Broncos-Patriots Scouting Report – In the Trenches

In the Trenches makes its triumphant return to BroncoTalk after an unfortunate hiatus. Here we’ll break down the X’s and O’s for the upcoming game, with added focus to the offensive and defensive lines of this week’s opponent. Because the game of football is won or lost in the trenches…

The Denver Broncos (4-2) will travel across the country to visit the New England Patriots (3-2) in Foxboro, Massachusetts for a prime time Monday Night Football game on October 20, 2008. The Patriots’ offensive line was dominant last year, propelling the Patriots to the most powerful and explosive offense in NFL history.

Consider this year’s Denver Broncos offensive line the 2008 version of last year’s Patriots’. These five men – a different guy, position by position, from 2007’s lineup – have been dominating the point of attack all season long, particularly in pass protection. They’ve only allowed two sacks all season – and one of those was a technicality stemming from Jay Cutler‘s controversial fumble in Week 2 against the San Diego Chargers.

One sack in six games? Simply unheard of.

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Broncos (4-2) vs. Patriots (3-2)
Gillette Stadium
Mon, Oct 20, 2008
8:30 PM EDT ESPN

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Rookie left tackle Ryan Clady and second year right tackle Ryan Harris have more than done their part – they’ve simply dominated. Clady is getting buzz for Rookie of the Year consideration, and Head Coach Mike Shanahan can’t disagree.

“It doesn’t happen very often in the National Football League for a guy to play at the level he is playing at,” Shanahan told reporters. “He is doing a great job.”

Meanwhile, the Patriots’ offensive line is hurting in all the wrong places. Left tackle Matt Light and right tackle Nick Kaczur both did not participate in practice Wednesday with knee and ankle injuries respectively. Even though the Broncos have struggled to produce an effective pass rush this season, this bodes well for the Broncos defense to disrupt QB Matt Cassel.

BRONCOS OFFENSE – We took a close look at Cutler’s stats on Tuesday – there’s an obvious and apparent drop-off in production from Weeks 1-3 to Weeks 4-6. We really explored the mental aspect of his play in that article, so let’s break down the physical, gridiron X’s and O’s.

A lot of fans are commenting on Cutler’s tendency to lock onto a target. While that was most apparent just this past Sunday (after all, he only had Brandon Marshall to throw it to for the most part – more on that later), it’s not nearly as bad as most fans think. If you take a look at his play, he’s going through his reads more plays than not. Right now, what has the Broncos stumbling offensively is impatience and turnovers.

See that? Impatience. I’m already focusing on the mental aspect again. Both Cutler and Marshall have a lot of confidence; they know they can hit a home run most any play, and they’ll give 100% toward that goal. It’s cost the Broncos in multiple turnovers over the past three games. Marshall commented that he needs to stop trying to make the big play after the catch every play, but really all he needs to do is tuck the football.

Ball control will be key against the Patriots – their team jumps on turnovers, and if the Broncos can capitalize on their own yards instead of throwing drives away with a costly fumble, they should be in good shape.

Injuries, however, aren’t helping the matter. Cutler’s weapon set has diminished considerably in two weeks’ time. Tight end Tony Scheffler (groin) and wide receiver Brandon Stokley (concussion) are questionable at this point, with Scheffler being limited in practice on Wednesday and Stokley not practicing at all. Luckily WR Eddie Royal practiced Wednesday, a good sign that he’ll be full speed for Monday.

The Broncos need Royal to complement Marshall against a Patriots secondary that has been exposed this season. Pats corners and safeties are old and slow; get Royal on his patented double-move route and open the game up for Marshall on the other side. That’s right – use the rookie as the deep threat to set up Marshall’s YAC short game. The Patriots won’t be able to keep up.

RB Michael Pittman will be the prime rock-carrier – I don’t expect to see Ryan Torain this Monday, but it’s possible – and I see no problem there.

BRONCOS DEFENSE – Matt Cassel isn’t nearly as scary as Tom Brady, but he’s still showed flashes. The Broncos need to pressure this quarterback or, yes, this backup will pick them apart.

Cassel hasn’t shown a lot of mobility, so pressure up the middle will be key. DT Kenny Peterson, who leads the Broncos in sacks, will need to bring his A Game. With the aforementioned injuries to tackles Light and Kaczur, DE Elvis Dumervil should demand the double team, which would hopefully open the door.

Randy Moss needs to see #24 – Champ Bailey – all game long. None of this “Champ only lines up on the left side, regardless of who’s across from him” nonsense. Moss

The offensive line isn’t the only area where the Patriots are hurting – running backs LaMont Jordan and Laurence Maroney both missed practice on Wednesday as well. Don’t count out Sammy Morris though – the guy played very well for the Pats in limited action last year. Against the run, Nate Webster has shown some incredible flashes as of late. I was cold on Webster to start the season but believe he’s really picked up his game.

This Broncos defense is underrated – short fields set up by turnovers have had more to do with the losses than anything. They’re not dominant by any means, but they can get the job done, especially against a Pats offense that is literally on crutches.

On offense, keep Cutler protected and maintain ball control. Use Royal to set up Marshall catches and tackle-breaking opportunities. Feed Pittman the rock. On defense, get pressure on QB Cassell and keep Champ on Randy.

A tight, turnover-free game by the Broncos combined with the Patriots’ injuries across the board should ensure a Broncos win on Monday night. Go Broncos!