Players believe “small focus” approach will continue at Cincinnati
Can the Broncos sustain their “small focus” as a road favorite?
Back in September the Broncos were 2-0 and started their road opener against Baltimore with a blocked punt that turned into a Royce Freeman touchdown run and a 7-0 lead. But that game disintegrated into a 13-penalty fiasco/27-14 loss that triggered a fourgame losing streak.
The Broncos get a chance to show they can handle adversity on the road when they face a reeling Bengals team. The last two wins got the Broncos (5-6) back in the playoff conversation, but the work is nowhere near done because of the hole they dug.
The players have adopted coach Vance Joseph’s “small focus” mantra.
“Absolutely,” defensive end Derek Wolfe said. “We’re doing a really good job of focusing on winning each snap and then worrying about the next one when we get to it.”
The Broncos have proven they can stand chinstrap to chinstrap with the NFL’s elite teams (Kansas City, the Rams, Houston, the Chargers and Pittsburgh). Now they must win in Cincinnati to get back to .500 for the first time since Week 4.
“We’re a 5-6 team,” Joseph said. “We’re still trying to prove that we can win games in this league.”
Spotlight player.
Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton. Trading Demaryius Thomas on Oct. 30 was supposed to free up more playing time and chances for Sutton.
Pre-Thomas trade, Sutton had played 69.2 percent of the offensive snaps. Post-Thomas trade, Sutton has played 82.7 percent of the snaps. But the catch increase has not materialized — seven in three games (no touchdowns).
“He didn’t play great (against Pittsburgh),” Joseph said. “I thought he played well against the Chargers; he made some big plays. He’s got to keep working. Being an every-down player is different than being a part-time player.”
To get Sutton going, the Broncos should emphasize what he does best: The downfield shot. Against the Steelers, none of quarterback Case Keenum’s five attempts that traveled at least 16 yards in the air was intended for Sutton.
In offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave’s opening play script, it would be a smart move to dial up a deep target for Sutton. Of course, the coverage and protection must cooperate.
“We missed a couple of times (last week) trying to connect with him,” Musgrave said. “We’re looking forward to being better when we do target him. I think he’s done a super job with more turns. We’re able to move him around a little bit (and) not just leave him at split end. Having played the slot, put him in motion, those types of things — that will be part of his development and he’s embracing it.”
Watch for …
Broncos cornerback Chris Harris to be on the move a lot. Again.
New Bengals quarterback Jeff Driskel is sure to get receiver A.J. Green involved early. Green is returning after missing three games with a toe injury.
Harris’ three interceptions (all in the last five games) exceed his total from 2015-17 (two in each season). He plays with supreme technique and instincts, evident by his takeaway total and also his lack of penalties (only two enforced flags).
A different week presents a different challenge compared to Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown.
“Totally different body types,” Harris said. “You have a guy (in Green) that’s taller and skinnier and he’s still fast and has the jump ball (capability). Then you have a guy (in Brown) that has amazing, short-area quickness. Only him and (Kansas City’s) Tyreek Hill have that type of quickness.”
Injury report.
Outside linebacker Shaq Barrett (hip) and cornerback Tramaine Brock (ribs) are out for Sunday. Inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (knee) is questionable. Defensive tackle Zach Kerr missed Friday’s practice with an illness. Rookie outside linebacker Jeff Holland was promoted from the practice squad, but Joseph would not commit to declaring him active for the game. Green (toe) was taken off the Bengals’ injury report so he is expected to play after missing the last three games.