Las Vegas Raiders: 3 Denver Broncos players to Worry About in Week 16
By Alex Perl
Las Vegas Raiders: 3 Denver Broncos players to Worry About in Week 16
2. Justin Simmons
If quarterback Derek Carr is the unquestionable leader and heart and soul of the Raiders — safety Justin Simmons would play this role for the Broncos.
The ball-hawking safety is basically the quarterback of this Bronco defense. Whenever the ball is in the air, the safety is always a threat to snag an interception or make a hard hit or tackle on an opposing tight end or wide receiver.
The value of Simmons is undeniable, as this offseason he became the league’s highest-paid safety, an honor that was well deserved. His ability to cover, make plays at all corners of the field while being the most distinctive vocal leader of this defense is without measure. And no matter the matchup, it is very unlikely Simmons will fail.
His five interceptions are tied for fourth in the league, and he will look to add to his tally against Carr and a Raider offense that is nothing like the once dangerous force it was in the first meeting with the Broncos.
The Raiders have to keep an eye on Simmons, and hopefully avoid throwing even remotely close to his direction. This will be a hard task, as Simmons will likely be in the face of tight end Darren Waller or many opposing receivers. With a run game that is basically dead at this point, Simmons will be put on display in this game whether the Raiders like it or not, and must be watched with a careful eye as he is always a threat to make a game-changing play.