The Broncos lost Von Miller in week 16 to a torn ACL. Many fans question whether this is going to hurt and maybe ruin the Broncos Super Bowl run. There is one very simple reason why it won’t ruin their Super Bowl hopes, Peyton Manning.
The future Hall of Fame quarterback has already gotten them past huge road blocks this season. How about playing the first six games of the season without Miller? Or losing Pro Bowl left tackle Ryan Clady? Manning and the offense will continue to carry the defense in the playoffs like they did in the regular season.
The Broncos defense did not stand out any more than they did when Miller was suspended to start the season. Aside from the game when they allowed 48 points to Dallas, where Miller probably wouldn’t have made a ton of difference. The defense hasn’t been too different with or without the Pro Bowl outside linebacker.
The team in the seven games without Miller is averaging 24.5 points against them. In the nine games he played this season it’s only a two point difference for an average of 22.1 points per game. Same goes for yards allowed per game. With Miller this season they are averaging 332.8 yards allowed per game, without Miller it’s only ten yards more at 342.8 per game. Finally, when it comes down to turnovers, they are averaging 1.5 forced turnovers per game without him, and 1.6 with him.
It’s very clear that most games this year the Broncos defense has been nothing special, and will likely only be average in the playoffs. They have shined at moments and forced some very crucial turnovers, but as a whole they have been mediocre. Even with a stud player like Von Miller it hasn’t been...CONTINUE READING...