The Broncos’ offense has shocked the entire league in the season’s first two weeks; the progression from last year’s plodding unit to this year’s multi-dimensional threat has made the team one of the NFL’s most interesting stories. However, that offense should expect to have their hands full against a stingy Buffalo Bills defense that looks to make a statement on Sunday morning.
The Bills’ front seven contains Pro Bowler Kyle Williams, and eight-year veteran Jerry Hughes is coming off of a two-sack game against the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, the secondary ranks eighth in the league, only allowing 177 passing yards per game. The Bills have a strong defense that shouldn’t be underestimated.
“Everyone is saying their back end is not that good. But for me, I don’t believe the hype,” said wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. “You’ve got guys back there that are young; they see that they have the Broncos coming to town. It’s an opportunity for them to prove themselves.”
The Bills’ defense is one of two teams in the NFL who have yet to surrender a passing touchdown. The average passer rating of quarterbacks who have faced them so far is an atrocious 68.7, and they have two interceptions as a unit. The bull-rushing front line has also gotten to the quarterback seven times through their first two games.
The Broncos look to counter with a passing offense that has scored a league-leading six touchdowns through two games. Siemian knows that in order to continue their passing success, the Broncos will need to run the ball.
“The whole front seven — it’s a really good front,” Siemian said during a press conference. “We have to match their physicality, especially on the road. You have to try to find a way to run the ball.” Fortunately for the Broncos, that front seven was weakened on Friday, stalwart defensive tackle Marcell Dareus was ruled out of this week’s game with an injured ankle.
Nevertheless, running the ball against the Bills will still be a tall order for the league-leading rushing attack of the Broncos. “(They’re) just fast and physical — just really, really physical. They play with a lot of effort,” said running back C.J. Anderson. “Up front, guys like Kyle Williams and… [Jerry] Hughes [are] stout. They definitely have some players, and we want to go in with the right mindset.”
The Bills’ rushing defense is currently ranked fifth in the league, only giving up 57.5 yards per game and a partly average of 2.7 yards per attempt, while giving up only a single rushing touchdown.
Anderson and the offense look to attack with a rushing offense that averages 159.0 yards per game and 4.2 yards per attempt. Keeping up this kind of success will rely on everyone continuing to contribute to running plays. A combination of strong offensive line play and a threatening passing attack will be the key to succeeding against the Bills. Broncos rookie left tackle Garett Bolles returned to practice in a limited fashion on Thursday, and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Having Bolles on the line makes that unit much better, but backups Donald Stephenson and Allen Barbre were at least serviceable in the win over the Cowboys, after Bolles left with a badly bruised ankle.
“Everyone has to come up with a gameplan,” said offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. “I think when we have the weapons we have on the outside, [opponents]have to decide what they want to do. I think we’ve done a great job. They players have gone out and executed. I think you give the receivers a compliment also for the way they’ve blocked in the running game. I think everybody deserves credit for the way we’re running the football right now.”
If the Broncos can find a way to continue their ground dominance in Buffalo on Sunday, not only will the 3-0 start be worth talking about, but the team’s status as a bona fide contender will justifiably enter the national discussion.