Three keys to the Broncos beating the Lions in Week 14 matchup

The Denver Broncos lost on primetime TV to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13. Rather than earn the top spot in the AFC West with a win, the Broncos now return home once again searching for answers. Up next, the lowly Detroit Lions in Week 14.

The Lions are coming off their first and only win of the 2021 season, and the Broncos don’t want to be number two. They will fight hard, and even though they’re not as talented as the Broncos we could see them push them to the brink.

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 Lions film that could be the keys for a Broncos victory on Sunday night.

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Run The Ball (Again)

We finally got to see the Broncos offense have a commitment to running the ball in Week 13. Javonte Williams, rookie second-round pick out of North Carolina, received the first start of his career with Melvin Gordon out and he did not disappoint. Williams ran for over 100 yards and had over 170 all-purpose yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs.

This week, Gordon should be back in action, yet we don’t know if he’s going to start. Even if Gordon does get the starting nod, the Broncos should use Williams more. Not only should they ease Gordon back in, but Williams is also the hot hand and can grind down opponents as the game goes on if he gets the proper number of touches.

.@Broncos #JavonteWilliams makes you wrap up; b/c if you don’t you are going to look bad. Contact Balance is as good as it gets. #unc #BroncosCountry #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/qWYxnwtnup

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 8, 2021

I’m okay with Gordon coming back so long as they keep feeding Williams. The Broncos should use Williams more, and I don’t even mind Mike Boone getting more work as he looked good against the Chiefs as well. Simply put, the Broncos backfield can lead the way for them in Week 14.

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More Courtland Please

The Broncos paid wide receiver Courtland Sutton this year, but they haven’t used him much since they gave him the bag. That could change against the Lions on Sunday. Sutton is the future of the team at the position, and what a week it would be if he got things going again.

Sutton signed his four-year contract extension worth $60.8 million on Nov. 22 and in the two games since then has just four catches for 32 yards on nine targets. Simply put, that’s pathetic. Sutton is a star and needs to be featured more. Part of his lack of usage has been the return of Jerry Jeudy. When Jeudy was out of the lineup due to injury, Sutton was a target monster getting around 25 percent of the target share. Since Jeudy has returned in Week 8, Sutton only sees around 11 percent of the target share.

Detroit has a weak defense, and they currently rank No. 21 against the pass in terms of passing yards allowed this year. The Lions don’t rush, and they don’t cover. This is a big problem for them, and it could be a huge boost for the Broncos passing attack.

Courtland Sutton’s route-running 😳 pic.twitter.com/48FJvZDA7U

— PFF (@PFF) August 29, 2021

It remains to be seen if the Broncos passing game can get on the right track. This is a ‘get right’ game for the Broncos, and they could thrive in both the passing game and the rushing game. The team could use the boost of confidence.

If they do go to the air more in Week 14, I think that comes in the form of big plays and lots of throws to Sutton. Last week, even though the Lions won against the Vikings, Justin Jefferson had a whopping 182 yards on 11 catches and one touchdown. I’m not saying Sutton will match (or best) those numbers, but if he had over 100 yards on the day I wouldn’t be surprised.

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Tale of Two (Hawkeye) Tight Ends

The Denver defense is not as weak against the tight end position as they used to be. Denver fans can thank Kenny Young and Baron Browning for doing what Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell could not do – cover tight ends. Having Browning and Young on the field is going to be a big boost this week against the Lions.

Detroit doesn’t have many weapons on offense, but the best player on the entire roster could be superstar tight end T.J. Hockenson. He was a first-round pick for the Lions in the 2019 NFL draft, the same year the Broncos drafted Noah Fant. In fact, Hockenson and Fant were teammates in college at the University of Iowa.

The Hawkeyes had a dynamic duo at the tight end position with Hockenson as the three-down guy and Fant as the receiving weapon. During their pro careers, Hockenson has played like a superstar perennial Pro Bowler (when healthy) while Fant has only flashed as a receiver and struggled as a blocker.

Got TJ Hockenson the football 🗣 pic.twitter.com/amDpbp9UeO

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) November 25, 2021

The Lions don’t have much on offense to be concerned about. Hockenson is a big concern – I mean a big concern. No matter how the game unfolds, Hockenson should be targeted early and often. The Denver defense is no doubt putting together a large part of their game plan to slow down the superstar tight end.

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