Broncos Pick 'Em: Who is the most important non-QB to Denver's playoff chances?

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Welcome to Broncos Pick ‘Em.

Throughout the season, the DNVR Broncos Crew will hit on a hot topic surrounding the team.

Then, they’ll dish out their thoughts on props surrounding the Broncos’ upcoming game as well as game lines around the NFL to give you a preview of how the games will play out and maybe even give you insight on a line that jumps out to you.

Without further to do, it’s on to the New York Giants and the NFL season.

All odds below are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

Who holds the key to the Broncos making the playoffs?

Zac: Von Miller — Everything points to this being No. 58. He’s a team captain. Von’s the team’s highest-paid player. When Von is elite, great things happen for the Denver Broncos. And despite coming off a season-ending injury last year, it’s fair to expect elite play from the future Hall-of-Famer.

The Broncos’ formula to making the playoffs this year is an improved—but not excellent—offense with an elite defense. No singular player has more of an impact in making Denver’s defense elite than the talented pass rusher.

The Broncos’ defense can no-doubt still be good with an eight-sack Von—much like in 2019—but there will be many hurdles to jump over for the defense to be a top-three defense as they should be with an underwhelming Miller.

Von’s $22.225 million cap hit is the biggest on the team by a mile. Graham Glasgow has the second-biggest cap hit at $11.882 million. It’s fair to expect greatness from No. 58.

Mase: Jerry Jeudy — You could look at the defense as a whole, but as long as the Broncos do not lose multiple top-line players, they should still boast a defense worthy of being among the league’s best. Denver could lose Miller, but if Bradley Chubb is healthy and fares well and Malik Reed is as good of a complementary rusher as he was last year, Denver will still have a pass rush with punch. Depth on the defensive line and at cornerback also makes it possible for the Broncos to withstand an injury.

The Broncos are deep at receiver, too, but the degree of Jeudy’s progress could be what transforms the offense from pedestrian to powerful. He is the most complete wide receiver in the room, and his route-running ability gives him the ability to create separation even when the opponent focuses its coverage plan on him; this was evident last year. But can he cut his drop rate? All signs in practice point to him being a more reliable receiver, and with Teddy Bridgewater’s strengths as a passer being focused on timing and placement, he is ideally suited to throw to a spot and count on Jeudy’s precision cuts and burst to have him waiting for the football.

Jeudy becoming a focal point will also open up horizons for Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant, KJ Hamler, Tim Patrick and Albert Okwuegbunam, among others. If he becomes a true WR1 this year, he could have a transformative impact on the offense.

RK: Vic Fangio — If you’re going to make the playoffs without a quarterback, you better have a damn-good defense and you better be well coached. Vic Fangio holds the keys to both of those endeavors.

Heading into his third year with the team, we don’t have any evidence that Vic Fangio is a good NFL head coach, and we’ve yet to see him put together a dominant defense.

If the Broncos are going to succeed this year, they need to have elite discipline when it comes to avoiding penalties, they need their head coach to manage the clock much better than he has in the past, they need to be aggressive in short-yardage situations and yes, they need to have a top-three defense.

It’s time for Vic Fangio to prove his worth.

Picks Picks Picks

Pick one anytime TD scorer: Saquon Barkley (+105), Melvin Gordon (+150), Javonte Williams (+175), Jerry Jeudy (+190), Courtland Sutton (+190), Kenny Golladay (+190)

Zac: Melvin Gordon +150

Mase: Jerry Jeudy +190

RK: Javonte Williams +175

Teddy Bridgewater passing yards over/under 245.5

Zac: Under. ?‍♂️

Mase: Under.

RK: Under.

Teddy Bridgewater passing attempts over/under 32.5

Zac: Under. They’ll pound the rock.

Mase: Under.

RK: Way under.

Jerry Jeudy receiving yards over/under 51.5

Zac: Over. Over. Over.

Mase: Over.

RK: Way over.

Courtland Sutton receiving yards over/under 50.5

Zac: Under. Slightly.

Mase: Under.

RK: Over on fewer than four catches.

Noah Fant receptions over/under 4.5

Zac: Under.

Mase: Under.

RK: Under.

Melvin Gordon rushing yards over/under 51.5

Zac: Over.⚡️Flash will be running.⚡️

Mase: Over.

RK: Under. Pookie steals the show.

Broncos 1st-half points over/under 10.5

Zac: Over. It better be.

Mase: Over.

RK: Under ?

Giants total points over/under 19.5

Zac: Under. Easily.

Mase: Under.

RK: Under.

Broncos (-3) @ Giants

Zac: Broncos. Boom.

Mase: Broncos.

RK: Broncos by double-digits.

Ravens (-4) @ Raiders

Zac: Ravens. Let’s go!

Mase: Raiders. 

RK: Ravens by two TDs.

Browns @ Chiefs (-6)

Zac: Chiefs. Sadly.

Mase: Chiefs.

RK: Browns cover.

Chargers (-1) @ WFT

Zac: Chargers. ?

Mase: Chargers.

RK: Chargers.