Denver Broncos: Key individual matchup vs Tennessee Titans
Matchup two: A.J. Bouye versus A.J. Brown
The battle of the A.J.’s will be a key to Denver’s success. A.J. Bouye was brought in to matchup against top receivers like A.J. Brown of the Titans.
Brown is a physical player who wins early in the route. Often using his strong hands to create early separation in his route.
"Brown neutralizes the punch from Bouye with a club swim move on his release. After the catch, he is able to juke Bouye out in the open field for the first down." pic.twitter.com/gnV8vNcNia
— Titans Tape (@TitansTape) July 22, 2020
In this play, Brown used his physical play to engage A.J. Bouye and maintain his route integrity. He pushes upfield and is able to shed Boyue off before cutting into the middle of the field. His separation allows him to continue upfield after the catch for a big play.
Once he gets the ball in his hands, he is a YAC (yards after catch) monster. Brown exploded on the scene last season because of his ability to take short to intermediate routes and change them into explosive plays (20+yards).
Brown is tough to stop and it takes a physical player to do so.
Insert answer here:
A.J. Bouye is a smart, long, athletic corner who not only anticipates routes but can make plays on the ball. His ability to read and react is special, and from all accounts, it sounds like he has made these kinds of plays throughout camp.
This suggests Bouye will again be closer to the player who dominated receivers from 2016 to 2018.
AJ Brown vs. AJ Bouye
— Brad Kelly (@CoachBKelly) September 20, 2019
Brown fails to threaten inside at the top of the route and lacks definition of the break. That’s not going to cut it against the veteran cornerback: pic.twitter.com/BFPrMASoql
If the Broncos are going to win, Bouye must show out against Brown who is the Titans’ most talented offensive player. Brown’s big-play ability makes this matchup even more important for the Broncos to come away with a Week 1 victory.
Final thoughts
The Broncos are going to rely on Lock many weeks, and probably much more than they would have liked with Miller out for an extended period of time.
With a game against a tough opponent, on Monday night, with your top weapon likely out, Lock will be counted on to best Byard in their key matchup.
Likewise, on defense Bouye must be up for the challenge. The Broncos struggled against the number one receivers last year, thus making his acquisition the answer to the team’s issues outside.
Bouye’s ability to slow down Brown and limit big plays may be the difference between a victory and a loss in this key AFC matchup.