Denver Broncos: 25 or Under vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Denver Broncos 25 or under – Offense
In the bout with the Baltimore Ravens, the Denver Broncos posted their worst offensive outing we have seen all season. Many things contributed to this; being decimated by injuries, going just 3-14 on third downs, averaging just 4.3 yards per play, and completing the game with just 254 total yards were all obvious factors.
What was more glaring than any other deficiencies was the poor offensive line play. Yes, the Denver Broncos were down both of their starting guards, but the offensive tackles did not overwhelm us with outstanding play either. Maybe Garrett Bolles and Bobby Massie were inching more inside to try to help the second string and inexperienced guards, but either way, they did not perform well.
Unfortunately for the Denver Broncos this week, they are facing premier pass-rusher, T.J Watt. This season T.J Watt signed a contract extension making him the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player, deserving so.
On the opposite side of T.J Watt is a familiar foe of the Denver Broncos, Melvin Ingram. This will be a tall task for the Denver Broncos and the offensive line, it worries me like Khalil Mack used to concern me back when he was with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Those aren’t the only defenders that could cause issues for the Denver Broncos, they also have Cam Heyward on the defensive line, a strong linebacker unit with Joe Schobert, and former first-round pick, Devin Bush. Joe Haden and Minkah Fitzpatrick police the back end of this defense too.
In summation, this defense is not to be overlooked. In my opinion like the Baltimore Ravens, the exotic blitz packages and strong pass rush will bring fits to Teddy Bridgewater or Drew Lock, and the offensive line. Starting left guard Dalton Risner is expected to return for the Denver Broncos. While Risner has not been all-worldly this season, he brings a sense of comparability and experience to the weak interior offensive line for the Broncos.
My key matchups for the Denver Broncos come down to the offensive line and how they handle Cameron Heyward and T.J Watt. These two are powerful and athletic defenders who possess a tall task for any lineman, especially one’s who are playing subpar.
As I sit here today, I am skeptical of the Broncos’ ability to handle these two, but with an appropriate game plan from the offensive coordinator, Pat Shurmur, it can be simplified. Utilizing tight ends to help chip and keeping Melvin Gordon or Javonte Williams in the backfield to help chip on this tough front will certainly slow these guys down.
My prediction is that the Denver Broncos will struggle with this front, but I don’t necessarily think they will wreck the game like the Baltimore Ravens’ front did. Mainly because the Pittsburgh Steelers offense is led by a hobbled Ben Roethlisberger, I think the Denver Broncos will put up 22 points this week and it will still be enough for a victory Sunday.
Those 22 points will come in the fashion of Noah Fant catching his third touchdown pass of the season and Mr. Angry Run himself, Javonte Williams getting his second rushing touchdown of the season. Oh, Brandon McManus also boots in three field goals and nails his extra points.
This could be an ugly performance from the Denver Broncos offense, by ugly I mean a grind-it-out type performance. Nothing flashy and nothing exciting, but you know what is exciting? Winning.
So the Denver Broncos don’t quite clear the magical 25 point threshold that multiplies your chance for victory, but I do think they score just enough to grab another victory.