Tag: Battle

As the Broncos take the field Saturday for an AFC matchup in Cincinnati, there won’t be any panic.

There will just be a sense of urgency.

A win over the Bengals would allow the Broncos to clinch their first postseason berth since 2015. And although Denver fell short in its quest to secure a spot last week in a divisional matchup with the Chargers, the Broncos know they are still in control of their own destiny when it comes to postseason aspirations.

“[There’s] certainly a heightened sense of urgency,” tackle Mike McGlinchey said Tuesday. “I think it’s more of just an excitement. It’s this excitement that we are in control of what we need to do. And when we do it, we achieve the goal that we set out to achieve to start the year.”

The Broncos will look to get back in the win column after their four-game win streak was snapped on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 17. And as the Bengals aim to extend their three-game win streak as they face a must-win game to keep their own postseason aspirations alive, Denver knows what’s at stake.

“[We’ve] got to realize that everything we want is still ahead of us,” outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper said. “We just have to go get it.”

Here are three questions that will decide if the Broncos can earn an important 10th win and secure their spot in the postseason:

Can the Broncos’ secondary limit the Bengals’ standout wide receiver duo?

As Denver’s defense takes the field on Saturday, the unit will be tasked with limiting a playmaker that is currently chasing the receiving triple crown.

Entering Week 17, Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase leads the league in receptions (108), receiving yards (1,510) and receiving touchdowns (16) in 2024, and he would become the youngest player to achieve the triple crown feat in the Super Bowl era if he finished the season leading the way in all three categories.

“[Chase] is pretty impressive,” Head Coach Sean Payton said. “… Those numbers are remarkable. The run after catch only happens when you have strong hands. Rarely do you see him leave his feet. His feet are on the ground as he catches the ball. Some receivers will jump or pause to catch it. His balance [is impressive]. … I would say he’s extremely strong and hard to tackle. That presents a challenge.”

Chase is not Cincinnati’s only offensive weapon, though, as wide receiver Tee Higgins is also having a career year. Chase and Higgins are two of just six receivers in the league averaging 70-plus receiving yards per game with seven-plus receiving touchdowns in 2024. Higgins was listed as questionable for the matchup on Cincinnati’s final injury report on Thursday, but if he takes the field on Saturday, he will present another challenge for Denver’s secondary.

Cornerback Pat Surtain II, though, said his unit is prepared to embrace the challenge.

“They’re good and pretty efficient,” Surtain said of Chase and Higgins. “You can tell that they play well off of each other. They use them in different roles. Obviously, they’re both good receivers at the end of the day. It’s going to be a challenge for us that we’re going to be prepared for.”

Surtain has provided lockdown coverage all season, and it will be important for him to continue this for Denver to find success on Saturday. Surtain leads the Broncos with four interceptions and 11 passes defensed in 2024, and he has allowed the third lowest passer rating in coverage across the league this season (52.3). Safety Brandon Jones has allowed the lowest passer rating (50.6) league wide and could also play a key role in slowing down Cincinnati’s playmakers.

The Broncos’ secondary could also see a boost from the return of cornerback Riley Moss, who Payton said will be “ready to go” for Saturday’s matchup. Moss has not seen game action since he suffered an injury in Week 12 against the Raiders.

If Surtain and Co. can find a way to limit Cincinnati’s key offensive weapons and prevent big downfield plays, they’ll play a big role in slowing down an explosive offense.

Can Bo Nix, Broncos’ offense continue its high-scoring streak?

For the first time since 2014, the Broncos have a top 10 scoring offense. Denver’s 24.2 points per game currently rank 10th in the NFL, and the Broncos have now scored at least 27 points in five consecutive games.

And for wide receiver Courtland Sutton, it will be important for the offense to continue doing the things that have gotten the unit to this point — while also placing extra emphasis on the details as competition ramps up.

“It’s another game,” Sutton said. “Prepare how you prepare, because we have been playing good ball. However, do a little more. Find something here or there — whether it’s in your routine of your body, whether it’s in your routine of game-planning mentally or your routine in practice. Find something a little bit more to be able to put yourself in a position to go out there and play the best ball you can play.”

Sticking to the fundamentals will be key as Denver’s offense faces a Bengals’ defense that has allowed 26.2 points per game in 2024, which is tied for the fifth most in the NFL. When facing opponents that currently have a winning record this season, Cincinnati has allowed the second-most points and yards per game.

For the Broncos to find success offensively, Bo Nix and the offense must get into the end zone — and likely find a way to do so often. Even when the Bengals have not won this season, they have posted impressive numbers in high-scoring games. Cincinnati has six losses this season in contests in which the team has scored at least 25 points. And while the projected weather conditions may impact how the game plays out, Nix knows it will be important to find a way to put points on the board.

“We’re excited,” Nix said of the possibility of facing inclement weather. “I thought we ran the ball well against the Jets that day. We’re going to have to carry that over [and] have an open mindset and do whatever’s working. We’ll be able to handle the rain. We’re professionals, and they have to play in it too. It’s going to be good. It’s going to be a good environment. It will be fun.”

A key piece of offensive success could depend on Denver continuing to protect its rookie quarterback. The Broncos have allowed just 22 sacks this year — which is tied for the third fewest in the NFL — and Denver is 7-0 when Nix is sacked no more than once. The unit must find a way to continue this success as they aim to stop Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who leads the league in sacks this season.

With good protection, Nix can look to playmakers such as wide receiver Courtland Sutton — who is on the brink of recording his first season with 1,000-plus receiving yards since 2019 — to make big plays and find the end zone.

If the Broncos can find a way to maximize their opportunities as they face a defense that has struggled against teams over .500 this season, they could continue their high-scoring ways and earn the victory.

Can Denver’s defense slow down Joe Burrow’s production?

Denver’s defense could face one of its biggest challenges this season in slowing down quarterback Joe Burrow, who leads the NFL in passing yards (4,229) and passing touchdowns (39) this season.

Especially important in slowing that production will be pressuring Burrow before he has the opportunity to make downfield plays. When not facing pressure, Burrow boasts a 74.6 completion percentage and 112.3 passer rating. His completion percentage drops to 53.9 percent when facing pressure, though, while his passer rating drops to 98.4.

“He’s playing fantastic football right now,” Cooper said. “[We’ve] got to keep him in the pocket, got to put pressure on him, got to make him feel uncomfortable back there. He’s having a great year, so it’s going to be up to the D-line and outside linebackers to make sure that we put pressure on him and make him feel uncomfortable.”

The Broncos’ defense is poised to do so as the unit boasts the second highest quarterback pressure percentage in the NFL this season (38.1) and leads the league in sacks (51). Denver has five different players with five-plus sacks this season, which is the most in the NFL. The Broncos may be able to find success making Burrrow uncomfortable behind the efforts of defensive lineman Zach Allen — who leads the league in quarterback pressures — and outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, who leads the Broncos with 11.5 sacks.

Payton knows, though, that it will take more than just getting to Burrow to slow down Cincinnati’s offensive execution.

“The other part that they do a great job with is — and [Burrow] does a good job with this — reading, feeling the pocket, climbing and extending a play,” Payton said. “They’re really good with the second element of a play if it’s not open on time. He’ll keep it just as well and go get a first down. They’re really good with their scramble drill rules. You really have to work on plasters, staying with your guy, and then we have to rush him the right way, as well.”

If the Broncos are able to make things difficult for Burrow and be prepared to take away second options, it could help slow down Cincinnati’s high-scoring offense and help Denver earn the win.