Behind Emeny Lines with Broncos Wire’s Jon Heath
The New York Jets head out west to the Mile High City to take on the 2-4 Denver Broncos Sunday. What’s going on with Russell Wilson? How can the Broncos handle Quinnen Williams? We discuss that and more with Broncos Wire editor Jon Heath.
1. It definitely seems like Russell Wilson has fallen off a bit. Is that his own doing or is Nathaniel Hackett partly to blame? We did see him play well in the first half against the Chargers but struggle in the second half. What version of Wilson can we expect going forward? Is this a salvageable situation, especially after Wilson signed a big extension this offseason?
It’s hard to say! I don’t think Wilson has completely fallen off a cliff, and I do believe that his shoulder and hamstring injuries are impacting his performance. Those injuries don’t account for Wilson’s sometimes-questionable decision-making, though. The veteran QB has not seen open receivers multiple times this season and it often feels like he’s playing in a box. That latter part might be partially Hackett’s fault. When Wilson is loose and running around, he looks like the younger QB that was so exciting to watch in Seattle. When he stays in the pocket and seemingly attempts to run Hackett’s offense, he’s been far less productive. It’s probably a combination of Wilson’s form taking a dip and Hackett’s offense and play-calling not suiting the quarterback’s strengths. They should be able to improve, but Wilson might not even return to the level he once played at.
2. How has the defense fared without Vic Fangio? What changed going from him to Ejiro Evero?
It’s done incredibly well and Evero has done a great job with the transition. One area where it’s different is Evero’s play-calling. He loves to blitz inside linebackers, something that Fangio very rarely ever did. They’re allowing just 16.5 points per game, which ranks as the fourth-best average in the NFL. Pat Surtain and Justin Simmons are making plays in the secondary and Bradley Chubb and Baron Browning are generating pressure off the edge. While the offense has struggled, Denver’s defense has been a strength.
3. The Broncos have some issues on the offensive line, especially after losing Garrett Bolles for the season with an injury. How does this team plan to handle Quinnen Williams and company?
It won’t be easy. Calvin Anderson started at left tackle last week but the Broncos then moved Cam Fleming from the right side to left tackle and Billy Turner went in at right tackle. Turner is probably going to start on the right side this week, but it remains to be seen if Anderson or Fleming will get the nod on the left side. The interior offensive line has also been a mess this year with guard Dalton Risner and center Lloyd Cushenberry underperforming. The o-line is definitely a weakness for Denver and New York should be able to exploit that.
4. How do the Broncos wide receivers match up against the Jets secondary? This seems to be one of the more fascinating matchups this week of Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy vs. DJ Reed and Sauce Gardner? How will the Broncos attack the Jets through the air?
If Wilson is cleared to play, don’t expect many passes in the middle of the field as that seems to be a bit of a blindspot for him. He loves targeting receivers on the outside and running backs in the flat. Sutton is a big, physical receiver who can go up and catch contested passes — Jeudy is more of a finesse slot receiver who gets open with excellent route-running. Sutton has been Wilson’s favorite target but lately, none of the team’s WRs have accomplished much while the entire offense struggles. Sutton on the outside might be a challenge for New York, but the Jets should be able to take away the middle of the field like other opponents have against Denver’s offense this season.
5. What is your score prediction for Sunday? Who wins and why?
In my Sports Weekly preview, I picked the Jets to win 21-20. I could see this being the week that the Broncos’ offense finally turns a corner, but until that actually happens, it’s hard to back them with any confidence. Denver’s defense could give New York a lot of trouble, so my score prediction is probably too high, but I think the Jets have to be considered the favorites with the Broncos’ offense struggling right now.
