Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - Riley Moss Is BACK As Denver Broncos Hope To Clinch Playoff Spot

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Denver Broncos biggest matchup of the season is here. Saturday's game against the Bengals determines whether or not the Broncos will make it into the postseason. We'll break that down. Preview the matchup and much more on today's brand new episode, Locked on Broncos. You are Locked on Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the Locked On podcast network, your team every day. Hey, hey, hey, Broncos country. Welcome into another episode, Lockdown Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast. part of the Lockdown Podcast Network where you know it is your team. Every day, I'm Cody Roark, Broncos reporter from All High Sports. Join as always by Sarah Bettinger's site expert over there, predominantly orange.com.

Starting point is 00:00:45 Thanks once again to all the everydayers out there in Broncos country. Thank you so much for making us your first listen. However, you choose to do so here. The biggest game of the season is here for the Broncos on Saturday. A matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. A win puts the Broncos in to the postseason for the first time. since 2015. A lot to break down. And obviously here on today's episode show, we'll wrap things up by going through our bold predictions that we're going to share on the offensive side of the ball,

Starting point is 00:01:13 the defensive side of the ball for the Broncos in this game. We'll also highlight some of the key matchups to watch for that will define the outcome of Saturday's AFC showdown between Joe Burrow, Bo Nix and company, a big, big game here for the orange and blue. Plus, we're going to kick things off. The Broncos, fully healthy going into the Cincinnati Bengos game. The ultimate Christmas gift came true for everyone in Barakos country. We'll talk about all that here on today's episode show, which is brought to you our friends over there at the GameTime app. Download the GameTime app, create an account.

Starting point is 00:01:43 Use code locked on NFL for $20 off your first purchase. Sir, guess who's back? Back again. Riley Moss is back. So tell a friend, he's going to be back here for Saturdays big time matchup here against the Cincinnati Bengals. We've got to watch him all week long and practice. No limitations.

Starting point is 00:02:00 Full go. This is good for the Broncos. It's very good for the Denver Broncos who are giving up just about 190 passing yards per game when Riley Moss is out there. And then obviously, you know, a little over 250 when he's not in the game. So it's been a big enough sample size at this point that we can effectively say the Broncos pass defense is better. Unquestionably so when Riley Moss is out there. The strategy has obviously been different with and without Riley Moss this season, Cody. So kind of funny going into this season, we're talking, you know, is it going to be Riley Moss on the outside?

Starting point is 00:02:36 Could they experiment with J. Kwan MacMillan out there? Is it going to be the veteran Levi Wallace? Look how important Riley Moss has become to this team. And obviously now his return to the field coming at the exact perfect time, obviously would have been nice to have had him against the Chargers. Would have been nice that he never missed any time. But you know what? There's no better time than the present for Riley Moss to come back against the Cincinnati Bengals. offense, which boasts, I mean, shoot, their third receiver, Yoshubaz has six, seven receiving touchdowns already this season. These guys can score and they get it done in a multitude of ways. So having your best on best, it's huge for the Denver Broncos. Yeah, it's going to be so crucial. And look, I'm very curious to see how Riley looks after, you know, missing three straight games, three and a half games if we count the half in which he played against the Raiders and when

Starting point is 00:03:25 the injury had happened there for him. And just watching him in practice this week, I mean, an individual drills. He's moving well. He didn't look like he was limited in any way, shape, or form. So that's obviously a great sign. You know, for me, too, I think it kind of poaches a little bit of a bigger conversation here, though, about this matchup. And obviously, we're going to highlight our key matchups to watch for it. Obviously, we're going to have our eyes on the secondary for a little bit of a spoiler. We'll dive deeper into that here. But for me, it kind of goes back to what's happened to the Broncos since Riley Moss has been out. And Sarah really outside of the Levi-Wallis game, it hasn't been cornerback that's been an issue here for Denver.

Starting point is 00:04:01 And that's something I think I really have to emphasize here with Broncos country because Chris Abrams-Drain did a really good job stepping in. So now that Riley Moss comes back in, I don't know how impacts the rotation. When we talk about maybe the dime package and guys getting different looks, we'll see how that kind of formulates here, what plan that the Broncos and Vance Joseph have against, as you mentioned, three very good receivers.

