The Denver Broncos may have lost three straight, but they are still 3-3 with a shot at the playoffs. Who needs to step up to beat the Browns?
Four weeks ago, many Denver Broncos fans were excited about the team’s 3-0 start. Regardless of the fact that the Broncos beat some of the NFL’s bottom feeders in that three-game winning streak, the team was winning, and winning galvanizes just about everyone.
But they were, all of them, deceived.
The 3-0 start to the 2021 season evaporated as quickly as it appeared. The Denver Broncos have now lost three straight games, and not only that, but they have lost three straight games to critical AFC opponents and others vying for playoff positioning.
Thankfully, there are seven seeds in each conference.
Denver Broncos: 4 players that must step up to beat the Browns
Despite the fact that everything is getting out of control in Broncos Country as far as people making plans for the future rather than focusing on the remaining 11 games (myself included), there is a game yet to be played on Thursday night against the Cleveland Browns.
If the Broncos can find a way to win this game, they are going to be right back in the mix, at least for another 10 days.
The Browns don’t have their starting quarterback or running backs for this game. They may not have their top two receivers or their starting offensive tackles. They have underachieved as a pass defense despite heavy investment (I guess we can relate to that one) in that area of the team.
Given all the Browns are missing from their lineup, who needs to step up in this game for the Denver Broncos?
It’s not overly complicated. Here are the four who need to step up the most to get this crucial fourth win of the season.
Denver Broncos: 4 players that must step up to beat the Browns
1. The quarterback (Teddy Bridgewater or Drew Lock, maybe both)
It seems obvious, but the quarterback desperately needs to step up for the Broncos in this game.
Bridgewater played quite well through the first through weeks of the season. He started to look off in Week 4 against the Ravens before getting hit hard and going down with a concussion.
Since coming back from that concussion, Bridgewater has put up two absolute clunkers. He’s holding onto the ball too long, he’s become reckless with the ball in general, and the Broncos’ offensive efficiency has plummeted.
Given the fact that Bridgewater is not long removed from a concussion and is also dealing with a foot injury, it might not be the worst idea to start this game with Drew Lock at quarterback.
Who knows? Maybe Lock will finish this one out.
One way or another, Vic Fangio stated he had two quarterbacks he felt he could win with. If that’s the case, why should Bridgewater have a long leash?
He shouldn’t, and if Lock were playing the same way, the same would be true.
A quarterback change is not ideal, but it might provide a spark.
Even if there isn’t one, Bridgewater has to play better and keep the offense on schedule. He has to find a way to connect on his longer throws downfield where he has simply been off-target most of the season.
The Browns have a top-10 pass defense in terms of yards, but they have given up 14 touchdown passes in six games, fifth-worst in the league.
Denver Broncos: 4 players that must step up to beat the Browns
2. The offensive line (all five of them)
I’m cheating because this is five players in one, but the offensive line has got to step up against the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns have one of the league’s top pass rushers and EDGE players in general in Myles Garrett. Jadeveon Clowney has not lived up to his lofty number one pick hype, but he’s still a good player. The Browns’ interior defensive line is led by the likes of former Bronco Malik Jackson, breakthrough player Malik McDowell, and all of these guys can get after the QB.
They are big, physical, and fast.
The Broncos’ offensive line will need to find a way to match physicality and keep the QB protected. Maybe we’ll see Andrew Beck or Eric Saubert left in to chip at tight end a bit more than usual, but one way or another, the offensive line can’t get manhandled in this game and allow the Browns to just have their way.
After Maxx Crosby’s performance last week, it’s hard to imagine a player like Myles Garrett having less success, but the Broncos need to make a way where there is no way.
Denver Broncos: 4 players that must step up to beat the Browns
3. Von Miller, EDGE
Von Miller once declared before a regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals that the Broncos were going to go in and kick the Cardinals’ you-know-what.
Ahead of this matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Miller made another vow to whatever offensive tackle he goes up against.
Anything less than domination, and Miller will not be satisifed.
Miller realizes, like the rest of us, that when he is affecting games with sacks and forced fumbles and all the great things he does, the Denver Broncos are winning games.
Miller’s impact off the edge will have a huge domino effect on the outcome of this game. If Miller is having success, he will start getting double- and triple-teamed.
If he’s getting one-on-one blockers off the edge, Case Keenum doesn’t stand a chance.
The Broncos need Miller to turn it up and turn it on for this game against the Browns.
Denver Broncos: 4 players that must step up to beat the Browns
4. Javonte Williams, RB
This goes for both running backs, really, but it would be awesome to see Javonte Williams dominate on a national stage against the Browns.
Williams has been outstanding for the Broncos this season, gaining yards after contact, winning a Good Morning Football Angry Runs scepter, and putting out at least one highlight-reel run each week.
Unfortunately, the Broncos have failed to really feed their running backs in the early goings of the season.
There is very little flow to the running game, and the Cleveland Browns have obviously been a model of that.
It would be great to see the Denver Broncos beat the Cleveland Browns, a strong run defense, with a dose of their own medicine. Usually, the Browns are the ones running all over opponents with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
The Broncos have the chance with Chubb and Hunt out of the game to be the team that dominates on the ground.
Broncos: Vic Fangio on the hot seat, other disappointments vs. Raiders
The Broncos were absolutely embarrassed on their home field against the Las Vegas Raiders. Vic Fangio's seat is officially hot. Who else disappointed?
I’m looking for Javonte Williams to have a huge impact on this contest.