Denver
Game Plans

Indianapolis - Indy always presents a tough match-up for its opponents and Denver is no different. Denver is the slight favourite but it's close. Denver uses a lot of the same basic offensive and defensive strategies no matter whom they play. On offense it's a steady diet of Pass 1, with a nice mix of running plays to keep the defense honest, as Dorsett can do some nice damage on the ground. When things get desperate or you need a big play Pass 2 (shotgun) is wildly powerful, but risky. If the defense has called Pass 1 it leaves only two of the four wide receivers open on Pass 2. Both of these receivers routes take them out of the screen and makes it difficult to judge which receiver is deep and which is short. This makes the play both risky and difficult to effectively defend against. Defensively Denver uses a lot of calling run and controlling top middle linebacker Mecklenburg. Calling the run that goes toward the top of the screen and being right end Jones is also a solid option as Jones is a pretty good player. No other player on the defense is worth much so it's best to stick to those two unless you are trying something tricky. Denver is a very good team to use the old Call a pass play and be either the right or left end to guard against one of the running plays). Denver uses both their standard offensive and defensive strategies against Indianapolis. When calling a pass play it's best to call Pass 2 as it gives better coverage on Pass 1 then 1 does to 2. Indy relies pretty heavily on Pass 1 though, so you can mix that in if it's killing you or you need a big playcall.

Miami - Standard Denver offensive strategy applies (see vs. Indy) only Miami's defense is so weak you can use more running plays then you normally would as Miami is usually gunning for playpicks to stop you. Defensively calling a lot of Pass 3 (shotgun play) is a good option. It gives you plenty of great chances to grab a Marino mistake when Miami goes to Pass 1 or 2. The top or bottom wide receiver will be covered on those plays when you call Pass 3. Being Mecklenburg in the top middle linebacker position gives you good speed and great position to force Marino to make those difficult Pass 1 and 2 throws. The only drawback to this plan is you are vulnerable to Run 1. Mecklenburg is blocked and Hampton is likely to gain 5 or more yards. A god play to avoid this is to mix in some Pass 1 calls. When you call Pass 1 Mecklenburg is unblocked against Run 1 and he gain stop Hampton for essentially no gain. Calling Pass 1 leaves you wide open against the other passes but it is worth it to mix it in to keep Miami from pounding you with the running game.

Cleveland - These teams are pretty evenly matched. Home field is big in these types of games. Cleveland can really take away your running game with Dixon and Minnifield at safety, and Dixon can cause a lot of problems for your passing game. But this is still a standard Denver offense situation. Make sure Dorsett is getting respected, plenty of Pass 1 and pick your spots for Pass 2. As always when things get desperate Pass 2 is your best bet. Defensively calling either running play and being top middle linebacker Mecklenburg will stop Mack essentially dead in his tracks. Once you've established you can easily stop their running game, it's time to start calling quite a bit of pass defense. You should usually go with Pass 2 unless you are looking for a big play call with Pass 1. When you call pass you'll need to be either the solid end Rulon Jones or slow left end Gilbert. This will give you protection against the running play that goes away from your defender if Cleveland goes to the ground. These teams are pretty evenly matched so you really want to avoid making a mistake that could cost you the game.

Seattle - Sticking to Denver's normal offensive and defensive strategies is a safe bet here. Fredd Young can make things a little difficult, but just mix your plays up and don't make any dumb mistakes. Defensively you might want to go towards a pass prevent defense calling more Pass 1 then usual and being right end Jones to keep Seattle's solid pass attack from doing much damage. If you do call a Pass call Pass 1, it gives you tremendous coverage on Pass 2 as the top wide receiver Steve Largent is covered by your top safety.

Los Angeles - Nothing to fancy on offense, just remember LA�s best defender, Howie Long, plays left end. Defensively it's standard LA stopping gameplan with the top outside linebacker and Pass 1. Denver's TOLB is slow but you should be able to limit Bo and Allen pretty well. If you struggling a little or need a playpick don't be afraid to call Bo's Run 1 and be Mecklenburg, just don't fall in love with it and get caught on a deep pass.

San Francisco - The good news is Ronnie Lott is much less effective against Denver�s running game then most teams; the bad news is you're playing San Francisco. Offensively it's basically standard Denver stuff, except if San Fran goes to their popular Be the right end and let Ronnie Lott stop the run by himself. If they do this you'll need to break off a couple of solid Run 1�s with Dorsett to get San Fran to stop relying on that plan. Its not really easy, but it can be done. Defensively it's a strict diet of Pass 1 and right end Jones. This gives you good protection against all the passes, stops Run 1 from gaining more then about 3 yards and keeps Jerry Rice covered at all times. Once you've established you're calling a ton of Pass 1 you can start trying for playpicks with either Pass 2 or 3. This can be risky however; as if you guess wrong San Fran can land some deep passes downfield. This is a tough game for Denver, but it is winnable if you play mistake free, get your offense going and avoid getting burned long on defense.

Washington - Call Pass 1 and be the top outside linebacker on defense. On offense play it safe, don't do much, if any, gambling, and take the 3-0 or 6-0 win.

Dallas - Denver, like most teams, just blows Dallas away with the personal advantage. Follow the standard Denver gameplan on both sides of the ball (see vs. Indy). Keep a close eye on Walker but don't let Pas 2 (shotgun) walk all over you.

New York - On defense Mecklenburg is taken out of the equation, as he'll be picked up on both runs even if you called a run defence, you're kind of forced to go to right end Jones. A lot of Jones and Run 1 mixed in with Pass 2 and either the left or right end are really your only plays on defense against the Giants. On offense New York has a lot of options to stop you. They can take your running game away and make passing tricky. There's not a lot you can do except wait and see what type of defense they are using and adjust accordingly. Try to keep them honest against the run, and don't be afraid to launch up a few Pass 2's since you will need a couple of them to land in order to win this game. And watch out for LT.

Chicago - Offensively it's the same plan except Chicago's defense is tough as hell so you're going to be in tough. You might want to try to surprise them by going to a lot of Pass 2 early and often. It could cost you a potentially game ending interception, but you're in so tough it might be worth the risk to try to jump them. Defensively Chicago's running playbook takes your best defender, Mecklenburg, out of the game. He's blocked on both runs no matter what you call so to stop Walter Payton you'll need Rulon Jones to have a big game. Run 1 and Jones provides solid run defense. Run 2 can pick up around 3 yards for them, and maybe more if Payton makes a nice cut or 2, but you'll have to just take those gains. Chicago goes to a lot of Pass 1, which is pretty much an assured 7-8 yard gain if you don't call it, so you will have to mix in a healthy amount of Pass 1 calls. You'll need a lot of playpicks to keep Chicago off the scoreboard. Your goal in this game should be to stay within striking distance and get the ball in Elway's hands with time for one last drive. Which by the way is always a good plan.

Minnesota - Minnesota's defense is better then most teams but if you stick with the normal plan and don't make any bonehead mistakes you'll score all the points you need (3 to 6). Defensively the bottom safety and either pass play is standard. This will leave you unblocked on both runs (although beware of Minnesota's infamous hidden blocker of doom near the top of the offensive line on Run 1) and give you great coverage on the opposite pass play. Make Kramer make a lot of difficult throws and you shouldn't have too much trouble with this team.