5. But with five home games among the Broncos' first seven, chances are the field won't look like its beautiful self again until the Nov. 23 game against Miami.

Mike - Why are there no longer any flyovers at the Bronco games? The paratrooper thing is cool, I guess, but nothing gets the juices flowing like a rumble in your chest from a good ol' flyover!

-- Manuel Garcia, Falcon The U.S. military stopped doing public flyovers during the budget-cutting sequestration on March 1, 2013. Even though there is no more sequester, the flyovers have not yet been reinstated by the military.

The Broncos have a standing flyover request for each of their remaining home games, but the military has yet to grant approval.

This flyover ban applies to all NFL stadiums, not just Sports Authority Field.

Broncos deal with wildly different production in first, second halves

By Troy E. Renck The Denver Post September 17, 2014

Even a hit record features scratches.

The Broncos established NFL standards for points and last season, but through two games have struggled to meet their lofty expectations. They lack second-half rhythm, morphing from rocker Joe Walsh's Maserati to REO's Speedwagon.

"I don't know why," receiver said. "We are 2-0. So I think we are fine. It's just some little things."

The reasons are twofold as the Broncos prepare for a Super Bowl rematch with the Seattle Seahawks: limited opportunities and crippling penalties and mistakes.

"It's not how you finish, but how you start" doesn't emblazon any walls at Dove Valley. Peyton Manning secured victories with staggering first halves, completing 31-of-40 passes for 390 yards and six touchdowns. After halftime, he is 12-for-21 for 121 yards and no scores. The Broncos, as follows, have scored 45 first-half points, but only 10 in the second half.

Explanation of the dichotomy begins last Sunday. The kept the ball from Manning. The Broncos had two second-half possessions, not counting the final kneel-down series.

Their first drive of the second half illustrated issues, which the Broncos believe are correctable. After watching the Chiefs gobble 10 minutes on a 19-play drive, Denver took over on its 27-yard line.

A race to the became a clumsy stumble when officials flagged right offensive tackle Chris Clark for clipping. A delay-of-game penalty followed. Moments later, tight end Julius Thomas was called for a false start on first down then mixed signals with Manning on a third-down route took his defender into Demaryius Thomas, effectively putting a broomstick in the spokes.

Manning referred to it as a "strange" second half but reminded that the Broncos have played two playoff teams. Denver also hasn't turned the ball over on offense and remains efficient in the red zone. "We feel fortunate to win those games and obviously have another tough one this week," Manning said. "It's still kind of the offensive philosophies that you have. If you can achieve those goals, it usually leads to positive results. So we're hitting some of the goals, and there are some things where we can do a better job."

The list begins with third down. The Broncos have posted Madden-type numbers in the first half, converting on 9-of-14 attempts. In the second half, they are 1-for-10. Their problems involve the usual culprits: penalties, dropped passes and missed assignments.

Wes Welker's return from a drug suspension would provide a boost. He caught 18 passes on third down last season, 15 for first downs.

Not mentioned as an offensive problem is the inevitable sense of urgency created by standing on the sideline. The unit fights irritation when failing to reach perfection, running back Montee Ball explained.

"We put a lot of pride in scoring fast," Ball said. "Of course it's tough when we don't have the ball much. We just keep telling the defense, 'Keep working.' "

The Broncos scored points on four of their first six possessions against the Chiefs. Then they spent more time with helmets off than on.

"That's how teams are going to play us. They want to keep the ball away from Peyton," cornerback Chris Harris said. "We can't allow 10-minute drives where he's forced to watch. We have to get off the field sooner. We have to get them back in rhythm by getting them the ball." Meeting Peyton Manning, Broncos superstar and normal guy

By Laurie Lattimore-Volkmann, Guest Commentary The Denver Post September 16, 2014

Peyton Manning is a normal guy.

That's no newsflash. Just about every article about the future Hall of Famer mentions his genuine interest and concern for everyone around him — whether it's a defensive lineman who's trying to sack him, a stadium employee or the guy who mows his lawn.

It's that character trait that prompted me to write a guest commentary in The Denver Post last February defending the quarterback's "legacy" that so many football critics were suddenly abandoning because the Broncos got walloped in the Super Bowl.

It's also that character trait that has continued to set him apart from so many others. The past couple weeks have been a sobering reminder of that, as NFL headlines were dominated by storylines from Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson, and players missing games because they were suspended for substance abuse or performance-enhancing-drug violations.

It's not news that Manning is always a class act. He's been that since his days at the University of Tennessee. But it is during times like this that we remember why we should not take his leadership and example — let alone his talent — for granted.

So it was definitely refreshing to find out in person last weekend that one of the most iconic quarterbacks currently in the NFL is still also the most regular guy in the world.

Thanks possibly to my February commentary, but more likely to a heartfelt note from my 7-year-old dying to meet his favorite player while in Denver to go to his "first live football game," Manning graciously met with my family on Saturday.

He walked into the room in jeans and a sweater with his ragged backpack slung over his right shoulder on his way to study before the Broncos-Chiefs game.

Though a big game was coming up, Manning was making a special detour that evening to meet a couple of boys who think he hangs the moon (and I don't plan on telling them any differently). Putting his bulging backpack down, the 6-foot-5, 200-pound quarterback with a laser-rocket arm bent down to shake my 7-year-old's hand and talk about his excitement about going to the game.

"Are you going to cheer loud at the game?" Manning asked him.

Calvin of course answered yes, but only in passing as he rushed to get some advice from the five-time NFL MVP.

"I was wondering about throwing the ball. I thought you should throw it over the shoulder, but a guy told me today kids should throw side-armed at first. What do you think?"

"I like over your shoulder," Manning said, matter-of-factly, motioning how to throw as Calvin emulated No. 18's technique. "Yep, yep. Over the shoulder."

Looking satisfied and thrilled, Calvin was ready to go play football, almost forgetting that he was experiencing 10 minutes with Peyton Manning, one of the NFL's superstars.

I'm sure when he's older, Calvin, along with his younger brother Tanner, will look back on this and realize what an amazing moment it was. When they're watching Peyton win a Super Bowl (yes, we are confident fans) or later when they see him put on his yellow Hall of Fame blazer, it will register how incredibly honored they should feel to have met that man.

And that's the brilliance of Manning. You are in a room with a multiple-MVP, future Hall of Fame quarterback, yet you might as well be at a bar talking with the guy next to you — about the Oklahoma-Tennessee game, about good SEC matchups, about living in Charleston, about spending time with kids.

Except this regular guy also signs autographs on one of the hottest-selling jerseys in the NFL. And his guy-next-door persona makes him completely abnormal in a profession that's full of big egos, bad tempers and selfishness.

Before he left, Manning signed every No. 18 jersey in the room and then suggested taking an extra photo with "just the boys."

We made feeble attempts to thank him for taking so much time, commend his continual leadership on and off the field and wish him the best for the next day's game and entire season.

Like the pro he is, Manning said a humble "thank you" as he shook every single person's hand again, told the boys it was nice to meet them and reminded them to cheer loud against the Chiefs. Then No. 18 picked up his backpack and headed to study.

Thank you, Mr. Manning.

For so many things, thank you.

The Seahawks' trash-talking since Super Bowl XLVIII

By Nicki Jhabvala The Denver Post September 16, 2014

Nearly 8 months of Seahawks trash-talking

The Seahawks are as known as much for their No. 1 defense and Super Bowl victory as they are for their masterful trash-talking. You've probably seen some of their finest moments from before last February, but here are all the instances we could find from Super Bowl XLVIII and after. Enjoy!

CB Richard Sherman to Broncos WR Wes Welker during the Super Bowl:

"Don’t you ever say you want one-on-ones with us (expletive). Don’t you ever say that." (02.02.14)

Coach Pete Carroll after the game:

"We really made the decision early to stay with what we know really well and demonstrate to our guys that we believe in them and trust them.

"Let's play the way we want to play. The more we looked at it, the more excited we got about it. We really felt like we could knock the crud out of these guys." (02.04.14)

Sherman, in a first-person column for MMQB

"Did we know we’d hold the Broncos to eight points in the Super Bowl? Honestly, we're a little upset it wasn't a shutout." (02.07.14)

Why do fans want Phil Simms banned from calling Broncos games?

By Nicki Jhabvala The Denver Post September 16, 2014

You’ve probably heard about this petition to keep Phil Simms from broadcasting Broncos games. As of Monday evening, it had 18,000 supporters. As 6:33 p.m. on Tuesday, it has more than 34,000 supporters.

Folks in Denver clearly do not enjoy listening to Simms during games. And we all know Peyton Manning at one point had a not-so-healthy relationship with Simms because of Simms’ comment that Manning wouldn’t “let” the Colts draft Andrew Luck.

“I don’t talk to Phil,” Manning said. “Phil doesn’t talk to me. He did text me after that, saying ‘Hey, sorry to drag your name into this.’ I wrote back, ‘Phil I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ He said, ‘Well on my show, Inside the NFL, I made this statement.’ I said, ‘Phil, I hate to break it to you, but I don’t watch your show, along with a lot of other people that I don’t think watch that show.’ Giving himself a little more credit than probably was merited.”

That aside, there’s this:

FYI. Broncos have won 10 straight with Nantz-Simms in the booth. You wanna mess with that mojo? – Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi)

But fine. We get it. Simms is not a favorite in Broncos country, and many have made a point to see to it that he’s removed from the booth during Broncos games.

Why?

Here’s why (according to the petitioners):

“I don’t like his face.” —David Latimer

“He obviously doesn’t like the Broncos. It’s not the fans fault his son couldn’t play.” —Jess Varela

“I dislike him almost as much as Philip Rivers.” —Chad Courvisier

“I’m tired of listening to him say how much the opposing team it’s doing right and how much Denver is doing wrong or they got away with one there.” —Kelly Breiner “Phil Sims SUCKS!” —Michael Anaya

“Phil is a bronco hater.” —Austin Fulgham

“Phil has the worst case of diarrhea of the mouth that I know of!” —David Mullen

“As others have said, he is far too opinionated for an analyst. …” —James Young

“Broncos fans don’t need this torture.” —Jorge Giner

“I’m signing because I’m a Broncos fan.” —Sandra Mullen

“Phil Simms sucks.” —Frederick Heckel

“He is horrible to listen to does not know Wat he is talking about.” —Stephanie Keeler

“CUZ PHIL IS A ILLITERATE HATER.” —c BrYANT

“He’s annoying.” —Drew Knott

“Phil Simms is ridiculous and annoying.” —Tyler Lansing

“It’s the Broncos. That is why it’s serious.” —Drew Darnell

OK then. Carry on.

