How Broncos attack AFC West: Game planning against rivals

Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders defense may be better this year but leaves opponents a variety of ways to attack them. Ranking in the bottom of the league defensively for the majority of the past several seasons, the Raiders’ Paul Guenther hopes an influx in talent will help solve some of the team’s woes.

The Broncos should be able to attack the Raiders both in the air and on the ground. However, two players who should fair well against the Raiders next year are Fant and Jeudy.

First, Fant should be able to win the most man to man matchups against any of the Raiders defenders.

Fant can be highlighted in two concepts as the primary target. First, the Broncos can utilize a flat-7 combination (corner/flat) or a smash-7 (hitch/corner) where Fant is flexed out and has space to leverage the defender to the corner. His large frame can provide Lock with a great window against either man or a Cover-2 look.

Additionally, Jeudy can be utilized in a favorable matchup against a poor second and third concern option for the Raiders in rookie Damon Arnette or aging veteran Prince Amukamara.

Jeudy’s technically sound route-running can be utilized effectively in a sucker route concept. This route concept calls for a bait route (short curl) ran by Sutton or Fant and a clearout by the speedy Hamler.

Jeudy can then create loads of spacing by getting leverage on his man and break a dig route (in-route) across the field.

The Raiders’ weak pass defense should provide Jeudy with a lot of room to work off of attention paid to Fant and Sutton on a variety of sucker routes.

Denver’s ability to diversify their formations and personnel packages should help create ample opportunities to dictate to the defense and improve their scoring offense.