Five Key Matchups: vs. Vikings
Take a look at the top matchups for Sunday's Broncos vs. Vikings game.
With starting left tackle Ty Sambrailo out for Sunday's game with a shoulder injury, the Broncos are making adjustments on the line, moving Ryan Harris from right tackle to the opposite side. Harris has played at left tackle before, and started there on a few occasions for Kubiak when they were in Houston. However, Griffen has been very good in the pass rush, ranking fourth in Pro Football Focus' rankings of 4-3 defensive ends as far as pass rush proficiency.
As Manning continues to work to help the offense find its groove, he'll face a ball-hawking safety on the other side in Harrison Smith, who has 10 interceptions in his first three seasons. Smith ranks as the league's best safety so far, per PFF.
Marshall, along with Danny Trevathan, has the speed and vision to give opposing teams trouble. He might need more going up against the league's top rusher, Adrian Peterson. The league's leading rusher has great quickness, strength and one mighty stiff-arm move that makes him the Vikings' most dangerous weapon.
Von Miller hasn't had the numbers that DeMarcus Ware has had on the other side, but Miller has been pressuring quarterbacks at an exceptional rate. Going up against Miller will pose quite the challenge for Clemmings.
First-year center Matt Paradis will see a lot of Joseph on Sunday. A one-technique nose tackle who lines up slightly askew of the opposing center's positioning, Joseph has ranked as the defensive line's top performer.