K Brandon McManus making a case to stay in Denver

By Arnie Stapleton Associated Press September 16, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — First-year kicker Brandon McManus is making the most of his NFL tryout while Pro Bowler Matt Prater serves out his four-game suspension kicking field goals at a nearby high school.

McManus has made both of his attempts and had touchbacks on 11 of 12 kickoffs in the ' 2-0 start. If he makes a pressure kick Sunday at Seattle or against Arizona after the bye week, he might just earn himself a longer stay in Denver.

"That's what I want to do, is put doubt in their mind about what they should do" when Prater's punishment is over, McManus said. "I don't want to come out here and think, 'Well, I'm only kicking for four games.' My mental preparation wouldn't be good. That's not the way I'm looking at it."

The Broncos traded a conditional 2015 seventh-round pick to the for McManus last month after Prater was suspended for drinking. Prater has been in the NFL's drug program, which includes alcohol, since a DUI arrest in 2011.

Prater led the league last year by making 25 of 26 field goals, including a record- setting 64-yarder against Tennessee. He also led the NFL with 81 kickoff touchbacks.

His suspension put the Broncos in a tough spot as they open the season against four teams that averaged 11.25 wins last year.

Although the Bronco's 26 wins in Peyton Manning's first two years in Denver came by an average of 16.8 points, both of the their wins this year have been by seven. And the defending AFC champs are bracing for plenty more slugfests, some of which might come down to a clutch field goal.

A four-year starter at Temple, McManus spent the 2013 preseason in Indianapolis and the regular season preparing for another shot.

"It's tough because that's the first season that I hadn't played football since middle school," McManus said. "So, I just kept working to stay ready. I knew I was on a bunch of teams' short lists. And I was just waiting. So, I started my kicking business just to make some money." He offered private lessons in the Philadelphia and New Jersey area through "Kickin' It With McManus," which also kept him in shape for another shot at the NFL.

He had two tryouts during the 2013 season, one with the Giants and the other with the Saints, who replaced longtime kicker Garrett Hartley with veteran Shayne Graham heading into the playoffs.

This summer, he pushed Giants incumbent Josh Brown just as he had in Indy.

"He's one of those guys that's going to be a lifer," Brown said of McManus. "He's going to be a 10-year guy, easily. He's got that kind of talent and he's got that kind of head on his shoulders."

And a booming right leg.

"He's got a tremendously strong leg and he's got a lot of upside," Broncos GM John Elway said after trading for him.

Elway had several proven veterans to choose from but he went with the 6-foot-3, 201-pound novice with smooth mechanics and a bright future.

"The biggest knock on me it's hard to get regular-season experience for a young kicker," McManus said. "A lot of teams don't want to put their head on a line to get a rookie kicker out there. So, definitely the four games I knew would help me. I wanted to come in and perform well for those four games whether they keep me here or not when Matt comes back."

Last month, coach John Fox suggested Prater hadn't worn out his welcome in Denver, saying, "He's part of our family."

Then, a contrite Prater apologized and pledged to stay out of clubs to avoid the temptation to drink again, which could result in a yearlong ban.

His suspension is costing Prater $750,000 of his $3 million base salary.

There's the rub.

The Broncos are paying big bucks for their specialists — Prater will count $3.812 million against this year's cap and punter/holder Britton Colquitt another $3.25 million.

McManus signed a deal that would pay him $420,000 this year and $510,000 in 2015, when Prater's base salary jumps to $3.25 million. That's no small consideration for a team that has several stars coming up for big long-term contracts, including Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas and Chris Harris Jr.

McManus wants to stay here with them. He sees Denver not as a stopover but as his destination.

"I think that's the only way you can look at it," he said.

Broncos, Seahawks top AP Pro32 before rematch

By Simmi Buttar Associated Press September 16, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos finished last season as the top two teams in the league.

Heading into their Super Bowl rematch Sunday, that's where they are in the latest AP Pro32 rankings.

The Broncos moved to the top spot after holding off the Kansas City Chiefs 24-17 at home, and the Seahawks dropped to No. 2 after they lost to the Chargers 30-21.

Denver had 10 first-place votes in the 12-member media panel that regularly covers the league. Seattle, which routed Denver in the Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium in February, and Cincinnati each got one first-place vote.

Sunday's rematch is at CenturyLink Field, where the Seahawks have won 18 of their past 19 including the playoffs.

"Even with one loss, the Seahawks will regain the top spot if they beat Denver," Alex Marvez of Foxsports.com said.

The Bengals moved up a spot to No. 3 after beating the Falcons 24-10.

"I'm very impressed with Cincinnati so far this season," said ESPN's , who gave the Bengals a first-place vote. "That defense looks ready for the playoffs."

The Bengals host the Titans on Sunday and then have a bye before an Oct. 5 road test in prime time against and the Patriots, who moved to No. 7 in the poll after routing the Vikings.

The Eagles are No. 5 after rallying again in the second half for a 30-27 win over the Colts on Monday night. The Eagles are the first team in NFL history to overcome double-digit halftime deficits in the first two games.

Philadelphia is 2-0 and in first place in the NFC East.

"That's two straight comeback wins for the Eagles, who get a major boost from speedy running back Darren Sproles, who makes you think you're playing Madden 2014 when you watch him fly around the field," Newsday's Bob Glauber said. The Panthers and Cardinals, who also are both off to 2-0 starts, made big climbs to No. 5 and No. 6.

Carolina faces a big test Sunday night when it hosts Pittsburgh.

"The defense is playing great and Cam (Newton) threw well from the pocket," NBC Sports' Tony Dungy said.

The Panthers and Cardinals have also won their games with two different starting quarterbacks.

"Unheralded (Cardinals coach) Bruce Arians may be the best coach this side of ," said Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune.

Among the teams that made the biggest drop are the , who fell from No. 6 to 17 after blowing a late lead and losing to the . The Saints are 0-2 going into their home opener against the .

"Defense continues to hold the winless Saints back," Rick Gosselin of The Dallas Morning News said. "They rank second in the NFL in offense, but 30th in defense."

There's little surprise that the 0-2 New York Giants, , and Oakland Raiders round out the bottom four spots in the poll.

"Despite an active offseason, the Raiders haven't been doing much of anything well," Jenny Vrentas of The Monday Morning Quarterback said.

Broncos set to have Welker for Seahawks

By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com September 17, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Perhaps it took a little longer than the Denver Broncos had hoped, but the team is poised to get Wes Welker back on the roster this week, possibly as soon as Wednesday.

ESPN’s Ed Werder reported Tuesday that the NFL had begun to inform players who would be re-instated once representatives for the NFL and NFL Players Association had signed a term sheet on the new drug policy.

The Broncos have kept a roster spot open for Welker for over a week. The team, with the negotiations on a new drug policy seemingly nearing a conclusion, cut wide receiver Nathan Palmer on Sept. 9 and remained at 52 players since.

Welker, who suffered a concussion in the Broncos’ Aug. 23 preseason game against the , has been cleared medically so he would take part in practice as soon as he is formally moved from reserve/suspended to the active roster.

Following Broncos practice last Friday, coach John Fox said the team was ready to welcome Welker back whenever an agreement was in place, but earlier this week Fox wasn't prepared to publicly say when he thought that would be.

"I know we get Wes back for sure after four games," Fox said Monday. "Anything other than that, that’s somebody else’s decisions.”

Welker was originally suspended four games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs and already has served the first two games of the suspension, missing the Broncos’ wins over the and Kansas City Chiefs. However, Broncos officials and players have believed that a new policy would change the criteria of Welker's suspension and allow for the reinstatement of Welker and several others players around the league.

Welker had been limited in practice at the time of his league-mandated punishment because of the concussion he suffered against the Texans. The concussion was Welker's third in a 10-month span.

Welker has taken part in just one practice -- he was limited in the team’s Labor Day workout -- since the injury.

Welker's chance at reinstatement came because, under the new policy, Welker's positive test for amphetamines would now fall under the league's policy for substance abuse because it occurred during the offseason. Under the guidelines of the substance abuse policy, a player enters the treatment program with the first positive test, a program that includes meeting with counselors. The player is also subject to increased testing each month.

It takes multiple positive tests under the substance abuse policy before the suspension phase is reached. Welker's positive test had fallen under the PED policy, which put players into the suspension phase with the first positive test.

Under his original suspension, Welker would not have been eligible to return to the team until Monday, Oct. 6, and then would have played for the first time in the Oct. 12 game against the .

In Welker's absence the Broncos have run far more plays out of a two-tight end set than they did down the stretch last season or in the playoffs. Of quarterback Peyton Manning's league-leading six touchdown passes, five have gone to tight ends -- four to Julius Thomas, one to Jacob Tamme.

Wes Welker rejoining Broncos

By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com September 17, 2014

Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker is returning to work with the team Wednesday morning, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider .

Welker, who was suspended four games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, is set to be reinstated when the NFL and the players' union finalize the drug policy changes they tentatively agreed upon last week.

Union spokesman George Atallah told The Associated Press on Monday that the "drug policies are currently getting finalized." League and NFL Players Association attorneys and officials are reviewing the documents and could approve them this week.

Welker's chance at reinstatement came because, under the new policy, his positive test for amphetamines would fall under the league's policy for substance abuse. Under those guidelines, a player enters the treatment program with the first positive test, a program that includes meeting with counselors; the player also is subject to increased testing each month.

It takes multiple positive tests under the substance-abuse policy before the suspension phase is reached. For Welker's suspension, his positive test had fallen under the PED policy, which puts players into the suspension phase with the first positive test.

Under his original suspension, Welker would have been eligible to return to the team Monday, Oct. 6, and then would have played for the first time in the Oct. 12 game against the New York Jets.

Upon agreement on the new drug policy, Welker, Rams receiver Stedman Bailey, Cowboys defensive back Orlando Scandrick, Giants lineman Eric Herman and former Vikings defensive end Spencer Nealy will be reinstated, sources told Schefter and ESPN senior NFL analyst .

Josh Gordon and former Colt LaVon Brazill will have their season-long suspensions reduced to 10 games. Gordon continues to be allowed to work out at the Browns' training facility.

Those seven names are part of the estimated 20 who will be affected by the new policy once it is approved by the NFL. Those other players' names will remain confidential under the policy. The players are not being reinstated but moved into different stages of the program based on retroactive adjustments.

