Broncos vs. Colts Film Review: Week 5

Week 5 introduced extra disappointment on offense for the Denver Broncos, as they fell to a disappointing 2-3 report after dropping a 60-minute slopfest 9-12 towards the Indianapolis Colts.

It was the story of the season to this point, as we noticed baffling late recreation choices by Hackett mixed with the worst recreation we’ve seen from Russ in a Denver uniform.

It was a heartbreaking show for followers hoping to see the Broncos’ offense return to a semblance of respectability, however as with every different week, there have been nonetheless positives to remove from the movie. So, for the second week in a row, I’ll solely be highlighting standout gamers on the defensive aspect of the ball.

With no additional lamenting on the slop, let’s dive into the spectacular performances of Baron Browning, Caden Sterns, Bradley Chubb, and Alex Singleton from week 5.

Baron Browning

Baron Browning is solely a revelation.

Browning delivered strain after strain in Denver’s first recreation with out standout free agent signing Randy Gregory, totalling an absurd 10 pressures and a pair of sacks on solely 22 move dashing snaps. He posted the best single recreation strain price that PFF has ever recorded, and was beating the Colts offensive line with a plethora of strikes that left me speechless.

It was a “Von Miller-esque” efficiency (which is thrown round all too ceaselessly), all it was lacking was one remaining sack to seal the sport, which, if Browning doesn’t get injured… who is aware of.

Browning flashed the complete toolkit; bull-rushing a sort out into Matt Ryan, using the spin-move we noticed within the preseason, using the ghost method, and flexing among the most absurd getoff I’ve seen in current reminiscence. Browning has the flexibility to beat tackles in each means conceivable however what’s equally spectacular to me as Browning’s freak athleticism, is the best way defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero makes use of these traits.

One among Denver’s finest defensive seems to be on third down sees Bradley Chubb lined up outdoors the OT’s shoulder with Browning prolonged even additional outdoors lined up in a wide-nine method.

Bradley then fights inside to soak up the guard, and Browning’s elite velocity sees him capable of loop inside round Chubb for a free lane to the QB. The Colts’ o-line struggled with this repeatedly, and it led to a number of sacks and losses of down for his or her offense.

Evero additionally makes use of a ton of simulated strain seems to be (mainly faux blitzes) to scare offensive traces into considering Browning is dashing the passer, then on the snap he makes use of his velocity and agility to drop into protection selecting up crossers. This enables extra 1-on-1s upfront with o-linemen devoted to Browning, and takes away fast reads for QBs over the center with Baron’s spectacular protection capability.

Caden Sterns

Because the damage to Justin Simmons, Caden Sterns has crammed the function of ‘ballhawk’ within the Broncos secondary.

Sterns’ vary and ball expertise are no-joke, however over the previous couple weeks we’ve seen an unbelievable knack for baiting throws and timing up PBUs and INTs.

Twice, Matt Ryan made ill-advised throws that ended within the arms of Sterns, each instances with him rotating down because the robber, leaving Kareem because the single-high. Each throws have been ugly from Ryan, however on one we noticed a formidable job from Sterns studying the eyes of Ryan and lurking simply out of his imaginative and prescient earlier than reacting and leaping for the INT.

We additionally noticed him break up a deep dig route being run by Michael Pittman with wonderful timing on the hit, resulting in a Pittman drop that may’ve seen Indianapolis enter Denver territory. As an alternative, they punted.

Caden isn’t fairly the battering ram that Kareem Jackson is, however he’s greater than serviceable within the run recreation and infrequently misses open subject stops. He makes the right reads, triggers actually quick on runs, and performs the final line of protection function effectively in a protection designed to bend not break.

With Justin set to return Monday, I hope Denver seems to be at Caden and Simmons as the first security duo. Kareem has performed fantastic, and is a vital voice within the locker room, however the playmaking we’re seeing out of Sterns is simply too invaluable to move up in favor of the management Kareem brings. Particularly within the AFC West towards Mahomes and Herbert, the place the staff will likely be taking part in 2-high all recreation, there’s no purpose to not have the 2 finest protection safeties on the market.

By no means do I feel Kareem is washed, as I hope he nonetheless performs an integral a part of the protection because the third security, dime-backer, and attainable nickel depth. However the time has come for a altering of the guard, and a sneak peak at what might be the Denver beginning security tandem for the approaching years.

Bradley Chubb

Give Bradley Chubb his cash.

This can be unpopular amongst fellow Broncos followers, however maintaining Bradley Chubb round is very large if Denver hopes to win and even get near a Tremendous Bowl in the course of the Russell Wilson period.

Proper now he has the fifth most sacks within the league, he’s top-3 in strain price towards across the league, and he’s one of many higher run defenders on the edge place. Bradley Chubb deserves to be paid.

Folks will likely be fast to level to accidents as a purpose Chubb shouldn’t be paid, as he’s missed mainly two of a attainable 5 seasons as a result of them. I don’t know who wants to listen to this, however NFL gamers, particularly edge rushers, get injured. You’ll be able to’t have a look at the listing of highest paid edge rushers with out realizing that almost all of them have endured some type of season ending damage in some unspecified time in the future .

Some individuals will level to sack numbers as if these are the one serviceable defensive measures we’ve at our fingertips. Bradley Chubb has two separate 50+ strain seasons, and if he continues on his present tempo is effectively on his solution to a 3rd. He’s the one Broncos move rusher with 50 pressures in a season in addition to Von Miller since 2015.

On high of that, he’s a difference-maker within the run recreation, and constantly creates turnovers whereas additionally being among the best leaders within the locker room.

Denver isn’t quick on cap area– they’ve the twelfth most within the league. Denver isn’t starved for picks– they’ve 5 nonetheless this 12 months with two within the top-100, with an already younger roster. They simply have been bought by the richest proprietor in professional sports activities and as we’ve seen with the Rams and Buccaneers, that performs a large function in having the ability to pay gamers.

I do know it doesn’t really feel prefer it, however Denver is within the midst of a “Tremendous Bowl” window for the reason that acquisition of Russell Wilson. Regardless that these first 5 weeks haven’t been promising, to desert ship, unload expertise, and let stars stroll shouldn’t be the quickest path for this staff to return to the postseason. Bradley Chubb is among the few confirmed, constant gamers on this roster, and to see him stroll out the door could be a whole tragedy, authored by George Paton and firm. They’ll at finest get again a day-2 decide by way of compensation or commerce, and that participant will want ample time to turn into a late season contributor close to that of Bradley.

This staff doesn’t have ample time with Russell Wilson on the helm.

Alex Singleton

Josey Jewell’s absence isn’t enjoyable because the outlaw is among the headdier, harder-hitting members of the defensive unit.

However in Jewell’s place got here a unique ass-kicker, and he picked up proper the place Jewell left off.

Singleton hits all the pieces, and he hits all the pieces onerous. He solely performed the second half for Denver, however he performed a large function in limiting the Indianapolis run recreation.

He consistently beat linemen on blocks, clogged operating lanes, and stacked up runners for brief good points forcing lengthy third downs.

In protection he isn’t fairly the athlete that Griffith or Jewell are, however he held his personal studying out a number of display passes for stops and looking down swing passes for brief good points.

He’s been a standout participant on particular groups, and deserves extra recognition for the steadiness he’s supplied together with the communication he brings sporting the inexperienced dot for Evero’s protection with Jewell out.