Quarterback struggles in Denver creates another opportunity for Redskins defense
December 22, 2017
by Jamual Forrest
Just a few years ago, the Denver Broncos were an elite team, with Peyton Manning under the helm, even in his final season where his passing productivity dropped. Since his retirement following the 2015 Super Bowl season, the Broncos have been trying to strike gold on their multitude of quarterback investments; unfortunately for Denver, nothing has paid off to this point. The Broncos head into the week 16 matchup with quarterback Brock Osweiler available and possibly second-year Paxton Lynch.
Outside of the most recent game against the Indianapolis Colts, Brock Osweiler has been below average in his play. That has primarily been the story for the entire trio of quarterbacks for Denver. 44 sacks between the three, 19 interceptions thrown to only 17 touchdowns, and just a 58% completion percentage has hindered the offenses ability to match the elite play of the defensive side of the football. Although Osweiler is slightly better than Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert, Washington has another opportunity to keep an inept offense out of the end zone again. The challenge will be more difficult, as Denver will boast a better supporting cast come Sunday, but it can be done. In addition to the number of sacks the Broncos have allowed this season, the team overall also ranks 31st in turnovers offensively with 28. Denver has turned the ball over in all but two games this season. This creates an opportunity for a Redskins defense that struggles to create turnovers to do so and in turn help an offense out that will for sure need assistance this week against another top-tier defense.
Junior Galette, who recently mentioned that he is interested in pursuing free agency this off-season, will be given a right amount of opportunities to make plays against indecisive quarterbacks and a struggling offensive line. The Broncos still have a decent rushing attack, and can find a way to dictate the game if effective on the ground. The key for Washington, as always, will be to control the line of scrimmage and force the Broncos to become one-dimensional.
Opportunities to dominate up-front defensively once again will be there, but it will take another prepared and alert unit to do so.