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Denver Broncos: The best individual matchups on the 2021 schedule

By Graham Tiedtke

Oct 25, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is sacked by Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) in the first half at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is sacked by Denver Broncos defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (93) in the first half at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 15, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs the ball in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs the ball in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Run defense vs top running backs on schedule

It is going to take all the effort the Denver Broncos can muster to stop some of these running backs on the Broncos’ schedule.

The Broncos struggled against the run early on in 2019 but when Mike Purcell entered the lineup, things began to click. Purcell played in 13 games in 2019 and recorded 48 tackles, including 28 solo tackles and eight tackles for loss.

The addition of Purcell into the starting lineup was a decision that paid off for Vic Fangio. Purcell was a big part of the team’s run defense improving over the course of the 2019 season. They finished in the middle of the league by the end of the year, finishing with 111.4 rushing yards allowed per game.

After giving up 269 yards to the Jaguars, including 225 to Leonard Fournette alone, the Broncos made the switch.

Nick Chubb, the cousin of Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, has eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in two of his three seasons in the league. He fell short in 2018 (his rookie season) by just four yards.

Chubb recorded six 100-yard rushing games in 2020, including a three-game stretch surpassing the milestone. He’s a hard-nosed rusher who is a tremendous part of the Browns offense and quite possibly Cleveland’s biggest weapon.

Purcell figures to be a huge part in trying to stop NFL running backs and Chubb is surely going to be a difficult challenge.

Also on the schedule is Giants running back Saquon Barkley, who quickly made a name for himself, rushing for over 1,300 yards in his rookie season, and following that up with a 1,003-yard season the following year.

Barkley suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2020 on his 19th rushing attempt of the season.

The Broncos will need to have as many players healthy as they can for these particular matchups. Last year, they were without star defensive lineman Jurrell Casey for most of the season. Casey is no longer on the team, but the Broncos still have solid starter Shelby Harris, as well as the return of Dre’Mont Jones and DeShawn Williams.

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