The Denver Broncos are fresh off of a Week 1 victory over the Tennessee Titans and will now get another opportunity for a win against the AFC South in Week 2. Amid some struggles from quarterback Bo Nix and the offensive side of the football, Denver's defense was stifling in Week 1. The Titans managed just 7 first downs, 133 yards of total offense, went 2/15 on third & fourth downs, and rookie quarterback Cam Ward was sacked 6 times.
It was an impressive start to the year.
So, too, was the Colts' dominance on both sides of the ball against the Dolphins in Week 1. Indianapolis, rolling out quarterback Daniel Jones as their starter for the first time, did not punt against Miami. Seven possessions led to seven scores and the Colts coasted to a 25 point victory.
It sets the stage for one of the most fascinating matchups in Week 2. Denver's defense has the goods, we know that. But what kind of play will they force from Jones after such an efficient showing to start the year? The lack of known tape in the Colts offense gives the Broncos one of the most unpredictable matchups of the week — one that many across the league should be watching closely.
It was the efficiency of Jones' performance against Week 1 that was so startling. But did that game say more about the Colts or more about the Dolphins' defense? The Broncos can serve as the litmus test. Eyeballs across the AFC will most certainly be eyeing how Denver defends the Colts and how well Jones fares in staying ahead of the sticks, as he did against Miami. If the Broncos are tested sufficiently, it could mark the arrival of another legitimate playoff contender in an already crowded conference.
There's likely a whole bunch of bubble teams that are rooting for Denver to bring this party back down to planet Earth — which would offer more suspicion that the Colts simply ambushed an underprepared and an out-gunned Dolphins secondary in Week 1.
Denver should consider themselves as having a number of hats they can hang their defensive game plan on, including a physical group of young secondary defenders to challenge a gifted Colts supporting cast that thrived with quickly making themselves available to Jones in Week 1. The opening weekend of the NFL can lie to you — and the rest of the NFL will be looking to Denver's defense to offer Jones and the Colts a heat check before we can all reassess the AFC landscape for this season.
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