ENGLEWOOD - For starters, yes Case Keenum must play well in his first game for the Broncos.
But the key to the game Sunday against Seattle is stopping the other quarterback. The Broncos have just the player. No, we’re not talking about their No. 5 overall draft pick rookie. We’re talking about their No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 draft.
Von Miller must take over this game if the Broncos are to stop Russell Wilson.
“You know what? I say that every single game,’’ Miller said. “I say that every single game. It doesn’t always turn out like that. But the games where it does turn out like that, it’s always special.’’
It’s not that Wilson can’t be sacked. In fact, quarterbacks who extend plays are often among the most sacked. Wilson was tied for the third-most sacked quarterback in 2015 with 45, tied for second in 2016 with 41, and was fourth last year with 43.
But it’s those times he does escape that lead to big plays and big plays lead to victories.
The NFL is loaded with mobile quarterbacks. But there is mobile and there is elusive. Wilson is the most elusive quarterback in the league and has been for going on seven years.
“As a pass rusher you want a guy that when you get to him, and you touch him, they lay down,’’ Miller said. “Russell is completely the opposite. Nobody likes playing Russell Wilson.’’
Miller can get to Wilson. They’ve met previously in one game, back in 2014 at Seattle. Miller got a sack. Wilson got the 26-20 win. (Miller was injured and didn’t play in the 2013-season Super Bowl).
Since Miller was the Broncos’ No. 2 overall pick in 2011, he has averaged 11.93 sacks a season. This year's No. 5 pick rookie is Bradley Chubb, Miller’s new pass-rush mate. Miller sensed it was best to not offer Chubb any advice as he is about to make his NFL debut.
“When you’re working with young guys, you can’t make the situation bigger than what it is because they’ll make it bigger than what it is,’’ Miller said. “And you can’t make it smaller than what it is, because they’ll make it smaller than what it is.
“You just have to be even keel, and this is how I approach every single game. I just pull them along with me. I tell them what I’m looking at and I tell them how I’m feeling. It started yesterday with Wednesday, and I just lead by example when it comes to that. You can’t really explain it to them.
“Bradley, he’s an elite player, he’ll feel it out immediately. He’ll feel the difference between preseason and the regular season immediately. He’s a great player to be able to adjust and continue to make plays as well. I know that the type of impact that my words will have to say, ‘Hey man, it’s just another game.’ Or you tell them, ‘We’ve got to be on point this game. We have to make sure...’ You have to watch what you say to rookies. You’ve just got to go out there and let them play.’’
The preseason lifted confidence Keenum and the Broncos’ offense will play well Sunday. The question is whether Von Miller and the Denver D can contain the other guy.
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