> Format courtesy of Curt Fennell, with some adaptations. Used with
> permission.
>
> This preview is best viewed in a fixed width font, like fixedsys, courier
> new, or lucida console.
>
> GAME TIME: 6:15PM MDT (2315 UDT) on Sunday, December 3rd. The game will
> be broadcast nationally on NBC.
>
> PLACE: The new Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado.
>
> WEATHER FORECAST: The forecast for Sunday calls for sunny, clear weather
> with highs in the low 30s. It's going to be a cold game, folks.
>
> FIELD CONDITIONS: The new Mile High Stadium has a grass field that should
> be in good shape for the game, although it will be rather frozen.
>
> STANDINGS & STATS: The Broncos are 7-3 and are in second place in the AFC
> West. The Seahawks are 7-3 and are in first place in the NFC West.
>
> Broncos Pts/Game Rank Seahawks Pts/Game Rank
> Scored 17.7 24 Scored 21.5 11
> Allowed 15.0 05 Allowed 22.1 22
>
> Broncos Yds/Game Rank Seahawks Yds/Game Rank
> Total Offense: 304.3 22 Total Defense: 329.2 18
> Rushing: 132.8 08 vs Rush: 111.7 15
> Passing: 171.5 26 vs Pass: 217.5 21
>
> Seahawks Yds/Game Rank Broncos Yds/Game Rank
> Total Offense: 309.2 19 Total Defense: 321.5 16
> Rushing: 120.0 13 vs Rush: 102.2 11
> Passing: 189.2 20 vs Pass: 219.3 23
>
> Sacks Made (Avg/G) Allowed (Avg/G)
> Broncos 24 1.8 17 1.3
> Seahawks 36 2.7 35 2.7
>
> Turnover differential:
> Broncos +4
> Seahawks -7
>
> Individual Skill Position Stats:
> Broncos
> QB: QB Plummer: 175-315-55.6-11-12
> QB: QB Cutler: 0-0-0-0-0
> Rush: RB T. Bell: 151-649-4.3-2
> Rush: RB M. Bell: 100-423-4.2-5
> Rec: WR Walker: 51-854-16.7-6
> Rec: WR Smith: 38-382-10.1-2
> Rec: WR Kircus: 7-158-22.6-0
>
> Seahawks
> QB: QB Hasselbeck: 120-212-56.6-13-10
> Rush: RB Morris: 141-529-3.8-0
> Rush: RB Alexander: 122-425-3.5-2
> Rec: WR Jackson: 52-805-15.5-9
> Rec: WR Branch: 35-495-14.1-4
> Rec: WR Hackett: 25-306-12.2-2
>
> Legend
> QBs: completions-attempts-percentage-touchdowns-ints
> RBs: rushes-yards-average-touchdowns
> WRs: receptions-yards-average-touchdowns
>
> HISTORY: The Broncos lead the all-time series with their former division
> opponent 33-17, going 20-4 at home. These two teams met most recently in
> Seattle in 2002, with the Seahawks losing 31-9.
>
> INJURIES:
> Broncos:
> QUESTIONABLE: OT Adam Meadows (Hamstring)
> TE Chad Mustard (Shoulder)
> PROBABLE: SS Hamza Abdullah (Hip)
> RB Tatum Bell (Toe)
> OT Erik Pears (Ankle)
> WR Javon Walker (Foot)
> CB Darrent Williams (Shoulder)
> MLB Al Wilson (Thumb)
>
> Seahawks:
> OUT: C Robbie Tobeck (Hip)
> DOUBTFUL: OLB D.D. Lewis (Toe)
> QUESTIONABLE: DT Rocky Bernard (Foot)
> WR Bobby Engram (Illness)
> OT Sean Locklear (Ankle)
> TE Itula Mili (Concussion)
> PROBABLE: CB Jordan Babineaux (Shoulder)
> QB Matt Hasselbeck (Hand)
> CB Kelly Herndon (Toe)
> WR Darrell Jackson (Knee)
>
> BRONCOS STARTERS:
> Offense: Defense:
> QB - 6 Jay Cutler RDE - 91 Ebenezer Ekuban
> RB - 26 Tatum Bell RDT - 61 Gerard Warren
> FB - 39 Kyle Johnson LDT - 96 Michael Myers
> WR - 80 Rod Smith LDE - 76 Kenard Lang
> WR - 84 Javon Walker WLB - 52 Ian Gold
> TE - 82 Stephen Alexander MLB - 56 Al Wilson
> LT - 64 Erik Pears SLB - 55 D.J. Williams
> LG - 50 Ben Hamilton LCB - 24 Champ Bailey
> C - 66 Tom Nalen RCB - 27 Darrent Williams
> RG - 65 Cooper Carlisle SS - 40 Curome Cox
> RT - 72 George Foster FS - 47 John Lynch
>
> K - 1 Jason Elam P - 3 Paul Ernster
> PR - 27 Darrent Williams KR - 19 Brian Clark
>
> NOTES: QB Jake Plummer has been benched. Rookie Jay Cutler will start in
> his place. RB Tatum Bell practiced this week and is expected to play.
