3 key players the Commanders must keep quiet at Broncos in Week 2
By James Dudko
Commanders OL must cope with Randy Gregory
An underrated Denver Broncos' defense will have been encouraged by how the Washington Commanders' offensive line struggled to contain Arizona's pass rush. The Cardinals swarmed in for six sacks, but this weekend at Mile High Stadium could provide an even sterner test.
Intense pressure is likely to come from the edges. This is where Jonathon Cooper and Randy Gregory can wreck the game.
Gregory didn't get to Jimmy Garoppolo against the Las Vegas Raiders. But the veteran still has the first-step quickness and natural bend around the corner to be a problem for Washington offensive tackles Charles Leno Jr. and Andrew Wylie.
The latter was beaten for a sack in Week 1. Therefore, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy would be smart to keep a tight end in against at least one of the Broncos' edge-rushers.
Going with a two-tight end offense early would allow Bieniemy to use John Bates exclusively as a sixth blocker along the trenches. This is where the player's skills are best utilized.
Chipping and doubling Gregory and Cooper will afford developing quarterback Sam Howell more time to process things than he experienced during a tough start last week.
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