Denver Broncos rewind: Offense

By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com September 16, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- They’re fourth in the league in scoring, tied for sixth in yards per play and the Denver Broncos are 2-0.

Yet the feeling around the team, and certainly among the team's faithful, is they’ve left some points on the table and the second-half lull in each of the first two games will need some attention.

After a long look at the video, here are some thoughts on the team’s offense:

With wide receiver Wes Welker's time in suspension limbo expected to end this week -- he would join the Broncos roster as soon as the league’s new drug policy is formally agreed to by both the NFL and NFLPA -- it will be intriguing to watch if the offense drifts away from what it’s done well in the early going. Five of Peyton Manning's six touchdown passes have gone to the team’s tight ends so far -- four to Julius Thomas and one to Jacob Tamme. And four of those scoring plays have come in the two-tight-end set with Welker out of the lineup. The Broncos have also spent far more time in the two-tight-end set, including all but one snap this past Sunday. And they are consistently creating matchup problems with it all over the field. If Welker isn’t ready for full duty -- he’s only practiced once, on a limited basis, since Aug. 23 -- or the Broncos want to limit his snaps since he has had three concussions in 10 months, it’s clear they have a viable option that’s more than a change of pace. Last season they used a variety of offensive sets early, but down the stretch they were almost exclusively in three wide.

The Broncos went into the offseason to try and squeeze more out of the team’s running game without losing their throw-first edge. And the Broncos have flashed some potential -- like Montee Ball's 23-yard run on a third-and-24 in the third quarter Sunday -- but they have spent almost 90 snaps in the first two games in a two-tight-end formation and have more runs by running backs or wide receivers for no gain or negative yardage than they did in last season's first two games, when they played out out of largely three-wide-receiver sets. They’re leaving gaps on the interior, both in the zone run game and when they pull one of the interior linemen to cross the formation. But overall they’ve had nine carries already for no gain or negative yardage (other than kneel-downs), and seven of those have come on first down. No surprise the Chiefs were involved in that already, though; last season the Chiefs stopped Broncos ball carriers for 15 runs of no gain or negative yards, with 11 of those in the Broncos’ Dec. 12 win. But add in the fact the Broncos have had seven additional carries for 1 yard each, and 34.8 percent of the rushing attempts the Broncos have had from plays other than Manning kneel-downs have gone for 1 or fewer yards.

Can’t say Ball isn’t willing to stick his nose into the action in pass protection. Tamba Hali did have the Chiefs’ only sack Sunday, and he did overpower Ball to get it. But Ball threw himself at the much bigger outside linebacker for what was perhaps the biggest collision in the game.

Many years ago Ron Erhardt, a longtime NFL assistant to go with a brief stint as Patriots , said “throw to score, run to win." That was long before receivers were set free down the field by the rules makers and quarterbacks were more accurate overall than they’ve ever been. But the Broncos are living the throw- to-score mantra. They have touchdown passes of 3, 5, 4 and 4 yards already this season.

Of the Broncos pass catchers, played 48 of the team’s 49 snaps Sunday, while Julius Thomas played 46 and Demaryius Thomas 45. Tamme, who was in the formation for all three Broncos touchdowns, finished with 37 snaps.

Broncos Rewind: Defense, special teams

By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com September 16, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos’ re-vamped defense has made a fourth- down play in the closing minutes to preserve each of their two wins.

Now, in the weeks to come, the group is hoping to do a little better in the minutes that come before that.

“I don’t think anybody is all hyped up about where we’re at," cornerback Chris Harris Jr said. “We know we have a lot of work to do to be what we want to be."

And after a long look at the video here are some thoughts on the team’s defense and special teams:

At times the Broncos have crossed the fine line between hard-charging and aggressive unit and being a unit that commits too many ill-timed, unforced errors. In the win over the Chiefs alone they had five offside penalties by four different players, a roughing the passer, and a flag for 12 men on the field. After two games the Broncos are tied with Chicago and Washington for fifth in penalties, having been flagged 23 times. The team’s defense has accounted for 13 of those flags, with only one of those having been declined. The offside penalties particularly stung this past Sunday, as one negated an return for a touchdown by Aqib Talib. The Broncos have surrendered six first downs by penalty as well in the first two games.

In 2012, the Broncos struggled covering opposing tight ends for much of the season. That year tight ends caught 81 passes against the Broncos for 948 yards and 11 touchdowns. The current group hasn’t reached that level of difficulty yet, but opposing tight ends have had some impact. This past Sunday the Chiefs’ two -- Travis Kelce and Anthony Fasano -- had a combined seven catches for 120 yards. Kelce did particular damage in the Broncos’ specialty looks on defense. Kelce had a 20-yard reception on a third-and-18 in the third quarter to go with a 20-yarder with just over two minutes remaining in the game. Both catches came with the Broncos rushing just three and dropping eight into coverage. That’s going to get a long look from the offensive coordinators still on the docket, unless the Broncos deter them in the coming weeks.

The Broncos have made it clear where they stand on the recoveries of Harris Jr. and safety Rahim Moore from their stints on injured reserve last season. Moore has played more total snaps than any player on the team, having been on the field for 159 of the Broncos 160 defensive snaps to go with 12 plays on special teams in two games. Harris Jr., just seven months removed from ACL surgery, played 80 of 86 defensive snaps against the Chiefs this past Sunday. That was after he had played 39 of 74 snaps against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1. “I just felt like my conditioning was better, I felt better after working on it more last week," Harris Jr. said. “It just keeps getting better and better."

Whether it’s finding one undrafted rookie after another good enough to make their roster or signing somebody else’s castoff for a 1-year deal to get a player who ends up starting, the Broncos continue to pick players to help in specific roles. The swapped a conditional seventh-round draft pick for kicker Brandon McManus so McManus could fill in for Matt Prater, who is serving a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. And while McManus hasn’t been asked to kick with the game on the line -- he’s 2-of-2 on field goal attempts from 20 and 21 yards -- he has shown an NFL-worthy leg. With two home games in Denver’s altitude, he’s tied for the league lead in touchbacks (10) and tied for the league lead, with Baltimore’s Justin Tucker, for touchback percentage with both players at 10-of-11.

Broncos, Seahawks each will have new look in rematch

By Lindsay H. Jones USA TODAY Sports September 17, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Barely seven months have passed since the Super Bowl, yet the teams that will meet Sunday at CenturyLink Field for the first regular-season Super Bowl rematch since 1996 will look significantly different.

For the Denver Broncos, the changes have been dramatic, with almost no position group — outside of quarterback Peyton Manning — unaffected. The Broncos have new starters at running back and wide receiver in addition to a shuffled offensive line. On defense, the changes are more pronounced, with three players back from season-ending injuries and new starters at safety, defensive end, linebacker and cornerback.

For the Seattle Seahawks, the changes were more subtle, but no less important, starting with an upgrade to the offensive line.

So which changes will matter most in Week 3?

USA TODAY Sports looks at where each of the defending conference champions either got better — or worse — since Seattle's 43-8 Super Bowl win.

Seahawks

Wide receivers

Who's in:

Who's out:

Breakdown: With Tate's departure in free agency, Harvin (who was on the Super Bowl roster) is the Seahawks' primary receiver and most dangerous weapon. Healthy Harvin, used in a variety of roles — wide receiver, slot receiver, running back — makes Seattle's offense far more dynamic than it was with Tate.

Defensive ends

Who's in: Michael Bennett

Who's out: Breakdown: This is another internal move, with the Seahawks giving a bigger role. Bennett, who played last season on a one-year free agent deal, was among the hottest players on the open market in March and chose to return to Seattle. The decision is paying off. Bennett, a significantly smaller defensive end than Bryant, gives the Seahawks a stronger pass rush when they play pass-first offenses such as those of the and San Diego Chargers, whom they've already faced, and the Broncos.

Right tackles

Who's in: Justin Britt

Who's out:

Breakdown: Giacomini left for the New York Jets in free agency, giving the Seahawks a chance to upgrade a spot that had been a weakness in their offensive line. Rookie Britt, a second-round draft pick out off Missouri, wound up winning the job over , who was injured early in training camp, and veteran Eric Winston. Britt played especially well in the Seahawks' season-opening win against the Packers.

Broncos

Defensive ends

Who's in: DeMarcus Ware

Who's out: Shaun Phillips

Breakdown: The Broncos' pass rush will look completely different Sunday, with the addition of Ware, who signed as a free agent, to replace Phillips, whom the Broncos chose not to re-sign after one year in Denver. There also are the healthy returns of defensive end Derek Wolfe and outside linebacker Von Miller, both of whom watched the Super Bowl while on injured reserve. The Broncos' revamped pass rush has been underwhelming through the first two weeks, with five total sacks, including 11/2 from Ware and one from Milller, who continues to work his way back to full strength. He was off the field in Denver's final defensive stand last week against the Kansas City Chiefs because of a sore groin.

Wide receivers

Who's in: Emmanuel Sanders

Who's out: Eric Decker Breakdown: There was no denying Decker's chemistry with Manning (they combined for 24 touchdowns in two seasons together), but the Broncos let Decker, who had one catch for 6 yards in the Super Bowl, leave in free agency without an offer. In came Sanders, a free agent from the . The Broncos didn't just insert Sanders into Decker's role in the offense; they are experimenting with lining him up all over the formation — from out wide opposite Demaryius Thomas, to in the slot to exploit his ability to break tackles and make plays in space. Sanders had his first 100-yard game as a Bronco on Sunday against Kansas City and is looking for his first touchdown.

Cornerbacks

Who's in: Aqib Talib and Chris Harris

Who's out: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Champ Bailey

Breakdown: The Broncos had been in contract negotiations with Rodgers-Cromartie in March before they were able to sign Talib away from the . In Talib, the Broncos think they have a more physical cornerback who can help the Broncos play a nastier style of defense. Harris, meanwhile, replaces Bailey, released in March after a decade in Denver, as Denver's other starting corner. Harris had been the Broncos' most consistent defensive back last season before tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in the divisional round of the playoffs. He played 81 snaps for the Broncos last week against Kansas City, a sign he's nearly back to full strength.

Are NFL's seven 2-0 teams the real deal?

By Nate Davis USA TODAY Sports September 16, 2014

Since the NFL expanded its playoff field from 10 to 12 teams in 1990, clubs starting the season 2-0 have proven a solid bet to reach postseason having done so 63% (124 of 196) of the time.

