Scouting the Broncos

Let's talk about the Denver Broncos. What do we know? What should we know? How do the Browns match up?

Here's the official Blawg Pound scouting report on this week's foe.

Denver Broncos

Record: 1-0

Last Week: Defeated Bengals, 12-7

Rankings: Offense 17th, Defense 17th

Coach: Josh McDaniels (first season)

Offense

Players to Watch:

QB Kyle Orton

WR Eddie Royal

RB Knowshon Moreno

Match-up vs. Browns:

Denver hasn't really had a problem running the ball on the Mike Shanahan-coached teams (I think I could have gotten 1,000 yards rushing with that offensive line blocking for me), but McDaniels wants a pass-first offense. During the off-season, they decided Bears quarterback Kyle "Cowboy Bob" Orton was the man they needed to run the offense. So, they went out and got him.

With a rookie running back in Moreno, and an offensive line that's not quite what it used to be, this game is a huge opportunity for the Browns defense. If the Browns can dominate the line of scrimmage and get in the backfield, they should be able to shut down the run and put some pressure on Orton.

Defense

Players to Watch:

LB Elvis Dumervil

S Brian Dawkins

CB Champ Bailey

Match-up vs. Browns:

Brady Quinn will have his work cut out for him this week against the experienced Denver secondary. Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins are wily veterans who should have no problem covering Braylon Edwards. The Broncos held the Bengals to just 7 points last week and intercepted Carson Palmer twice.

At linebacker, Elvis Dumervil is quick against the pass rush and Joe Thomas will need to stay alert to keep him out of the backfield. Inside, the Browns will face a former teammate in Andra Davis, who had nine tackles last week against the Bengals.

Summary

I'm really, really confident about this game. Sure, all signs pointed to the Broncos losing handily to the Bengals last week, but the two teams fought it out til the end with the Broncos coming out on top thanks to a miracle 87-yard TD pass from Orton to Brandon Stokely with 11 seconds remaining in the game.

Still, I think if the Browns can stick to fundamentals and Brady can stay calm in the pocket, they should be able to win this one. I don't see the Broncos dominating the Browns in any area, and I doubt they can pull out a miracle two weeks in a row.

Go Browns!

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