Denver Broncos: Key matchups vs. New Orleans Saints

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 01: Linebacker Malik Reed #59 of the Denver Broncos warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High on December 1, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 23-20. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 01: Linebacker Malik Reed #59 of the Denver Broncos warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High on December 1, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 23-20. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos, Demar Dotson
NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 9: Demar Dotson #69 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers blocks Cameron Jordan #94 of the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 9, 2018, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Buccaneers defeated the Saints 48-40. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Offensive matchups – Demar Dotson against Cameron Jordan

One of the most impactful matchups between Broncos right tackle Demar Dotson and Saints defensive lineman Cameron Jordan will be a familiar battle. The two familiar foes squared off year-in-year-out in the NFC South as Dotson played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before joining the Broncos this season.

Jordan is an absolute nightmare to play against as the 31-year-old seems to be getting better. Jordon can play along the entire defensive front and can create a mismatch in any matchup across the offensive line.

Jordan is an All-Pro who is coming off a wonderful performance where he sacked Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan three times.

Jordan will line up across the offensive line but does primarily line up across the right tackle, in this case, Dotson.

The Broncos noticeably missed Dotson when he was unable to go against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Dotson returned last week against the Dolphins and, with Garett Bolles, solidified the offensive tackle position.

The Dotson versus Jordan matchup seems to be a bit equal in the passing game as Dotson has yet to be credited with giving up a sack, and Jordan has 5.5 sacks this season. The area where Dotson will be tested the most is helping get the Broncos ground game going.

Running the ball effectively is essential to Denver’s success as Lock continues to struggle if he is asked to throw the ball more than 30 times in his young career. Additionally, running the ball should help the team keep pressure looks from the Saints to a minimum.

Dotson doesn’t need to bully Jordan to be successful, but he needs to win most of the matchups if Denver is going to have success offensively.