Are DBS playing within scheme or freelancing for takeaways?
Ten things about the Broncos entering Thursday night’s game at Cleveland:
1. It is befuddling how the Broncos’ defense has been exposed on long pass plays — 20 of at least 16 yards, including 10 of at least 30 yards, in the last three games. “It’s NFL football and sometimes, you’re just off a little bit,” defensive coordinator Ed Donatell said. “You couldn’t believe in our guys more than we do. We have such mature men and we want to do better for the team on the back end. That’s the emphasis for this week.”
2. One thing that always comes to mind when long passes are allowed: Are the Broncos’ defensive backs playing within the scheme or are they hunting for takeaways and freelancing? I asked coach Vic Fangio that on Monday. “No, they’re still playing within the scheme, but maybe not feeling the urgency to get exactly where they need to be at times,” he said.
3. Fangio’s comment invites all kinds of reading-between-the-words. Not feeling the urgency? Yikes, at 3-3 and losers of three consecutive games, the Broncos’ secondary better find that urgency.
4. Fangio’s multi-tasking assignment since Sunday’s loss to Las Vegas: Get ready for Cleveland’s top-ranked running game (even though the Browns are without Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt), figure out why the secondary has suddenly melted down … and wondering if the Broncos remain confident or need to be built up.
5. “Obviously, when you’ve lost (three) in a row like we have, your confidence will be shaken to a degree, but I think these guys have good self-belief,” Fangio said. “I think they have good belief in their teammates and I think they’re on their way to getting ready for this game the way we think we should.”
6. The last two touchdowns Sunday came in garbage time, but Teddy Bridgewater had only his third career game with at least three touchdown passes. He had four apiece for Minnesota in a win over Chicago (2015) and for New Orleans in a win over Tampa Bay (2019). He tied a career-high with three interceptions, tying the mark set for Minnesota in a loss to Detroit (2014). Bridgewater’s 334 yards were the third-most of his career, behind 367 (Carolina loss to Tampa Bay last year) and 335 (Minnesota loss at Arizona in ’15).
7. Inside linebacker Justin Strnad will be the third Broncos’ defensive signal-caller, following Josey Jewell and Alexander Johnson, who sustained season-ending torn pectorals in Weeks 2 and 6, respectively. Micah Kiser will start for Johnson in the base package. “He’s done (well) in preparing himself since he’s gotten here,” Fangio said of Kiser. “He’s a very smart player, very prideful and has good football knowledge and instincts. Trust me, he’s doing anything and everything he can to be ready.”
8. The Broncos are 14-12 alltime in games played on Thursdays, but have won 11 of their last 14. They haven’t played on Thanksgiving since hosting the New York Giants in 2009.
9. Running backs Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams are expected to share time again on Thursday. Boo, boo, a thousand times boo. The two reasons why I would give Williams a chance to carry the load: He has seven explosive carries (gain of at least 16 yards) compared to three for Gordon, and he has produced an energy-boosting carry in four of the Broncos’ six games.
10. Could Williams handle a workload of 20-25 carries? “I think so,” Fangio said. “He’s a quality back. I don’t think there is any doubt he could.” It’s time for Vic to say to offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, “I’m the head coach and I want to see more of No. 33.”