Broncos Playmakers Lions Should Worry About

Can Lions slow down Broncos' offense?

The Detroit Lions have a tall task facing them when they take on the Denver Broncos Saturday. 

The Broncos have won six of their last seven games, upping their record to 7-5 and putting them just one game behind the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC West lead. 

As a result, the Lions will be tasked with slowing down a squad that is peaking on both sides of the ball. Leading the charge is quarterback Russell Wilson, who has put together a strong second half. 

“There’s nothing – he does a really good job with that. And, I know he picks his chances when he does want to run, and you really see it on third down and in the red zone, which most quarterbacks do anyway," Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. "But, he has that ability to escape. I mean, they have some read-zone plays in there for him, which I would utilize his legs, too. He’s not just a statue back there. He’s able to make some plays with his legs, and you see that happen in the games.”

The Broncos have had success offensively, thanks in part to Wilson leaning more on his mobility. This adjustment has conjured vision of the passer's prime during his time in Seattle. 

 “I think he’s playing confident. I think what the coaching staff has done with him, is build a system that he’s comfortable (in) and allowing him to use his legs still, allowing him to throw the deep ball, which he’s always been really, really good at," Glenn said. "So, that’s something that we have to be very aware of in the secondary. So, man, you clearly see they built a system that helps him, and that’s the reason why he’s playing the way he’s playing.”

Wilson's passing attack features wide receivers like Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims and Jerry Jeudy. Additionally, the Broncos have a three-headed monster on the ground, with the trio of Samaje Perine, Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin. 

“Kind of a three-man rotation, and each one has their own unique twist on the game. I feel like they’re all super, super capable, and we have our work cut out for us," linebacker Jack Campbell said of the running back trio. "Javonte Williams is a really, really good back. Perine, he’s big, he can catch the ball really well. He can also run the ball really well. And then 38, he’s very, very fast, and they utilize him in some different situations. It’ll be good. We’ve got our work cut out for us, but it’ll be good.”

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Offensively, the Lions will have to compete against a Denver defense that is tied for the league lead in takeaways. An anchor of that unit is safety Justin Simmons, who has three interceptions on the season. 

Simmons has become a staple defensively for his ability to turn opponents over. In eight seasons, he has intercepted 30 passes and forced five fumbles. Detroit will have to be aware of where the defender is at all times.

“Yeah, he’s got great instincts. I think you always know where those types of guys are. He’s a ballhawk in the backend, and does a great job with his eyes, understanding route concepts, understanding what I’m trying to do," quarterback Jared Goff said. "And so, yeah, there’ll be somewhat of a chess match with him, of where he’s going to be and how I want to try to play and make certain plays, depending on what he’s doing. So, yeah, there will be a little bit of that, but it’s a good defense all around and he is a good part of it.”

In addition to Mims being an impact on offense, he anchors the return units on special teams. He has returned a kickoff for a score this season, and averages 16.9 yards per punt return. 

“Yeah, I think Mims, I mean, shoot, we’ve gone against some good returners. Last week, I thought (Bears WR) Velus (Jones Jr.) and (Bears WR Trent) Taylor, 15, those guys both did a nice job for those guys," Detroit special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said. "Mims, obviously, handles both for them. He’s talented, man. He’s got a lot of speed, he can run, he likes to run around the – just the whole coverage group. But, he’ll hit it up inside, too. That guy’s a complete player. Obviously, he’s having a good year. We’ve just got to do a good job of taking care of him in both phases, really.”