Game plan
When the Broncos run
The Broncos have been mediocre on the ground since went down in late October. Kapri Bibbs was a spark before a high ankle sprain ended his season last Sunday. Now the Broncos are hoping for a turnaround from Devontae Booker and newly signed to fix their run game problems. The Titans’ run defense is one of the best in the NFL, allowing just 92.3 yards a game, largely because of their strong defensive line. Edge: Titans
When the Titans run
Titans running back received the stamp of approval from Broncos linebacker , who called him one of the two or three best backs in the NFL. Murray’s stats back up that case. Murray, quarterback and rookie running back Derrick Henry form the NFL’s third-best running offense. Denver has the league’s fifth-worst run defense. Edge: Titans
When the Broncos pass
The return of quarterback would be great for the Broncos offense, which struggled immensely in ‘s second start. and are on pace to each surpass 1,000 receiving yards together for the third consecutive season. They have an extremely good matchup against a porous Titans’ secondary, which has allowed more than 270 passing yards a game. Edge: Broncos
When the Titans pass
Because of their strong run game, the Titans have caught teams off guard with their passing attack. Mariota’s touch on his deep ball is his biggest improvement from year one to year two. Tight end is the Titans’ top receiving weapon. Tennessee has allowed only 18 sacks. The Broncos, however, lead the NFL in pass defense, sacks and crushing quarterbacks’ dreams. Edge: Broncos
Special teams
Broncos punter Riley Dixon is finally showing the consistency and strong play that pushed the team to draft him in April. He’s needed increasingly more as the offense sputters. Kalif Raymond gave Denver a spark in the return game last Sunday. The Broncos’ and the Titans’ Ryan Succop have made better than 86 percent of their field goals. Edge: Broncos
Three things to watch
1. Red-zone kings
Tennessee has been lethal in the red zone this season, scoring touchdowns on 72.5-percent of their trips, the best mark in the NFL. Mariota is the key as a dual threat in the running and passing game. He’s thrown 32 touchdowns and no interceptions in the red zone in his young career. The Broncos have done a good job in red-zone defense, allowing touchdowns on just 51 percent of opponent’s drives there.
2. Justin Forsett
The Broncos’ signing of the 31-year-old back received more fanfare than usual this past week because of his previous success in coach ‘s system. It’s a reunion. Denver is hopeful the results are close to similar. It’ll be the first glance at how much Forsett, who was released by two teams this season, has left in the tank and what if any change it will have in Devontae Booker’s game.
3. Third-down stalemate
How the Broncos fare against the Titans’ offense on third down could go a long way in determining the victor Sunday. Tennessee ranks fourth in the NFL, converting on 47 percent of its chances. The Broncos’ defense also ranks fourth, allowing just a 37 percent conversion rate. It’s a matter of which team imposes its style more. Denver feasts off of third-and-long while the Titans thrive on third-and-short.
