The Denver Broncos have put their finishing touches on their game prep for the San Francisco 49ers. How can they win on Sunday Night at home in front of a jam-packed crowd?
Getting out of their own way, knowing where Deebo Samuel is, and slowing down the 49ers’ rushing attack are some of the biggest keys.
Denver Broncos have to get out of their own way
Amidst a 1-1 start to the season, the national media narrative has been focused on Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett’s early struggles with clock management.
Lost amongst media-head talking points, the Broncos offense through two weeks has been in their own way.
They currently stand as one of the NFL’s top offenses through two weeks, 7th in net yards per game (391.5), 7th in yards per play (6.1), 10th in net rushing yards per game (126), 8th in net passing yards per game (265.5) and 6th in time of possession at 33:06.
What’s the issue? Finishing promising drives.
The Broncos rank dead last in the NFL through two weeks in red zone percentage, going 0-for-6.
25 penalties through two weeks doesn’t help when more than half are against the offense early on.
Denver’s offense has everything they need in front of them, but in order to take that next step, must simply get out of their own way and finish against San Francisco on Sunday.
Hackett has already taken steps to remedy some of Denver’s early game management issues by hiring veteran coach Jerry Rosburg as the team’s senior assistant in all three phases of the game as first reported by 9News’ Mike Klis.
Rosburg retired initially in 2018 after spending more than 10 years as the special teams coordinator and associate head coach with the Baltimore Ravens under John Harbaugh.
His role will help assist Hackett with in-game management and operations as an eye in the sky.
An example of what his role will provide will be insightful for Hackett as it pertains to bringing up key analytics based on research conducted throughout the week against the opponent, timeout advisement, and suggestions on whether or not it’s beneficial for the team to go for it on 4th down.
Where’s Deebo?
Where’s Deebo is this week’s rendition of “Where’s Waldo” as the Broncos defense will be on alert for locating No. 19.
Deebo Samuel is arguably the most electric player in the NFL from the skill player position.
He can hurt a defense from just about anywhere, lined up on the outside or in the slot as a receiver, or in the backfield.
Samuel has NFL Next-Gen Stats 6th most remarkable rushing plays so far through two weeks.
Against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2, he had one rushing attempt that saw him explode for 51 yards.
Initially, Samuel’s expected rush yards on the play equated to six, but his explosive athleticism generated more than 45 yards over expected according to Next Gen Stats.
Through two games, Samuel has averaged 6 targets per game in the receiving department, but that could equate to more this week with Jimmy Garoppolo taking over for Trey Lance who sustained a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2.
There is a growing sense of optimism Patrick Surtain plays tonight, indicating he’ll draw the task of trying to limit Samuel’s impact.
Slow down the 49ers rushing attack
Dating back to their impressive run in the playoffs last season, the 49ers often embrace a “bully-ball” mentality in their rushing emphasis.
Through two weeks, the 49ers come in as the NFL’s 4th ranked rushing offense, averaging nearly 182.5 yards per game on the ground.
Tight end George Kittle is making his regular season debut after missing the first two weeks with a groin injury, and he’ll be a major impact player in the 49ers blocking game.
Deebo Samuel will be one wrinkle thrown into the mix, but the 49ers are down two of their top backs in Elijah Mitchell who suffered an MCL sprain in Week 1, and Tyrion Davis-Price who suffered an ankle injury in Week 2.
With Davis-Price’s injury, Jordan Mason is expected to get some run alongside Jeff Wilson Jr. who had 84 yards rushing on 18 attempts against the Seahawks.
It will be up to the Broncos defensive front seven including Dre’Mont Jones, Mike Purcell, D.J. Jones, Randy Gregory, Bradley Chubb, Jonas Griffith, and Josey Jewell to force the 49ers to throw the football more than they’d like to.
The Broncos currently rank 5th in the NFL defensively against the run, allowing an average of 78.0 yards per game.
In the secondary, the Broncos rank 5th against the pass, allowing an average of 165.5 yards through the air through two games.
Denver will have their hands full on Sunday against San Francisco, but the nationally televised spotlight could help them change the narrative if they find a way to contain the 49ers in these three phases of the game plan.
Denver (1-1) vs. San Francisco (1-1) kicks off at 6:20 p.m. MT at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium tonight.