Predominantly Orange
FanSided

Denver Broncos: Weaknesses exposed in season’s first loss

By Sayre Bedinger

Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) reaches for a first down marker as Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Philip Wheeler (41) defends in the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) reaches for a first down marker as Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Philip Wheeler (41) defends in the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos inside linebacker Todd Davis (51) tackles Atlanta Falcons tight end Jacob Tamme (83) short of the goal line in the first quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos inside linebacker Todd Davis (51) tackles Atlanta Falcons tight end Jacob Tamme (83) short of the goal line in the first quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

The game against the Falcons was the first game in a long, long time that I have seen Wade Phillips get out-schemed in a game, and it started with the linebackers in coverage on running backs.

Brandon Marshall is one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL, but he’s not a good defensive back. There’s a big difference.

When the Broncos had cut the Falcons’ lead in the fourth quarter to a two-score lead, Marshall was the victim of a huge Tevin Coleman catch that immediately put the Falcons in scoring range. He wasn’t the only one, though. The Broncos were absolutely burned by Coleman to the tune of four catches for 132 yards and a touchdown.

Coleman didn’t get the best of the No Fly Zone because Wade Phillips never matched him up with anyone from that group. It was constantly the linebackers getting beat in a pure speed matchup, and the failed adjustments to that were infuriating to have to sit and watch for 60 minutes of a football game.

This was a player that might not have even been able to physically play in this game, and he shredded the Broncos’ linebackers in the passing game. The Falcons were right to expose it, because Denver didn’t adjust for four quarters.

The simple solution to this is to take out Todd Davis and put in an extra defensive back when the Broncos need to match up one-on-one with a running back in the passing game.

Home/Broncos News