Winner will probably be in prime place for late-season playoff push. Loser will probably be in deep trouble. Pressuring Burrow is paramount for Broncos.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — This can be a sport for playoff place.
The winner of the Broncos-Bengals battle of 7-6 groups is not going to have an AFC wild-card playoff clinched. Nor will the sport’s loser be eradicated from the playoff race.
It’s simply that with three video games remaining after this one Sunday, the winner will probably be in place to seize a playoff spot whereas the loser will probably be left with a win-out-or-else state of affairs.
It received’t be straightforward for the Broncos. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is prolific. When he throws, he throws it downfield. His 8.4 yards per try is second within the league to Kyler Murray’s 8.7. However Burrow additionally leads the league with 14 interceptions and 41 sacks.
The Bengals even have the NFL’s second-leading rusher in Joe Mixon, who has already rushed for 1,036 yards by simply 13 video games.
On protection the Bengals are common – sixteenth in yards allowed; seventeenth in factors allowed.
Listed here are 5 keys to the Broncos beating the Bengals on Sunday at Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive and shifting into prime place for an AFC wild-card berth:
Many of the Broncos gamers are vaccinated. Which suggests per the league’s new virus coverage, they not must take the COVID-19 check except they’re sick. League to omicron variant: Play Ball!
Have we talked about he’s taken a league-most 41 sacks? He can’t full the intermediate-to-deep passes if he doesn’t have time. Which ends up in our No. 3 key.
He’s had sackless droughts earlier than. However there has by no means been extra strain on Chubb to drop the quarterback. Which isn’t completely honest. Chubb had two surgical procedures, one on every ankle, previously seven months. There’s not a lot energy or conditioning that may be constructed within the legs whereas your ankles are immobilized. Nonetheless, Chubb is wholesome sufficient to play and he has been in a position to contribute in different methods. However even he mentioned Monday it’s time for him to start out making the large play.
Up to now three weeks, the Broncos have scored touchdowns on 9 of their 11 journeys to the crimson zone. Purple-zone success should proceed. For the season, Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has 15 touchdowns and just one interception from the crimson zone.
5. Large day from Jeudy or Sutton
Broncos receivers have been too quiet. Jeudy, a first-round, second-year participant who has been rebounding from a high-ankle sprain, is on the lookout for his first sport of a minimum of 80 yards. Sutton, a second-round, fourth-year participant, is in a six-game droop the place he’s had not more than 2 catches or 40 yards. Broncos will want the large play in opposition to a Bengals group that produces its justifiable share.
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Denver Broncos headlines, sport previews and interviews with our 9NEWS insider Mike Klis.
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