The recipe the Broncos need to use to slow down Aaron Rodgers
Sep 19, 2019, 7:01 AM
The Broncos don’t have a sack yet in 2019. That’s remarkable considering they have potential All-Pro defenders outside in Bradley Chubb and Von Miller. Things don’t get an easier for them on the schedule, as they travel to historic Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers in Week 3.
The Packers have arguably the best quarterback in the NFL in Aaron Rodgers. You have seen the Broncos get after Rodgers effectively before, but that was in the past with much different personnel. Back in 2015, the Broncos defense held Rodgers to 14-of-22 passing for a mere 77 yards.
That was then and this is now. The key for the Broncos to get their first win of the season is to stop or slow down Rodgers if at all possible.
Broncos head coach Vic Fangio used to face Rodgers regularly when he was the defensive coordinator for the Bears. So he knows the trouble in game-planning for such a talented quarterback.
“He’s one of the best of all-time. There’s really no one way to play him. You just have to mix it up on him,” Fangio said.
So how can the Broncos actually pull off seemingly the impossible and beat Rodgers? Let’s take a look.
***
No More Excuses
The main excuse – or reason – that many fans are blaming as the reason for the Broncos pass-rushing woes is the fact that opposing quarterbacks are getting rid of the ball too quickly. So far in 2019, that’s only half true.
In Week 1, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr did get rid of the ball quickly. He had an average “Time before pass” of 2.43 seconds. In Week 2, Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky actually got rid of the ball slower than thePNFL average of 2.77 seconds. Trubisky had an average TbP against the Broncos of 2.88 seconds.
Here comes Rodgers up next, and he has the second-longest TbP in the entire league at 3.24 seconds. On Tuesday, I asked cornerback Chris Harris Jr. if Rodgers holding onto the ball longer could be a positive for them.
“He’s great at extending the time in the pocket, letting his guys get time to get open. He’s one of the best to ever do it at that. There’s a reason why he does hold the ball a little bit longer because he’s making plays for everybody else. But hopefully, we can use that in our favor and be able to get some sacks,” Harris said.
It’s time for fans to stop making excuses for this defense. They are facing a quarterback who doesn’t get rid of the ball quickly, so that means Miller and Chubb should be more effective in Week 3.
***
Win Early
The Broncos need to put Rodgers in obvious passing situations. They do that by stuffing the ground game and putting the Packers in longer down-and-distances on third down.
Rodgers is dangerous enough by himself, but now the Packers have an improved rushing attack. Under new head coach Matt LaFleur, we’ve seen Aaron Jones flourish as their starter and lead back. Jones, a sixth-round pick out of UTEP in the 2017 NFL Draft, has a good skill set for the wide-zone system and doesn’t have to come off the field as he’s a good all-around back.
“He’s powerful. He runs with really good balance. He’s tough. They do everything with him and they got a steal there,” Fangio said.
Opponents are trying to run the ball more against the Broncos to keep the pass-rushers away and even when there isn’t a lot of big plays, teams are still sticking with running against Denver.
“Most teams are running the ball a lot more verses us. We have to try and get them in third-and-long, second-and-longs. We have to win first and second down better. That will help us get in more pass rush situations,” Harris said.
Rodgers is difficult to stop, or even slow down, so winning early is important to keep the pressure high on the superstar quarterback.
***
Anyone But Adams
Rodgers has one of the best receivers in the league to throw to and the Broncos need to make sure they play “keep away” from this superstar as long and as often as possible. Davante Adams is a favorite playmaker for Rodgers to target in the passing game, and he can turn any touch into a house call from anywhere on the field.
Adams, a second-round pick out of Fresno State in the 2014 NFL Draft, has a great size/speed combination. He’s too fast for defenders to keep up with on downfield plays and Adams does a good job of not losing speed when he changes direction in a route. Adams also has good strength at 212 pounds and can wrestle contested passes away from smaller defenders.
“He’s great. (Adams) and Aaron Rodgers have great chemistry; it’s just a great connection. It’s like they’re twins. They just know where to be. It’s going to definitely be a great challenge for me this week going up there and challenging him, but it’s nothing I haven’t done before,” Harris said.
Adams runs great routes, gets deep quickly and can make difficult catches seem routine. If the Broncos do a good job of slowing down Adams, then expect Rodgers to go to other guys in the passing game.
A primary weapon against the Broncos could be veteran tight end Jimmy Graham. The Broncos defense has historically struggled to stop the opposing tight end and Graham knows how to find the soft spot in a zone. He’s a dangerous red-zone weapon for Rodgers and he uses his basketball skill set (Graham played college basketball at the University of Miami) to box out defenders and win the ball “above the rim.”
In addition to Graham, the Packers have big-bodied receivers like Geronimo Allison or Marquez Valdes-Scantling to get the ball to in a variety of ways. The Broncos may limit what Adams does on Sunday, but he’s far from the Packers only weapon.
***
Summary
Beating Rodgers is going to be extremely difficult, but it’s not impossible if the Broncos follow these rules of engagement. On the road in a place they’ve never won, it’s going to take a Herculean effort from the Broncos defense.
Rodgers holds the ball longer than most any other quarterback in the league. They have to get “home” and get Rodgers to the ground. When he goes to extend the play, the Broncos have to stay disciplined and chase him down before he finds one of his targets.
Before they can get after Rodgers with ears pinned back, the Broncos have to stuff the run. They have to slow down Jones so much that the Packers go away from the rushing attack. Once Rodgers is in obvious passing situations, it plays into the hands of the Broncos defense.
Rodgers loves to go to Adams, so the Broncos have to make that an uncomfortable throw for him. They have other talented receivers, but those guys are not superstars like Adams is. If they prevent Adams from having a big game, it gives them a better chance at the win.
“We have to rattle the quarterback. We haven’t been able to rattle him,” Harris said.
It’s time for the Broncos to rattle Rodgers in any way possible.
