Each week here at Mile High Sports, we’ll conduct two Denver Broncos film study sessions. One will focus on Bo Nix and the offense, and the other will focus on Denver’s defensive side of the ball. Today’s installment takes a look at Riley Moss, Jonah Elliss, Nik Bonitto, Keidron Smith and Ja’Quan McMillian.
Denver Broncos defensive film room vs. Green Bay Packers
We’ve got seven film clips that have narrated discussions on several players on the Denver Broncos defense in the team’s 27-2 win over the Packers this past Sunday.
Riley Moss defends the deep ball
On the Broncos’ first defensive series, Moss – a second-year cornerback – got the start and was tested on a deep throw on third down. He does a great job mirroring the release of the wide receiver off the line of scrimmage without lunging and gets in phase up the sideline. It appears there’s a slight push-off by the receiver, but Moss stays with him step for step despite the receiver gaining a slight bit of separation. Defensive end Zach Allen pushes the offensive lineman back into the lap of Sean Clifford, and ultimately, the pass falls incomplete.
Ja’Quan McMillian locks up on fourth down
On the very next play, the Packers go for it on 4th down and try to capitalize on a slot fade. The only problem with that is that Clifford is trying to test one of the NFL’s best young nickel defenders in McMillian, who plays this route perfectly. He reads the vertical release and sees his receiver start to bend toward the numbers and up the sideline, and McMillian does a great job of getting his hand on the shoulder of the defender to get in phase while the defensive line, led by Allen, provides pressure once again.
Keidron Smith snags second interception in two weeks
Smith has snagged himself two interceptions in the first two weeks of the NFL preseason. This comes right near the end of the first half, as he prowls the middle of the field. The routes on the defensive right side are covered, but the tight end coming across the backside is open and the Packers QB tries to lead him in anticipation, but Smith breaks on the route and has a nice return that’s set up by good blocking from Justin Strnad, Jordan Jackson, and Jonas Griffith.
Zach Allen gets after the quarterback
The Broncos defense got off the field on this third down play after Allen sacks the quarterback. Denver’s presnap communication defensively was sharp against a condensed trips formation. Their initial coverage is airtight, and the pressure forces Green Bay’s quarterback to scramble outside of the pocket. The Broncos secondary plays their coverage twice, which doesn’t give the quarterback any option to throw to. Allen takes a great pursuit angle, cuts off the QB, and wraps him up for a sack.
Nik Bonitto generates a tackle for a loss
The Denver Broncos pass rush duo of Elliss and Bonitto will be fun to watch this season. Bonitto comes free off of the left side, while the offensive formation brings a tight end back underneath to kick out Elliss, but nobody touches Bonitto. Strnad helps rally in the backfield in support for a nice stop.
Jonah Elliss destroys a run play and its blockers
Elliss does a terrific job here of disrupting Green Bay’s offensive design. The Packers left tackle is going to try and block Malcolm Roach inside while the center and left guard pull, leaving the right guard and right tackle free to step inside to try and work their way up to the inside linebackers. Elliss jams the Packers tight end in a one-on-one attempt and forces him into the guard’s path, which gives him an alley to shed and wrap up the running back for a pivotal stop.
Jonah Elliss gets the strip sack and recovery
Outside of the excitement surrounding Nix, Elliss might be the next most exciting rookie Denver has on the roster. He’ll play impact minutes this season, and this play is another example. He brushes off the chip release by the Packers tight end and then comes into a one-on-one matchup with the left tackle. The Broncos rookie engages and bows the pocket around the Packers quarterback, who decides to tuck it and run. Elliss sheds the block and brings a free hand outward, which wraps around the QB and dislodges the ball. Somehow, the ball bounces his way, and he also gets the recovery.