Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. is staying laser-focused ahead of the team’s upcoming matchup versus the Tennessee Titans.
The Broncos earned their first victory of the season last week, a 20-13 triumph versus the Los Angeles Chargers. The main reason the Broncos secured their first victory of the season was from a set of defensive stands at the end of regulation to put the game on ice. The Chargers offense had numerous opportunities to take a lead late, but the Broncos defense was able to keep things on lock.
The first victory of the season was a great accomplishment for the Broncos who now have turned their attention to Sunday’s showdown versus Tennessee. Denver will look to carry momentum over from their latest win, and the players have the same mindset this week as they did versus the Chargers.
“We definitely knew we were close, but we had to go out there and take the game and win it,” Harris said at practice Tuesday. “Now we just have to keep the same approach that we had last week, same focus, same preparation, and get ready for a great team. This Titans team, they’re capable of beating anybody, and we have to be ready to play.”
The Broncos have been grinding since the start of the season, enduring growing pains throughout the season under the control of rookie head coach Vic Fangio.
According to Harris, the Broncos have been preparing for games the same way all season. The difference between last Sunday’s victory and the Broncos’ four losses this season, is maturity and discipline from the group.
“I would just say that we just have mental lapses at the wrong time and key drives that really cost us,” Harris said. “I think we’ve been—from what I’ve seen, I’ve seen guys preparing and studying and trying to do whatever they can to be on the same page going into the game.”
The Broncos have had a lot of turnover on their roster from last season to this year, especially on defense. Harris is the last remaining member of Denver’s heralded “No Fly Zone” and is the voice of the Broncos’ secondary this season. A majority of Denver’s secondary consists of young, budding players in the league that Harris is lending advice to.
“I’ve just tried to get them ready,” Harris said. “Try to get them to play confident, try to tell them to mimic what I’m doing on the other side to try to not give a quarterback an easy throw, and try to copy me what I’m doing on the field. How I’m moving around, giving different disguises, and hopefully, a quarterback can get confused and not just try to pick on them the whole time.”
The Broncos will welcome the Titans to Empower Field at Mile High for an afternoon showdown in the Mile High City. The Titans are fresh off a loss versus the Buffalo Bills and will be looking to get their season back on track versus Denver.
Should the Broncos want to defeat the Titans, they will need to put pressure on Marcus Mariota and company from the jump. The Titans offense has scored an average of 19.6 points per game this season, which ranks in the bottom half of the league. A strong showing from Harris and company on defense will give Denver a good shot to earn their second consecutive victory.
Broncos’ legend and Hall-of-fame cornerback Champ Bailey will be in attendance Sunday, adding a little extra emphasis for the Broncos secondary to perform well.
“I know it’s a big weekend for those guys, and I have my dog [Titans ILB] Wesley Woodyard coming back in town,” Harris said. “It’s bragging rights this game, especially versus him. I know Champ wants to win that game to brag against Wood too.”
The Broncos and Titans will kick off at 2:25 p.m. MT on Sunday.