Starting point is 00:04:22 Obviously, Mike Geseki, you're going to have to account for him as well to tight-end position. But for me, it's just like, I look back at these last handful of games. And to me, I feel like Vance Joseph has been a little conservative in the fact of like, hey, because we don't have Riley, we have to call things differently. And that, to me, has been a little concerning just because you can't change everything. Like if one guy comes out, because if your defense and the success or the sustainability of it predicates on having everybody fully healthy, like we know the NFL, the brutal nature of it, you're going to lose guys to injury. guys are going to get banged up. If one guy goes out, I can't change how you call the defense. And I'm hoping that we see a little bit more aggressiveness here from the Broncos.

Starting point is 00:05:03 Because I think the blitz looks, when you look at the numbers and pressure looks at Vance Joseph has tried to send after quarterbacks since Riley Moss has been out. It hasn't been at the same rate in which we have seen previously here for the Broncos. So does that change? And how does it match? Like, how do you match up? Like, are you going to play more man-to-man coverage? You're going to play more zone.

Starting point is 00:05:21 Zone coverage has been the bugaboo here for this Broncos team. the last three and a half games. And it hasn't been corner. It's been really communication issues between the safety and the inside linebackers. Well, and what I think is kind of alarming, too, is that Vance Joseph when he met the media this past week, and for those who missed it,

Starting point is 00:05:38 because you've been celebrating with your families and things like that, Vance was basically like, you know, teams have all this tape on you, warts and all for the last 12, 13, 14 weeks or whatever. And obviously, it's harder to defend later in the season because there's so much. on tape. And so I found that to be kind of an alarming revelation from him, Cody. I don't know why he would necessarily say that even. Just so, I mean, obviously you make adjustments. And that's what he's saying.

Starting point is 00:06:05 He's like, we need to make adjustments and we need to get these guys in position to be, you know, advantageous when there's already all this stuff on tape. And that's his job as a defensive coordinator to do that. And so, yes, there's personnel stuff. But at the same time, you've had a mostly healthy defensive front, which has been dominant all year. You've had, like you said, the play of everybody else in the secondary but Riley Moss, and these guys playing at a highlight, Chris Abrams drain coming in and playing tremendous. So schematically, I think this all falls on Vance Joseph. Like, are you able to make these adjustments? Are you able to coach these guys and say, hey, when you see this, you need to do this or you need to pass this off this way or whatever it may be.

Starting point is 00:06:48 I don't know. I kind of found his comments to be a little bit alarming in terms of what we've seen the last three weeks and the breakdowns defensively. And the fact that he's just like, well, yeah, there's a lot of, there's, all your warts are on tape out there for NFL teams to see. Well, you got to get the warts removed there in terms of adjusting there. And look, I, I think it's plain and simple. When you look at it, there's been times where Pastor Tan has moved around situationally in the last three games, like going back to Cleveland.

Starting point is 00:07:13 But how many times do we see him actually cover Jerry Judy, right? Ideally, that's on Vance Joseph to put like, hey, Pat, you're going to follow number three wherever he goes, the Colts game. You're going to follow this specific guy. I mean, the Colts are motioning downs away or pitman away to where I would have to cover a tight end. And you're not, they weren't switching things. So to me, it was like, all right, now they're just sitting back in zone. And then obviously we saw this past week against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Starting point is 00:07:37 It's like, all right, they're not even moving Pat around to cover some of the better guys there. Like, they're just keeping him in space. That is solely on the defensive coordinator, Sarah. And look, I think that's something that's been a frustrating thing for Sean Payton. And like Sean, I think the last couple of weeks is really kind of hinted that, hey, like, our past coverage hasn't been where it needs to be. We need to put our best guy on their best guy. And that, I think, is kind of wrapping up a little bit of pressure here on Vance Joseph because, look, it's John Payton wants this defense to hum, wants them to play the way that they were. And sure, of course, not having Riley Moss was a big factor in that.

