Ten things about the Broncos entering Sunday’s game at Dallas:
1. Had Carolina drafted cornerback Pat Surtain II eighth overall, the Broncos would have faced a decision at No. 9: Quarterback, trade down or maybe take linebacker Micah Parsons? “We really liked (Parsons),” coach Vic Fangio said. “If we didn’t take Pat, he was a guy that was right there for us.”
2. The Cowboys rolled the dice, trading down from No. 10 to 12 with Philadelphia (adding a third-round pick) and still got Parsons, who is tied for the team lead with 42 tackles (11 at Minnesota in Week 8). Parsons, while playing 83% of the Cowboys’ defensive snaps, also has 2 1/2 sacks. “He plays inside and outside so he is unique,” Fangio said. “He’s got versatility in his abilities, a really explosive athlete and he’s a playmaker.”
3. One formation the Broncos’ defense has had to prepare for is a super jumbo Dallas look. Against Minnesota last week, the Cowboys had several plays in which backup offensive linemen La’el Collins and Connor McGovern were in the backfield to form a diamond look. “That’s something (coach Mike) McCarthy did all the way back in Green Bay,” defensive coordinator Ed Donatell said. “These (coaches) have fingerprints they still show through the years.”
4. It’s not just me who thinks there are fewer possessions in Broncos games this year. “It’s a weird year that way,” offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. “I used to say it was a 12-round fight. We’ve had a couple of games when it was eight or nine.” In four games, the Broncos have had eight or nine possessions, compared to only one such game in 2020.
5. On Tuesday, Broncos general manager George Paton praised Fangio for his steady leadership during an up-and-down season. Fangio returned the favor Wednesday. “I thoroughly enjoy working with George,” he said. “I think he does a tremendous job. I think he is, if not the best, one of the top assets this franchise has moving forward. No job is too big, no job is too small. He gets involved and gets after it and I love working with him.”
6. Noah Fant’s COVID-19 absence will create more playing time for second-year tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, who returned against Washington following a three-game absence (hamstring injury) to catch three passes for 34 yards in 26 snaps. “He’s ready,” quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said. “The thing about Albert, he’s on an incline. You watch him put in the extra work on Saturdays. On Fridays, he comes out early to go through some of the different things and routes. He’s a guy who we’ll rely on a lot.”
7. One problem with the offense is not getting Fant downfield enough. The same is true with Albert O, who has 12 catches for 91 yards and one touchdown in five games. Forty-two of his yards have been post-catch and only one of his catches has traveled more than eight “air” yards — last week’s 19-yard catch (14 “air” yards).
8. Pittsburgh kicker Chris Boswell was injured on a fake field goal attempt last week at Cleveland. What are the Broncos’ contingency plans? Fangio said punter Sam Martin can place-kick, kicker Brandon McManus can punt and quarterback Drew Lock is the backup holder (he gets practice reps every Friday). “Don’t ask me if both (Martin and McManus) got hurt,” Fangio said.
9. Overall, the Broncos’ special teams appear to have turned a corner. “We’ve played much, much better,” Fangio said. “The first (part of the season), we were playing good except we’d have one really bad play. The last 3-4 weeks, we’ve eliminated those bad plays. Regardless of the (three) blocked field goals, which have been great plays, the other stuff has been solid. It’d be nice to make a big play on special teams in the return game.”
10. The Broncos had seven enforced special teams penalties in Weeks 1-5, but none in Weeks 6-8. But Fangio is right — they need a big return. They are seventh in punt returns (10.6-yard average, long of 25), but 28th in kick returns (18-yard average, long of 23).
