Five things to watch when the Broncos host the Bengals today at 2 p.m.
1. Amid the uproar, Orton simply must play better
No matter how much Kyle Orton tries to shun the limelight, it has certainly found him. The veteran finds himself in the middle of a raging public debate over something he has little control. What he can control is his play, and it has to be better than in the opener. In addition to a run game that is more than parsley on the offensive plate, Orton needs to be more judicious about getting rid of the ball to avoid a sack. As Peyton Manning has said on many occasions, “A punt is not a bad play.”
2. Injury means Dumervil is out
Dumervil largely played the regular-season opener with one arm after injuring his left shoulder during a Friday practice leading up to the game. The Broncos then re-positioned Dumervil from the defensive right to the left defensive end against the Raiders.
But Dumervil won’t play this week, and without him last season the Broncos pass rush was a toothless affair much of the time. How they deal with his absence this time will have a lot to say about whether they unsettle the Bengals rookie quarterback or not.
3. Ill-timed penalties too much to overcome
The Broncos had 10 penalties against the Raiders. And while that didn’t look all that excessive next to the Raiders’ 15, it is still not the kind of number a rebuilding team like the Broncos can live with from week to week. Particularly glaring were the six penalties called on the team’s offensive linemen — four accepted — including three flags for veteran guard Chris Kuper. Given all of the problems the Broncos are trying to dig their way out of, self-inflicted wounds like ill-timed penalties are not something they can overcome.
4. Late pickup Wilhite suddenly a key player
A hamstring injury to Champ Bailey gives the Broncos’ coverage plans a limp. Bailey spent the week getting treatment, but just a week or so into his Broncos tenure, Jonathan Wilhite has already become a necessary part of the plan. The fourthyear veteran has experience playing on the outside and in the slot. With Bailey having been moved to the slot when the Broncos go to their nickel package (five defensive backs), Bailey’s injury suddenly makes Wilhite one of the key backups on the team because he may have to fill in for the team’s most decorated player on some of the most important downs.
5. Whatever happened to home-field advantage?
it took one Orton fumble, and what many personnel executives in the league believed might happen in Denver this season actually did. What was once one of the most feared and respected home fields in the league is now simply the place where a struggling team plays its home games. When things go bad for this rebuilding team, the paying customers are poised to boo or chant Tim Tebow’s name. It already has opposing coaches talking about making something happen early to turn the frustrated fan base against the local team.
THE GAME PLAN
When the Broncos run
The Bengals moved linebacker Rey Maualuga from an outside linebacker spot into the middle to try to add some pop in their defense. It worked in the opener as Maualuga finished with seven tackles in Cincinnati’s win over the Browns. The Bengals have an active, yet unheralded, defensive front with plenty of size in the middle, including tackles Geno Atkins and Domata Peko. But the 260-pound Maualuga is the key piece the Broncos are going to have to move if they are going to have any semblance of a run game. Edge: Bengals
When the Bengals run
The Bengals are still a one-back show for the most part. Cedric Benson wants the work and while Bernard Scott will get a cameo or two along the way, coach Marvin Lewis is more than happy to give the bulk of the carries to Benson. He finished with 121 yards rushing last week. Benson is usually far more effective in early-season games like this one — he averaged just 2.6 yards per carry or less in five of the last six games in 2010. Edge: Bengals
When the Broncos pass
Brandon Lloyd left last week’s game with a groin injury — he was trying to stretch in the tunnel behind the team’s bench as the Broncos were preparing for what became their last touchdown drive — and since he is both the most targeted and productive receiver in the team’s offense the Broncos will certainly have to adjust. Lewis has long created defensive plans that penalize teams that can’t get the ball over the top and will likely be more aggressive in the pass rush if Lloyd isn’t in the lineup. Edge: Broncos
When the Bengals pass
There were some raised eyebrows around the league when the Bengals made the move to rookie quarterback Andy Dalton as the solution to their standoff with Carson Palmer, but Dalton was up to the challenge until he left the opener at halftime with a bruised right forearm/wrist. Dalton is expected to start against the Broncos and before he was injured last week, however, Dalton showed he sees the field, hitting five different receivers in his two quarters of work. And when he needs an outlet he’s usually looking for tight end Jermaine Gresham. Edge: Broncos
Special teams
The Broncos have a decided edge here, especially if wide receiver Eric Decker can have more impact as a punt returner. Decker uncorked a 90-yard return for a score last Monday. Kicker Matt Prater gives the Broncos an edge here, especially at home, and this offense certainly needs him at his best. Edge: Broncos
