From NFL.COM
Have the Denver Broncos turned the corner after their opening-day flop in Miami?
Absolutely. And they will continue to prove as much against the Washington Redskins.
The heart of the Broncos' success is their defense, which has been surprisingly enhanced by a line rebuilt with Cleveland Browns castoffs Gerard Warren, Courtney Brown and Michael Myers. Just ask Jacksonville's Fred Taylor, whom the Broncos made disappear in Week 4, how effective that enhancement has been.
Warren's power and Myers' quickness give Denver a pair of solid tackles capable of shutting down running back Clinton Portis in his return to the Mile High City. Portis also will have a tough time running outside against Brown and fellow end Trevor Pryce, both of whom have the strength to hold their own at the point of attack while also being fast and agile enough to prevent Portis from turning the corner.
Denver's linebackers are solid enough to prevent Portis from doing too much damage inside or outside. Few middle linebackers play with as much of an ornery attitude as Al Wilson, although it will be important for him to avoid wearing down in the late stages of the game. Outside linebackers D.J. Williams and Ian Gold do a superb job in sideline-to-sideline pursuit.
Another question: who plays the games? Players or "analysts"?
A comment: Once there was an NFC East, and for more than ten years the Giants, Redskins, Eagles, and Cowboys physically dominated the rest of the NFL. The 49'ers won a few Superbowls, but they did not play those four teams twice each per season. Time spins, and now all four teams are back to playing the same sort of tough, inelegant, gut-smashing football.
Sports entertainers can write fancy predictions, but when was the last time any opponent trampled a team coached by Joe Gibbs?
ey-Aid of the Redskins.
