Denver defense looking for first sack against Packers QB Rodgers
Defensive end Derek Wolfe had enough of the narrative after just two games this season.
Yes, the Broncos are without a sack in consecutive weeks. No, they aren’t panicking entering a crucial Sunday road test at Green Bay. And Wolfe, still steaming in the locker room Sunday after a 16-14 loss to the Chicago Bears, removed his filter on the subject.
“I’m tired of hearing the fans moan about us not getting sacks when the ball is gone in two seconds,” Wolfe said. “There’s no sacks to be had.”
If something doesn’t change, however, the Broncos are headed toward the wrong kind of history. Denver has gone without a sack in three straight games only twice — 2008 in Games 9-11 and 2010 in Games 13-15. The 2019 Broncos have also managed only two quarterback hits (both via outside linebacker Bradley Chubb).
To Wolfe’s point, the Oakland Raiders’ Derek Carr and the Bears’ Mitch Trubisky each utilized a quick-passing game, but an antidote certainly exists. Coach Vic Fangio told reporters he is not concerned “at this point” over the lack of quarterback pressure and noted the first two games were “unusual” as it relates to pass rush.
The first step in boosting sack production against Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers? Creating third-and-long scenarios that force him to hold onto the football longer than desired. Over two games, the Broncos have defended 25 third-down plays, including four plays of 9 or more yards to gain and 16 plays of 5 or fewer yards to gain.
“We’ve got to put them in situations where they can’t just throw it quick,” Chubb said.
“We’ve got to put them in those second- and third-and-long situations.”
A sure deterrent to Rodgers’ quick throws Sunday will be altering passing lanes with the long arms of defenders at the line of scrimmage. Defensive end Adam Gotsis recorded six pass deflections last season and said tracking a quarterback’s eye movement and elbow aids in timing those bat-downs. Defensive end Demarcus Walker and Chubb both have recorded one pass deflection this season.
“That’s tough when they sit in the back in shotgun; catch, twostep drop and throw,” Gotsis said. “The quarterback isn’t going to feel anything regardless. You can have a guy like Von (Miller) beat the guy clean off the line and it doesn’t even matter. We’ve just got to be more selective about what we’re doing in certain situations, and hopefully, we can get home.”
Gotsis estimated the Raiders and Bears provided offensive tackle help on 70 percent of all plays with chip blockers warding off the advances of Miller and Chubb (who combined for 26½ sacks last season). It has prompted outside speculation Denver might alter roles or usage for its elite pass-rushing duo, although Fangio shot down any wholesale schematic changes.
“When it’s first and second down, you have to be able to play your basic defenses when they can run or pass,” Fangio said. “Third down and long, sometimes, you can do a thing or two, but they’ll still be aware of where (Miller and Chubb) are.”
No need to remind first-year Packers coach Matt LaFleur. Rodgers has been sacked seven times in victories against the Bears and Minnesota Vikings this season. The Broncos are salivating to break their no-sack streak.
“I’m sure they’re going to scheme some stuff up and those guys are probably chomping on the bit to (get) home to the quarterback,” LaFleur said. “On the flip side of it, we’ve probably given up too many sacks, so I know (the Broncos) are going to see an opportunity in front of them. We know we’re going to get their best shot.”