Vance Joseph knows it’s critical Broncos don’t let Jalen Hurts beat them

Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has quite the task this weekend.

He has to find a way to help his guys shut down the high-powered Philadelphia Eagles offense.

That will be the Broncos best chance to pull the upset against the defending Super Bowl champions on the road. The task won’t be easy, as the Eagles are averaging 27 points per game, which is currently seventh in the NFL.

Stopping superstar running back Saquon Barkley will be high on Denver’s priority list, as well as containing A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith and Dallas Goedert in the passing game.

But it might be the running ability of QB Jalen Hurts that the Broncos have to watch out the most for. After Friday’s practice, Vance Joseph spoke on Hurts, and he knows it’s critical Denver doesn’t let him win the game with his legs.

“How we rush this guy is obviously key. If everyone’s covered and you have a irresponsible rush lanes, he will take off and gain the first-down,” Joseph said.

On the season Hurts has 41 rushes for 179 yards and four touchdowns. He’s famous (or infamous) for the “Tush Push,” but his wheels can strike at any moment.

“You never see third-and-long or second-and-long ever if you don’t contain the quarterback. I think he’s an accurate passer, but when he pulls the ball down, if everyone’s back’s turned he can make a big play on you,” Joseph said.

The Broncos will need both their middle linebackers and safeties to be on alert every single play. It sounds like that’s something Vance Joseph is stressing to the defense.

“Obviously, how we rush him is important, how we stop Saquon is important. They have a lot of weapons that we have to account for. But, the quarterback is obviously the main guy. That’s where it starts,” Joseph said.

It might be oversimplifying things to say if Denver contains Hurts they’ll win, but it also might not be.

Clearly, that’s a focus for Vance Joseph, and now his players have to go out and execute on Sunday.

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