Ultimate Fan: Run defense is key to win in NOLA

Nothing like a quick turnaround from a loss to a big road game to get everyone focused.

Especially at the UFG! Last week's loss was super annoying as three quarters of the game were abysmal and then the fourth quarter was so fun...but so late.

This week jlfreck is making his rookie debut for the UFG, and he's already scored a touchdown!

Let's hope there are a bunch of those from the Broncos this Thursday night.

Week 7: Broncos at Saints on TNFMHR - Yuck. Broncos break their three-game win streak and lose at home. Thoughts on that game? Jlfreck: Oooof!!! That was rough. It just felt like the offense could not find a rhythm until the 4th quarter. Nothing seemed to be working. The receivers weren't getting open, Bo wasn't finding them when they did, and the running backs could not get them into 3rd and short. To compound it, the defense had their worst game of the season. It doesn't help when Surtain goes down so early. That is a big loss as they didn't have him to cover half the field. It showed as the Chargers sustained too many long drives.

MHR - Now Denver has three days to rest and prepare but also just three days to dwell on the loss. What one or two things HAVE to improve that CAN improve by Thursday night to help get a win? Jlfreck: Start Fast!!!! I think they need to let Bo get hit early on a few runs. It feels like he plays better after he gets out of the pocket, makes a play, and gets hit. On defense, they have to stop the run. For once our defense gets to face a rookie QB. We need to take away the run and make Rattler beat us. We have to rattle Rattler. (yeah I went there)

MHR - Bo Nix was a scrambling fool on Sunday, which ended up being some of the better plays. But does this backup o-line concern you or is the Saints defense bad enough (ranked 32) that the Broncos should be ok? Jlfreck: I am a little concerned about the o-line where we are down to the second string center and third string right tackle. With that being said, we need more plays where Bo is allowed to get outside the pocket where his legs can be a weapon. The way the Saints give up yards, we have to turn Bo into a pass/run weapon. The Saints give up 133 rushing yards per game. We need to not only turn Bo loose, but I would like to see more of Estime.

MHR - Down 23-0 going into the fourth quarter, Denver got three scores in about 10 minutes of game time. Is this something to build on (and how would you do that) or was it just "garbage time" scoring that can't really be relied upon? Jlfreck: The easy answer it was garbage time. That may have been the case for the first score. But when they started driving again I have to believe the Chargers started taking it more seriously. I think there are some things to build on. First, Bo needs to get out of his own head early in the game. It just feels like he is thinking through things too much, trying to make the "right" play. It seems he plays his best ball when he is just playing and not focused so much on running the perfect offense.

MHR - Sean Payton hinted at more Audric Estime in the backfield now that he's healthy. How would you suggest continuing to use Javonte Williams and Jaleel Mclaughlin - more or less? Jlfreck: Javonte is our best 3rd down back. He is our best blocker at the running back position and has been catching the ball well this year. I think he should flex more into that role. That would allow Estime to get more carries with McLaughlin as the change of pace back. So I guess my answer is Williams less, primarily as a 3rd down back, and McLaughlin about the same as he is used now.

MHR - The Broncos Country jury still seems to be "out" when it comes to Bo Nix's potential to be a great future quarterback - which seems a tad early to decide there is no growth potential but maybe not too early to notice red flags. What is your assessment so far of the rookie QB? Jlfreck: I agree it is too early to decide. There is a lot to like about his game and leadership, but definitely some things to clean up. First and foremost, he needs to keep working on his footwork. I enjoy watching the Tim Jenkins breakdowns, and so many times Tim points out that the over and under throws are a result of poor footwork. I do like his ability to work through his progressions, and I think he does a good job with his pre-snap reads. With all of that, I am hopeful he can progress this year, and with a good offseason he can come back and be the QB we are hoping for. If there is one red flag for me it is his willingness to abandon a play and take the underneath throw. He has to get away from that tendency to become a star in this league.

MHR - Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin Jr. both made some big plays on Sunday. Along with Courtland Sutton, can this WR core be good enough to get this offense some regular first downs and big scores? What do you think is missing from the receiving corps overall? Jlfreck: What is missing is the explosive receiver. We have a lot of big-bodied solid receivers who can make some plays, but we don't have that explosive guy. Maybe Franklin can become that guy, but for now we don't have one. I was hopeful Mims would show out this year, but we are not seeing any plays on offense from him. For me, we need that guy who can get separation or can make guys miss once they have the ball. I am not seeing that from our receivers right now. They don't have that elusiveness about them. If Nix and Franklin can rekindle that connection they had in college, the big play can be back in the game plan. That would be the perfect complement to Sutton. I know when Payton was mad during the Raiders game, it was because there was an easier completion for the first down. But I was fine with the deep ball to Franklin. Franklin got open and Nix hit him in the hands. That is the type of play we so desperately need if Franklin will start reeling those in.

