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Week 11 Preview: Miami Dolphins vs. Denver Broncos

By Shelby Manning

Denver Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy vs. the Falcons. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Denver Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy vs. the Falcons. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Nov 1, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) hands the ball of to running back Phillip Lindsay (30) in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) hands the ball of to running back Phillip Lindsay (30) in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Key Matchups 

Phillip Lindsay vs. Dolphins’ rush attack

Statistically, the Dolphins are overall a middle of the pack defense, ranked 17th overall, and 19th against the run. They are allowing 100+ rush yards a game, and as we know, the Broncos play much better football if they can finish the game with over 100 yards on the ground.

Why not try to take advantage of this? Pat Shurmur needs to get Phillip Lindsay more involved in the offense, and this could be a perfect opportunity for Lindsay to get his fair share of carries and finally be utilized the way he should have been all season long.

Denver has not had their fair share of success in the passing game, so it is time to quit abandoning the run, and time to feed Phil.

The Broncos’ offense versus Miami’s third-down defense

While Miami may be a middle of the pack defense overall, they are far from middle of the pack on third down. At the time of publication, Miami is ranked third overall on third down defense, where their opponents are converting just 33.95 percent on third down (per TeamRankings).

Meanwhile, the Broncos are currently ranked 27th on third-down conversions, converting just 38.52 percent on third down. As one can see, this is not a very favorable matchup for the Broncos.

If Miami’s third-down defense holds tough and true, and the Broncos cannot get their third-down conversions, this team will once again be caught in limbo and unable to score many points, and thus, could be a long day for this Broncos team. Simply put, they must be better on third down this week and going forward.

X-Factors

Jerry Jeudy

Just two weeks after Jerry Jeudy‘s first 100-yard receiving game of his NFL career, Jeudy was limited to just four receptions and 68 receiving yards. However, the Broncos’ offense as a whole could get nothing going in the second half, so this is not a big surprise.

While Jeudy’s fantasy outlook is not bright due to playing up against a Dolphins’ secondary that has performed well as of late, anticipate that Jeudy will prove doubters wrong and have a big game Sunday, and if it is a close game, could be the difference maker for the Broncos. Let’s say this is a Jeudy bounce-back week.

Miami’s offensive line 

Through Tua’s three starts, he has been sacked just four times, and wasn’t sacked at all in their win over the Los Angeles Chargers last week. Of course, Tua is a mobile quarterback, but Miami’s offensive line deserves its credit for this, as well.

A huge part of Denver’s game plans and keys to victory will be to blitz Tua often, and create as much pressure on him as possible, The Broncos are back in the pattern of relying on their defense to make big plays, and big plays will be expected in the pass rush.

If Denver can’t get their pass rush going, and Miami’s offensive line can fend off guys like Bradley Chubb and Malik Reed, Tua will have all day to move the ball around, and Denver’s defense could get backed up against the wall early on.

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