The Buffalo Bills are hosting the Denver Broncos on Sunday in the Wild Card round. While Josh Allen and the Bills are looking to finally get to the promised land, which will almost inevitably go through Kansas City at some point, they have to start with a round one win against a tough Denver team.
Denver poses some serious challenges, namely on defense. Their pass rush has been tops in the NFL this season, generating the most sacks across the league. To get a better feel for what the Broncos will bring to the table, I asked Justin Churchill, an A to Z staffer that knows a bit more about the Broncos than I do.
Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos burning questions
Denver has had the best pass rush in the league this season. What has made them such a difficult unit for opposing teams to stop?
I think when you factor in what defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has been cooking up schematically, with the youth they have, and simply the bodies they have, they have become unstoppable almost. They rotate guys in and out and are about 2 deep at every spot. But the interior with Zach Allen putting pressure on the pocket has been a main key in the edges getting home.
Outside of Pat Surtain, who is the name to watch in the secondary for the Broncos?
It has to be Riley Moss. He didn’t have a great game the week before last, but it was his first game back from injury. Throughout this year he has been fantastic, and a guy that has made some pretty incredible pass breakups on crucial downs. He has his legs back under him and I expect him to be a name we hear quite a bit.
What is the best way for Josh Allen and the offense to attack the Denver defense?
It has to be the run game. And, that means Josh Allen, too. Since Week 10, the Broncos have the second worst rush yards allowed per game, and the second worst EPA/att. They have been getting gashed, and it’s really hurt them. They have struggled with quarterbacks who can run the ball as well.
How has rookie quarterback Bo Nix progressed over the course of the season, and what do you think his biggest strength has been?
I think comfortability is the biggest thing [with Bo Nix]. He’s comfortable in and outside the pocket now, where the beginning of the season was causing him to throw some errant throws. He still has his rookie moments, but he has really learned how to lean on his team and trust them, and that can go a long way.
If the Buffalo defense is going to find success against Denver, how should they go about limiting them?
Denver is the only team in the league this year to not have a running back rush for over 100 yards. You have to make them run the ball and you have to make them stick to it, because it simply won’t work. They will try to go to short yardage passing game and use screens with Marvin Mims and others to try and create that mystery in the offensive side. But, if they can’t run the ball they aren’t that great of a team. Too many times this year Nix has been the best ball carrier on the team.