MHR - What is up with our TE room? Is there any hope? Jlfreck: We need a new reality TV show, Extreme Makeover Tight End Edition. Dulcich is as good as done, and none of the others instill confidence in the position. I would be fine if they drafted 2 tight ends in the next draft. Right now it is projected to be a strong tight end draft, with some prospects being both good blockers and receivers. It is time we address the position in the draft (along with offensive tackle).

MHR - The Broncos' defense had had basically five games of dominance (probably more like 4.5 since they gave up too many big runs against Seattle in Week 1) but against the Chargers, they could not get off the field. Was it just because of losing Pat Surtain to a concussion or was there something else that can be fixed by Thursday night? Jlfreck: Maybe it was my perception, but it seemed like the Chargers converted a lot of third downs with pass plays. (overall they converted 61% of their 3rd downs) Surtain being out was a huge impact on that statistic, as he takes away one receiver, allowing the defense to help out elsewhere. That being said, I don't think that was the only issue. Up front they allowed 128 yards rushing. The Chargers only averaged 3.4 yards per carry, but if they needed 2 yards they seemed to always get 3. The opposite of what some of us old timers witnessed with Sammy Winder, where you could always count on him to get 3 yards, especially if we needed 4.

MHR - Going against a rookie QB in his second game and an offense with its top two WRs out has surely got Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper salivating. The Broncos defense is currently second in the league for number of sacks at 22. Do you see a lot of sacks coming to the Broncos this Thursday? Jlfreck: Like I mentioned earlier, I think the defense early on will focus on stopping the run. So the sacks might not come early, except for on 3rd downs if we can get them into some 3rd and longs. I think the sacks will come later in the game when the Saints will be forced to throw more. I think we will see at least 5, slightly above our season average.

MHR - Alvin Kamara had a slow start to the season but has picked up the pace, with six touchdowns so far and averaging just over 4 yards per carry. But the past two games that average has been between 5.5 and 5.8 ypc. Can the Broncos stop him? Jlfreck: This is the key to the game isn't it. The Broncos have stopped some other good backs from having big games, so I believe they can, and they must if they are going to win the game. The defense has to get off the field better this game, and it starts with stopping the runs on first and second down. I do believe it is the opposite though, as his best games were against the Panthers and Cowboys in weeks 1 and 2. The past couple of weeks he has not played as well.

MHR - Riley Moss has gotten a lot of (good) attention lately – first among cornerbacks for yards after catch allowed (47 through six weeks); ranked fourth in the NFL for his coverage grade (76.7); and ranked sixth in lowest QB passer ratings against him (71.7). What do you think of how he's come along in his second year (first really to see the field)? Any chance this secondary can be as fierce as the No Fly Zone? Jlfreck: I will hold off on the comparisons to one of the greatest defensive backfields of all time (so says the homer in me and no one will convince me otherwise). I think they have the ability to be really good though and I hope they reach that level. I have really enjoyed seeing the progress from Moss. He is sticky in coverage, and it seems to take great throws and catches to get a big play on him. I also love a corner that is not afraid to come up and support the run, which he definitely will do. He is making people forget that we traded away a 4th and future 3rd to move up to the 3rd round to draft him. If he keeps playing like he is, and hopefully continues to improve, then that was a small price to pay. If the secondary as a whole can be integral in leading us back to glory, then I will put them in that stratosphere. I do believe we need a little stronger safety play to get to that level. Jones has been great, but Locke has had some rough moments. Of course it is easy to judge as I sit in my nice comfortable chair watching the game.

MHR - At this point last season the Broncos were 1-5 and all hope seemed lost. Then they went on a five-game winning streak that included wins over the Chiefs and Bills. This team has two more "easier" games before facing the Chiefs and Ravens on the road. Is there a legit path to 4-0 over the next four weeks? What is more likely, 4-0 or 0-4? Jlfreck: There is always a path, just as we saw last year, but I don't consider it likely. This team is too up and down, and is still learning how to win. Last year turnovers played a big part in that streak. Once the turnovers dried up, the wins went with them. Although I don't believe we will go 0-4 over the next 4 games, I do see it is more likely than 4-0. (Please make me eat some crow for that one! I will gladly accept all ridicule if they somehow pull off winning 4 straight.)

MHR - Who needs to be the MVP of the offense and MVP of the defense on Thursday night? Jlfreck: On defense I am going to say JFM, as he needs to key the defense in stopping the run. On offense, I am going to say Troy Franklin. If we can get some big plays from him, then we can make this a runaway win.