The 2014 campaign has begun with seven 2-0 squads. Here's an outlook for each:

Arizona Cardinals

Step on the playoff accelerator: They're already a game up on the Seahawks and 49ers in the NFC West. A defense that seemed decimated actually hasn't shown any signs of decline, and S Tyrann "Honey Badger" Mathieu was healthy enough (knee surgery) to make his 2014 debut Sunday. RB Andre Ellington is a budding star.

Pump the brakes: A nerve issue in QB Carson Palmer's throwing shoulder is cause for more than minor concern to coach Bruce Arians, especially in light of backup Drew Stanton's so-so showing in Sunday's victory over the downtrodden Giants. And the Cards are only one game up on the Seahawks and 49ers.

Prediction: Assuming Palmer is OK, this team has enough talent to rise to second place in the division given the percolating issues in San Francisco and catastrophic circumstances in St. Louis. That will probably be good enough for a wild-card berth this year.

Buffalo Bills

Step on the playoff accelerator: The Clemson connection of Sammy Watkins and C.J. Spiller leads a supporting cast that may be able to carry QB EJ Manuel through his ongoing developmental bumps. A tough defense appears even more effective with new coordinator Jim Schwartz calling the shots.

Pump the brakes: We've seen the Bills start hot before, including a 5-2 sprint three years ago that ended in 6-10 misery. Fifteen years removed from its last postseason, this team hasn't shown it can sustain success. And Manuel remains a weekly X factor.

Prediction: They're still at least a year away from the playoffs, maybe more if the next owners sweep out the front office and coaching staff for hand-picked choices.

Carolina Panthers Step on the playoff accelerator: QB Cam Newton missed the first game. RB DeAngelo Williams and DE Greg Hardy missed the second. Yet this team remains 2- 0 behind a top-shelf defense poised to potentially dethrone Seattle as the league's stingiest.

Pump the brakes: Hardy's situation is a burgeoning distraction, not what Carolina bargained for when it placed a $13 million franchise tag on the talented pass rusher in February. And Newton may not have the weapons to compensate for the defense when it has bad days.

Prediction: Four second-half divisional tests against the Saints and Falcons will be revealing. But it still feels like this team may not have quite enough juice to stay in contention with a loaded NFC field.

Cincinnati Bengals

Step on the playoff accelerator: They just dominated the Falcons even though their best offensive (WR A.J. Green) and defensive (LB Vontaze Burfict) players spent much of Sunday in observation mode from the bench after suffering injuries. The AFC North competition all seems critically flawed, too.

Pump the brakes: Even if the Bengals go 13-3, their season won't be defined by 16 games (unless they do a 7-9 face plant). Until QB Andy Dalton and a usually stout defense rise to the occasion in January, no one will believe in this team.

Prediction: They'll host another playoff game this season and will win it this time. But they're probably not good enough yet to reach the AFC Championship Game.

Denver Broncos

Step on the playoff accelerator: They have Peyton Manning. And a lot of other talented players.

Pump the brakes: The new-look defense hasn't impressed yet, especially against a Chiefs team riddled by key injuries.

Prediction: The Broncos have time to dial in and will know exactly where they stand heading into their bye week following this Sunday's Super Bowl rematch in Seattle. But little reason to currently think Denver won't again be among the NFL's final four in four months.

Houston Texans

Step on the playoff accelerator: They own the league's third-weakest schedule and look perfectly capable of exploiting it so far ... assuming the Jadeveon Clowney- deprived defense and Arian Foster's body continue to hold up. Pump the brakes: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is known to have spasmodic fits of turnovers (116 in 87 NFL games) on the heels of efficient play like he's currently enjoying. The Texans face four 2013 playoff teams in a nine-game span in the middle of their schedule, likely a defining stretch.

Prediction: If they can keep their injury report limited — Clowney is expected back in October — everything seems to be lining up for Houston to become the third consecutive team to make postseason the same year it drafted No. 1 overall.

Philadelphia Eagles

Step on the playoff accelerator: Their NFC East rivals don't seem especially scary with the Eagles being the least-flawed bunch in the division. And RB Darren Sproles (203 all-purpose yards in Monday's win) is the ideal weapon for Chip Kelly's offense, and his presence should allow LeSean McCoy to stay fresher deep into the season.

Pump the brakes: The defense was among the league's leakiest in 2013 and seems only marginally improved. And given how much time it spends on the field thanks to an offense that moves so quickly — whether it's scoring or going three and out — it's prone to wearing down. G Evan Mathis' knee injury is a blow.

Prediction: They'll retain their division crown. Whether QB Nick Foles — and/or the Kelly scheme — can deliver in postseason against a defense the caliber of Seattle's or Carolina's is still very much in doubt.

USA TODAY Power Rankings

USA TODAY Sports September 16, 2014

RANK TEAM RECORD HI/LOW NOTES 1 Denver Broncos 2-0 1/2 Less-than-impressive win vs. decimated Chiefs, mostly because high-dollar defense has yet to prove its worth.

2 Seattle Seahawks 1-1 1/2 If they're going to lay an egg, may as well be on the road to an AFC team. Defense melted in San Diego's 94-degree heat.

3 2-0 3/9 Not only are they 2-0, they've done it with limited contributions from injured WR A.J. Green and LB Vontaze Burfict.

4 2-0 4/14 Cam Newton was less than 100%, while RB DeAngelo Williams and DE Greg Hardy didn't play Sunday. How are they 2-0?

5 Philadelphia Eagles 2-0 5/8 After Darren Sproles rolled up 203 all-purpose yards in Monday's win, hard to believe Saints only sought fifth rounder in March trade.

6 New England Patriots 1-1 4/6 DE (two sacks, 58-yard TD off FG he blocked) may have officially arrived as a dominant force.

7 2-0 7/14 This defense is missing a lot of star players from 2013, but it sure doesn't seem to be missing a beat.

8 1-1 3/8 Colin Kaepernick's fastball is far less impressive when it constantly winds up in the hands of opposing defensive backs.

9 Green Bay Packers 1-1 5/9 More dangerous combo - Aaron Rodgers to or Matthew Stafford to Megatron? Pack duo bolstering its case.

10 San Diego Chargers 1-1 10/16 How did they average 2 yards per rush yet hold the ball for 42 minutes in ambush of Seahawks? Whatever works. Kudos. 11 2-0 11/31 If the Clemson connection of Sammy Watkins and C.J. Spiller keep clicking, just maybe this team will prove legit.

12 1-1 11/20 Wounded team's gutsy comeback at Frisco salves Week 1 concerns. CB Charles Tillman's triceps injury is a shame.

13 1-1 12/17 Bet you didn't know DL Haloti Ngata now has four career INTs. Three-hundred and forty pounds don't come much quicker.

14 1-1 10/18 After playing one of the best games of his career in Week 1, Matt Ryan turned in one of his worst (3 INTs) in Cincinnati.

15 Houston Texans 2-0 15/26 So far, they're taking full advantage of the league's third-easiest schedule ... and J.J. Watt's receiving skills.

16 Indianapolis Colts 0-2 7/16 Tough 0-2 start in Indy -- and zebras didn't help in Monday's loss -- but Colts face just two more 2013 playoff teams rest of the way.

17 1-1 11/21 O-line reverted to 2013 form by allowing four sacks and providing little daylight. Knowshon Moreno's injury didn't help.

18 New Orleans Saints 0-2 3/18 They've snatched defeat from the jaws of victory past two weeks. But they head home to play six of next nine in Superdome.

18 New York Jets 1-1 15/18 Self-inflicted setbacks, including Muhammad Wilkerson's meltdown, a big reason they squandered 18-point lead at Lambeau.

20 Pittsburgh Steelers 1-1 11/20 What in the name of Casey Hampton? Not only is Pittsburgh getting run over, but it's by RBs you probably haven't heard of.

21 1-1 18/21 Even when the pass rush is good (it bagged Cam Newton four times Sunday), it may not be enough to mask suspect secondary. 22 1-1 22/28 If DeMarco Murray maintains his 2,000-yard rushing pace, Tony Romo and the D will have fewer opportunities to falter.

23 Cleveland Browns 1-1 23/30 Say what you will about Saints' blown defensive assignments, but Cleveland took full advantage of its opportunities.

23 Washington Redskins 1-1 23/29 Kirk Cousins could make a lot of money over the next two-plus months -- from Washington or his future NFL employer.

25 Minnesota Vikings 1-1 19/27 Little surprise offense completely unraveled without Adrian Peterson. Team may need better backup plan than Matt Asiata.

26 1-1 21/28 Optimism from season-opening 26-10 road win pretty much doused with 26-10 thud in Ken Whisenhunt's Nashville debut.

27 Kansas City Chiefs 0-2 15/27 Currently on a standing eight count, this team could get knocked out by Miami and old friend this Sunday.

28 St. Louis Rams 1-1 20/31 Their somewhat hyper QB is Southern Miss alum who was recently third stringer. Queue up Favre comparisons for Austin Davis.

29 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-2 23/29 They've been beaten at home by backup quarterbacks in consecutive weeks. This team is a year away at minimum.

30 New York Giants 0-2 25/30 Doesn't get much less impressive than losing to West Coast team at home on a short week without its starting quarterback.

31 Jacksonville Jaguars 0-2 26/31 Number of points they've scored over past six quarters: 10. Number of sacks they allowed Sunday: 10.

32 Oakland Raiders 0-2 32/32 Derek Carr is not the next Michael Vick. But for some reason, he's Oakland's leading rusher this season. Hence, 0-2.

Broncos: The smartest words of Broncos- Seahawks week

By Paul Klee Colorado Springs Gazette September 16, 2014

Mondays are light days for NFL media interests. The players visit the practice facility, don't say much, then go home. Tuesdays are off days.

So the Broncos-Seahawks rigamarole won't get ramped up until Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. But one Bronco already shared words to live (this week) by, summing up the rematch with the smartest words a player, broadcaster or writer will utter this week.

“Even if we win this game, it won’t fix what happened last year," Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said Monday. "Losing the Super Bowl, the only way to fix that is winning the Super Bowl.”

A win at Seattle on Sunday would keep the Broncos atop the AFC West standings, along with the various NFL power rankings for the foreseeable future. But it won't eradicate the New Jersey mugging from February.

Understandably, the Broncos aren't interested in equating a Week 3 matchup to a Super Bowl matchup.

“That’s last year. We’ve moved on," coach John Fox said Monday. "We’re either going to be 2-1 or 3-0. I know that much.”

Will Broncos TE Julius Thomas be the difference against the Seahawks?

Colorado Springs Gazette September 16, 2014

Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas has gotten off to a fast start this season with four touchdowns, including three scores opening night in a win against the Colts.

