Keys To The Game
Can the Broncos contain LeSean McCoy and Tyrod Taylor on the ground?
Can the Broncos contain LeSean McCoy?
If their defense plays like it did last week against the Cowboys, only surrendering eight yards to Zeke Elliot, forcing the Bills into passing the ball to win, expect the Broncos’ secondary to have a field day. Last season, the Bills had success rushing, going for about 150 yards a game. So far the Bills are only averaging 130 yards a game, a steep drop off for a team that doesn’t have many receiving options, let alone a receiver would left tackle Cordy Glenn in week two, forcing rookie Dion Dawkins to line up against Shaq Barrett or Von Miller in his first NFL start. On the other hand, the Broncos got good news this week as defensive end Zach Kerr was cleared to play this Sunday, adding to what was a thin defensive front.
How will the Broncos offensive line hold up if rookie left tackle Garett Bolles doesn’t play?
In his first two NFL games, Bolles has been impressive in pass-protection, allowing Trevor Siemian time in the pocket he didn’t get last year. This has led to a surprisingly resurgent Broncos offense which is averaging 33 points a tilt, with Siemian dialing up a league-leading six passing touchdowns. When Bolles went down against the Cowboys, swing-player/guard Allen Barbre stepped in, but Coach Vance Joseph said later in the week that swing-tackle Stephenson would probably get the nod as a starter against the Bills, despite Barbre performing well as a run-blocker. Stephenson struggled mightily last year, and if right tackle Menelik Watson continues to play at a poor level, Siemian and the Broncos could be in major trouble against a strong Bills defensive front.
Will the Broncos continue to run the ball with dominance?
So far the Broncos have rushed for 328 yards, second in the league only to the 49ers who have five more yards in one more game. That’s 158 yards a game, a major step up from last years 92.8 yards a game. This week they face a Bills team that is only giving up 115 rush yards a game, good for the fifth-best rush defense in the league (the Broncos have the 3rd best rush defense). However, the Bills will be missing standout defensive tackle Marcell Dareus to an ankle injury, potentially opening up the Bills to be more susceptible to the run. This looks to be Denver’s toughest test up front, despite facing off against a solid LA Chargers defense in week one.
This game will come down to who can run the ball effectively and keep their quarterback out of harm’s way. The Bills haven’t yet proven they can get much done offensively, and they are facing a swarming Denver defense that is coming off a huge game against a much more talented team. If Denver continues to run the ball well, expect them to take this game handily.
