Preview: Will Broncos Exploit Jerry Jacobs?

Chad Jensen covers the Denver Broncos for Mile High Huddle. He answered five questions from All Lions to preview Saturday's matchup between Detroit and Denver.

1.) What has led to the Broncos turning their season around?

Chad Jensen: First and foremost, it was Sean Payton's dogged determination to stick with Vance Joseph amid calls for the defensive coordinator's job. That paid dividends for the Broncos. The five-game winning streak was made possible by two things: the Broncos taking the ball away a whopping 15 times from opponents, and Russell Wilson playing insanely poised football in the clutch.

2.) Sean Payton certainly has a reputation as being among the top coaches in the NFL. Seeing him operate in his first season in Denver, what are his biggest strengths and weaknesses as a coach?

Jensen: It's been a marvel watching Payton get to work in Year 1 after six long years of head-coaching hires who were well-intended but ultimately in over their heads. Payton doesn't have to guess at how to fix something. He knows how. The Broncos' problems, however, ran deep, even with the presence of Wilson. It was always going to take a little time for Payton to rebuild the team in his image, but I'd say his strengths include his offensive aptitude, his passion and talent for coaching/teaching, his mastery of nuance, his directness as a communicator, and his swagger-type leadership. Weaknesses? As media, Payton's limitations have been challenging. There are no transcripts of player pressers, just transcripts of him and the coaches at the podium, as provided by the team's PR department. Perhaps it was Payton's one year in media, but he makes us work a little harder. And that's okay.

Broncos-Lions Key Matchup: Courtland Sutton vs. Cam Sutton

3.) Russel Wilson seems to have gotten his season back on track after early struggles. Can the veteran quarterback exploit weaknesses in Detroit's defense?

Jensen: Can Russ exploit Detroit's vulnerabilities? Yes. Will he? That's a different question. My expectation is that he will at times, and at others, he won't. That's been the bugaboo with Wilson this season is inconsistency throughout a 60-minute game. When the chips are down, however, his 'vintage Russ' aptitude for executing, or his 'clutch gene,' is still in full effect. Look for the Broncos to test the Lions boundary cornerbacks early and often. With Jerry Jeudy's struggles to vibe with Russ this year, he'll need to come through in order for Denver to fully capitalize because Courtland Sutton will be double-teamed.

4.) What are 1-2 key matchups you are watching for in this Week 15 contest?

Jensen: Jerry Jeudy vs. Jerry Jacobs. Payton and Wilson will look to exploit this.

Broncos' defense vs. Lions' rushing offense. This is still Joseph's big area of weakness and the Lions' running back stable and O-line know how to get that sausage made.

5) How do you see the game playing out in primetime at Ford Field between the Lions and Broncos?

Jensen: I've predicted that the Broncos will come out on top, 27-23, but it'll come down to the closing minutes. The Broncos do just enough to keep the dream alive.