5 questions with Mile High Report
Week 5 brings us a classic NFL rivalry with a matchup between the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos. Both teams enter the game at 2-2 and tied in the AFC West standings, heightening the stakes for this early-season matchup. To preview the contest, Ian St. Clair from our friends at Mile High Report was kind enough to answer a few questions about the Broncos for Raider Nation.
1) From a distance, it looks like Bo Nix has struggled to begin his career as his stat line is underwhelming. But as someone who pays closer attention to Broncos games, how would you evaluate Nix? What would you say his strengths and weaknesses are?
Stats never give you the full story. It’s a chapter, but you won’t come away with a full understanding of the overarching theme. In the first four games of his career, Nix has played three of the best defenses in the NFL. In two of those games, the offensive game planning and offensive line didn’t exactly help the rookie QB. The best Nix looked and played was in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For the first time, Nix and Sean Payton were in a rhythm, the offensive line was pass and run blocking, and the whole offense was just humming. Hopefully, the Broncos get back to that, and a good time is Sunday against the Raiders.
Nix is confident, a playmaker, and not afraid to make any throws. He also makes good decisions. Nix struggles with his accuracy, his footwork tends to be wonky at times, and he’s still learning the game’s speed. But you also see he’s starting to get comfortable. When the Broncos needed an offensive drive against the New York Jets, Nix delivered and capped it off with a touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton. Over the next four games, fans will start to see continued improvement from Nix.
2) I’d imagine with a rookie quarterback, Sean Payton wants to have a run-first offense this season. So, what are the early reviews on the running game, at both offensive line and running back?
I would rather Payton run his full offense, regardless of whether the quarterback is a rookie. When Payton did that against the Bucs, it was the best the offense looked this season. The Broncos need to mimic that. Put forth the game plan that gives you the best opportunity to beat the opposing defense.
Over the last two weeks, the running game has been really good. The offensive line has gotten through the issues of the first two weeks, and the backs are playing extremely well. That includes Javante Williams, who played the best he’s played since returning from his ACL injury. He looked like vintage Williams against the Jets. If he continues to build on that and get even better, Nix will be helped tremendously by that.
3) The Broncos are coming off a game where they had five sacks and the defense ranks second in the NFL with 16 sacks this season. Who are the pass-rushers Raider Nation should know about heading into Sunday?
The great thing about the Broncos pass rush is it’s coming from the interior and exterior. And Vance Joseph is doing a great job at disguising looks. You see all that in the five guys with at least two sacks, so those will be the ones to watch.
Outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper leads the way with three sacks, followed by defensive ends Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers (two each) and outside linebackers Nik Bonitto and Dondrea Tillman (two each). I’ll add one more in rookie outside linebacker Jonah Elliss with 1.5 sacks.
4) While the entire NFL knows about Patrick Surtain II at this point, Denver has been getting good contributions from its other corner, Riley Moss. What can you tell us about the second-year pro?
Watching Moss blossom into a confident and talented corner has been fun. The last two weeks, especially, have seen him be one of the best players on defense for the Broncos. And it came out of nowhere. No one was expecting Moss to look as good as he has. And to do so opposite Surtain, who has clearly been the best cornerback in the NFL through the first four weeks, you could argue the best defensive player in the NFL, is huge. The aim is consistency, and if Moss can play like this regularly, the Denver defense will only get better.
5) On both sides of the ball, is there an under-the-radar player for the Broncos that you think will have an impact on this game?
I’ll give two on defense, Dondrea Tillman and Malcolm Roach. Tillman is a first-year outside linebacker who has taken advantage of his opportunity and is one of the better pass rushers for the Broncos’ defense. Tillman was signed in the offseason after playing in the UFL for the Birmingham Stallions. Raider Nation knows about Allen and Franklin-Myers, so watch Tillman this Sunday. Roach is a defensive tackle who was signed in the offseason from the New Orleans Saints. His stats don’t jump off the sheet, but he’s creating havoc on the line of scrimmage for the Broncos. In pass rush win rate, ESPN has Roach second.
On offense, rookie receiver Troy Franklin could start to see his impact grow. He hasn’t done much in the first four games, but his speed and playmaking ability could really help the Denver offense, especially since Payton refuses to get Marvin Mims involved in his offense. Franklin could become the deep, vertical threat for Nix. Since the two played together at Oregon, they have that rapport in place already so that could translate to the Broncos.