Schlereth: Attacking Seahawks RT Ifedi, LB Griffin key for Broncos

When the Denver Broncos cleats hit the grass in Sunday’s opener against the Seattle Seahawks, Mark Schlereth said Friday, they had better win and look sharp doing so.

“If they don’t look good, and people will look at Vance,” the “Schlereth and Evans” co-host said of Broncos head coach Vance Joseph.

In game planning for Seattle, Schlereth said it is important for Denver to consider how to attack the Seahawks’ scheme and exploit their weak links.

Here are Schlereth’s two keys for a Broncos victory:

Offense: Exploiting the absence of K.J. Wright

As of Thursday, Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright has not practiced this week and is expected to miss Sunday’s opener against the Broncos. In his place, will be rookie linebacker Shaquem Griffin.

Schlereth said Denver could exploit the rookie, who’ll be playing the curl-flat defender, in the short pass and running game.

“If he plays too deep, the flats are going to be open. If he plays too shallow, you’re going to have the stuff underneath, the curls and the slants, open that you can attack,” Schlereth said. “So, how are you going to attack him in the running game and in the short passing game?

“That’s what you have to do when you face these Seattle Seahawks. You’re not getting over the top of this defense.”

Defense: Attacking right tackle Germain Ifedi

In taking in game film from the past few games, Schlereth said Seahawks right tackle Germain Ifedi has struggled.

So, getting one-on-one matchups between Ifedi and Broncos All-Pro pass rusher Von Miller is key, Schlereth said.

“If you get enough one-on-ones, five or six of them, you’re going to absolutely wreak havoc on Russell Wilson and create turnovers, create sacks, create short fields, flip the field position for your offense,” Schlereth said. “So, to me, defensively, that’s the biggest key. How are we going to attack that guy?”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.