Three Keys to the Broncos’ Week 15 Victory Over the Lions

admin | December 15, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Some casual NFL viewers believe that games are predetermined under a storyline mask, similar to the illusion of professional wrestling.

Such assertions are false and absurd, but based on the 2023 Denver Broncos’ theatrical drama, it’s impossible to blame anyone for wondering.

If it is ever discovered that pro football is predetermined, the league office should be nominated for an Emmy Award. After a 0-5 start, the Broncos have practically dug themselves out of a hole, vaulting them into the AFC Wildcard race and the race for the AFC West title.

Denver is currently one game behind the 8-5 Kansas City Chiefs, who have won six of their previous seven games. The Broncos will meet the 9-4 Detroit Lions on Saturday night in their third consecutive road game in the Motor City.

The first meeting between pupil and mentor will take place on Saturday night, when Lions head coach Dan Campbell takes against his old boss and friend, Sean Payton. The Broncos are currently one of six AFC teams with a 7-6 record, which means their playoff run will basically begin in primetime against Detroit in another must-win game.

What will it take for Denver to come out on top and keep the dream alive? Here are three keys to a Broncos victory that’ll advance their postseason aspirations.

Showcase Sutton on Saturday Night

It remains to be seen whether Payton and Russell Wilson are actually compatible enough to resurrect the Broncos club from the abyss of NFL obscurity and restore the organization to league royalty.

However, one thing is crystal clear: Russ’ heated chemistry with wide receiver Courtland Sutton is helping Denver win football games. Sutton, a sixth-year veteran and club captain, scored his 10th touchdown of the season on Sunday, becoming the first Broncos receiver to accomplish it since 2014.

Sutton has 53 receptions for 699 yards and 10 touchdowns in 13 games, averaging 13.2 yards per catch. Wilson trusts Sutton to make outstanding plays and bail the offense out of difficult situations, whether it’s in the center of the field on a crossing or slant route or deep moon-ball throws to the end zone.

Sure, other offensive playmakers have had their moments, but Sutton has emerged as the unquestioned top dog of Denver’s wide receiver group, which has seemingly passed Jerry Jeudy by. It’s not for a lack of trying, but the Wilson-Jeudy connection simply isn’t there, so Denver should quit attempting to press the issue.

After all, Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin, running backs Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin, wideout Brandon Johnson, and tight end Adam Trautman all had numerous touchdowns, compared to Jeudy’s lone single score in late October. Sutton was named to the 2019 Pro Bowl and is having his finest season since injuring his ACL.

On Saturday night, the Broncos’ WR1 might be matched up with Lions cornerbacks Cameron Sutton or Jerry Jacobs. Allowing the 6-foot-4, 216-pounder to go on a lion hunt in Detroit with heavy Wilson targets prepared by Payton will be essential.

Lose Yourself, Russ

The storylines in this game are straight out of a Hollywood script, and the Broncos’ star of the show on Saturday night may be Wilson. He’ll be able to channel his inner ‘B-Rabbit,’ as made famous by the film 8 Mile, which depicts Eminem’s climb to stardom as an improbable underdog through Detroit rap bouts.

The parallels between the film and Russ’ second opportunity from Payton include traits such as humility, perseverance, maturation, and redemption. Instead of using a microphone to verbally abuse a rap rival, Wilson has a chance to silence the naysayers against a top-15 Lions defense.

Last Sunday in Los Angeles, the nine-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl XLVIII champion exemplified poise, scrambling for critical first downs while avoiding costly turnovers. The box score indicates an interception, although it was a turnover that was not Russ’ fault, as rookie wideout Marvin Mims Jr. had the ball ripped from his grasp after making the grab.

The point is that Wilson trusted his instincts against the Los Angeles Chargers, which contributed to the Broncos’ first divisional road win since 2019. Instead of playing hero ball, Russ kept things simple, which helped Denver win the game.

In 13 games this season, Wilson has surpassed 2,609 yards passing and thrown 23 touchdowns to eight interceptions. Payton and Wilson must trust each other against the Lions.

Russ must think that Sean will have called a play that will place him in a position to succeed, while the head coach must believe that his quarterback will carry out his obligations for the given play. By no means am I recommending that Wilson become pass-happy, nor should it be the game plan.

But Russ should take advantage of his chance and “lose himself” in the game he fell in love with as a youngster in Virginia. Because, as the saying goes, “You only get one shot; this opportunity comes once in a lifetime.”

Tame the Lions’ Ground Game

If you’ve been living under a rock since Campbell took over as Lions head coach in 2021, I can assure you that Detroit is a difficult foe. Following a 1-6 start last season, Campbell guided his squad to an 8-game winning streak, the Lions’ first since 2017.

When it comes to running the football, Detroit’s offense reflects its opinionated and gritty head coach. The Lions’ two-headed backfield monster, spearheaded by David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, has the team ranked fourth in overall running yards in the NFL.In the Lions’ most recent loss to the Chicago Bears, both backs rushed for 66 yards and one touchdown.

Quarterback Jared Goff, like Wilson, has been able to rely on Detroit’s rushing assault, resulting in both teams having a winning record entering Week 15 and being solidly in postseason contention.

When the running game becomes stagnate or is eliminated, Goff’s hero ball produces calamitous turnovers at inopportune times. As a result, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph must concentrate stuffing the Lions’ run attack early and frequently.

Ben Johnson’s Lions offense averages 137.5 running yards per game behind an offensive line that includes former Broncos guard Graham Glasgow. Not to mention center Frank Ragnow and right tackle Penei Sewell, both of whom are regarded as elite trench players. Ragnow had been injured, but he practiced fully on Thursday despite being labeled as questionable for Saturday.

Denver’s powerful pass-rushing trio of Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, and Baron Browning has recently been wreaking havoc on opposition offensive linemen and quarterbacks. But, with Bonitto ruled out of this week’s action, it will be up to the big boys in the trenches, including D.J. Jones, Jonathan Harris, Mike Purcell, and Zach Allen, to break the run.

Only then can the Broncos catch the Lions by their toes.