After playing a near complete game vs the Bucs, the Broncos will look build on that at the Jets on Sunday.
The Denver Broncos just played one of the most complete games we’ve seen in a long time.
By no means was it perfect. Denver’s offense didn’t finish enough drives with touchdowns.
But the Broncos moved the ball effectively, Bo Nix looked phenomenal, and the defense was darn near dominant in the 26-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday.
Now comes Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets (2-1). Denver will look to build on that performance and play even better this coming week. The task certainly doesn’t get any easier for Sean Payton, Nix, and the Broncos (1-2).
Offensive Rankings
Denver: Twenty-third in total offense (292.7 yards per game), 22nd in rushing offense (99.7 YPG), 19th in passing offense (193.0 YPG), 23rd in scoring (17.3 points per game).
NJ Jets: Eighteenth in total offense (310.3 yards per game), 21st in rushing offense (100.7 YPG), 13th in passing offense (209.7 YPG), 14th in scoring (22.3 points per game).
Defensive Rankings
Denver: Third in total defense (259.3 yards per game), 21st in rushing defense (126.0 YPG), second in passing defense (133.3 YPG), sixth in scoring (15.3 points per game).
NY Jets: Seventh in total defense (280.0 yards per game), 22nd in rushing defense (129.3 YPG), fourth in passing defense (150.7 YPG), eighth in scoring (17.3 points per game).
Here are the MHR staff’s keys to Sunday’s game.
Continue to be aggressive on offense
We saw this when Payton and the Broncos decided to take the opening kickoff instead of differing in the second half. Payton was aggressive with his play calls, and Nix was throwing dimes. The result was an opening drive touchdown that set the tone for the game. Replicate that again on Sunday against the Jets. The Broncos need to be aggressor and set the tone on offense. — Ian St. Clair
Get pressure on Aaron Rodgers
Vance Joseph’s defense had fifteen pressures and seven sacks against Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday. While I don’t expect the same production against the Jets, they will need to keep the heat on Aaron Rodgers to slow down their passing game. Veteran Morgan Moses might be out for the game, so top prospect rookie Olu Fashanu will likely get the start at right tackle. Joseph has been a madman, dialing up creative pressures and blitz packages. I’m interested to see what he will do against the Jets because they get the ball out quickly. — Christopher Hart
Keep containment in run defense
The Broncos have been pretty stout against the run inside, but they have struggled against speed. The Jets pose the biggest threat to that weakness on the Broncos’ defense, so they definitely need to keep containment outside and avoid over-pursuit. This is going to be one of their toughest challenges yet this season. If they get their run game going, it’s going to be a long day for the Broncos’ defense. — Tim Lynch
Let Bo grow
One consistent theme about this preseason & season has been Sean Payton’s visible happiness with his QB. Many fans and most media may have doubted after a bad first 2 weeks, but Payton didn’t. And Nix rewarded his coach’s faith in him in Week 3.I believe we’ll see Nix continue to improve, but you don’t turn that corner in one play or even one game. There will continue to be ups and downs. So my Key to the Game isn’t for the players or even for Sean Payton. It’s for my fellow fans. Payton & Nix showed us why we should have faith last Sunday in Tampa Bay. So win or lose this Sunday, take a deep breath, embrace the moment, and realize that we’re in that rare place where process and growth actually do matter more than W vs L. — Taylor Kothe
Find a way to run the ball
The biggest disappointment so far has been the drop-off of Javonte Williams. His performance was expected to be much better at this point. Whether it’s his lack of vision, or confidence, he just hasn’t been the RB Denver expected him to be. Whatever combination needs to be employed to help alleviate the pressure Bo Nix is facing, that is what the Broncos should do. Tyler Badie seems to be the guy having a breakout moment, so try moving the running attack more in his direction. He and Jaleel McLaughlin have looked like they can carry the load moving forward. — Adam Malnati