Starting point is 00:08:13 But you can't change who you are just because you don't have one guy out there. that's where you build in this team DNA, this chemistry. And it's like, hey, this is who we are. We can't change who we are. We need to play to our standard. And that has not been the case for almost three straight games here for this Broncos team. And certainly we've seen the numbers there. So maybe we'll see some, you know, getting back to it because I imagine if I'm looking at the Bengals,

Starting point is 00:08:37 I'm looking at what Zach Taylor and those guys may do, they may put Jamar Chase, T. Higgins, Yosovus. They may just move these guys around in different spots. And it's like, all right, how are you going to counter that if you are. or Vance Joseph. I imagine eyes are going to be on Vance Joseph on Saturday for this game. And look, obviously, Riley Moss, not the only guy who's healthy coming into this game here. Jalil McLaughlin will play ready to go after having the quad injury that forced him to miss last week's game. He was limited in one practice earlier this week, but it was a full go in two consecutive days.

Starting point is 00:09:08 Tyler Boudet, his 21-day window has officially started. He's fully healthy. He's back ready to go. So could see him potentially. Who knows? That's obviously something we'll continue to monitor there. And Troy Franklin, who left last week's game against the Charters in a walking boot, full go, ready to go. The Broncos, fully healthy for this game in Mansair. The biggest game of the season is here.

Starting point is 00:09:29 You hope all the stars align here. Get back to the postseason. But how would the Broncos do just that? Well, several matchups will define the outcome of this game here on Saturday, 2.30 p.m. Mountain Time kickoff on NFL network for the Denver Broncos. will highlight which matchups including PS2, Jamar Chase, primetime television. We'll highlight that much more here on today's episode,

Starting point is 00:09:51 Lockdown Broncos. Today's Lockdown Broncos podcast is brought to our friends over there at the GameTime app. And game time is focused on togetherness this holiday season. And that means when you bring people together at live events, the experience is that much better. And it's the perfect gift. Game Time has a new feature called GameTime Picks that makes getting tickets for live events even easier.

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Starting point is 00:11:03 Download game time today. What time is it game time? The Cincinnati Bengals have a wide receiver that is, you know, buying for the triple crown this year, yards, touchdown. receptions, but you know what, the Denver Broncos, they've got a guy who can shut him down. PS2 up against Jamar Chase this coming weekend for the Denver Broncos as well as, hey, we've got to look at some other big time matchups. How are the Broncos going to deal with Trey Hendrickson, who quietly might also be in that defensive player of the year mix?

Starting point is 00:11:34 Cody, we got a lot to break down in terms of the matchups for this Broncos and Bengals game, which could determine ultimately the Broncos playoff fate. But before we talk about these key matchups, we want to. say thank you to every single one of you that makes lockdown Broncos, your first listen of the day, every single day. Happy, you know, holidays to all of you. Merry late Christmas to all of you out there. And we're looking forward to hopefully ringing in the new year with a playoff team here in the Denver Broncos.

Starting point is 00:12:01 If we haven't already done so, hit subscribe wherever you listen or watch the show on YouTube. Cody, the matchups in this game are, you know, fascinating. And I think it's even more fascinating with what we just got done talking about. the Broncos are fully healthy, which really does kind of change the game in terms of, okay, the Bengals are going to try to motion Jamar Chase around the field. They're going to try to get him away from Pat Sir Tan. But even as good as Chris Abrams Drain played these last couple of games, I think it's really something to be said for the fact that, hey,

Starting point is 00:12:34 now Riley Moss is back in the game. Maybe you can count on him to win some matchups against a guy like Chase. It just elevates the whole side of the ball. but of course, all eyes are going to be on when number one for the Bengals is lined up against number two for the Denver Broncos. Yeah, I mean, this is potential defensive player of the year versus offensive player of the year mashup right here. Primetime number one like contender. This is the main event between these two guys. Like what Pastor Tann has done this year has been incredible.

Starting point is 00:13:02 What Jamar Chase has done this season has been incredible as well. It's like the Avengers, Sarah, it's like, you know, they've got a Thanos. It's like, yeah, but we've got a PS2. Like they got a Jamar Chase, but we've done. got a PS2. That to me, I think, is the most exciting thing about it. And to your point as well, with the return of Riley Moss, I think it takes a little bit of pressure off the back end of the defense because you know you have a guy who can play really good man-to-man coverage comes up and plays well against the run in terms of anything outside the perimeter there. That certainly helps.

