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The Denver Broncos are test-driving their new-look defense in Friday’s preseason matchup with the Detroit Lions, and bettors appear confident it’ll see them cruise to the ticket window.
Although the tilt marks the first time the team’s used the scheme in a live-game scenario, steady action on the Broncos has seen them rise from a pick ‘em at the open to as high as 2-point road favorites by Thursday afternoon.
Considering it’s a matchup of last year’s AFC West champions and a Lions team that went 5-11, the pubic may see Denver’s odds as a real steal.
“If this was the regular season, Denver would be at least a 3-point favorite,” notes BetCRIS.com oddsmaker Shane Catford.
Last year’s Broncos went an NFL-best 11-4-1 against the spread, but their success at the books had little to do with their blitz-heavy approach. The team finished the campaign tied for No. 28 in the league with only 28 sacks and rolled in at No. 19 after yielding over 321 yards per game.
As a result, coach Mike Shanahan and defensive coordinator Larry Coyer are implementing a scheme where pressure is exerted by the defensive linemen instead of the safeties and linebackers.
"Yeah, we know some people are looking at it like we won`t be able to do it," defensive tackle Demetrin Veal tells the Rocky Mountain News."But the coaches, they want us to do it; that`s just having the belief in the front four. Then when we do blitz, it will be that much better."
“They`ve made it clear that`s what we`re about this year,” adds defensive tackle Gerard Warren. “So there it is, baby.”
While the Broncos’ new defense may pay dividends for the team and its backers during the regular season, there will almost certainly be an adjustment period as players learn their roles in the scheme. And in addition to those difficulties, there are also strategic disadvantages to Denver’s game plan.
“One thing I look for are teams that are going to blitz in the preseason,” Covers Expert Steve Merril explains. “Teams don’t blitz each other much in practice… and offenses aren’t used to seeing that early in preseason.
“(Blitzing) is much more intimidating than what the Broncos plan to use, so (their new scheme) may actually work against them in the preseason.”
The Broncos also have to implement their new look without Warren, who is expected to miss the entire preseason due to a dislocated toe. Warren, who can command double teams in the middle of the field, disrupt plays and collapse the pocket from the center, is considered the key to the new system.
"I think that`s why initially people were a little nervous when Gerard went down," says Broncos safety John Lynch. "(Warren) can take our defense to the next level."
Although the tilt marks the first time the team’s used the scheme in a live-game scenario, steady action on the Broncos has seen them rise from a pick ‘em at the open to as high as 2-point road favorites by Thursday afternoon.
Considering it’s a matchup of last year’s AFC West champions and a Lions team that went 5-11, the pubic may see Denver’s odds as a real steal.
“If this was the regular season, Denver would be at least a 3-point favorite,” notes BetCRIS.com oddsmaker Shane Catford.
Last year’s Broncos went an NFL-best 11-4-1 against the spread, but their success at the books had little to do with their blitz-heavy approach. The team finished the campaign tied for No. 28 in the league with only 28 sacks and rolled in at No. 19 after yielding over 321 yards per game.
As a result, coach Mike Shanahan and defensive coordinator Larry Coyer are implementing a scheme where pressure is exerted by the defensive linemen instead of the safeties and linebackers.
"Yeah, we know some people are looking at it like we won`t be able to do it," defensive tackle Demetrin Veal tells the Rocky Mountain News."But the coaches, they want us to do it; that`s just having the belief in the front four. Then when we do blitz, it will be that much better."
“They`ve made it clear that`s what we`re about this year,” adds defensive tackle Gerard Warren. “So there it is, baby.”
While the Broncos’ new defense may pay dividends for the team and its backers during the regular season, there will almost certainly be an adjustment period as players learn their roles in the scheme. And in addition to those difficulties, there are also strategic disadvantages to Denver’s game plan.
“One thing I look for are teams that are going to blitz in the preseason,” Covers Expert Steve Merril explains. “Teams don’t blitz each other much in practice… and offenses aren’t used to seeing that early in preseason.
“(Blitzing) is much more intimidating than what the Broncos plan to use, so (their new scheme) may actually work against them in the preseason.”
The Broncos also have to implement their new look without Warren, who is expected to miss the entire preseason due to a dislocated toe. Warren, who can command double teams in the middle of the field, disrupt plays and collapse the pocket from the center, is considered the key to the new system.
"I think that`s why initially people were a little nervous when Gerard went down," says Broncos safety John Lynch. "(Warren) can take our defense to the next level."