Know your enemy: 5 questions with Mile High Huddle

The next edition of 'Know your enemy' previews Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos
Know your enemy: 5 questions with Mile High Huddle
Know your enemy: 5 questions with Mile High Huddle /

Heading into each Jacksonville Jaguars game during the 2019 season and beyond, JaguarMaven will feature a Q&A series with fellow NFL Mavens to give a preview of the Jaguars opponents from the people who know them the most.

With the Jaguars (1-2) matching up with the Denver Broncos (0-3) at 4:15 p.m. for the team's week 4 clash, Chad Jensen of Mile High Huddle has joined JaguarMaven to discuss how he perceives the matchup, his thoughts on the Broncos struggling pass rush, and more. 

It is time to begin to know the enemy.

1. The big story with the Broncos defense has been their inability to generate sacks or turnovers so far in 2019. What do you attribute that to, and do you see Sunday’s game as a good chance to remedy that?

Mile High Huddle: From a law of averages perspective, something's got to give and soon. Yes, I expect that aberration to correct itself in Week 4, even if modestly. Here's what's held the Broncos' pass rush back. No. 1, in 180 total mins of game play thus far, the Broncos have had a lead for a grand total of 2:00. Without a lead, the Fangio pressure model has been neutralized. 

On top of that, when opponents are on third-and-long and obvious passing situations, they're chipping/double-teaming Von Miller and Bradley Chubb and with the exception of Aaron Rodgers in Week 3, opposing QBs are getting the ball out at exactly two seconds. It's been a kind of comedy of factors that have led to the Broncos having zero sacks/takeaways. But the floodgates will soon open. The players frankly need to play better. 

2. The Jaguars have had success in the past vs. Joe Flacco, largely because of his immobility against their pass rush and his sometimes questionable decision making. How do you think Flacco matches up against Jacksonville this season?

Mile High Huddle: Flacco has been exactly what you'd expect in Denver. Solid, capable but not a QB who can put a team on his back, cover roster holes and overcome mistakes by virtue of his own wherewithal. 

Going against Jacksonville, I expect we'll see more of the same. Relatively accurate thrower who's unafraid to challenge the middle of the field and the seam, but he'll hold onto the ball maddeningly too long and let the Jags sack him. The Broncos' focus is starting hotter on offense but I'm doubtful Jacksonville is the team that will allow Denver to turn that ship around.

3. Phillip Lindsay had a dominant performance on Sunday and Royce Freeman had some impressive runs as well. How important are each of those players to Denver’s offense?

Mile High Huddle: Lindsay and Freeman are the engine of the offense. The Broncos can get by without one but take away both and Flacco is rendered one-dimensional, which is a recipe for disaster if you're the Broncos. Denver's rushing attack is on point, though. If Jacksonville can somehow limit Denver on first and second down, Flacco will take sack after sack.

4. Is Vic Fangio the type of defensive coach who can make life hard for a rookie quarterback making only his second NFL road start like Gardner Minshew will be?

Mile High Huddle: Yes. Fangio licks his chops at the prospect of playing any rookie QB. As good as Minshew has played, Fangio will have some stuff dialed up to confound him. Zone coverage is hard on young QBs, because it forces them to read the field and go through their progressions, which plays into the hands of the pass rush. 

It all comes down to execution, though, which is something the Broncos have failed to do consistently under Fangio thus far. Easier said than done.

5. Who is one player on each side of the ball that you could see ultimately being the one who decides the game?

Mile High Huddle: On offense, the Broncos are going to need some splash plays to loosen up the box and stretch the field. That means Emmanuel Sanders needs to have a big game. Defensively, it all comes down to Von Miller. It's time for him to go out and earn that paycheck. 

6. And ultimately, prediction? 

Mile High Huddle: It's a little early for me on the predictions. I haven't had as much time to watch Jacksonville tape yet, so, I'll have to disappoint your readers here. Check back at milehighhuddle.com on Friday and read our roundtable predictions and picks article. That's where I unveil my pick/prediction each week.


Published
John Shipley
JOHN SHIPLEY

John Shipley has been covering the Jacksonville Jaguars as a beat reporter and publisher of Jaguar Report since 2019. Previously, he covered UCF's undefeated season as a beat reporter for NSM.Today, covered high school prep sports in Central Florida, and covered local sports and news for the Palatka Daily News. Follow John Shipley on Twitter at @_john_shipley.