Will the 2-0 Broncos need three more Sunday against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks (1-1)? The Broncos might take a play or two from the San Diego Chargers.

The Chargers beat the Seahawks 30-21 on Sunday, thanks to three touchdown receptions by the 34-year-old Antonio Gates. The three scores were a career high for the star tight end.

Thomas caught the ball four times, one a touchdown, Sunday in a win against Kansas City.

NFLPA notifying Wes Welker, others that their suspensions are over

By John Breech CBSSports.com September 16, 2014

Wes Welker can officially suit up for the Broncos on Sunday. CBSSports.com NFL Insider Jason La Canfora has reported that the NFLPA has begun the process of notifying several suspended players that they'll be eligible to play in Week 3.

The reinstatements are part of the agreement in the NFL's new drug-policy proposal, which is expected to formally announced by the league and NFLPA on Wednesday morning.

Besides Welker, Cowboys defensive back Orlando Scandrick and Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey will also be eligible to play this week. All reinstated players will be allowed to join their teams for practice as soon as Wednesday.

Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon, who received a one-year ban in August, will now be eligible to play after serving a 10-game suspension, meaning Gordon has eight more games to serve after missing Cleveland's first two games of the season.

Shutdown Corner NFL Power Rankings: So who should be No. 1?

By Frank Schwab YAHOO! Sports/Shutdown Corner September 16, 2014

If you knew nothing about the NFL before Sept. 4, were dropped in and watched the first two weeks and had to determine the best team in the NFL just off that, the answer would be easy.

It's the Cincinnati Bengals. It's not particularly close, either.

In Week 1, the Bengals played very well in a road win against the Ravens. Four days later, the Ravens looked phenomenal against the Steelers. The Falcons couldn't be stopped against the Saints in a Week 1 win. Then Atlanta played Cincinnati, and the Falcons didn't score until deep into the fourth quarter when the game's result was not in doubt anymore. Also, the Bengals won that game without their best player, receiver A.J. Green, who left early with a toe injury.

The Bengals' defense looks like one of the best in the NFL. The offense has a lot of playmakers. They have been dominant in both games. So are they the best team in the NFL?

I'll explain here:

I don't do these power rankings in a one- or two-game vacuum. If you want something that ranks teams in exact order of their win-loss record, this link has the only power rankings you'll need. It's not always that easy. I don't think 2-0 Houston would beat 0-2 New Orleans on a neutral field, and I doubt you do either. Similarly, I'm not quite ready to buy into Andy Dalton and Marvin Lewis being the leaders of the best team in the NFL. But they're creeping up. A few more dominant weeks like the first one, and they'll be in the discussion. They've clearly moved into the small group of teams that is clearly good enough to be called Super Bowl contenders. But I don't think the Bengals should be No. 1.

So who is on top after the 49ers' loss? Let's go to the post-Week 2 power rankings.

32. Oakland Raiders (0-2, LW: 30)

They're likely going to be underdogs in each of their last 14 games. It's hard to figure out how Dennis Allen saves his job.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2, LW: 31) On one hand, they should play Blake Bortles. On the other, would you play your rookie quarterback behind that terrible line?

30. New York Giants (0-2, LW: 26)

I know you can't demote an offensive coordinator after two games. But there just can't be any confidence in Ben McAdoo's offense right now.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2, LW: 25)

Unbelievable.

28. Kansas City Chiefs (0-2, LW: 23)

Full credit to them for playing very hard to almost at least take the game at Denver to overtime. But they're just not that good.

27. Washington Redskins (1-1, last week: 32)

I'm still not sold on Kirk Cousins. I think the shine on him is bright because he hasn't played enough yet to expose his weaknesses (they kind of were late last season, but the Kirk Cousins Fan Club ignores that). We'll see how he does.

26. Dallas Cowboys (1-1, LW: 28)

DeMarco Murray has been the best running back in the NFL this young season. And the defense looks far better than anyone expected.

25. Cleveland Browns (1-1, LW: 29)

You have to give a lot of credit to Browns coach Mike Pettine. With a shorthanded team, he guided it to a win over a good Saints team. Nice way to get your first win.

24. St. Louis Rams (1-1, LW: 22)

So I guess you have to stick with Austin Davis at quarterback now, right?

23. Minnesota Vikings (1-1, LW: 21)

You can't have Teddy Bridgewater make his first start at New Orleans. But after that? I mean, we all know what is.

22. Tennessee Titans (1-1, LW: 17)

So what exactly to make of this team? One impressive win at Kansas City, and an absolutely horrible loss to Dallas. Guess that's what happens when you have an inconsistent quarterback. 21. Houston Texans (2-0, LW: 27)

They've done all they could so far. I'd really like to see them face a real team. They get the Giants next, so it won't happen in Week 3.

20. Atlanta Falcons (1-1, LW: 20)

I'm willing to bang the gong and move on from their Week 2 loss. They just went up against a really good team.

19. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1, LW: 11)

I'm not jumping completely on the "Pittsburgh is terrible!" bandwagon. Too soon. We've seen teams struggle on the road on Thursday nights before. But after what happened last week, I couldn't keep them ahead of Baltimore either.

18. Buffalo Bills (2-0, LW: 24)

Think about this: They're 2-0 with wins over Chicago and Miami. Those opponents' other two games are wins against New England and San Francisco. What a start in Buffalo.

17. Baltimore Ravens (1-1, LW: 19)

Steve Smith isn't what he used to be, but he's been a really good short option in that offense. And that's what Baltimore needed.

16. Miami Dolphins (1-1, LW: 14)

This is why the Lamar Miller preseason hype was dumb: When Knowshon Moreno went down, the Dolphins gave Miller 11 carries and had Ryan Tannehill throw 49 times. I'm not sure all the reasons, but the Dolphins do not trust Miller at all. They never have. Remember this.

15. Detroit Lions (1-1, LW: 15)

I know that Carolina's front seven is amazing, but a team with this many weapons should not be held to seven points.

14. New York Jets (1-1, LW: 18)

Yeah, they lost, but they showed plenty in that game. If Geno Smith keeps progressing they'll be in the playoff hunt. (Though, their "move up" is more due to other teams that were ahead of them dropping.)

13. San Diego Chargers (1-1, LW: 16) Mike McCoy is a really, really good coach. No questioning that anymore. The Seahawks had almost 100 more hours to prepare for Sunday's game than San Diego. It looked like the opposite was the case.

12. Chicago Bears (1-1, LW: 12)

So which team is it, the one we saw in the first eight quarters (remember, Week 1 went to overtime) or the one that dominated the fourth quarter on Sunday night?

11. Indianapolis Colts (0-2, LW: 10)

I'm not one to constantly jump all over play-calling. But the final series for the Colts on Monday night was absolutely horrendous. Can't blame the refs for that.

10. New Orleans Saints (0-2, LW: 5)

You just know a blowout of Minnesota is coming this week. That's what they do. They're unbeatable at home. They're as talented of an 0-2 team as you'll ever see. They'll be fine.

9. Arizona Cardinals (2-0, LW: 13)

I don't care if it was just the Giants, winning on the road with Drew Stanton being thrown in at quarterback is a great win. That might matter in late December when playoff spots are handed out.

8. Green Bay Packers (1-1, LW: 8)

It's possible Jordy Nelson ends up this season as the NFL's best receiver. Scoff if you wish, but he was on that kind of pace last year when Aaron Rodgers was healthy.

7. San Francisco 49ers (1-1, LW: 1)

I think the defense, even without two All-Pros until midseason, is good enough. I'm starting to question if Colin Kaepernick is, though.

6. Carolina Panthers (2-0, LW: 9)

They're really good. Some teams can exploit what they don't do well, but not too many.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (2-0, LW: 6)

You knew when they got Darren Sproles that he was going to be an insane playmaker in that offense.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (2-0, LW: 7) They're in the circle of trust. This is one of the few teams that is good enough to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender. They've been announcing to us so far that they're elite.

3. New England Patriots (1-1, LW: 4)

Ahhh, remember last week when they were just Any Other Team and should have been ranked in the teens? Fun times.

2. Seattle Seahawks (1-1, LW: 2)

I thought long and hard about making them No. 1. Not much shame in losing at San Diego. I guess we'll find out on Sunday who will be No. 1 in these rankings a week from now.

1. Denver Broncos (2-0, LW: 3)

I don't feel too great about them here. However, one could easily point to the too- close win against Kansas City as the biggest "look ahead" game on the entire 2014 NFL schedule. Their mind was on Week 3.

Still Playing: 12 NFL Players Have Domestic Violence Arrests

BY Jon Schuppe NBC News September 17, 2014

Ray Rice may never again play in the NFL, but a dozen other players with domestic violence arrests are still suiting up on Sundays.

Ray McDonald and Chris Cook of the San Francsico 49ers, Tony McDaniel and Kevin Williams of the Seattle Seahawks, and Santonio Holmes of the Chicago Bears, Greg Hardy of the Carolina Panthers, Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys, Erik Walden of the Indianapolis Colts, Donte Whitner of the Cleveland Browns, Randy Starks of the Miami Dolphins and Frostee Rucker of the Arizona Cardinals have all been arrested for domestic violence or related charges since 2005, according to a USA Today database that tracks players' arrests since 2000.

Some fought the charges and won. Others accepted blame, served short suspensions and returned to the game. The rest are still waiting for their day in court, the focus of intense new scrutiny as America’s most powerful sports league faces growing criticism over its handling of players’ off-the-field conduct.

The cases, some dating back nearly a decade, reflect the NFL’s evolving and sometimes erratic approach to domestic violence. The league has struggled to balance justice, fairness and its obligations to the players’ union, but has failed to satisfy critics who say that, too often, the game fails to hold itself and its players accountable.

Domestic violence and related incidents rank among the NFL’s biggest off-the-field problems, with 87 arrests involving 80 players over the last 14 years. The only other crime category with a larger number of arrests involving NFL players is DUI. But while the arrests are troubling, the rate is lower than the national average for men of similar age, according to an analysis by FiveThirtyEight.

The team with the most arrests of players for domestic violence and related charges is the Denver Broncos, with 12. But it hasn't had one since 2010, when linebacker Kevin Alexander was cut a day after he was accused of hitting his girlfriend (the charges were later dropped). The team prides itself on its battery of professional-development resources. "While this is a very important issue, our team hasn't had such an incident in nearly four years," spokesman Patrick Smyth said. "It has zero such incidents under our current football leadership structure, which has been in place since 2011." If there is one pending case that reflects the NFL’s inconsistencies, it is Hardy’s. The defensive end was found guilty of assaulting and threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend at his home in May. He is appealing that verdict, and because of that, Panthers coach Ron Rivera let him play the season opener.