Starting point is 00:13:30 I think you kind of match up your guys a little bit. And obviously Jayquan Macmillan inside the slot where he can play really well here. I think we've seen that from him this season. And just making sure that communication between these guys and the back end, or the safeties are obviously there. PS2 versus Jamar Chase, like this should be the most defining. Like this right here could decide, as I mentioned, whether or not Pat or Tanwin's defensive player of the year. And I think it's also on Vance Joseph to put Pat in a position to take away

Starting point is 00:13:57 the NFL's best receiver right now in Jamar Chase. And obviously, the most explosive offense right now, led by Joe Burrell. Like these guys are going to try to go after each other too. And I think this is where everything just, it's for the marvels. this is playoff football here, even though it's not officially the postseason, this is a playoff matchup between two elite level all pro players. To me, this is going to be a fun one to watch. But also, you know, we talk about the return of Riley Moss,

Starting point is 00:14:23 and we talk about guys like T. Higgins. T. Higgins is questionable coming into Saturday's games. So this is something to monitor. I anticipate that he's going to play. But look, nothing gets bigger than PS2 versus Jemar Chase. I think this is the one that Broncos country is more excited to see as well. Well, and you can correct me if I'm wrong on this. Cody, but I think it could open up opportunities for the Broncos to even get back on track

Starting point is 00:14:46 a little bit defensively, even against a couple of heavy hitters at the receiver position like this, because I don't know, this is just me spitballing off the top of my head. I'm not a defensive coordinator, anything like that. I've not played defense ever. But I, you know, what about this option, possibility? Could you disguise man coverage and zone coverage by just allowing, let's say the Bengals want to move Jamar Chase from one side of the field, the same? say, hey, if Pat Sertan doesn't follow him, they're obviously playing zone coverage, but maybe could you disguise that by saying, hey, when he moves to the other side, we're just going to say, Riley Moss, just man up against him. Or if he moves into the slot, McMillan, you're,

Starting point is 00:15:25 manning up against him, and we're going to kind of try to disguise this, just make them think we're in zone coverage. I don't know, just something like that popped into my head so you can tell me if I'm wrong about that, but I kind of find that to be interesting possibility. You can do certain things like that, but everything comes with a rule, right? Like for example, let's say they do motion. Let's say Jumar Chase, let's say they go two by two. Two receivers to one side, two on the other. Jumar's on the right side.

Starting point is 00:15:49 Pat's lined up against him. And let's say he's off the ball and he motions across. Certainly if it's zone, Pat will bump to the number two guy outside and over the top while you're going to get movement. You can run zone to one side man on the other. The Broncos have done that quite a bit. They also run a lot of match, right? So if there's a certain route that goes vertical at this depth or if this receiver has an outside release at this depth, then you have to play him as man.

Starting point is 00:16:12 There's also match zone where, hey, like, I've got to play this area. I've got to ride the most dangerous threat here. And then as someone comes to area, I've got to pass off and drop down. The Broncos do play a lot of palms coverage there, where there is communication between the outside corner and the safety in terms of passing off, maybe a vertical route to take whatever's coming underneath. There are ways that you can get creative with that.

Starting point is 00:16:33 And I'm very curious to see how the Broncos will plan to do that. I mean, like I said, this is a tough matchup to kind of disguise against, because this is, Sarah, the most explosive offense, the Broncos have gone against all season long, and this will be more than likely unless they face the Baltimore Ravens, which I mean, I think the Ravens, you can contend, like the Ravens are probably a similar level of explosiveness as the Bengals. I mean, when you saw the Bengals and the Ravens play twice this year,

Starting point is 00:16:58 it was a shootout in the high 30s, 40s for both matchups that those teams had respectively. So firepower-wise, this is going to be a very, very tough matchup here for Denver, and it's going to be the one that I think is going to test. them. But it's also going to prove whether or not they belong in the playoffs, I think, as well, because obviously we've got to talk about the scenario. Even if Denver doesn't win this game on Saturday, they still have a chance to win against the Chiefs if they win in week 18. We know the Chiefs are more likely going to rest their starters after clinching the number one seed there that's been widely reported. But you don't want it to come to that, right? Take care of business now. Show right now that you belong. I think that's going to be a big thing that we have to watch for.

