The Bills host the Broncos in Week 12 at New Era Field. To learn more about Sunday’s visitors, we spoke to our Jon Heath, Managing Editor at Broncos Wire, for more info:
1. What’s your brief analysis of Vic Fangio this year? He was a veteran coaching hire when most of the league has gone the youthful way and there’s those rumblings of discontent that have been floated about him recently as well.
Several players — veterans and rookies — have disputed those rumblings, as has GM John Elway. So make of that what you will. Fangio’s biggest strength is his work on the defensive side of the ball and he’s delivered there. The offense still hasn’t arrived but Fangio can’t help what players Elway put on the roster (cough, Joe Flacco, cough). Denver’s record is poor but they’ve have four close games — including a near-upset against the Vikings last week — so I think most Broncos fans are optimistic about the future under Fangio.
2. Only five sacks this year, is Von Miller still playing at a high level? Expecting him to have plenty of opportunity against rookie Cody Ford on Sunday.
Some pundits have pointed to Miller’s “low” sack total as evidence that Vic Fangio’s scheme is not getting the best out of the team’s star pass rusher. What those pundits don’t mention is that Denver hasn’t gotten much production from their interior pass rushers in recent years. This season, Shelby Harris and Derek Wolfe have totaled four and five sacks, respectively, due in part to teams giving extra attention to Miller. DeMarcus Walker has totaled four sacks as well. If Miller stole three sacks from each of those players, he would have 14 sacks so far. That would be a great season for Miller but the team’s sack total would remain the same. It doesn’t really matter where the sacks come from in Fangio’s defense, just as long as they do come. Miller’s not the player he once was but he’s still a great edge defender and dangerous pass rusher.
3. Courtland Sutton makes me shake my head. He was drafted in the same second-round area as ex-Bill Zay Jones but just a year later. Is he as legit as it seems?
It really is surprising that Sutton fell to the second round — the Broncos must have been delighted about that. He’s the reason why the team was comfortable with trading away Demaryius Thomas, the second-best WR in franchise history. So it seems like Denver certainly believes he’s legit. Sutton has been a great asset for first-year starter Brandon Allen and he looks like a guy would could be one of the Broncos’ best offensive players for the next decade.
4. Phillip Lindsay or Royce Freeman? Who should we expect to see more of? Buffalo’s run defense is suspect.
Lindsay for sure. Freeman will get his share of carries but Lindsay is without question the team’s lead running back. Lindsay got 52 snaps to Freeman’s 24 snaps last week and he’s on pace for another 1,000-yard season. Freeman is on pace for about 650 rushing yards.
5. What’s your prediction for Sunday and why?
It’s hard to call this game. Denver’s coming off a heartbreaking loss in Minnesota, which should give the team some extra motivation. The Broncos’ defense might be able to hold up against the Bills’ offense but Denver’s own offense hasn’t played a complete game all season. It’s probably going to be a low-scoring contest. Broncos, 17-14.
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