But Rivera changed his mind after the release of a video that showed Rice, a Baltimore Ravens running back, cold-cocking his fiancée in an Atlantic City casino last February. A public uproar followed. Commissioner Roger Goodell, who’d initially suspended Rice for two games, extended the punishment indefinitely, and announced a stricter domestic violence policy that called for a six-game suspension for first-time offenders.

Rice, who was accepted into a court-monitored pre-trial intervention program, plans to appeal Goodell’s punishment.

Citing the league’s “changing climate,” Rivera benched Hardy for the Panthers’ second game. But he reversed himself the following day, saying that Hardy would not be suspended and leaving open the possibility that he could return to the field this weekend.

“Greg is with the team,” Rivera said Monday. “We're in a situation obviously where we're gonna go through this week and evaluate. In light of a lot of the things that have happened, we're going to continue to gather information on this.”

The NFL is also taking flak for its handling of McDonald, the defensive end who was arrested Aug. 31 for allegedly assaulting his pregnant fiancée at his 30th birthday party in San Jose. Free on bail, McDonald has not missed a game. Advocates for domestic abuse victims, along with public officials, including California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, have urged the 49ers to bench McDonald.

But Goodell and Niners coach Jim Harbaugh have each said they would withhold judgment until the criminal case develops. “I’m not inserting myself into the process, one way or another,” Harbaugh said.

Offenders on the field

Of the 12 active players with domestic violence-related arrests, the one with the most is Brandon Marshall, who has three. He’s never been convicted, but he served a three-game suspension in 2008 for personal conduct violations. But from there his story changes. He’s sought treatment, become an outspoken voice against domestic violence and is now considered a success, on and off the field.

Marshall has been offering commentary on the NFL’s unfolding crisis as an analyst for Showtime’s Inside the NFL. He said in a recent episode that he wasn’t sure whether a stricter disciplinary policy would have deterred him from violent behavior back then. The difference, he said, was deciding that he needed help.

Another player who has turned his career around is Bryant, a wide receiver for the Cowboys. In 2012, he was accused of hitting his mother, and agreed to anger counseling in exchange for having the charge dismissed. The NFL didn’t suspend him, but imposed a strict set of conduct guidelines that included counseling and a curfew. Last year, he showed up at a rally against domestic violence.

Then there’s Walden, a linebacker who was suspended by the Green Bay Packers for one game in 2011 after being jailed for an alleged assault against his live-in girlfriend. In court, he submitted to a deferred judgment agreement that allowed him to avoid pleading guilty while receiving counseling. He’s since landed with the Colts.

Cook, a cornerback, was charged with assaulting his girlfriend in October 2011. He sat out most of the season for the Minnesota Vikings, but was later acquitted of all charges. The Vikings reinstated him, and he now is a teammate of McDonald’s in San Francisco.

McDaniel, a defensive tackle, was on the Miami Dolphins in 2010 when he was arrested for shoving his girlfriend, whose head hit the pavement. He pleaded no contest, was put on probation, and the league suspended him one game. He is now playing in Seattle.

Whitner, a safety then with the Buffalo Bills, was accused of harassment in a domestic dispute with his girlfriend in 2006. The charges were later dropped, and the NFL imposed no punishment. He’s now playing in his native Cleveland.

Starks, a defensive tackle, was charged with domestic assault on his fiancée in 2006, while he was playing for the Tennessee Titans. He was ordered to receive counseling as part of a diversion program and was suspended for one preseason game. He now plays in Miami.

Rucker, a defensive end, was arrested after a fight with his girlfriend at a party in Los Angeles in 2006, when he was a Cincinnati Bengals draft pick. He pleaded no contest, and was suspended for a game, but successfully appealed the punishment because he’d been in college at the time of the incident. Rucker now plays for the Arizona Cardinals.

Holmes, a wide receiver, has a long list of run-ins with the law. His domestic violence arrest came in 2006, when he was with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the mother of his children accused him of choking her and slamming her into a door. But she later was reluctant to testify, and the charges were dropped. Holmes’ lawyers promised he’d participate in counseling through the NFL. He now plays with Marshall in Chicago.

Williams, a defensive tackle with a lengthy history of legal troubles, was on the Vikings in 2005 when he was accused of domestic assault for a fight with his wife at home. He pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was put on probation, but the NFL didn’t suspended him. In 2011, however, Williams was suspended for using performance enhancing drugs. He now plays in Seattle.

Chris Harris Calls Seahawks Game ‘More Important Than Any Other’

By Matthew J. Buettner CBSDenver.com September 16, 2014

DENVER (CBS4) – Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris believes that even though it’s only the third week of the season, the next game against the Super Bowl champions is more important than any other right now and called it a “statement game.”

“We just need to let everybody know that we are the real deal, we’ve got to take it week to week and every game is important in this league, but of course this game is more important than any other,” Harris said on Xfinity Monday Live!

Harris said obviously they can’t perform like they did in the Super Bowl against the Seahawks, but they also can’t afford to perform like they did last week against the Chiefs.

“We’ve got to be more sound fundamentally, don’t kill ourselves with penalties,” Harris said. “You can’t beat yourself up on the road.”

Harris has waited a long time for this matchup with Seattle because he didn’t get to play in the Super Bowl due to a torn ACL. Not only did Harris miss the big game, several of his fellow defensemen were also out, including Von Miller, Kevin Vickerson, Rahim Moore and Derek Wolfe. Offensive lineman Ryan Clady also missed the Super Bowl.

“Especially Ryan Clady for their d-line. You’ve got to have him to be able to block their d-line, that’s how good they are,” Harris said.

He said the game won’t necessarily be about pride, but more about respect.

“Every football game there’s pride and manhood … and you always want to be tough every game … we just want to show that teams are going to have to respect us and show that it’s going to be a dogfight every time you play the Broncos, and we’re going to make you work for everything.”

Seattle went to San Diego last Sunday and their vaunted defense gave up 30 points. Even though Harris hasn’t had a chance to look at the game video closely yet, he doesn’t think the Seahawks gave something away in the 30-21 loss. “I just think Phillip Rivers and them, they did a good job with the ball control, didn’t beat themselves, they ran the ball pretty well, and they just made plays in the red zone. That’s what you have to do,” Harris said. “Antonio Gates made a few plays, so we need Julius (Thomas) to have a huge game.”

There was a lot of hubbub coming out of the Chargers’ locker room saying Keenan Allen got the best of outspoken Seahawk cornerback Richard Sherman with Rivers going five-for-five on Sherman’s side of the field. They said he was “exposed” as a cornerback.

“I (saw) Sherman’s stats and they say he gave up only three catches. I wouldn’t call that ‘exposed’ because … he didn’t give up any explosive (plays) or touchdowns,” Harris said. “That’s not being exposed. They just got a couple first downs on him, three catches, that’s nothing big at playing at corner.”

Despite Sherman’s excellent coverage, Harris sees no reason why Peyton Manning won’t throw to his side.

This is the Hottest Ticket in the NFL

By Jesse Lawrence TIME Magazine September 17, 2014

Secondary market sales show that prices to attend a Seattle Seahawks game have climbed faster than other team since 2010

In 2010, the Seattle Seahawks made history as the first team to win a division with a sub-.500 record. This past February, the Seahawks won their Super Bowl Championship. Along the way, Seahawks tickets have gone from the fourth cheapest in the NFL to the most expensive, and for 2014, Century Link Field is one of the most expensive places to see a sporting event in the country.

In 2010, only the Bills, Raiders and Browns had ticket prices cheaper than the Seahawks. That year, it cost an average of $97 to see a game at what was then called Qwest Field. Two weeks into the 2014 season, based on secondary market data from TiqIQ, the ticket search engine where I am founder and CEO, it costs an average of $398 to see one of the Seahawks home games. That increase of 227% is the biggest five-year increase in the NFL.

Here are the 32 NFL teams—from costly Seattle to increasingly affordable Indianapolis–and their average price increase or decrease since 2010.

1. Seattle Seahawks | 2014 Season Average: $398.51 | Percent Change: 227.3%

Over the past five years, the Seattle Seahawks have experienced the biggest average price increase on the secondary ticket market in the NFL. Two consecutive losing seasons in 2010 and 2011 followed by a pair of NFC West divisional titles and a Super Bowl Championship last season has given Seattle a 227.32% increase in average price since 2010.

2. San Francisco 49ers | 2014 Season Average: $379.71 | Percent Change: 225.7%

Entering their inaugural season at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the 49ers control the second largest four-year percent change in season average price. Like the Seahawks, the 49ers had a rough patch at the start of the decade, but have been to three straight NFC Championship Games in the past three seasons.

3. Denver Broncos | 2014 Season Average: $339.71 | Percent Change: 119.9%

The secondary market average price at Sports Authority Field has soared since Peyton Manning left the Colts for the Broncos in 2012. In that two-year period, the Broncos have gone on to win two consecutive AFC West titles and made a Super Bowl appearance last season.

4. Carolina Panthers | 2014 Season Average: $192.58 | Percent Change: 73.5%

In 2010, Carolina had the worst record in the league, which led them to drafting quarterback Cam Newton with the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Carolina made the playoffs for the first time since 2008 last season and that has continued to increase optimism around Bank of America Stadium.

5. Dallas Cowboys | 2014 Season Average: $260.23 | Percent Change: 56.7%

Despite plenty of on-the-field woes in recent years, the Dallas Cowboys have the fifth highest percentage increase in season average on the secondary market since 2010.

6. Oakland Raiders | 2014 Season Average: $146.14 | Percent Change: 40.7%

Raiders fans are certainly a passionate bunch, and that shows on the secondary market. Oakland has not had a winning record since 2002, but average price continues to increase on the secondary market.

7. Buffalo Bills | 2014 Season Average: $139.18 | Percent Change: 40.4%

With two wins under their belt heading into Week 3 this season, there’s no reason to believe Bills tickets won’t continue to rise in price. A new owner who has vowed to keep the team in Buffalo will certainly help too.

8. Detroit Lions | 2014 Season Average: $150.11 | Percent Change: 37.1%

Though they haven’t clinched a playoff berth since 2011, the Lions continue to see the average price at Ford Field rise on the secondary market.

