Ravens week 3 opponent: Scouting report on Denver Broncos

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a first down after a scramble against the Oakland Raiders at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a first down after a scramble against the Oakland Raiders at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 13: Outside linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos works against tackle Ricky Wagner #71 of the Baltimore Ravens during a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 13, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 13: Outside linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos works against tackle Ricky Wagner #71 of the Baltimore Ravens during a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 13, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

The Broncos Defense

How the Broncos Defense Lines up

The Broncos typically play with two defensive linemen, often in a shade of the center and a three technique, but they switch their fronts up. Their stand up  outside linebackers are of course the players who steal the show. Because of the way the Broncos often line up, the Ravens may be able to create some rushing lanes through the B gaps in between the guards and the tackles. The Broncos defense is very solid, especially up front. Domata Peko Sr. and Derek Wolfe are especially impressive along the defensive line.

What The Broncos Defense Does Well 

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The pass rush of the Broncos is absolutely on point. Von Miller in particular is an amazing pass rusher. Miller is very persistent; he often does his best work on a second effort and plays through the whistle. The outside linebackers are the main attraction but the Broncos defense is stout up front all the way across the field. In terms of pass rush, they often collapse the pocket, which allows the outside pass rush to feast even more. The Broncos have seven sacks and two picks this season. Miller has forced two fumbles this season, including one where he basically pulled the ball away from a running back.

How to get the Broncos Defense into trouble: 

The biggest problem the Broncos have had this season is covering the tight end. There have been a handful of plays where a tight end has been wide open against them. Will Dissly torched them when they played the Seahawks. Dissly had a touchdown and 105 yards just in the first half. One play that the Seahawks used with amazing results was a play-action pass where Dissly pretended to block and popped out for a wide open touchdown in the red zone. Jared Cook was wide open over the middle of the field twice when the Raiders played the Broncos.

The Seahawks exposed the Broncos secondary. There were too many wide open looks for Russell Wilson. Wilson connected on a deep touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett, who ran a deep post out of the slot. If I was Marty Mornhinweg, I’d try to get John Brown a touchdown off the same play. The Broncos are all about their pass rush. Their secondary is beatable, if you can avoid the pass rush. The Seahawks and Raiders both used a combination of play-action, and screens to slow down the pass rush. The Seahawks have an atrocious offensive line, if they can score 24 points against the Broncos, the Ravens can too. Bradley Roby struggled against size against the Raiders. The Ravens would be wise to attack him with Michael Crabtree.