Cincinnati Bengals: Defense Will Be Key To Beating Broncos
By Emile Pierce
The Bengals will play host to the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos, on Sunday. The revenge game will be a chance for the defense to shine.
Guess who’s coming to Paul Brown Stadium? Just a week after battling the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cincinnati Bengals get to face off against the Denver Broncos. The Super Bowl champion, AFC West foe will bring their act to the Queen City, on Sunday. There’s no doubt about it. The Bengals will have to go toe-to-toe with the guys from Mile High. Defense will be the key.
How many times have you read the numbers on the Bengals D? To say the least, the stats are impressive. Last season, Bengals faithful were treated to a unit that smothered opponents with smarts and talent. Chiming in at the No. 2 spot for the year, the defense wasn’t far from being listed as the stingiest. They allowed a franchise-low 279 points. That’s the least given up in a 16-game season.
Beating the Broncos will be a tricky endeavor. But, one look at the Denver offense will reveal a glaring key to victory. If the Bengals can effectively confound Trevor Siemian, the chances of winning at home are excellent. Siemian has little NFL experience and hasn’t shown the franchise quality of a Peyton Manning. But, last year’s loss to the Broncos was suffered at the hands of Brock Osweiler. The Bengals will have to use multiple looks to keep the young signal-caller at bay.
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In Siemian They Trust
Even though Siemian isn’t a household name, he’s still an NFL quarterback. Underestimating the Broncos ability to use him could be a huge mistake. When he’s under center, it’s best to look at him as a fourth or fifth-year player. He knows enough of the system to earn the Broncos confidence.
“We have to give him freedom; we have to let him play,” Denver coach Gary Kubiak explained. “Trevor’s a smart kid. That’s one of the reasons he’s got himself in this position, because he’s able to handle a lot.”
Sunday’s game against the Bengals will be Siemian’s first road test.
Playing in a hostile, noisy stadium may rattle the Broncos QB. The Jungle fans will be part of the equation. But, the Bengals defense will surely need to be in his face. WILL linebacker Vontaze Burfict is not part of the equation. Burfict is still serving a three-game suspension for an illegal hit on Antonio Brown. The skinny? Vincent Rey will have to see and call the game quickly.
Rey will have to think like Burfict and D-coordinator Paul Guenther. Showing the Broncos tons of the notorious double-A blitz scheme will help keep the offense off-balance.
The Jungle
Being at home will be a huge advantage for the Bengals defense. Crowd noise will help ensure that the Broncos aren’t able to communicate on offense.
Bengals fans instinctively know when to let loose and quiet down. Essentially, that’s a winning scenario for the offense.
Having a great fan base at home is something Domata Peko enjoys. Peko understands that Siemian will be forced to carry more of the load than he may be used to.
"“It’s a tough place to be. Our crowd is awesome. We love playing here. Third down for the offense is tough here. You want your crowd loud and proud and get after this young quarterback. He’s real young. He’s going to have to make a lot of calls. We’re going to go get him. There’s going to be a lot on his plate.”"
The Bengals defense will have their hands full, with the talented Broncos quarterback. But, it’s all in a day’s work for one of the NFL’s best units.