Broncos and Chiefs comes down to one player’s impact: Von Miller

Sep 26, 2018, 10:42 AM

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller #58 in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

(Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

There have been 25 games in Von Miller’s career with the Denver Broncos in which he was held to just two tackles or less and no sacks, including a loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

In those games, the Broncos are 12-13, which accounts for a quarter of all the losses in Miller’s career in Denver.

“Von’s coming off one of the least impactful games of his career. He was there, but was he really there?” said Mike Evans on Wednesday. “Two tackles. It wasn’t like he was just doing all kinds of things that were allowing the rest of the defense to just thrive. It was just a quiet game for Von.”

However, if Miller can have a bounce-back game, the “Schlereth and Evans” host said Wednesday, it could be the difference in the Broncos coming away with a victory on Monday Night against the Kansas City Chiefs and not.

“This is what you’re paying Von Miller for. This is the game. It’s Monday Night. It’s at home. It’s on a big stage. It’s against an opponent, an offense, a quarterback that is just red-hot right now,” Evans said. “This is what you pay the man on this stage to deliver. So, it’s him. He’s the central figure in this.

“If he goes out and has the kind of game where afterward we’re just like, oh my god, what a performance by Von, then you know how the rest of the defense will play as a result of that.”

Evans’ co-host Mark Schlereth echoed the comments, saying if Miller has a Khalil Mack-like performance — who’s had a couple of standout defensive performances in prime-time games for the Chicago Bears thus far this season — then the Broncos have a chance to win.

“And if he has two tackles and not a lot of impact from a pass rushing standpoint, not a lot of opportunities, then not only are you going to lose but you’re probably going to get dusted by double digits,” Schlereth said.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.