Mile High Report
The Denver Broncos are 9-2 and sit atop of the AFC West. It’s the most success they have endured in years and are in the hunt for the top playoff seed in the AFC. This weekend, they battle the Washington Commanders in primetime on Sunday Night Football. Here are three players I believe need to play at a high level in order for the Broncos to come away with a victory against the Commanders.
Earlier this week, the Broncos extended center Luke Wattenberg giving him a four-year deal worth up to $48 million dollars. Wattenberg has shined in pass protection as a starter to date but still has some improvement to do in the run game. Nevertheless, it’s clear Denver’s front office is prioritizing the trenches and believe Wattenberg is poised to get even better as his career strolls along.
The Commanders have an experienced defensive line rotation headlined by Da’Ron Payne, Javon Kinlaw, and Jer’Zhan Newton. I’m anxious to see how Denver’s offensive line, especially Wattenberg, perform against them. All those guys are good players who can collapse the pocket from multiple alignments.
Keeping Nix clean will be a priority in the passing game. Moreover, trying to find a way to establish a formidable ground attack without J.K. Dobbins in the remaining games will be mission critical. Fresh off a big pay day, I’m hoping to see Wattenberg flourish against the Commanders on Sunday Night Football.
One area the Commanders have had issues with this season is defending the pass. They are one of the worst in the NFL in yards and touchdowns allowed through the air. This weekend’s primetime matchup presents the opportunity for the Broncos’ passing attack led by Bo Nix to continue to improve.
A player I’m hoping can get back on track is Courtland Sutton. Sutton has had some key grabs the past few games but has only come down with eight catches on eighteen targets. While Troy Franklin has supplanted the longtime veteran in target share, Denver will need the wide receiver corps’ elder statesman to step up against the Commanders.
Last year after the bye, the Nix-to-Sutton connection blossomed into one of the best in the league. I’m both hopeful and optimistic that will happen on Sunday night and down the stretch. If Nix and Sutton can have themselves a big game, that will bode well for Broncos who are in pursuit of their tenth win of the season and the top seed in the AFC.
Without All-Pro cornerback and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II the past few games, third-year cornerback Riley Moss has come under the microscope. It’s already tough playing alongside Surtain considering the target share Moss gets, but it’s even harder being the top cornerback in the lineup without him.
While Moss is excelling in certain areas, the penalties he has racked up through eleven games are a significant course...
