Will Broncos Finally Record a Sack or Takeaway Against Jags? Odds Say Yes
- The Denver Broncos are seeking their first sack or takeaway of the season in Week 4 vs Jaguars
- Broncos edge rushers Von Miller and Bradley Chubb combined for 26.5 sacks last season
- See what the odds are for Denver breaking through against Jacksonville
The Denver Broncos’ defense was literally the only thing the team didn’t need to be worried about heading into the 2019 season.
Right now, it’s main reason the team is sitting at 0-3, and realistically a miracle away from making the playoffs.
For now, how about just recording a sack or a takeaway? With none through three weeks, sportsbooks are banking on a breakthrough in Week 4 when they host the Jaguars.
Broncos Sack or Takeaway Odds Week 4
| Will the Broncos record a sack / takeaway vs Jaguars in Week 4? | Odds |
|---|---|
| Yes | -300 |
| No | +200 |
*Odds from 25/09/19
This is a team not short on defensive talent, with arguably the best edge-rushing tandem in Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, with a secondary that already had star Chris Harris, and the team using free agency to add two other prime defensive backs in Kareem Jackson and Bryce Callahan.
Broncos on Historic Defensive Run
There was little panic when the defense was shredded in the Monday Night opener in Oakland, and it was a little surprising when they couldn’t take down or force Mitch Trubisky into any mistakes in Week 2. But after this Vic Fangio-led defense came up goose eggs again in a bad loss to the Packers, it was time to wave a red flag.
Unbelievable. Broncos are 2:07 away from becoming only team in past 50 years to have ZERO sacks and ZERO takeaways in the first 3 games of a season. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) September 22, 2019
The Broncos have been one of the elite defenses in the NFL ever since Miller was drafted in 2011. In fact, prior to this recent dry spell of QB takedowns, you had to go back to Week 16 of the 2017 season to find the last time Denver failed to put up even a 0.5 in that category.
#Broncos @astronaut sees a laser-focused @VonMiller who is determined to silence critics over his slow start #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/CMexgdWfSY
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) September 25, 2019
Even more incredible: prior to this stretch, the Broncos have never gone without a sack or a takeaway in a game in the Von Miller era.
Of course, it starts with both Miller, who had 14.5 sacks a season ago, and Chubb, who posted 12 in his rookie season. Miller has not recorded a sack going back five games, and it’s been six for Chubb.
Bradley Chubb is what QBs see in their nightmares. ?? pic.twitter.com/hWGIPKAQ2v
— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) August 20, 2019
On a side note, I should mention Shaq Barrett, who left this offseason, is currently leading the NFL with eight sacks through three games.
Turnovers is an entirely different beast – as they are so hard to pin down. Take the 49ers, for example. Last year, the team had just two interceptions on the season. In 2019, they had two INTs (returned for TDs, no less) in the first game of the season.
#Jaguars HC Doug Marrone on If Denver has a dangerous pass rush despite having zero sacks so far: “Hell yeah!”
Said he think Bradley Chubb and Von Miller are two of the most dangerous EDGE players in the NFL, called them rare guys who can complete change the game on their own.
— Jaguar Report (@JaguarReport) September 25, 2019
Last year, the Broncos failed to force a turnover in Weeks 2-4, but recorded at least one takeaway in 11 of the final 13 games on the season.
What’s the Best Bet to Make?
Minshew-Mania is all the rage right now in the NFL, and he’s looked extremely competent in two starts and fill-in duty for an injured Nick Foles in Week 1.
MINSHEW MANIA! ?@GardnerMinshew5 has the highest completion percentage (73.8) and QB rating (110.6) by a rookie in their first 3 games.@Jaguars | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/A1UPx7MIPB
— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2019
His Week 3 start against Tennessee was the first sack-free, turnover-free game of the year for the Jags, and they could be getting left tackle Cam Robinson back, which would kick Will Robinson Jr back to a more fitting right guard spot.
Jaguars vs Broncos Sacks / Takeaways Comparison
| Jaguars Times Sacked + Giveaways | Broncos Sacks + Takeaways | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 + 1 | Week 1 | 0 + 0 |
| 5 + 2 | Week 2 | 0 + 0 |
| 0 + 0 | Week 3 | 0 + 0 |
Despite that, you have to believe that a team this talented on defense will be able to find a way to make an impact in a game in a positive way. Fangio is a defensive mastermind, and perhaps he’ll bring more numbers than lineman at the quarterback and from different angles, and perhaps play a little more bump coverage at the line, not giving receivers a clean release.
It’s just a matter of time. And now’s the time to pounce.
The pick: Yes (-300)
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
