Monday, October 25, 2004
Broncos-Bengals: The Edge
By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer
It would be difficult to believe that Mike Shanahan didn't show his team film of the Broncos' visit to Cincinnati four years ago this weekend.
Coming in a heavy favorite, with one of the NFL's best run defenses, Denver yielded 407 rushing yards, a then-record 278 to Corey Dillon, in a 31-21 Bengals upset. They did hold Dillon - off to a fast start this year in New England - to 34 yards on 14 carries in the 2003 opener in Cincinnati.
The Broncos are again a heavy favorite tonight, the Bengals' first Monday night appearance in 12 years and first in 15 years at home.
QUARTERBACKS
Jake Plummer has a 14-3 record as a starter since signing in Denver. Coaches are rolling him right and left and bringing a receiver across with him, a route that is difficult to cover. He's already thrown 10 touchdowns in a run-oriented but balanced offense.
The Bengals are relying on Carson Palmer too much in the pass game. He is on pace for a single-season franchise record 608 pass attempts (Jon Kitna, 581, 2001).
Edge: Broncos
RUNNING BACKS
Put Rudi Johnson in the Broncos' running game and see what kind of numbers he would put up. The Bengals offense is largely out of sync right now, and Johnson has worked hard for each of his 412 yards. First-round pick Chris Perry, slowed now by an abdominal strain, hasn't given the Bengals anything in two games.
THE ISOLATION BOOTH
Champ Bailey
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WR CHAD JOHNSON VS.
CB CHAMP BAILEY
This game within the game could be the true barometer of how good Chad Johnson is. The Broncos' Champ Bailey is considered the NFL's top cornerback.
The Broncos like to put Bailey in one-on-one coverage against the other team's top receiver and cut the rest of their top-ranked defense loose to blitz more often.
"He does everything well for a cover corner," Johnson said. "There are different types of corners. It is the ultimate challenge. It's going to let you see with the naked eye how good you really are.
"When you go against him, and he's going to line up on you (tight, face-to-face). You've got to get him to turn his hips, and you've got to get him in the transition, which is when I'm coming out of my break. My strength as a receiver is the bump-and-run. I never lose. He always plays bump-and-run because of his skills. You have to be technique sound to beat him."
Bailey is looking forward to playing against Johnson.
"He is one of those guys you see with a rare combination of speed and quickness," Bailey said of Johnson. "You don't see it veryoften."
Bailey has shut down every receiver he's faced so far, including Oakland's Jerry Porter, who had just 21 yards.
Johnson will be his greatest challenge to date.
Johnson is coming off a three-reception game at Cleveland, where he had promised to make Browns defensive backs sick to their stomachs. Instead it's Johnson who's looking to get well.
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Reuben Droughns is the latest in a long line of featured backs to flourish in Shanahan's run game. Droughns gets up field quickly and breaks tackles.
Edge: Bengals
RECEIVERS
Chad Johnson, like the rest of the Bengals offense, has struggled without invaluable Peter Warrick on the field. Warrick's absence and Palmer's inexperience are the reasons Johnson's numbers are down slightly. The tight ends have done little to helpPalmer.
Veteran Rod Smith - 27 catches, 13-yard average - is Plummer's safety valve (pun intended). The Broncos throw to Ashley Lelie when they want to score. He has a 19.3-yard average and three touchdowns. Tight end Dwayne Carswell, a good blocker, will serve a one-game suspension, which could affect the run game.
Edge: Broncos
OFFENSIVE LINES
The Bengals have failed to completely jell, even with all five of their starters in the lineup last week. Palmer has been sacked 14 times.
Denver's line is again one of the lightest and most effective in the NFL and does everything on the move. The line rarely tries to overpower anyone. Center Tom Nalen is at the top of his game and a key to the Broncos' top-ranked run offense. The Broncos have allowed just three sacks in six games.
Edge: Broncos
DEFENSIVE LINES
Injuries can't explain the struggles of the Bengals' front four. These are the starters. Not only does the line rarely get penetration, it has been pushed around at times. Run defense is played with 11 defenders, but it starts up front, and the Bengals are last in the league against the rush.
Denver's front four is a swarming, disciplined group that holds its gaps. Defensive ends Marco Coleman and Raylee Johnson and tackle Luther Elliss were signed in free agency. Denver is yielding just 87.3 yards a game on the ground, fourth best.
Edge: Broncos
LINEBACKERS
The Bengals traded their 17th overall pick with the Broncos, getting Denver's No. 24 and cornerback Deltha O'Neal. The Broncos drafted linebacker D.J. Williams, and he has played like a future star as the team's leading tackler with 37 tackles and one sack. How would he look in Bengals' stripes now?
The Bengals are playing with third-round rookies Caleb Miller and Landon Johnson in the middle, and the under-sized duo has been unable to avoid injury and stay on the field for an entire game.
Edge: Broncos
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Shanahan knows O'Neal well and figures to take a shot or two at him. O'Neal was beat for the 99-yard touchdown by Cleveland's Andre Davis last week. Safety Madieu Williams, who will probably get his fifth start in six games, has been the Bengals' most productive rookie.
Denver safeties John Lynch - a free-agent acquisition - and Kenoy Kennedy have played well in the league's second-ranked pass defense (137.5 yards a game).
Edge: Broncos
SPECIAL TEAMS
Denver's Micah Knorr's 11 touchback kickoffs lead the NFL. Kicker Jason Elam is 13-of-14, six-of-seven from 40 yards and beyond. The Bengals are getting solid play from coverage teams, thanks to the detailed coaching of special teams boss Darrin Simmons. But they have had no big plays in the return game. Look for O'Neal to handle a few punts.
Edge: Broncos
COACHES
Shanahan has the type of system Marvin Lewis is trying to build in Cincinnati: the sum is greater than the individual parts. The veteran acquisitions are playing highly disciplined football for the Broncos and are rarely, if ever, out of place defensively. Lewis' staff is not getting much out of the 2004 rookie and free-agent classes.
Edge: Broncos
CURNUTTE'S PREDICTION:
Broncos 27, Bengals 13
