2019 So Far
Since 2018, the Broncos canned Vance Joseph after two years, and hired Vic Fangio, a defensive minded coach, that has been around the NFL since 1986. Case Keenum, as mentioned, was traded to Washington, but before that, Denver acquired Joe Flacco from Baltimore.
Quarterback-wise, it wasn’t the best of transitions, but Flacco did have playoff experience, a Super Bowl victory, and perhaps needed a fresh start somewhere else. Flacco, who is currently finished for the season with a neck injury, had become very frustrated with the team’s play-calling in the final week’s of his season, and he was certainly justified.
Denver had a decent draft, acquiring a tight end that many Bills’ fans had clamored for in Noah Fant. The rookie has been a solid weapon so far this season, but has lacked proper “quarterbacking” and schemes to utilize him to his potential.
Currently, Denver sits at 25th in total offense, with 3,197 yards, 25th in passing offense, with 2,066 yards by air and 17th in rushing with 1,131 yards on the ground. On defense, Denver is 4th currently in total defense, with 3,108 yards allowed. They are the fourth ranked team in passing defense, with 2,103 yards by air put on them by opposing offenses, and 10th in rushing defense, with only 1,005 yards allowed on the ground against them.
How do they match up against Buffalo?
Denver has only been blown out once, and at the hands of a Patrick Mahomes-less Chiefs team on Thursday Night Football. In fact, most of the losses have been less by a touchdown, and a few of those, by game-ending field goals.
This defense will challenge Brian Daboll, Josh Allen, and the entire offensive unit. It’s a great defense, and stubborn as ever. The Bills offense looked incredible last week in Miami, and this will be another big test for the growing Allen.
The continued, prominent usage of Devin Singletary by Buffalo will be a huge factor if the Bills are to keep this Denver defense on it’s toes. Josh Allen succeeds passing when his running backs are playing well, and for some reason, the play-calling tends to go away from this style of offense every now and then.
Balanced, yet creative.
The Bills defense, who limited Miami to just 23 yards of rushing last week, will have their hands full with Lindsay and Freeman. The Bills have tried to tighten up their rushing defense the last few weeks, and they will need to be great here. Brandon Allen hasn’t shown anything that we haven’t seen from Denver quarterbacks over the last four years.
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