Three keys to the Broncos beating Washington on Halloween
Oct 27, 2021, 6:40 AM
The Denver Broncos just can’t get a win. They have lost four games in a row, and their latest loss was in their only nationally televised game of the year last Thursday night against the Cleveland Browns. They have a 10-day gap between games and come home for a matchup against the Washington Football Team.
The WFT is a team that is well-coached. Ron Rivera has been a quality head coach for years. Washington is 2-5, and their season is slipping away. They are the No. 2 team in the NFC East, but that’s only because the division stinks other than the Dallas Cowboys. Washington is no “gimme” game, but instead this should be a hard-fought contest – but one the Broncos can win.
As per usual on Mondays and Tuesdays during the regular season, I have broken down the coach’s film of the Broncos upcoming opponent. Here are three observations from the WFT film that could be the keys for a Broncos victory on Sunday.
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Heinicke Can Run
Taylor Heinicke may not be a name familiar to some in Broncos Country, but he’s a solid starter who can lead Washington to a win. He’s a decent passer who can keep plays alive with his feet while keeping his eyes downfield.
If needed, Heinicke can just pull the ball down and run. That’s what he did on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers when he had 95 yards rushing to lead the team.
Look at Taylor Heinicke GO. #WashingtonFootball
📺: #WASvsGB on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/NB577nzooO— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2021
Stopping Heinicke as a runner is a big key for the Broncos success. This team has struggled with rushing quarterbacks in the past, and it will be something they are mindful of on Sunday. The rush could flush Heinicke out of the pocket, but the coverage had better be true on the back end or he will find the open man.
Ryan Fitzpatrick is on Injured Reserve, and he’s still on crutches dealing with a hip injury that might be season-ending. Backup Kyle Allen is a favorite of the coaching staff, following Rivera over from the Carolina Panthers, and he’s undoubtedly breathing down Heinicke’s neck. That pressure to perform could be catastrophic for Heinicke, or it could have him playing a great game against the Broncos on Sunday. If Heinicke struggles, there could be a quick hook.
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A Bevy of Backs
Dealing with a rushing quarterback is one thing. Dealing with multiple running backs with varying skill sets is something else.
Antonio Gibson is the lead back for Washington, and he’s a good back who can hurt you as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield. A converted wide receiver from Memphis, Gibson was one of my favorite running backs in the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s a good runner who can live between the tackles, but he’s also got the speed and instincts to find space on the outside. Gibson has been held back this year by a shin injury. He’s got a small fracture in his shin – yes, he’s playing with a break in his leg – that should hobble him the rest of the season.
Behind Gibson is J.D. McKissic, and he’s more of your traditional change-of-pace back. McKissic is instinctive as a runner, but he’s not going to live between the tackles like Gibson can. Instead, McKissic is going to hurt you in space with make-you-miss moves in the open field. He’s a hard-charging runner who can change direction with ease. WFT uses him on “Texas” routes to set up linebackers and gain yards after the catch. McKissic is getting more work in recent weeks because of the injury to Gibson. Together, they are a helluva 1-2 punch.
J.D. McKissic with an ABSURD touchdown to give Washington (-2) the lead 💥
— The Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) October 3, 2021
Denver has had a history of struggling against running backs who can catch passes out of the backfield. Gibson is playing banged up, but he’s a fantastic and natural receiver. McKissic has electricity to his game and is the most dangerous receiver out of the backfield for WFT. I even like rookie Jaret Patterson, their third-string back, who has great foot frequency and can make defenders miss.
No matter who is lined up in the backfield, the Broncos had better be on alert. Rushing them and testing their pass-blocking ability won’t work as both Gibson and McKissic are great when it comes to protecting the quarterback. The Broncos inside linebackers have been beset by injury, so new faces or inexperienced players are likely to be tasked with covering these savvy receiving backs. That could spell trouble for the Broncos on Sunday.
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Like Bill Murray in “Space Jam”
WFT has some defensive talent. In fact, they have some superstars on that side of the ball that should strike fear in the hearts of opponents each week. However, they just haven’t put things together on that side of the ball. That’s why Washington’s defense reminds me of the actor Bill Murray in the classic movie “Space Jam” when he says “Whoa, I don’t play defense.”
They can get after the passer with guys like Montez Sweat or Chase Young (or Jonathan Allen), but their coverage is lacking, to say the least. Washington is No. 32 in the league when it comes to passing yards allowed this year (2,104 yards). In addition to letting passes fill the air, Washington is weak when it comes to red-zone defense. Of the 25 touchdowns they’ve allowed this year, all but seven have come inside the red zone – with a couple of those seven from being inside the 30-yard line.
Space Jam 1996 is underrated and it was great to see Bill Murray there.
pic.twitter.com/nViBXg6NLe— BatUltimatumFan #DCFandome (@MandoBatSpidey) July 2, 2021
The Washington defense is a convoluted mess. The Broncos should be able to move the ball up and down the field, so long as the rush stays away from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. We should see him buy time with subtle moves in and around the pocket, and Bridgewater will be able to find open receivers down the field.
They are stronger against the run (No. 14 overall) but that’s because teams just choose to pass against them all game long. The Broncos have been the “get right” team for their last four opponents. Now, Washington sets up to be the “get right” team for the Broncos.
We’ll see how well they follow the keys to beat Washington in Week 8.
