The Broncos sit at 4-4 with the Cowboys and Eagles coming up before they go on bye on week 11. Realistically, fans believe a 5-5 record going into the bye seems to be the most likely outcome. But what if I told you they go into the bye at 6-4? Considering the 4 straight losses, a 6-4 record would be a dream come true and would really put the Broncos back in playoff contention at-least for the moment. Rather than providing the normal keys to the game this week, I'm taking a more optimistic approach and will point out 3 reasons how and why the Broncos can pull off the upset.
Cowboys Defense Suspect
The Cowboys according to espn rank 19th in total defense, 28th in pass defense, and actually do a pretty good job against the run though ranking 6th giving up just 94 yards per game. The 7 Trevon Diggs interceptions on the season cloud just how pedestrian the Cowboys pass defense really is. Though Diggs is a ball hawk, he also is susceptible to giving up big plays. An example was the game vs the Patriots where he had a pick 6 on Mac Jones and the very next series on the first play he gave up a 75 yard TD to Kendrick Bourne. This is a golden opportunity for star wideouts Sutton, Patrick and Jerry Jeudy to put up some big numbers in this game. Though the Broncos offense has been very disappointing the last few weeks, most of that time was without Jeudy and with him back last week, the Broncos were able to execute on crucial third downs down the stretch and looking a little more efficient. Expect Diggs to match up vs Sutton so a healthy dosage of Jerry Jeudy could be the game-plan passing wise.
2. Pass Rush Showed Signs
The Broncos pass rush had 5 sacks on the Washington Football team and they did not have Von Miller playing due to injury. Washington's line is not terrible pass protecting as they rank 11th in the league allowing 1.9 sacks allowed per game. The cowboys are a little better but not much as they rank tied for 7th with Atlanta and New Orleans giving up 1.7 sacks per game. So the performance by the defensive line was not a product of playing poor blocking lines. Playmakers such as Malik Reed, Stephen Weatherly, Dre'mont Jones and Shelby Harris all showed out. Reed had 2 sacks including a clutch one, Dre'mont had 1.5 and a blocked FG, Shelby had 0.5 and a blocked FG, and Stephen Weatherly, the former Viking had a big sack as well. Fangio has proven to do better with lesser talent at the defensive line. Last year with all the injuries, the Broncos still ranked top 10 in sacks. It is sad to see Von Miller go but the pass rush won't miss him as much as we think. Under Fangio Von has only logged 12.5 sacks in 22 games. I think it's better for this team to have many young, hungry, and scrappy players at the D line such as last year. Vic seems to know how to get the best put of those type of players as opposed to players such as Von.
3. Any Give Sunday
The NFL has taught us the previous Sunday does not mean a whole lot as it does not foreshadow what will happen on the next Sunday. Teams like the Bengals, Ravens, and Chargers have came off big wins just to have let downs the next week whether it be losing big to an elite team like the Chargers did against the Ravens and Ravens did vs the Bengals, or lose to a team you really should not lose to an example being the Bengals losing to the Jets on Sunday. The Broncos could potentially pull off an upset like that this week against the Cowboys. Dallas is coming off a big win vs Minnesota with their back up QB riding high on a 6 game winning streak and this is a perfect week to have a big let down against a lesser opponent that has lost 4 of their last 5 games. The classic "trap game"
Denver's chances of winning this week is not as low as some think considering the factors above. Can they pull off the upset? State in the comments and give you predictions as well.
My Bold Prediction:
27-24 Broncos
Teddy- 250 yards 2 TDs no Int
Javonte and Melvin- less than 90 yards combined with a TD
Jerry Jeudy- Between 80-90 yards and a TD
Defense- 3 Sacks and 1 Turnover
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