Starting point is 00:17:34 And look, Sarah, I'll even take another step further here when we talk about this matchup. I think you just look at the Broncos run defense against Chase Brown. Now, obviously they lost Joe Mixing in the off season. That was a big loss. But Chase Brown has really kind of come on for them. And he's the type of guy that worries me a little bit because he's averaged, I think, 4.4 yards per carry. But he's the type of guy whose patient can get to the outside.

Starting point is 00:17:56 And then once he gets that corner, man, he's got the speed to break off a 40, 50, 60 yarder, and he can wear your defense down to where it's like, all right, we just got gash for a really big play. And then now Joe Burrow comes in and starts to dice you up a little bit. that's the formula here for this Bengals team. And I think the run defense has to be big this week against Chase Brown. They have to account for him. Absolutely.

Starting point is 00:18:17 And that has been an issue the past handful of weeks. I mean, you could even go back all the way to that Raiders game that the Broncos ended up winning where early on it's like, is this Amir Abdullah? Are we watching like vintage Adrian Peterson out here? I mean, what the heck is going on? So yeah,

Starting point is 00:18:33 this Denver run defense has to get it together and having the extra time. everybody's healthy. You know, Zach Allen did miss a little bit of time in there. But man, these guys, they've got to be on their assignments and gap integrity, all that good stuff.

Starting point is 00:18:47 On the other side of the ball, Cody, Trey Hendrickson, kind of making a bit of a bid for defensive player of the year. I mean, this is not the most, you know, I don't want to say it's not a glamorous year to win it

Starting point is 00:18:59 because like, you know, we want to see Pat Sertan Nick Benito in the mix. Yeah. The betting favorite, TJ Watt, just had a game in which he had zero pressures on Christmas Day.

Starting point is 00:19:08 So that's kind of the state of things. So Trey Hendrickson is probably in the mix a little bit here. He's going to be going up probably against Garrett Bowles for the majority of his reps. And he's one of those guys that I know Sean Payton very familiar with having drafted him back in New Orleans. It's, you know, that storyline is irrelevant in this situation. But for Bo Nix, who's taken, you know, the lowest amount of sacks for any rookie quarterback this year, that guy could be a handful of this game. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:19:34 And I saw the start, the chart that just got put out. too about how many sacks Caleb Williams is taken, how many sacks. Like Drake May, and he's got less starts, has been sacked more than Bo Nix at this point. I think what? He's got 29. He's been sacked 29 times in just 10 starts. Like, that's not ideal.

Starting point is 00:19:49 Caleb Williams, feel for him there in Chicago. But Boe is just smart in terms of not taking sacks and being in a good position to keep the Broncos ahead of the chains a little bit or to throw the football away. That's been a good sign. But man, like, Garrett Bulls has got a massive contract extension. Hey, this is a matchup where it's like, hey, go. shut down their best pass rusher because there's going to be no Sam Hubbard, no Sheldon Rankin's in this game here for Cincinnati. So now is the perfect opportunity to say, hey,

Starting point is 00:20:15 let's try to Stonewall their best pass rusher here because he's a good, he's a powerful defensive end, plays the run really well, and he's a power guy that can get after the quarterback. Denver's going to have to try to account for that. And also, you know, I think Cincinnati is going to send several nickel or safety blitzes in this game. We'll see if Gino Stone plays. I know he's questionable. But man, this is this is the biggest. game of the year here. Sarah, I know we said that last week, but it's like until the Broncos clinch a playoff spot, this is the biggest game. And then if the Broncos do that, then the playoff game will be the biggest game since 2015. So you're in a position now.

Starting point is 00:20:49 Sean Payton said it all week. The goal is to get the 10 wins, get it here on Saturday, 2.30 p.m. Mountain Time on NFL Network. What are some of the bullet predictions, though, that we have for this game? We're going to share our thoughts on the offensive side of the ball, the defensive side of the ball. Maybe the Broncos might change things up in the running back rotation. We'll highlight that. and much more. Here on today's episode, Lockdown Broncos. Today's Lockdown Broncos podcast is brought to you about friends over there at Hillsdale

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Starting point is 00:22:34 following the Broncos Bengals game here. on Saturday. We're going to get into our bold predictions for this matchup here against Joe Burrow and the Bengals. In a tough road game here for the Broncos. We'll look at the offensive side of the ball. We'll look at the defensive side of the ball. And as always, as you're listening to the show and you want to share your thoughts, make sure you share your bold predictions with us as well on social media at Cody Warwick and a Phil.

Starting point is 00:22:56 At Sarah Beninger at Lock on Broncos. Sarah, let's start on the offensive side of the ball, my friend. I'm going to kick it off to you here to open things up. Bold predictions here for Sunday, not Sunday. Saturday's game against Cincinnati where we know the weather could be a little bit of a factor here. All the heavy rain is anticipated to be after the game. There could still be some light rain, light wind here. Obviously for the course of this game, though, offensively, where are you going?

Starting point is 00:23:22 Well, I think regardless of the rain, we got to see the Broncos run the rock. And Cody, you know what? There has not been a 100-yard rusher since Jerry Rosberg was the interim head coach back in 2022. Latavius Murray breaking the 100-yard mark. I mean, my goodness, the Denver Broncos, that's a streak that is got to end. And I hate to say that it's a bold prediction that somebody gets 100 yards in this game. But let's go bold since Jolil McLaughlin is back healthy, Javante's healthy. I'm going to say, Audric Estimate, despite all these guys being healthy in the backfield,

Starting point is 00:23:54 Blake Watson being signed to the 53. It's going to be Audric Estime, who runs for over 100 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, breaking a streak for the Denver Broncos that at this point is two years, two calendar years long. And I haven't had a hundred yard rusher in two years. Let's say it happens on Saturday. Excuse me. Again, the Broncos have played about every day of the week this season. But on Saturday, Audric Estime going for over 100 yards against the Bengals.

Starting point is 00:24:22 32 straight games. The Broncos have played without a 100 yard rusher. That is crazy. It's got to end at some point. I like that. And look, this isn't going to be my bold prediction, but maybe something to keep an eye on here. So obviously Blake Watson, got promoted to the 53-man roster.

Starting point is 00:24:36 And right now it's Adrick Estimate, Jilil L'Aclothlin, Blake Watson, Javante Williams. Could this be a changing the guard here where we see Javante Williams as an inactive on game day? I'm not sure. I thought he played really well against the Los Angeles Chargers. Once again, I thought he had some explosive runs. He was good out of the backfield, especially on a third and 11,

Starting point is 00:24:56 where he fought to get extra yards to pick up the first down here. But how is this going to work, or does that mean Jalil's role is going to be reduced a little bit? or is Blake Watson just going to be a game day inactive? Because I know Sean Payton liked what he saw, but at this point, you need to find a way to get a spark. Is Sean Payton going to be bold and maybe make a change here before the biggest game of the year?

Starting point is 00:25:15 I'm not sure, but something will follow. Obviously, 90 minutes before kickoff, the inactives will come out. You have this many active running backs on your active roster. How is that going to work out? Who's in, who's out? Something to keep an eye on there. My bold prediction here, though, Sarah, is going to be with Cortland Sutton here offensively.

Starting point is 00:25:33 I'm going to go through and say that Cortland Sutton is going to haul in two receiving touchdowns here this week against the Cincinnati Bengals. He's going to go over 1,000 yards on the season in this game in total. I think he's 928 or something along those lines. So he, you know, he needs a pretty solid game here. I think he's going to get two touchdowns in this game that are going to be crucial here for the Broncos, especially against that defense that look, Cincinnati, they've been playing a lot better than they have been a majority of the season. But this is a game where I think Cortland Sutton understands, hey, we got to get to our 10th game.

Starting point is 00:26:05 Sean Payton has identified, Cortland, as a guy saying, hey, we got to do whatever we can to get it. I think Cortland's going to go out there and put two touchdowns on his back against this Bengals defense offensively. And can the Broncos find a way to win this game? That's going to be huge. But two touchdowns here for Cortland Sutton. I'm putting it in the universe.

Starting point is 00:26:22 I like that a lot. Cortland Sutton, no receiver in the NFL has more yards on third downs this year than does Corlin Sutton. Kind of an interesting stat there, Broncos country. as we look towards potentially Sutton also eclipsing 1,000 the season. He probably just needs one big game here to do just that. Defensively for the Broncos, Cody, you know what?

Starting point is 00:26:43 I've gone a little crazy on some defensive predictions in the last handful of weeks. And you never know when the football gods are going to say, hey, you know what? You predicted four turnovers against the Colts. We're going to give you five. How about this for the Cincinnati Bengals game this week? I'm going to say that Nick Benito has two forced fumbles in this game. Maybe why don't we go a step further and say Nick Bonito is going to have two strip sacks

Starting point is 00:27:09 against the guy who's probably probably in my opinion the best at navigating a dirty pocket in today's NFL in Joe Burrow. I think that that would be, that might seal defensive player of the year for Nick Benito, especially if the Broncos can create turnovers off of that. Let's put that into the universe as well. two strip sacks for Nick Bonito in this game against Joe Burrow and the Bengals. I like that. And if he does that, I think once again, it's,

Starting point is 00:27:36 could we see a situation here? Like obviously with T.J. Watt, not, I mean, he's had some games where hasn't gotten pressures. He hasn't gotten sacks. That's a big measure in it.

Starting point is 00:27:44 But if, if this were to happen, could we see a situation where if the one and two guys in terms of how voters decide to do in terms of defense player of the year on the same team, can you do it co-deafensive player of the year here for PS2 and for Nick Benito, like these guys, they play so well off of each other in terms of how they do it. I think it's incredible here. I just think it's awesome that Denver has two guys that are actually in the conversation.

Starting point is 00:28:06 And they are right there in the top three of it. And when you talk about, you know, the betting odds and the favorites like that to me, I think is an exciting thing to kind of follow here. So I like that. I think that's a bold prediction. Look, Broncos country is always, these are always designed to be fun, right? Bold predictions mean bold. Like, you know, it could happen, but it's going to be hard to make it happen.

Starting point is 00:28:25 This is where we go with this. defensively here kind of goes into our defensive player of the year conversation. I've got PS2, my bold prediction, PS2 holds Jamar Chase to under 65 yards when covering him in this game, which look, I think you look at some of the other guys that Sertan's gone against this week. There's been like, what, 30. I can't even remember what the highest yardage was, maybe 40 yards or something, or 35. 60, like you look at Jamar Chase, he's a unicorn at the position. He is a true legitimate player at that position.

Starting point is 00:28:56 So for me, it's like, all right, if Pat Sertan holds him to under 65 yards when covering him, that right there is going to be a special, I think, revelation here in terms of maybe defensive player that you're here for Pat. Now is Pat going to cover him all game. I don't know. It remains to be seen. We would like to see that matchup all game. But PS2 holds Jamar Chase under 65 yards receiving when covering him in Saturday's matchup against the Bengals. That is my bold prediction here defensively.

Starting point is 00:29:23 And as always, Broncos country, make sure you send your bold prediction. in as well. We always want to hear yours on the offensive side of the ball and on the defensive side of the ball as well. Denver's going to play on Saturday. So it means our schedule is going to change up just a little bit. We'll have a lockdown Broncos post game report for you on Saturday following the Broncos Bengals game, which kicks off at 2.30 p.m. Mountain time on NFL network. And on top of that, you also get something for Monday as well. We'll get the aftermath of it. The Bronco is going to be in the playoffs. There's so much at stake here for this team going forward. it's going to be a fun time to be an everyday listener

Starting point is 00:29:56 and a first listener of the day here for the Lockdown Broncos podcast with that said Broncos country appreciate you so much thanks for rocking with us make sure you check out Lockdown NFL for your second listen of the day we'll see you for the Lockdown Broncos post game report

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