Denver Broncos: Key individual matchup vs Tennessee Titans

The ultimate team game is made up of key individual matchups. The Broncos must win these two for a victory on Monday night versus the Tennessee Titans.

Each week, games are more often lost then won and are decided based on only a handful of plays. In order for the Denver Broncos to come away with a victory against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1, these players must win their individual matchup.

This week was going to be tough from the onset as the Titans bring a physical style of play along with freshly signed Jadaveon Clowney and reigning rushing champion Derrick Henry.

Everything got a bit tougher as Super-Bowl MVP Von Miller suffered an injury putting him out indefinitely. Two days later, Pro-Bowl receiver Courtland Sutton sprained the A/C joint in his shoulder in practice.

When the oddsmakers in Vegas begin to doubt Denver in this matchup, not all is lost. If the Broncos win these two key matchups, a victory is absolutely obtainable.

I will present one key matchup for the Broncos offense, and one key matchup for the Denver defense for this week’s game Monday Night.

Matchup one: Drew Lock versus Kevin Byard

Kevin Byard is one of the NFL’s best safeties. He is a Pro-Bowl talent who seems to find the ball each and every game. His ability to match up with wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs brings a unique challenge to any offense.

Byard will most likely be keyed on Denver’s tight ends Noah Fant, Nick Vannett, and Jake Butt. With Drew Lock’s affinity for Fant, this will be a matchup that is crucial for either team’s success.

Byard is a ball hawk who is athletic enough to close on the ball and make plays, often turning the tides of the matchup.

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Byard is going to try and lure Lock into making a throw he shouldn’t and is fully capable of changing the game.

For the Broncos, Drew Lock must own the middle of the field to win this matchup.

With Courtland Sutton out, Lock will most likely rely on Fant and rookie sensation Jerry Jeudy over the middle.

He must avoid Byard with his eyes to capitalize on making key throws through the air.

We saw it on display throughout the season when Lock made key throws down the sideline after looking off the safety against the Houston Texans.

Lock also beat safety help to Fant in the middle of the field for a beautiful touchdown.

For the Broncos to put up points, Lock must be on point and avoid the big mistake at the hands of Byard to win this key matchup.

Lock’s success against Byard may be the difference between a close win or a tough loss.

It will be important for Denver to utilize multiple formations to create traffic in front of and behind Byard in an attempt to free up each matchup for Lock to key on.

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.

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.

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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.

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.