9. San Diego Chargers | 2014 Season Average: $199.44 | Percent Change: 37%

San Diego struggled in mediocrity during the Norv Turner era and 2013’s playoff appearance under Mike McCoy was the first for the franchise since 2009. In 2010, Chargers tickets had a season average of $137.50.

10. New York Giants | 2014 Season Average: $324.49 | Percent Change: 34.7%

The Giants have been a puzzling regular season team over the past few seasons. They’ve won two Super Bowls since 2007, but have not been a consistent team in the regular season. Since 2010, New York Giants tickets have been towards the top of the league in secondary market prices, and the price keeps increasing every season. 11. Houston Texans | 2014 Average Price: $196.60 | Percent Change: 34.2%

12. New England Patriots | 2014 Average Price: $338 | Percent Change: 30.8%

13. Chicago Bears | 2014 Average Price: $387.15 | Percent Change: 28.5%

14. Minnesota Vikings | 2014 Average Price: $154.25 | Percent Change: 27.2%

15. Tennessee Titans | 2014 Average Price: $148.11 | Percent Change: 27%

16. Arizona Cardinals | 2014 Average Price: $139.59 | Percent Change: 24.9%

17. Cleveland Browns | 2014 Average Price: $124.06 | Percent Change: 24.2%

18. Cincinnati Bengals | 2014 Average Price: $145.70 | Percent Change: 19.4%

19. Philadelphia Eagles | 2014 Average Price: $219.68 | Percent Change: 19.2%

20. Green Bay Packers | 2014 Average Price: $229.83 | Percent Change: 19%

21. Miami Dolphins | 2014 Average Price: $166.01 | Percent Change: 18.9%

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2014 Average Price: $144.16 | Percent Change: 18.9%

23. Jacksonville Jaguars | 2014 Average Price: $150.42 | Percent Change: 18.7%

24. Atlanta Falcons | 2014 Average Price: $148.57 | Percent Change: 10.1%

25. Pittsburgh Steelers | 2014 Average Price: $218.28 | Percent Change: 9.4%

26. St. Louis Rams | 2014 Average Price: $128.04 | Percent Change: 1.2%

27. New Orleans Saints | 2014 Average Price: $268.53 | Percent Change: -0.1%

28. Washington Redskins | 2014 Average Price: $165.62 | Percent Change: -0.6%

29. New York Jets | 2014 Average Price: $196.64 | Percent Change: -1%

30. Kansas City Chiefs | 2014 Average Price: $139.40 | Percent Change: -17.2%

31. Baltimore Ravens | 2014 Average Price: $189.38 | Percent Change: -17.6%

32. Indianapolis Colts | 2014 Average Price: $147.46 | Percent Change: -19.5%

NFL's big sponsor "not satisfied" with response to off-field violence

By Kevin Clark and Tess Stynes Dow Jones Newswire September 16, 2014

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV said it was disappointed and increasingly concerned by the 's handling of recent incidents, which the brewer said "have overshadowed" the league's current season.

The company's statement represents the strongest remarks yet from a national sponsor of the NFL, although Anheuser-Busch didn't say if it was pulling back on any sponsorship.

"We are not yet satisfied with the league's handling of behaviors that so clearly go against our own company culture and moral code," the maker of Budweiser said on its website Tuesday. "We have shared our concerns and expectations with the league."

Anheuser-Busch's sponsorship fees alone are worth an estimated $50 million a year, according to sponsorship consultancy IEG.

The NFL has come under criticism for its handling of the Ray Rice domestic-violence investigation, which initially resulted in a two-game suspension for the Baltimore Ravens running back. Mr. Rice was later released by the Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the league after a new video emerged from media website TMZ showing Mr. Rice hitting his wife inside the elevator.

The NFL then faced another issue on Friday, when Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was indicted on a charge of injury to a child. Mr. Peterson was deactivated for Sunday's loss to the New England Patriots, but the Vikings said Monday that he is expected to play this week at the New Orleans Saints.

Despite the recent criticisms, the NFL remains popular. NBC said Tuesday that its ratings for the first "Sunday Night Football" after the scandal rose 8 percent to 22 million viewers.

Overall, the NFL remains one of the few reliable ways to reach a massive audience. The league claimed last year that 205 million unique people watched an NFL game. As a result, advertisers spent more than $3 billion out of a total $70 billion on the NFL. The NFL has a cozy relationship with its major advertisers and broadcasters. Last year at an owners meeting in Arizona, journalist Charlie Rose moderated a panel for league employees featuring, among others, McDonald's Chief Executive Don Thompson and CBS CEO Leslie Moonves. These types of events are common, as are other business leaders in owners' boxes at big games. The week of the league's opening game in Seattle, Goodell and his top executives dropped by for friendly visits to Microsoft and Nike.

NFL owners continue to support Mr. Goodell both publicly and privately. New York Giants owner John Mara; the McCaskey family, owners of the Chicago Bears; and Dallas Cowboys owner , among others, have supported Mr. Goodell in the last week. Privately, owners say there wouldn't be real pressure unless the ongoing investigation into the matter, run by former FBI-head Robert Mueller, finds evidence of a coverup in the league office or that Goodell saw the tape.

Sponsors pulling out could apply major heat to Mr. Goodell, but those familiar with the NFL say that's unlikely.

"Any sponsor can be replaced. There's competition in all their key categories," said Kent Atherton, a former vice president of sports at DirecTV, who now runs a media and marketing company. "The NFL does exert leverage. They don't like to talk about it, but they carry a big stick. You want to play nice, you want to make sure you have a good relationship with them when it comes time to renewals."

Len DeLuca, a longtime executive with CBS and ESPN, who now runs a media strategy company, said that evidence of how carefully "league partners" are treading in the past week is evidence of how important the NFL is to large companies.

"The networks and "traditional media" are walking the fine line between covering the story with its news and sports-news divisions, and offending the client that produces 90 percent of the highest-rated shows in television," he said, citing the fact that TMZ broke the Rice video scandal in the first place.

Upon Further Review: Broncos-Chiefs

By Andrew Mason DenverBroncos.com September 16, 2014

Since the start of the 2012 season, the Chiefs are 13-21 in the regular season, well shy of the Broncos' 28-6 mark. Predictably, the Broncos have won all five games against Kansas City in that span. But three were decided by one score, in the final moments, and two of them required a deflection of a potential game-tying touchdown pass to preserve the win.

The difference has been the Broncos' ability to find the Chiefs' soft spots and pick at them -- repeatedly. This week's edition of Upon Further Review begins with the first play from scrimmage, when the Broncos forced a one-on-one matchup against Marcus Cooper, the Chiefs cornerback who was beaten repeatedly during their Week 13 game last year:

There are three elements involved in creating the one-on-one matchup that Emmanuel Sanders won. First is Peyton Manning's playfake to Montee Ball; the Chiefs' response to it leaves only one linebacker in coverage outside the box.

Kansas City's safeties don't react to the play-action, which is tied to the second and third elements: Manning's ability to scan the field and Julius Thomas' route underneath the safeties. He runs 10 yards before he begins cutting to his left. Having seen how Thomas burned the Indianapolis Colts a week earlier, the safeties react when he slows to cut; they were 20 and 17 yards beyond the line of scrimmage, but they come back to Thomas when he begins his quick in. At this point, Manning is looking in that direction.

But seven yards beyond Thomas and outside the numbers is Sanders. Because the safeties have reacted to Thomas, there is no help for Cooper as Sanders begins his deep post route. The pass is perfect, and while Cooper had good coverage, his work is limited to damage control: minimizing the yardage after the catch.

The Chiefs had a conservative game plan on defense. They never blitzed a safety or a cornerback, and blitzed Justin Houston barely half as often on a per-play basis as they did against the Titans a week earlier. But sometimes, they got too conservative. Take this 16-yard pass to Ball in the second quarter.

Kansas City drops eight men into coverage, leaving a three-man rush. Three-on- five isn't going to break down the Broncos' offensive line, especially with Manny Ramirez having success in blocking nose tackle Dontari Poe one-on-one. The Chiefs choose to focus on the targets outside the seam to the right side; there are five defenders monitoring Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas and Jacob Tamme.

That leaves three defenders. One is the deep safety, who is nearly 10 yards away from Sanders, who is streaking open down the left side, along the numbers. Manning would have had a chance for a deep connection if he'd looked in that direction. But instead, he still makes a good play with a slight pump as if he's going to throw right, then turning to Ball down the middle.

No defender is within five yards of Ball, who is standing at the 46-yard-line. The Chiefs react too late, and he adds 13 yards after the reception. This is when the Broncos' offense was hitting its stride, and was at its usual "pick your poison" efficiency.

Later that series, Ball had one of his best carries of the day, a 17-yard burst up the middle. On this first down, the Chiefs are playing run; the outside linebackers have no coverage responsibilities and set the edge.

The keys to the gain are two-fold: first, Ball must commit to the left side enough to draw linebacker Josh Mauga away from the hole developing counter to the flow of the play. At the same time, right tackle Chris Clark must divert left defensive end Allen Bailey behind Ball.

Once this happens, it's all Ball. After bouncing off Manny Ramirez, he makes a good cut in front of Houston and moves upfield; his ability to evade Houston turns a 3- yard gain into a 17-yard jaunt.

It wasn't a banner day for the defense, which lamented its mistakes -- on third downs in particular. But a fourth-and-goal deflection redeemed it -- a redemption that was delayed only by an instant-replay reversal.

So DeMarcus Ware's strip-sack will be forgotten, registered forever as a simple incompletion. But the play itself was arguably the defense's best of the day, and came together with outstanding downfield coverage from the seven Broncos who dropped back. That bought enough time for Ware to get past Eric Fisher and behind Smith to make the play on the football.

With 1.5 sacks last week and that play Sunday, Ware is providing what the Broncos expected from him in the pass rush.

Draft Watch, Week 3: Scouring for wideouts

By Andrew Mason DenverBroncos.com September 17, 2014

Saturday morning, I settled near a television, a laptop, an iPhone and a tablet to monitor as much college football as technology and my eyes allowed. With blazing starts from offenses like West Virginia's and East Carolina's, it didn't take long for some wide receivers to jump out. That's where we'll keep our focus in the third week of the Draft Watch.

Kevin White, West Virginia: The 6-foot-3, 209-pounder has ample size, but showed off his speed on a screen pass for a 44-yard touchdown that helped the Mountaineers grab a 21-3 lead at Maryland.

White's improvement from last year has been massive; he runs better routes and is more decisive with the football in the open field. His 13-catch, 216-yard performance against the Terrapins came two weeks after a breakout nine-catch, 143-yard, one-touchdown day against Alabama in the season opener.