> Javon Walker practiced all week and is expected to play. TE Chad Mustard
> practiced Friday and is expected to play. OT Adam Meadows did not
> practice this week and is not expected to play. George Foster will start
> in his place. OT Erik Pears practiced all week and is expected to play.
> CB Darrent Williams practiced this week and is expected to play.
>
> SEAHAWKS STARTERS:
> Offense: Defense:
> QB - 8 Matt Hasselbeck RDE - 98 Grant Wistrom
> RB - 37 Shaun Alexander RDT - 99 Rocky Bernard
> FB - 38 Mack Strong LDT - 91 Chartric Darby
> WR - 83 Deion Branch LDE - 94 Bryce Fisher
> WR - 82 Bobby Engram WLB - 59 Julian Peterson
> TE - 86 Jerramy Stevens MLB - 51 Lofa Tatupu
> LT - 71 Walter Jones SLB - 56 Leroy Hill
> LG - 77 Floyd Womack LCB - 31 Kelly Herndon
> C - 65 Chris Spencer RCB - 23 Marcus Trufant
> RG - 62 Chris Gray SS - 27 Jordan Babineaux
> RT - 75 Sean Locklear FS - 26 Ken Hamlin
>
> K - 3 Josh Brown P - 1 Ryan Packemeier
> PR - 81 Nate Burleson KR - 33 Josh Scobey
>
> NOTES: QB Matt Hasselbeck has a broken finger on his non-throwing hand
> but is expected to play after taking direct snaps on Friday without
> incident. He will wear a glove and a knee brace. RB Shaun Alexander
> practiced all week and is expected to play. WR Bobby Engram will not play
> due to complications from a thyroid condition. TE Itula Mili did not
> practice this week and is not expected to play. WR Darrell Jackson did
> practice this week and is expected to play. OT Sean Locklear practiced
> this week and will probably play. If not, then Tom Ashworth will start in
> his place. C Robbie Tobeck will miss the game due to a hip infection.
> Chris Spencer will start in his place. DE Rocky Bernard did not practice
> Friday and remains questionable for the game. D.D. Lewis did not practice
> this week and is not expected to play. SS Jordan Babineaux hurt his
> shoulder Thursday and missed Friday's practice but is expected to play.
>
> KEY MATCHUPS:
> 1. Seattle's running game versus Denver's run defense
> The Broncos had been good all season against the run until two weeks ago,
> when Ladainian Tomlinson shredded Denver's defense for 103 yards on only
> 19 carries ( 5.7 ypc) and 2 touchdowns. Then last Thursday, Larry Johnson
> put up 157 yards against the Broncos defense. Now comes a healthy Shaun
> Alexander, who ran for 201 yards last week against the Packers and is the
> reigning MVP. However, this could be a challenge for Seattle in running
> the ball. They have injuries on the offensive line, particularly with
> center Robbie Tobeck, who is one of the better centers in the game. The
> other thing is that Tomlinson and Johnson are power runners who can
> attack the middle, which is where running room can be found. Alexander,
> on the other hand, is more of an east-west runner, which plays to
> Denver's strengths. The Broncos have the fastest linebackers in the NFL
> and they move laterally better than any group of linebackers in the
> league. In order for Seattle to establish the running game, they will
> have to get penetration with inside runs.
>
> 2. Denver's running game versus Seattle's run defense
> The Broncos don't want to make Cutler throw the ball a lot, which means
> they will have to rediscover their running game. The Broncos were one of
> the league's top running teams for most of the season, but have fallen
> off badly in the last few weeks. One of the reasons is that Mike Bell and
> Damian Nash, the replacements for the injured Tatum Bell, have done a
> poor job in recognizing where the play is supposed to go in Denver's
> fluid, changing-on-the-fly zone blocking scheme. Tatum Bell is supposedly
> healthy, which could mean serious trouble for Seattle. The Seahawks have
> been undisciplined against the run, with players seemingly going for the
> big play rather than cover their gap responsibilities. This is the sort
> of thing that makes Mike Shanahan salivate. If Tatum Bell is indeed
> healthy, Seattle will have to play smart, disciplined football against
> the Broncos' running game.
>
> 3. Denver's passing game versus Seattle's pass defense
> Expect Seattle to blitz early and often. Expect them to fake blitzes and
> then drop off in coverage. They will do everything they can to confuse
> Jay Cutler, a rookie making his first NFL start. Cutler is more
> physically talented than Jake Plummer and can make more throws downfield,
> so theoretically he can do more than Jake could. However, how he actually
> plays is anyone's guess. It's all up to his decision-making. If Seattle
> does blitz and Javon Walker is open one-on-one with Marcus Trufant,
> expect the ball to go Walker's way. Trufant has been inconsistent all
> season, and Walker's specialty is going deep and then outjumping the
> corner to get the ball at its highest point. There is big play potential
> on both sides -- either with Cutler interceptions or with some big plays
> downfield. Or both.
