Jan 12 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones (12) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Denver Broncos free safety Rahim Moore (26) of the AFC divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the meat-locker-level temperature, both offenses for both the Denver Broncos and the Baltimore Ravens seemed largely unaffected by the Rocky Mountain frost during the first half. Both offenses froze over in the second, but a more effective running game and pass rush led the Ravens to an overtime victory in the Mile High City.

The Ravens started off with their newly-balanced offense under Jim Caldwell, mixing in a variety of screens to keep Denver’s speedy linebackers, especially Von Miller on the pass rush, in check. With plenty of time in the pocket, Joe Flacco focused on attacking with his safeties, who presented a mismatch against Denver’s outside linebackers and safeties.

But the Ravens punted the ball to Trindon Holliday, the pint-sized returner with afterburner acceleration, and a few became over-aggressive and left their lanes as Holliday backed up to field the booming punt. Holliday then made them pay, putting the Broncos up 7-0 on the electric 89-yard return.

Jacoby Jones bobbled the ensuing kickoff, which ended up being downed on the 6-yard line. But with Flacco using a completely-clean pocket to throw comfortably, he found Torrey Smith for a 59-yard touchdown pass down the seam. He was able to release cleanly and just out-ran Champ Bailey all throughout the half. Before the two-minute warning, Bailey finally stayed on top of Smith, and Flacco hit Smith’s back shoulder perfectly to tie up the game21-21 at half.

Manning began the game very well, himself, once he was able to get his gloved hands on the ball. He ended his first drive with a Ravens pick-six, which resulted from a ball that bounced off wide receiver Eric Decker’s hands into the hands of Corey Graham for Baltimore.

After that, Manning led two methodical drives, picking apart the Ravens defense slowly and surely. On his first touchdown pass, he ran the same play that led to a pick six, the levels concept. With the cornerback cheating towards the inside, Brandon Stokely broke to the corner simultaneously with the release of a text-book perfect pass from Manning.

On his second touchdown, Manning sent running back Knowshon Moreno out wide right with the formation spread all the way from sideline to sideline. All receivers ran comeback routes, but the two outside receivers ran double moves and broke upfield. With Ed Reed frozen between the two outside routes, Manning dropped a ball over Moreno’s shoulder for a second touchdown.

The Broncos tried to head into the half with one more field goal after barely converting a 4^th-and-1. Matt Prater kicked the ball poorly off of the rough playing surface, which allowed the Ravens to drive down the field and tie it up with the Flacco to Smith connection.

On the second half kickoff, Holliday struck again with a 104-yard kickoff return for another touchdown, keeping Manning on the sidelines once again.

The rest of the second half was decidedly less exciting. The Ravens remained balanced and played without panic, while the Broncos found themselves relying on the run more heavily despite the loss of running back Knowshon Moreno due to injury. After two offsides in one drive by Denver, one of which negated a strip sack, Denver’s Keith Brooking recovered a botch snap by Matt Birk and Flacco.

Nov 14, 2010; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (18) throws a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

Most of the Bengals on the current roster were not around to experience it, but the 2005 contest against the Indianapolis Colts was one of the most exciting games in my memory, including the 1988 Super Bowl. Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer were both playing out of their minds, seemingly scoring at will.

Although Palmer is now in Oakland, playing like a shell of his 2005 form after multiple injuries, Manning returns as a Bronco instead of a Colt having experienced a ravaging injury, himself. But, like Manning’s level of play this season, not much seems to have changed except for the color of the equine-based mascot’s uniform.

Over the course of the season, Manning has infused his playbook that he used in Indianapolis when, let’s face it, he was the true offensive coordinator. It is a very short playbook, which is one of the reasons he runs the no-huddle offense so well. But, within each of those plays are any number of check-with-me routes, routes that change based on coverage, and the ability to change the formation to adjust the play based on the defense.

This is one of the reasons that the Broncos have slowly become one of the best teams in the league. So much of Manning’s game depends on his receivers being totally in synch with him. Manning has never had a laser-rocket arm, but his greatness comes from timing and knowing how the defense will react to a route and trusting his receiver to have the same knowledge.

If the defense shows any hint of a blitz, Manning will adjust the play and the defense will be forced to either check out of the blitz or be burned by Manning. Mike Zimmer likely worked on disguising blitzes ever since the end of the Steelers game. Amoeba formations, with defenders milling around and not showing their position or assignment, have stymied Manning in the past, but Zimmer likely already has something in his arsenal, which will be brought up later.

Basically, Manning plays solid, fundamental football as well as one player has ever played it. The Bengals can not guess or over-commit on any play because Manning will take advantage of their eagerness. The only way to compete with Manning is to play solid, fundamental football.

Here are a few concepts that Manning has run for over a decade, and how he will use them to exploit the Bengals defense.

Anchor Route

This passing concept has started to become Manning’s favorite in Denver, and it works well with his combination of the rangy and explosive Demaryius Thomas, a Reggie-Wayne-like Eric Decker, a trusty tight end with Joel Dreesen and an old pal and precise route-runner in Brandon Stokely.

Brandon Stokely runs the anchor route right in front of the safety in order to free up the post route downfield.

Although Decker is lined up to the outside right in the play shown above, this is the same concept that the Broncos run on Thomas’ long touchdown on a post route against the Saints. This play is dependent on how the circled strong safety plays the route.

On this play, the slot receiver, Stokely, runs directly at the strong safety then runs a comeback. That is the “anchor” part, he holds down the safety while the outside receiver takes advantage and runs a post route directly behind the safety with nobody on top. The free safety is occupied by the X receiver’s go route and does not offer help.

If the strong safety were to gain depth to guard against the post route, the tight end has run an out route to draw away the underneath coverage, with the running back freezing the other linebackers. Manning would hit Stokely on the comeback for a nice 10-yard gain. Manning is the master of taking what the defense gives him.

The key is for the cornerbacks to play sound coverage and stay in their receivers’ hip pockets in man coverage. Against Cover 2 zone, the strong safety would have to pick up the post route switch and not be pulled upfield by the comeback route, trusting the hook/seam-defending linebacker to get the proper depth. Chris Crocker, Nate Clements, Rey Maualuga and Vontaze Burfict have to stay disciplined to defend it.

Jun 12, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals corner back Dre Kirkpatrick (27) during work outs at mini camp at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE

As the Bengals get some much-needed rest during their bye week, Bengaldom is anxiously awaiting the NFL debut of Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, who has said that he remains optimistic that he’ll play for the first time next week when the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning come to town. He did admit that he has is soreness in his knee because of the extra work he’s getting in now that he’s the healthiest he’s been since the before the teams’ minicamp when he was suffering from an undisclosed leg injury, and he’s also prepared to have a giant bulls-eye painted on his back by opposing quarterbacks like Manning:

I know they will. I know they’re going do it. Especially when we come back (against) Peyton. He’s going to introduce me right. I just have to be ready for it. I’m not going to be scared. I’m not going to shy away from it. I’ll be ready to compete.

Of the Bengals who were given the day off practice to recover from various ailments were Andrew Whitworth (knee),  center Jeff Faine (hamstring), RB Brian Leonard (knee) and WR Marvin Jones (knee). Everyone except for Jones is almost certain to play in Week 9 vs. the Broncos, with a glimmer of hope that Jones too will be able to suit up after coming so close to making his first career NFL start last Sunday vs. the Steelers before injuring his knee on the opening kickoff.

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