nevcraw
09-09-2009, 09:27 PM
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/scouting?gameId=290913004
After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch for in this week's Bengals-Broncos matchup.
1. Denver needs to control the clock as well as the line of scrimmage. The Broncos are not apt to be a quick-strike team this season and will need to pound the ball and sustain long scoring drives to be successful. New coach Josh McDaniels knows that the Bengals can strike quick and will want to keep the ball out of QB Carson Palmer's hands.
2. Expect the Broncos to run a lot of off-tackle plays: Denver has a good stable of powerful ball carriers with Correll Buckhalter and LaMont Jordan toting the ball and can give the defense a change of pace ball carrier in rookie Knowshon Moreno. They will want to attack the Bengals on the perimeter where they can wear down the smaller defensive ends and outside linebackers.
3. Denver will look to prevent the big play: Denver lacks the big play defenders that can pressure the pocket on a consistent basis and will need to provide quality help over the top for their cornerbacks. They may give up their share of short passes but will look to keep at least a couple defenders back deep to prevent Cincinnati's speedy receivers from turning a short pass into a long gain.
4. Look for the Broncos to use a lot of trickery up front: Since the Broncos are apt to struggle when it comes to bringing a lot of heat with their base package, expect them to use a lot of twists and stunts to try and confuse the offensive line for the Bengals. This also allows Denver to blitz their linebackers from different angles which can create mismatches as Cincinnati tries to match up against speed.
5. Look for Denver to flood zones with their multiple receiver sets: Denver will run out of a trips set for most of the game, employing a single back with no lead blocker. But when they try to throw the ball, they will generally flood areas of the field at different levels in order to force the secondary to pick who they want to focus on.
6. Cincinnati will try to get Chad Ochocinco involved early: He is their best threat both for the deep ball as well as underneath routes. If he gets on a roll from the start, he can be very difficult to control. Cincinnati has a relatively pedestrian ground game and will need to move the ball through the air if they want to move the chains on a consistent basis.
7. Expect the Bengals to take some shots downfield: Head coach Marvin Lewis and offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski want to score early and force Denver into a catch-up game and the best way to do that is to strike with a long ball, or two, looking to both Ochocinco and Chris Henry who both possess the speed to take it all the way once they can get behind the secondary.
8. Cincinnati needs to create turnovers: The Bengals have struggled to prevent long drives by their opponents and will need to find ways to stop the bleeding. One of the best ways to stop a drive is to create a turnover.The secondary will play aggressive coverage and for tacklers to try and strip the ball from the ball carriers in this game.
9. Look for Cincinnati to try and take away Denver's ground game: With all of the changes that have taken place in Denver, the Bengals are going to try and force them to throw the ball in order to create turnovers in the form of interceptions. The Broncos had six interceptions in the preseason, second most in the AFC, and starting QB Kyle Orton has struggled getting used to his receivers and the new system.
10. Matchup to watch: Denver DE Elvis Dumervil vs. Cincinnati LOT Andrew Whitworth: Dumervil led the Broncos in sacks with five last year and this year he will be coming from a more natural position, outside linebacker. This allows defensive coordinator Mike Nolan to move Dumervil around and send him from different angles to make it more difficult to find him. Whitworth needs to contain Dumervil and limit his opportunities to get to Palmer.
Prediction
Denver 20
Cincinnati 21
After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch for in this week's Bengals-Broncos matchup.
1. Denver needs to control the clock as well as the line of scrimmage. The Broncos are not apt to be a quick-strike team this season and will need to pound the ball and sustain long scoring drives to be successful. New coach Josh McDaniels knows that the Bengals can strike quick and will want to keep the ball out of QB Carson Palmer's hands.
2. Expect the Broncos to run a lot of off-tackle plays: Denver has a good stable of powerful ball carriers with Correll Buckhalter and LaMont Jordan toting the ball and can give the defense a change of pace ball carrier in rookie Knowshon Moreno. They will want to attack the Bengals on the perimeter where they can wear down the smaller defensive ends and outside linebackers.
3. Denver will look to prevent the big play: Denver lacks the big play defenders that can pressure the pocket on a consistent basis and will need to provide quality help over the top for their cornerbacks. They may give up their share of short passes but will look to keep at least a couple defenders back deep to prevent Cincinnati's speedy receivers from turning a short pass into a long gain.
4. Look for the Broncos to use a lot of trickery up front: Since the Broncos are apt to struggle when it comes to bringing a lot of heat with their base package, expect them to use a lot of twists and stunts to try and confuse the offensive line for the Bengals. This also allows Denver to blitz their linebackers from different angles which can create mismatches as Cincinnati tries to match up against speed.
5. Look for Denver to flood zones with their multiple receiver sets: Denver will run out of a trips set for most of the game, employing a single back with no lead blocker. But when they try to throw the ball, they will generally flood areas of the field at different levels in order to force the secondary to pick who they want to focus on.
6. Cincinnati will try to get Chad Ochocinco involved early: He is their best threat both for the deep ball as well as underneath routes. If he gets on a roll from the start, he can be very difficult to control. Cincinnati has a relatively pedestrian ground game and will need to move the ball through the air if they want to move the chains on a consistent basis.
7. Expect the Bengals to take some shots downfield: Head coach Marvin Lewis and offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski want to score early and force Denver into a catch-up game and the best way to do that is to strike with a long ball, or two, looking to both Ochocinco and Chris Henry who both possess the speed to take it all the way once they can get behind the secondary.
8. Cincinnati needs to create turnovers: The Bengals have struggled to prevent long drives by their opponents and will need to find ways to stop the bleeding. One of the best ways to stop a drive is to create a turnover.The secondary will play aggressive coverage and for tacklers to try and strip the ball from the ball carriers in this game.
9. Look for Cincinnati to try and take away Denver's ground game: With all of the changes that have taken place in Denver, the Bengals are going to try and force them to throw the ball in order to create turnovers in the form of interceptions. The Broncos had six interceptions in the preseason, second most in the AFC, and starting QB Kyle Orton has struggled getting used to his receivers and the new system.
10. Matchup to watch: Denver DE Elvis Dumervil vs. Cincinnati LOT Andrew Whitworth: Dumervil led the Broncos in sacks with five last year and this year he will be coming from a more natural position, outside linebacker. This allows defensive coordinator Mike Nolan to move Dumervil around and send him from different angles to make it more difficult to find him. Whitworth needs to contain Dumervil and limit his opportunities to get to Palmer.
Prediction
Denver 20
Cincinnati 21