Broncos Can't Let Packers' Ferocious D-Lineman Wreck the Offense

Multiple players from the Green Bay Packers defense could be chosen as the biggest threat to the Denver Broncos offense. Jaire Alexander is a high-quality cornerback and is a significant threat to a struggling passing game, but the Broncos have had severe issues protecting the quarterback.

Over the season's first six games, the Broncos have allowed 63 total pressures, with 23 coming from right tackle Mike McGlinchey. That would point to Rashan Gary being the biggest threat. However, Gary has hardly played outside of pass-rush situations.

Gary has played 107 total snaps, with 78 as a pass rusher. Being limited keeps him from being the biggest threat. Although he has 20 pressures on those 78 snaps, Denver still has to be cautious of him.

Kenny Clark and Preston Smith also can create problems for the Broncos offense. They are capable pass rushers and strong run defenders. They don't come off the field often and can take advantage of the Broncos' issues along their offensive line.

However, the biggest threat is one that doesn't get the attention Clark or Smith get, and that is Devonte Wyatt. Wyatt plays a lot of snaps on the defense and is second in total pressures.

Teams don't double him often, which is hard to do with the talent the Packers have around him. Wyatt is taking advantage of the matchups to get after opposing quarterbacks.

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When Wyatt is on the field, he moves around as a 3/4i-technique from left to right. He will often face off against right guard Quinn Meinerz and left guard Ben Powers, who have had issues in pass protection this season. The other will be taking on Clark for most of the time.

One thing the Packers do well is challenge interior offensive linemen with stunts and twists. This has been an issue for the Broncos interior all season. Lloyd Cushenberry III's awareness has always been questionable at best. Teams have had success working around Cushenberry with stunts and twists.

The Broncos will be challenged with the quality of pass rushers from the edges, with Smith, Garry, Lukas Van Ness, Karl Brooks, and Kingsley Enagebare rotating in. The Broncos struggled to handle the Kansas City Chiefs pass rush, who do not have the talent or depth the Packers have. The Packers are not as good or deep as the New York Jets, who also had much success getting after the quarterback.

Adding to the issues for the Broncos is how Joe Barry uses disguises to hide blitzes. The Broncos have been whipped in their previous two games, and some of that falls on the quarterback. That can add more strain to the Broncos' offensive line and leave openings for Wyatt to get pressure and disrupt plays.

The Packers' run defense is one of the worst in the NFL, and the Broncos should lean heavily into their run game. It keeps the Broncos defense off the field, plays into where the Packers defense has struggled, and can put their pass rush on their heels. That would be the best way to counter Wyatt and the Packers' pass rush.

The problem is, the Broncos have been in this type of situation before, where leaning into the run game makes sense, only for them to stick with passing the ball and allowing defenses to tee off on the quarterback.

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