Broncos Must Sell Out to Stop Browns' Potent RB Duo

The Denver Broncos have one of the worst run defenses, even if you take out their Week 3 collapse. The Broncos have done well due to their ability to generate takeaways and shut down offenses in the red zone, but they've still struggled with consistency between the 20s.

While the Cleveland Browns' offense isn't great due to issues and injuries at the quarterback position, it boasts a good rushing attack. The Browns are starting rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and he brings a lot to an already dangerous rushing attack.

The matchup between the Browns and Broncos' defense is an interesting one. Denver's defense is heavily favored for pass plays, but for plays on the ground, Cleveland's offense has the upper hand. The Broncos' struggles when they go with a heavy box is what makes this more complex.

One of the common ways to stop a team with a strong rushing attack and poor passing attack is to load the box. The Broncos don't load the box often, and when they have done so, the defense has struggled with an EPA/Play ranked in the bottom eight. That said, the Browns' efficiency also plummets when facing a heavy box, which is understandable with their reliance on the rushing attack.

Even though the Broncos do not do an excellent job loading the box, they still need to do it vs. Cleveland. Denver must do everything possible to shut down the Browns' rushing attack, force the ball into the rookie quarterback's hands, and try to force mistakes from there.

The Broncos will also need to put a spy on Thompson-Robinson because he's a threat with his legs. While he hasn't run the ball often, with three designed runs and four scrambles for 78 total yards, the threat is always there.

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The Browns are without Nick Chubb, one of the best running backs in the NFL, and have been without him for most of the season. However, Cleveland still has one of the better-rushing attacks that Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt have led.

Ford has had two 100-plus-yard games this season, and they came against two good run defenses of the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. What makes him an even bigger threat is how good he's been at forcing missed tackles, while the Broncos have had issues in that department.

On the season, Ford currently ranks No. 9 out of 31 running backs in the number of missed tackles he has forced, which is 27. He averaged 3.09 yards after contact, which is also ninth most, and he averages 4.1 yards per carry. This is coming against the defense with the lowest tackling grade, according to Pro Football Focus.

Then there's Hunt, who has lost a step but still can gash the Broncos. He isn't the playmaker he once was, but he balances out Ford well and has helped make a solid duo.

The Broncos' defense ranks 30th on the season in EPA/Rush, but that includes that terrible Week 3 showing. Taking out the first three weeks of the season, there's a significant jump. Denver would rank 19th. The Broncos have improved there but it's still a bad unit.

The Broncos have to show up this week. Vance Joseph has a history of his defenses struggling against the run, and this would be a good week to sell out to stop it. With how well the Broncos have forced turnovers, their best bet at keeping that up is forcing the Browns to pass the ball.

If the Broncos can score early and even establish a two-score lead, it would help a lot, but they don't have an easy task against one of the best defenses in the NFL.

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