Bengals Can't Run From Denver Broncos Defense

The Bengals can’t run from the Broncos and expect to win. They shouldn’t run away or run around the Broncos immaculate defense. They must run at them.

In fact, the Bengals must be able to Run ON Denver and take the pressure off of the offensive line. When a quarterback is without the play action pass he either must get rid of the ball quickly or have great protection. Unfortunately, getting the ball out quickly is no guarantee of success against this defense. The loss of Demarcus Ware will hurt the Denver pass rush but it will not stop it. Von Miller, the best defender in the NFL, will still be on the field. The mindset of the Bengals must not be of fear but of respect for what the Broncos have accomplished.

The loss of Demarcus Ware will hurt the Denver pass rush but it will not stop it. Von Miller, the best defender in the NFL, will still be on the field. The mindset of the Bengals must not be of fear but of respect for what the Broncos have accomplished.

Fortunately for the Bengals, Trevor Siemian will be walking on the field. The Northwestern graduate may be a placeholder for Paxton Lynch but does provide an opportunity for the Bengals defense this week. He will provide more mobility than Peyton Manning (which isn’t saying much) and has proven this year that he can’t read defenses. Siemian represents the Bengals best chance to win this game. If the Bengals can force Siemian into 2nd or 3rd-and-long they can hype up the stripes on the outside with blitzes and pressure.

Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

What Happened Last Year Won’t Be Repeated This Year

The quarterback that bobbled the snap in overtime last year versus Denver was not Andy Dalton. The impact of having Dalton on the field against a world-class defense cannot be overstated. As solid of a backup as A.J. McCarron is he cannot be expected to run the offense like Dalton. For that matter, the defender who recovered the fumbled snap (Demarcus Ware) won’t be on the field either.

While many things have changed since last year for both teams the fact remains that this is a huge game in the AFC just like it was last year. Playoff positioning and playoff Home games could both be on the line when all is said and done and this game could be the deciding factor.

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The two Bengals running backs from last year are the same two this year and in this game. For Jeremy Hill, he must make the space between the tackles his home, office and place of leisure on Sunday. If he can get 15 touches or more while moving the ball on 1st down, the offense will have options against this defense. However, if he can’t get enough quality touches to make 2nd down manageable, Giovani Bernard will be the answer. One of the answers to a pressure defense is the Screen Pass game. Bernard’s ability to catch the ball out of the backfield or the Slot can make the Broncos think twice about overly blitzing. Either way, Jeremy Hill must control the inside and Giovani Bernard must establish the outside to keep Andy Dalton upright and healthy.

However, if he can’t get enough quality touches to make 2nd down manageable, Giovani Bernard will be the answer. One of the answers to a pressure defense is the screen pass. Bernard’s ability to catch the ball out of the backfield can make Denver think twice about the blitz. Either way, Hill must control the inside and Bernard must establish the outside to keep Dalton upright and healththy.

Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Trevor Siemian Will Lead the Bengals to Victory

In his first year as the Broncos starter, Siemian has a total of one TD and three Interceptions. His passer rating in these games hasn’t gotten above 78.6 and is an average of 74.4. In other words, he’s doing just enough to keep the Broncos in their games. Dalton, on the hand, is averaging a 94.9 Passer rating in the same time-frame with two TD’s and one Interception. The Bengals will be able to count on both players to help them win this game this Sunday. Siemian will be forced to make plays against the Bengals defense in what looks to be a low-scoring affair. Yet, there is no evidence that Siemian can be the difference in a Broncos victory.

When then the Bengals pressure gets to Siemian, his lack of experience will present opportunities for the Bengals secondary. He must be forced to be the reason the Broncos win or lose. If the Bengals offense can absorb some clock, avoid turnovers and convert drives into at least Field Goals they will win. Even better, if they can put the Broncos offense in 3rd-and-long consistently there’s no way Siemian leads them to victory.

Controlling the ball and keeping the pressure on Siemian to push the ball downfield will cause Denver to put him in situations he cannot excel in. The statistics don’t lie and they tell a story of an inexperienced QB who will lose his first game of the year versus the Bengals.

Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Preventing fumbles must be on the coaching gameplan for the Bengals.

The fumbled snap in the late season game versus the Broncos last year ultimately lost the Bengals home field advantage in the 2015 playoffs. In the playoffs last year, a Jeremy Hill fumble began an epic downward spiral that became a playoff loss once again. Even this year, Tyler Boyd’s phantom fumble against the Steelers finalized a Pittsburgh win against the Bengals.

Yes, everyone knows the Boyd fumble wasn’t really a fumble but the football did end up on the turf. The football must not end up on the turf against this Broncos defense that may end up being one of the best to ever play.

Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive players are generally taught to finish runs for every yard they can earn. Consequently, modern defenses practice gang tackling as one or more players attempt to rip the ball out. This week, the Bengals have to value the actual possession of the ball more than they value an extra yard.

Getting down, getting out-of-bounds and securing the ball for the next play are all mantras the Bengals offense must follow against the Broncos. On the other side of the ball, the Bengals defense must find ways to shut down the Denver running game. Forcing the Broncos into a throwing contest will not end well for Denver. The Bengals can’t run away or run around the Broncos immaculate defense; they must run to them, through them and directly at them.