>
> PLAYERS TO WATCH:
> For Seattle's defense, keep an eye on Lofa Tatupu. Tatupu was one of the
> best linebackers in the NFL last season with his speed and knack for
> making big plays. Lofa hasn't been quite the wrecking ball he was last
> season, but he's still Seattle's best playmaker on defense.
>
> On Seattle's offense, one guy to watch in addition to the obvious
> culprits in Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander is left tackle Walter Jones.
> Jones is an elite lineman in both the passing and running games. He's the
> best offensive lineman in the the NFL, using his rare combination of raw
> strength and agility. He gives full effort on every play and plays with a
> bit of a mean streak. Watching him seal off the left side on a toss to
> the left is quite something to watch.
>
> For Denver's defense, there is no defensive player in the NFL who is
> playing better than Champ Bailey. Seattle's gameplan should be to
> completely remove the receiver Bailey's covering from the situation
> (probably Darrell Jackson). Teams have a 15%% chance of completing a pass
> on Bailey this season in man-on-man coverage while there is a 25%% chance
> of an interception. Those are terrible odds. If Hasselbeck thinks he can
> make a throw at Champ, hold your breath, because chances are something
> spectacularly bad for Seattle will happen.
>
> For Denver's offense, the obvious guy to keep an eye on is Jay Cutler.
> How will he play? How will he respond to Seattle's blitzes? Will Mike
> Shanahan open up the offense, which is supposedly the whole reason why
> Cutler is in, because he has the talent to run a wide-open offense? Or
> will the gameplan be conservative in order to protect the rookie from
> making a lot of mistakes? It's impossible to know what is going on in
> Shanahan's mind, and we have absolutely no idea how Cutler will perform.
> This is the ultimate wildcard.
>
> MY ANALYSIS:
> This is an extremely difficult game to predict. Removing Cutler from the
> equation for the moment, this is a good matchup for the Broncos. Seattle
> has offensive line issues, which will make it difficult for the Seahawks
> to run the ball. The passing game for Seattle is a neutral matchup with
> Denver's pass defense, and Denver's running game looks to be scheduled to
> be back on track assuming Tatum Bell is indeed healthy, as he proclaimed
> earlier this week. And of course the game is at Mile High, where the
> Broncos enjoy the biggest home-field advantage in the NFL.
>
> Now put Cutler back into the equation. How do you predict something like
> that? Cutler has a lot of talent and had the best arm of any of the
> quarterbacks in the 2006 draft. He can make throws Plummer cannot with a
> better release and a much stronger arm. The talent isn't the issue; it's
> the decision-making. We can't even draw a whole lot of conclusions based
> on his college experience, since he played on a terrible Vanderbilt team
> and never had quality talent around him.
>
> If I had to make a prediction (which is what I appear to be doing), my
> guess is that Cutler will make some big plays, make some mistakes, and
> keep things interesting. But a good running game is a quarterback's best
> friend, and the Broncos have an opportunity to not only run the ball
> effectively, but be dominant in doing so. If the Broncos put up 180+
> yards rushing, it's going to be tough to lose the game regardless of what
> the quarterback does. Given that all of this is happening in Denver, the
> Broncos enjoy the home field advantage and manage to squeak away with a
> victory.
>
> The Broncos win this one by a field goal.
>
> PLACES TO WATCH:
> To listen to the game live over the Internet you can go to
> http://www.850koa.com/pages/listen.html for the Broncos broadcast.
>
> Failing that for some reason, there is also a hit-and-miss link that may
> carry the broadcast at http://www.thegamelive.com
>
> And if neither of those work, there's still the tried-and-true NFL
> FieldPass. They are charging $9.95 (US) per month or $34.95 for the
> season.
>
> If you want to sign up for that, go to the following link:
> http://www.real.com/partners/nfl/fieldpass.html?cpath=3DR1R&rsrc=3Dnfl_tv
>
> For our friends outside of North America (or for those who have access to
> a web proxy outside of North America), you can now watch NFL games on the
> web.
> http://sports.yahoo.com/nflgamepass/
>
> Also, here is a list of some websites that have live scores and updates.
> NFL.com has a live application that runs in your browser and gives you
> current stats and play-by-play information.
>
> NFL.com: NFL Official Scoreboard
> http://www.nfl.com/scores/
>
> ESPN: ESPN scoreboard
> http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/scoreboard
>
> FoxSports: Gametrax
> http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/gameTrax?gameId=20061203007
>
> NFL.com: Seattle at Denver
> http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/preview/NFL_20061203_SEA@DEN
>
> USA Today: Game capsules
> http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2006-11-30-week-13-preview_x.htm
>
> ESPN.com: ESPN experts' picks
> http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/features/talent
>
> --
> M. Zaiem Beg zbeg@iglou.com
>
>