Fixing turnover problem will be challenge against Miami defense
The Broncos enter Sunday’s game against Miami with an NFL- high 21 turnovers. The Dolphins’ 15 takeaways, meanwhile, are tied for fourth- most.
If that trend continues, the Broncos will be 3- 7 and the Dolphins 7- 3 by 5 p. m. Sunday.
“We talked about that ( Wednesday),” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said. “The Dolphins excel in that area. This will be a very important week for us to take care of the ball.”
The Broncos were minus- 5 in turnover differential in Sunday’s 37- 12 loss at Las Vegas and their minus- 12 differential this year is second- worst in the league ( Dallas minus- 13). Miami is fifth in scoring defense, allowing only 20.2 points per game. Against the Los Angeles Chargers last week ( 29- 21 win), the Dolphins rushed at least five players on 15 of Justin Herbert’s 36 dropbacks ( 41.7%).
“They like to pressure and they’ll bring a good bit of pressure in certain situations against certain formations,” Fangio said. “They’re playing fast, they’re playing hard and they’re creating turnovers. That’s one of the reasons why they’ve won a bunch here lately, that and their special teams and their offense has been playing very, very good also.”
Fant sits out. In addition to quarterback Drew Lock ( ribs), sitting out practice Wednesday were tight end Noah Fant ( ribs), inside linebacker Joe Jones ( calf) and right tackle Jake Rodgers ( shoulder).
Five players were limited: Right tackle Calvin Anderson ( ankle), cornerback A. J. Bouye ( hip), receiver Jerry Jeudy ( ankle), inside linebacker Josey Jewell ( quad) and safety Trey Marshall ( elbow). Right tackle Demar Dotson ( hand/ groin) was a full participant.
Elijah Wilkinson, the Broncos’ starting right tackle for the first three games, has been on injured reserve with a leg injury, but returned to practice last week.
“He’s a possibility ( for Sunday),” Fangio said. “We’re going to see how he does with more of a workload in practice this week.”
Inside linebacker Mark Barron ( hamstring) and tight end/ fullback Andrew Beck ( hamstring), who are still on injured reserve, practiced with their position groups.
“Mark is making good progress; he eventually can ( return),” Fangio said. “We’re going to practice ( Beck) some and see where he’s at.”
Donatell feeling better. During a Zoom conference, inside linebacker Alexander Johnson revealed that defensive coordinator Ed Donatell was recently hospitalized because of COVID19 symptoms.
According to a team spokesperson, Donatell was taken to the hospital last week, but is “feeling much better, starting to participate in virtual meetings ( and) doing light physical activity.”
Donatell has missed the Broncos’ last three games, but is participating in virtual meetings this week.
Patrick on ejection. Broncos receiver Tim Patrick was ejected with 13: 05 remaining in the loss to Las Vegas for an altercation with Raiders safety Johnathan Abram. Abram shoved Patrick, who responded with a right jab.
“You saw the video,” Patrick said. “You know the type of guy he is. It just didn’t play out in my favor.”
Dolphins road favorite. The Dolphins’ trips to Denver have been infrequent — only nine times in the regular season ( only one from 1972- 98). Miami has been installed as the 3 1/ 2- point favorite Sunday, the first time in 35 years it will be a road favorite against the Broncos.
The Dolphins ( 6- 3) have won five consecutive games.
“We taking things one day at a time and not worrying about what’s in the future or what has happened in the past,” coach Brian Flores said in a video conference with the Denver media. “It’s a hard thing to do with young players, but the way they respond in practice and in our meetings and the attention to detail in those settings … we’re not ( looking ahead). This is a very good ( Broncos) team.”
Miami is the second- youngest team in the NFL ( 25.76 years), behind only Jacksonville ( 25.24).
Walker focused on present. The injuries to the defensive line have created an opportunity for fourth- year end DeMarcus Walker, who has played 134 snaps in his four games since returning from a hamstring injury. Walker has played 133 snaps and totaled one sack and two pressures. A former secondround pick, Walker is a free agent after the season.
Asked about his contract, Walker said: “We’re trying to win. It’s as simple as that. Everybody brings up that question a lot, but we have a lot more football left to play.”
Footnotes. The Dolphins’ plus74 first- half point differential ( 163- 89) is best in the NFL; the Broncos are 29th at minus- 61 ( outscored 131- 70). … Patrick on the struggling Broncos’ offense: “When that dam does break, it’s going to be a good sight.” … Fangio on the Broncos releasing cornerback Davontae Harris: “We needed the ( roster) space and we chose Davontae to be that guy ( to be released) at this point.” … De’Vante Bausby practiced Wednesday, his first onfield activity since being claimed on waivers from Arizona last week.