Denver Broncos: Dark Horses To Watch For Sunday Night

Oct 12, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) passes under pressure from Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) during the first quarter of their NFL football game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Before you yell at me in the comments section that Von Miller isn’t a dark horse or an unknown player, just listen to what I have to say.

Miller, as you know, is coming back from a torn ACL. He looks more like his dominant 2012 self with each passing week. Miller has racked up six sacks already and hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down or injury setback.

Pairing him with DeMarcus Ware also seems to be one of the best decisions that general manager John Elway has ever made.

The former Defensive Rookie of the Year’s greatest asset might be his superb and terrorizing run defense. His lightning-quick first step allows him to get into the backfield in a hurry and eat up opposing ball-carriers. Miller’s 28 tackles for a loss in 2012 led elite defenders like J.J. Watt, Aldon Smith and Clay Matthews.

This all brings us to why Miller is a dark horse candidate.

He has been overshadowed by the likes of Watt, Luke Kuechly, Richard Sherman and others. For how impressive Miller truly was only a couple of years ago, he’s now become an afterthought. No amount of sacks or entertaining dances has been able to change that.

Well, it ends Sunday night.

Two real contenders with premier defenses to match their high flying offenses will take the field under the lights. Star power will be plentiful and it’ll be the most viewed prime time game that the NFL has had this season.

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick is elusive, their offensive line is a bear to deal with, and their run game grinds down defenses like no other. It’s an opportunity that Miller can use to put his name back on the map with a strong, superstar-esque performance.

Miller will look to take control at the line of scrimmage and reassert his place atop the defensive ranks of the NFL.