Mile High Report
Wow, here we are at Week 18, and the “Playoffs or Bust” headline from my sign-up post is standing strong for the first time in years (which reminds me…I might need a few volunteers for the Playoffs, baby!!!)
What a fun season, and it’s not over, which is literally the best part! And it’s so appropriate that our final regular season post is from a UFG rookie with the handle, “Big Nix Energy.”
Bring on the Chargers, the Throwbacks, the Mile High noise and all that Bo Nix magic.
Let’s do this, Broncos!
**MHR – Last week’s win over the Chiefs felt closer than it should have. Were you worried during that game about a loss or about future ability to really compete with playoff caliber teams? Or perhaps you weren’t worried at all?
Big Nix Energy: Yes, I do get worried at times. Especially with the No. 1 seed on the line – especially when you see the way some of these high caliber teams can score so quickly. I do believe in our head coach, Sean Payton. I have seen the explosiveness from the offense in past games (i.e., vs Eagles) and also the amazing comeback vs the Giants. The ability is there for those style plays, and maybe, just maybe the head chef in the kitchen, “Payton,” is holding his cards with these Turtle-style games until we are in the playoffs.
MHR – Trey Lance is starting for the Chargers on Sunday instead of Justin Herbert, who has done some magical things at QB this season. How lucky is Denver that the Chargers are sitting Herbert? What would you like to see from the defense that would tell you this unit is ready to dominate in the playoffs if necessary?
Big Nix Energy: I do believe Trey Lance is dangerous. As a high draft pick – third overall in the 2021 Draft – he has tons of talent, especially with his legs. Hmm who is the biggest AFC threat at QB we think about in this playoff picture with their legs? Josh Allen, another QB we may face in the playoffs. One thing I would love to see the defense work on is QB containment, keeping them in the pocket and tightening it down. Bonitto and Cooper have been huge in pass on the edge, but with how far Bonitto lines up outside the tackle, it leaves a running lane for designed QB runs for the backend to pick up. Singleton has done a fabulous job in my opinion after coming back from surgery. He has been flying all over and laying the boom down, but this will be a test. Lance is faster than many assume. You can see it in his tape when he has a lane and no receiver open. He doesn’t hesitate, knows he is faster, and takes what the defense gives. His downfall is his interception ratio. If we can stop the run, and force him...
