Road scholars

Jets confident they can handle Mile High decibel levels

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Friday January 15, 1999 12:29 PM

The Jets will have more to deal with than just Elway Sunday AP

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -- Along with league MVP Terrell Davis, future Hall of Famer John Elway and an array of experienced, talented players, the Denver Broncos have another impressive weapon: Mile High Stadium.

They haven't lost there since the 1996 playoffs. The last 18 games there have been mostly lopsided victories. Last week, they routed Miami 38-3 to get to their second straight AFC Championship game.

On Sunday, with 76,000 screaming devotees rocking the old building, the Broncos play the New York Jets for a spot in the Super Bowl. Denver won the NFL championship a year ago, albeit with only a first-round home game before winning at Kansas City and Pittsburgh.

"This is not unlike anywhere else we've played on the road," linebacker Bryan Cox said Wednesday. "In adverse conditions, and they'll be cheering for their team, but that's something we've gotten used to."

And prospered dealing with. The Jets won in Kansas City, Miami, Buffalo and New England this season to capture their first AFC East crown. They don't seem overly concerned about the noise level, thinner air and difficult surroundings in Denver.

"They have pretty loud fans out there and we know they are going to be very loud once again," quarterback Vinny Testaverde said. "But we faced some pretty hostile crowds this year on the road and we've done a good job.

"We know we have to concentrate that little bit more, not make mistakes like jumping offsides and things like that. We know what we are in for and hopefully will be able to overcome those things."

Overcoming the Broncos at Mile High means keeping Denver from getting off to a quick lead. Not only did the Broncos lead the AFC in scoring with 501 points (the Jets scored 416), they outscored opponents 144-54 in the first quarter and 156-87 in the second. By halftime, the Broncos were in control nearly every week, leading each home game but one -- they were tied at 21 with Kansas City -- and averaging a 23-8 edge.

While it is players the caliber of Davis, Elway and company that achieve such things, it doesn't hurt to have such vociferous support from the stands.

"The Broncos are a hard team to beat anyway, because in most cases, they have better players than you do," Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson said. "But it doesn't hurt to have all the other stuff."

That includes, according to backup QB Bubby Brister -- a former Jet -- the loudest fans anywhere.

"Fans are crazy everywhere," he said. "You can go to Buffalo or Pittsburgh or even the Meadowlands and they'll be loud in the good times. But here, they're loud all day long. They don't boo. They just scream and yell and kick and holler, and it gets to teams after a while."

The crowd for last Sunday's Jets playoff victory over Jacksonville was pretty deafening at Giants Stadium.

"I'd love to take a few thousand along to Denver," receiver Keyshawn Johnson said.

Elway wouldn't want that at all.

"You know what I find annoying?" Elway said. "Hearing 'J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets' 50 times a game. Try playing in the middle of that stuff."

He doesn't have to on Sunday.

 

Related information
Stories
Jets must stop Broncos' quick strikes at Mile High No rest, no smiles for Parcells -- not yet Denver's Brister flourished in 1998 Peter King's Monday Morning QB: January 11, 1999
Multimedia
Denver DE Marvin Washington thinks playing at home is a definite advantage (80 K) Broncos DB Tyrone Braxton says the noise at Mile High hinders visiting offenses (88 K) Click here for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI.