Bengals, Broncos tight ends key in outcome Sunday in Cincinnati
Sep 23, 2016, 7:35 PM
With Denver Broncos tight end Virgil Green out against the Bengals with a calf injury, the men next behind him, along with the guy who’ll line up in the same position for the Bengals, could make a big impact on the outcome of Sunday’s Week 3 tilt.
On defense, it starts with the Broncos being able to contain Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah, “The Drive with Big Al and DMac” co-host Alfred Williams said Friday.
Through two games, Uzomah has more receiving targets than all but Cincinnati star receiver A.J. Green and starting running back Giovani Bernard.
“He is Andy Dalton’s go-to guy if there’s nothing happening with A.J. Green,”
It’s almost excusable for Green, a perennial Pro Bowler, to have a big day against Denver, Williams said. But, if it’s Uzomah, that could spell disaster for the Broncos.
“If A.J. Green has a day where he has 13 catches and he has 140 yards, that’s not going to hurt us. If we allow Uzomah to get going at tight end, it’s going to be very long day,” Williams said. “And Andy Dalton loves this guy.”
On the opposite side of the ball, it’s Jeff Heuerman who could potentially be set up for a big day.
LAMMEY: Denver Broncos may feature TE Jeff Heuerman in Week 3
The second-year pro will make his NFL regular season debut on the road in Cincinnati after missing the entire 2015 for the Broncos with a torn ACL. Heuerman’s also been hobbled throughout the preseason and early regular season with an ankle injury.
Williams says Denver could “run off guys and thrown underneath” to its tight ends or running backs, and with Hueuerman being possibly the more potent pass-catching tight end than possible starter John Phillips, the former Ohio State Buckeye could have a big day.
“Heuerman may end up having a great day as a pass receiver, because Phillips is certainly more of a run blocker. And I’m thinking that C.J. Anderson will have a really good day, but as a pass receiver,” Williams said.
Denver and Cincinnati is set to kickoff at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Follow 104.3 The Fan digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.