West Virginia's offense is receiver-friendly, but White also has the size measurables that some past WVU prospects like Tavon Auston and Stedman Bailey lacked.

Justin Hardy, East Carolina: After posting back-to-back seasons with at least 1,100 yards -- and 114 catches last year -- the speedy 5-foot-11, 186-pounder has yet to catch fire, and was limited to four receptions for 47 yards against Virginia Tech.

So far this season, Hardy has 267 yards on 23 catches -- with no play longer than 23 yards. But it was a tour de force for quarterback Shane Carden, who quickly read Virginia Tech's man-to-man coverage, exposed it and continued to dice it up when the Hokies did not adapt. Virginia Tech managed to take away Hardy, but not his other targets.

Hardy's teammate, Cam Worthy, had a more productive game against the Hokies; the 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior averaged 37.3 yards on his six receptions Saturday. His 224-yard total nearly matched his 295-yard season output last year. He has good athletic measurables, but is raw, and his performance last week might be a fluke. But if it's not, his stock should rise.

Phillip Dorsett, Miami (Fla.): The question for the 5-foot-10, 185-pound mid-round prospect was how he would recover from the torn medial collateral ligament that ended his junior season. He was limited to 83 yards on four catches in the first two games -- including just one for 39 yards against Louisville -- but torched Arkansas State for 201 yards on four catches last week.

His speed appears all the way back. According to the Palm Beach Post, Dorsett had an average 4.21-second 40-yard dash time on timing day this summer, with a low of 4.16 seconds.

Matt Miller, Boise State: A two-touchdown performance against Connecticut continued yet another strong start for the prolific 6-foot-2, 222-pound receiver. Barring injury, Miller should have yet another productive season; he already has 235 career receptions for 2,897 yards and 29 touchdowns. But his draft slot could be determined by whether he can shave a tenth of a second or two off his 40-yard dash time, which has hovered between 4.5 and 4.7 seconds.

Q&A with Safety Rahim Moore

By Lauren Giudice DenverBroncos.com September 16, 2014

Last November, Rahim Moore almost lost his leg and potentially his life to acute compartment syndrome. Months of grueling rehabilitation later, he made his return to Sports Authority Field at Mile High for Week 1.

The last time you played in a regular season game, you ended up in the emergency room a few hours later. What was it like walking out on that field?

“I felt reborn again. God is so good. He rebuilt me and he restored me so but the main thing: I was just happy to dress, happy just to shake hands with the guys and be able to get some hugs from them. That was the most impressive thing for me and I’m just thankful that we won and that I helped us win. There were times that I was out and I didn’t get to help us win and that’s not a good feeling. I’m just happy to be back out there with my teammates and just be able to make this organization better.”

Was there ever a time during his rehabilitation when you questioned whether you would be able to play again?

“Yes. My mom was helping me up, get up the stairs and stuff like that. It was just tough for me for like a week straight, a week and a half straight, I had to sleep with my leg elevated. I was very uncomfortable. I couldn’t bathe how I wanted to bathe. Through all my antibiotics I was taking I caught thrush, so then my gums and stuff were sore, it was hard for me to brush my teeth and floss. I’m a big flosser and it was hard because my gums were sore so I couldn’t eat as much, I went like four days without eating. Literally I couldn’t eat a grape. I was trying to drink some coconut water, but it was too cold for my teeth because they were so sensitive. There were so many things that I went through but it was all worth it because I love football. My love for football then was at 100 percent and now it’s at 126 percent. I just thank God that I’m back and that I’m able to be back here with my coaches and my teammates.”

To go from barely being able to walk to playing on Sunday night- Does it amaze you how far you’ve come?

“It’s amazing. It just showed me how God can heal you and if you stay positive and keep Him first and work hard, anything can happen. Hope is a great thing and that’s what I was hoping for, just to be back out there one day so I’m blessed and I’m looking forward to just doing all I can to help this team win.” What was your rehabilitation like?

“A lot of single leg reps- squats, lunges. I started a lot of hills, backpedaling up the hills, like 40-yard hills. A lot of pool work, sand work, six in the morning. Sometimes I would do two-a-days in the sand, tons of jump roping. Five minutes a day jump roping, which I’m still doing today, eating right. First and foremost, the main thing that really helped me out was prayer. That really helped me out. God restored me and also Greek [Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos] and our trainers did a fantastic job of getting me back and our weight room guys did a good job getting me back fit so I never lost it, but to me I felt like a lost it. I lost a lot of weight.”

You had two picks during your first game back- was that a nice way to come back?

“I was excited but I was a little disappointed in some plays that I messed up on some things that I messed up on that I have to get out of my system, that has to be fixed for this team. I was excited to help the team get turnovers but at the end of the day, I walked home a little disappointed in some plays that I felt that I just didn’t want to put that on tape. I’ll fix it.”

Was it an emotional return?

“Yeah, I was surprised how calm I was, how comfortable I was but when you prepare, I was preparing back in the offseason. Watching them when I couldn’t play, so I was studying them throughout the whole offseason, studied the Chiefs throughout the whole offseason so I was just studying, that’s all I did so I felt more comfortable and also our game plan by [Defensive Coordinator Jack] Del Rio was great and our guys played great. Our D-line, linebackers, secondary so we put in a great team effort last weekend so hopefully we can do it again this week.”

Q&A with TEs Coach

By David DeChant DenverBroncos.com September 16, 2014

Clancy Barone has coached tight ends in Alge Crumpler and Antonio Gates. Find out where he thinks Julius Thomas fits in, and why the fourth-year tight end is just "scratching the surface."

You spent a long time coaching in college. How did the opportunity come about to jump to the NFL?

“When I was coaching at Wyoming I used to come down here. I knew Gary Kubiak – we worked together at Texas A&M. So Gary would let me come in and watch training camp and I got to meet Alex Gibbs. I started using a lot of his zone schemes when I was a coordinator and as a line coach. He got a job with the Falcons and I got a phone call from him that he was going to be going to Atlanta. Around the same time, Greg Knapp was going there as the offensive coordinator. I had known Greg since we were in college together. So it was kind of like the perfect storm. Both Alex and Greg were going to be on that staff and both of them knew me and wanted me to join them, so it was a no brainer.”

Did it feel like a different experience jumping to the NFL?

“It was football. The biggest change is you’re not monitoring classes, you’re not having to recruit. You’re drafting, not recruiting. And you have professionals. You get to deal with the best in the world, not just the best in your area of the country at that age.”

With your background in the offensive line, do you see that as more crucial to the tight end position, with the intricacies of blocking?

“It’s something that’s a lost art with tight ends because most of them, their backgrounds are different than they were five, seven, 10 years ago. Now they’re all former quarterbacks, former receivers, former basketball players who become tight ends. You rarely have a guy who was a linebacker, or a guy who was a tight end all through high school and college. So [blocking is] something that’s totally foreign to them. You really have to go back to square one and start with the most basic fundamentals and work your way through it. But the thing is, they’re also athletic and smart. They can usually handle it.”

Is there less emphasis on coaching the passing game? “Not at all. There’s always details. It doesn’t matter, who you have and how long he’s been playing receiver. You go from being a receiver, an X or a Z receiver, and then you come to play tight end – that’s a much different route tree. You have a whole lot more traffic, your vision is different, the ball gets to you quicker. It’s a whole different world, moving inside to play tight end than outside where you have all the open space and territory.”

With the evolving nature of the position, how do you manage all the different types of athletes and different styles?

“Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. The key is to, as early as you can, identify what those are in all aspects with all your players in your room. Make your weakness your strength. If you can do A, B and C really well then let’s worry about D, E, F. Let’s really focus on those and make those better without ignoring the things you do well. Let’s make you a whole tight end. Everybody hates the term “pass-catching tight end” or “blocking tight end.” I don’t believe we have either of those on this team. We have whole tight ends, guys that can do all three. They can pass protect, run block and run routes.”

Take me back to 2011 when Julius Thomas and were drafted. What was your first impression of them?

“There’s a certain thing you have to do when you go work these guys out on their campus to get a feel for them. It’s not an easy process that I put them through. It’s a full eight-hour day, sometimes longer, with film and chalk talks and field work and everything else. And I thought I had a very good feel for what those guys could do as young players.

“You can see that they’re athletes from going to the combine and watching them on tape. But to see them mentally – are they mature enough to handle it? You can get a great gauge of that and how the learn, how they retain information and apply what they they’ve been taught and how fast they can turn it around.”

After watching Julius Thomas work through his injuries in his first two years, what was it like to see him blossom last year?

“It was strange, I was going back and in my write up with Julius (as a rookie), I said because he doesn’t have a great football background – he has no football background basically – I thought it would take him about three years to grasp it. And I knew he could do it because he’s such a tremendous athlete and he’s smart, he’s mature. But I thought it was about a three-year learning curve. And last year I find out I should have played the lottery because that’s how it worked out (laughing). Now, the thing to his credit is when he was injured, he wasn’t taking time off. He was in here, learning football, studying football. He was even running the scout team for us on defense just to learn more about football and not just his position, but the entire game in general. That’s a huge credit to him. When he had the good success last year, obviously it was like yeah, I think he’s back on schedule and this is the player we thought that we drafted. Now the big challenge for him and me is to do it again.”

Despite his great year, he says you still push him as hard as anyone does. What else can you get out of him?

“He’s scratching the surface. There’s a lot more to get out of him. You have to keep pushing, pushing the envelope. The best thing about him is that he wants to be pushed. I’m sure he probably appreciates some tough love once in a while, a couple of harsh words to kind of get him back on track. It’s a very emotional game sometimes. I get emotional with him, he gets emotional with me. At the end of the day, he’s getting better every day, and that’s all he and I both want.”

You’ve worked with some great tight ends in Alge Crumpler and Antonio Gates. Where does Thomas fit in right now?

“He’s different. Alge Crumpler was probably the most instinctive tight end I ever coached. One of the better all-around tight ends. There’s nobody like him anymore in this league. He’s a dinosaur. So that being said, that’s not a fair comparison. Antonio Gates was a number one tight end recruit coming out of high school and was offered and signed a football scholarship to Michigan State. Whereas Julius had never seen a helmet until after he already had his bachelor’s degree at Portland State and decided to go back and get his master’s and play some football, for one year in the Big Sky. They all had different backgrounds, so it’s hard to compare them accurately. The things they all had in common is great passion for the game, great students, and they can certainly take coaching.”