The Jets are coming off a 31-point shutout, are 1-4 after losing their last four straight, are led by a young quarterback whose off-the-field decisions have been questioned as much as his on-the-field decisions and have a coach who could be without a job if things don’t improve.
But the Broncos are looking past all of that.
“Our guys look at the tape. They don’t look at the record,” Broncos coach John Fox said. “… And (the Jets) have a good football team. They lead the league in sacks … offensively they’re in the top five in rushing. They have great backs, a quarterback that make things happen with his feet and arm.”
As with their previous four games this season, the Broncos anticipate facing another solid defense in the Jets, and an offense that, despite its flaws, can’t be overlooked.
“I’d say better than solid,” Peyton Manning said. “I’d say it’s a stout defense. Tough against the run. Cause you a lot of pass-protection issues. No. 1 in sacks. A lot of three-and-outs, which is something that’s difficult for an offense because you’re going to get lots of different looks. A lot of second-and-longs, third-and-longs. … It’s a challenge for us in the run game and the pass game handling just their physical talent, and then handling the different looks they give, as well.”
The Jets rank among the league’s top defenses, and sit at No. 6 against the run, allowing an average of 83 yards per game. For a team whose run game was even before it lost its starter, Montee Ball, for several weeks with a groin injury, the Jets could be a problem.
to the practice squad Tuesday to help fill the void, but much of the workload will rest on the shoulders of Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson.
“When you’re the starting back … there’s a different hat that you wear, so we’re counting on (Hillman),” Manning said. “In the run game, pass game, pass protection, he has a burst that is pretty unique. When he gets the ball in his hands, it’s our job to give him some space. At the same time, we’re counting on him to handle all parts of playing running back.”
With the running game lacking for the Broncos, it seems inevitable that Manning will continue to air it out. He completed 31 of 47 for 479 yards and four touchdowns against the Cardinals last Sunday, bringing his career total to 503.
There’s always a chance he could toss six touchdowns against the Jets — he’s thrown five or more in a game five times in his career — to break Brett Favre’s all-time record of 508 touchdown passes.
Demaryius Thomas, who Jets coach Rex Ryan said ” ,” caught two of those touchdowns Sunday, while also racking up a single-game franchise record of 226 yards.
Had things gone differently this summer though, the targeted receiver No. 509 from Manning could have been Decker. Instead, Decker faces his former team for the first time Sunday since signing with the Jets as a free agent.
Decker said the thought of being on the opposing side of the field from Manning and his team of four years is “weird,” but both he and Manning acknowledged it’s part of the game.
“I’m sorry to see him to go. The business part of the NFL is the worst side of it,” Manning said. “If I get a chance to visit with him before or after the game, I look forward to it.”
Footnotes: Running back Juwan Thompson (knee) did not participate in Wednesday’s practice and could be listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. … Tackle Michael Schofield was excused because of a death in the family. … Fox said he cares about Matt Prater “as a person and a player” and that he’s “excited for him with his .”
Nicki Jhabvala: njhabvala@denverpost.com or twitter.com/nickijhabvala
