Can the Broncos’ Defense Shut Down Gronk on Sunday?

Sep 21, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Denver Broncos strong safety T.J. Ward (43), Denver Broncos free safety Rahim Moore (26), Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas (80), Denver Broncos strong safety David Bruton (30) and Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (21) come out of the locker room for pre game warmups against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Conclusion

Simply put, all of these players listed, including those in the honorable mentions section, will likely get their chance to cover Rob Gronkowski. Not in man coverage, though, but in bracket and zone schemes, respectively.

There isn’t one lone player in the league that can go mano-a-mano with Gronkowski, and nobody on the Broncos can on a consistent basis.

Sorry Bronco Country, but it’s impossible.

It’s a given that one-on-one matchups will happen. When they do, look for the likes of Aqib Talib, Brandon Marshall, and Rahim Moore to do most of the heavy lifting. The very, very, heavy lifting.

Not many teams succeed in shutting down Gronk. Even fewer win when he dominates like he did last Sunday. If the Broncos’ defense can limit Gronkowski or knock him off his game just a little bit, it’ll go a long way in determining the victor of this all too important playoff-type showdown of AFC heavyweights.