Denver Broncos

Connected Franchise Mode Strategy CFM Team Rating: 85 Offense: 87 Defense: 89 Offensive Scheme: Zone Run Defensive Scheme: Attacking 3-4 Strengths: QB, WR, LB, CB Weaknesses: DT, C, LG, LT 2014 Team Rankings 1st AFC West (12-4-0) Passing Offense: 4th Rushing Offense: 15th Passing Defense: 9th Rushing Defense: 2nd 2014 team leaders Passing: Peyton Manning: 4,727 Rushing: C.J. Anderson: 849 Receiving: Demaryius Thomas: 1,619 Tackles: Brandon Marshall: 113 Sacks: Von Miller: 14 Ints: Aqib Talib: 4 Key Additions TE Owen Daniels DE Vance Walker G Shelley Smith S Darian Stewart Key Rookies DE Shane Ray T Ty Sambrailo TE Jeff Heuerman Owner: Pat Bowlen Legacy Score: 8,100 Coach: Gary Kubiak Level: 6 Legacy Score: 400 Offensive Scheme: Zone Run Defensive Scheme: Attacking 4-3

Offensive Scouting Report

• Another year gone by and another year with the best QB in the league in Peyton Manning. Sooner or later you will need to address the QB situation for the future.
• HB Montee Ball needs to step in and become the feature HB for this team. We aren’t sold that he can carry the load long term. Make this your number one priority in the off-season.
• WR Emmanuel Sanders can catch everything, but he lacks the true size to play outside the slot. The Broncos need another big-bodied WR to complement star WR Demaryius Thomas.

Defensive Scouting Report

• The Broncos’ CBs are excellent man defenders who can stick with even the best WRs. Press only on Talib’s matchup, as he is the best at getting physical. Safety T.J. Ward is great in run support but shouldn’t be expected to help out a ton in coverage.
• Everyone knows about Von Miller, but the Broncos have two MLBs next to him who are excellent in zone coverage. Play plenty of Cover 2 Sink because it is a great scheme fit.
• Check the free agent wire for some defensive line help in the run game. Target players with high Strength ratings to keep your LBs free to make plays.

Schedule

Key Players

• Not only can Thomas go up for spectacular catches with his 6’3” frame, but he often hangs onto them, too.
• Thomas is the only player you can’t afford to lose — he is too valuable to the offense as a whole.

• Think of Miller as more than just a pass rusher. He really can do it all!
• Moving Miller inside on passing downs is an excellent choice because most guards won’t be able to handle his finesse.

• Ray will be an excellent player to rotate in on pass-rushing downs for the first few years of his career.
• Continue to develop Ray’s play recognition to help him get after the passer even quicker.

• Kilgo is the best run stuffer on the team; give him as many snaps as you can to build his confidence.
• This is a huge position of weakness for Denver, so hopefully Kilgo will be a bright spot in a few seasons if you work on his power moves.

OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

SPECIAL TEAMS

Best Offensive Plays

BEST RUN: Pistol Slot Wing — HB Counter

Setup:

• The HB Counter is no longer a sure thing, but it can still be a consistent way to pick up yards if you can seal the edge.
• Don’t outrun your blockers or you will run into trouble.
• Without a mobile QB to keep contain defenders occupied, make sure to mix in plenty of play action off of these handoffs.

Advanced Setup:

• Motion the TE from right to left (optional)

Running Plays

Man Coverage ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

BEST PASS: Pistol Bunch TE — Cross Drag

Setup/Reads:

• Streaking the far left WR is the key to taking some safety help away on this play. Otherwise the middle can get pretty cramped.
• Against man-to-man your crossing patterns should generate some solid separation over the middle.
• Check down to a WR screen if the defense is playing off; your WRs are built to run after the catch.

Advanced Setup:

• Streak the far left WR.

Passing Plays

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

Best Defensive Plays

BEST RUN DEFENSE: 3-4 Over — Sting Pinch Zone

Setup:

• The Cov 3 Buzz Press is a great way to take a standard coverage and move it around after the snap.
• Call man coverage on the bulk of your snaps, because most teams will struggle to get loose from your solid CBs.
• If your edge rushers can get pressure, keep calling this play — otherwise try the 3 Buzz Blitz Show 2.

Player to Control:

• Either LB rushing off the edge

Run Defense

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

BEST PASS DEFENSE: Nickel 2-4-5 — Cov 3 Buzz Press

Setup:

• The Sting Pinch Zone is an aggressive run defense, but it takes advantage of the speed of your LBs.
• You have the personnel necessary to call the man version of this blitz. Although riskier, it can shut the run down on third and short.

Player to Control:

• Any blitzing LB

Pass Defense

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