Broncos’ Defensive Strategy Against Raiders’ TE Brock Bowers
With Pat Surtain II sidelined against the Raiders due to a pectoral strain, the Denver Broncos employed a rotating defensive approach to neutralize tight end Brock Bowers. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph designed a plan that spread Surtain’s responsibilities across multiple players to manage Bowers’ impact.
Effective Man-to-Man Coverage Without Surtain
Last Sunday in Houston, the Broncos’ cornerbacks successfully handled man-to-man coverage without their reigning defensive player of the year. Safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones also played crucial roles by disrupting passing threats over the top.
Adjusting Plan Against Raiders’ Offensive Weapon
On Thursday night, the Broncos implemented a varied rotation focused specifically on containing Bowers, who had recently exploded with 12 catches and three touchdowns against the Jaguars. The strategy involved multiple defenders sharing the assignment rather than relying on one cornerback.
- Riley Moss was not the sole answer to covering Bowers.
- Linebacker Baron switched onto Bowers on a third down early in the game.
- Safety McMillian took turns covering Bowers in the slot during the first quarter.
- Moss shadowed Bowers in another defensive alignment.
"The toughest job with him is getting him tackled," Joseph said. "You can kind of cover him with a safety or a defensive back body, but can you get him on the ground after he catches the ball?"
This versatile rotation demonstrated Denver’s proactive approach to counter one of the Raiders' best offensive threats in Surtain’s absence.
Game Context
The Broncos and Raiders were tied 7-7 early in the second half, each punting on open drives, highlighting the tight defensive battle unfolding on Thursday night football.
Author’s summary: Denver’s flexible defensive rotation against Raiders’ Brock Bowers highlights a smart response to missing a key cornerback, emphasizing teamwork to contain a dynamic tight end.
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