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Published on 11/06/2008 at Thu Nov 06 12:38.
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Keys to Beating the Browns

Posted Thu Nov 6th by

Jay Cutler (Getty Images)
Cutler and company return to prime time tonight. (Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos are on a three-game slide and have fallen to .500 after a blazing 3-0 start. Still in sole possession of the AFC West lead, the Broncos have an opportunity tonight to maintain a winning record and keep the rest of the division behind them. Here are my four keys to win this game:

1. Pressure Brady Quinn
Any new quarterback making his debut will have a much more difficult time if his opponents are constantly in his face. The Broncos need to pressure Quinn early and often and not let him get comfortable. The key will be the four-man rush — with the defense reeling from injury, specifically in the secondary, blitz packages will come at a premium. Elvis Dumervil, Ebenezer Ekuban, and Jarvis Moss have been getting after the quarterback very well lately, tallying a total of 6.5 sacks in just the past two games. They’ll need to match that production for the banged-up Broncos secondary to take advantage.

2. Avoid turnovers
It’s THE reason we’ve slipped, and needs to turn around. Jay Cutler needs to play better, the running backs (all two of them) have to avoid fumbles, and special teams has to keep up their sure handling of the football. If we play a mistake-free football game, we’ll win.

3. Contain Jamal Lewis
Last year, Browns RB Jamal Lewis found new life in Cleveland. This year he’s starting to pick up steam, tallying three straight 80-yard performances before facing Baltimore last week. He was averaging over 4 yards per carry against some decent defenses (NYG, WAS, JAC). The Broncos need a repeat performance of last week’s effort against the run. Whomever fills in D.J. Williams position at weak side backer – Wesley Woodyard or Louis Green – needs to keep their assignment and not worry about anything else.

4. Continue Special Teams Dominance
Lately, the Broncos Special Teams has done as well as you could ask. Excellent returns, coverages, and kicks all the way around. On a road trip, on prime time, with the fans going nuts over their quarterback’s debut, a few yards here or there on special teams can mean the difference between a win and a loss. As a bonus, a big return would help silence the crowd and set the tone.

Join us for the live blog later tonight!

  • Marv

    5. get Peyton Hillis and Brandon Marshall the ball

  • http://birty.blogspot.com mikebirty

    I think number 2 should be numbers 1 though 100. If I were coach I’d have had all the skill players writing “I shall not turn the ball over” 100 times on a blackboard.

    1am is a bit later for me to pop into the live blog but I’ll be watching the game with breakfast tomorrow and I’m not starting work until its over!

  • flbronc

    anyone know the status on shef and stokely?

  • bob

    we need shef back his ability to get open and cause mismatches is incredable.

  • merc22

    no TURNOVERS and BLITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    if we do that well for the rest of the season we’ll be ok, even tho we look like shit we can still make the playoffs

  • jcampb72

    I think if we run the ball well we should win….keeps the d off the field and keeps their o off the field as well. Running will also help with the play action which i believe Cutler does the best in the NFL. Hopefully we have a good game all around…We need W’s.

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    merc- Blitzing scares me. The talent at the back end isn’t there to make up for a screen, not without Champ and DJ and any semblance of a safety.

    The four man rush needs to get the job done.

    And absolutely no freaking turnovers.

    jcampb – Yeah, running will be big. I expect to see Hillis get a few carries too.

    If I added a Key #5 – it would be “Contain Shaun Rodgers.” I still have nightmares from Detroit last year. Rogers is plays well, too. Casey Wiegmann, this one’s on you.

  • http://broncotalk.net Joe

    WOW. Just plain WOW. Jay Cutler is THE f—ing man!!!

  • http://merlinofchaos.livejournal.com E. Halsey Miles

    Turns out that Kyle was right, blitzing was wrong. Braylon Edwards’ only catch came on a Dre Bly blitz where Quinn managed to evade and Edwards was wide open and caught the ball for 15 yards.