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Four games into the season, Von Miller has four sacks. That puts him on pace for 16 sacks this season, which is a pretty good season for a pass rusher. But Miller is more than just pretty good.
Unfortunately for Miller, opposing offenses are doing everything they can to keep him from making plays on the quarterback. That include double and sometimes triple teams, as well as, the tight end chips. All three have been relatively effective through the first quarter of the season in terms of keeping Miller from getting sacks.
Miller isn’t content with being the guy who eats up blocks. He wants to make those plays.
“I’m my biggest critic,” Miller said of his play through four games. “I feel like there is some stuff—if I’m not leading in sacks, I’ve got to do better. I need to figure out ways to get to the quarterback. I need to figure out ways to beat the double teams and beat the chip block. That’s just my individual goals. I’m going to always be hard on myself.”
According to PFF, Miller is still finding ways to the quarterback. He is 11th in total pass rush production, but second in actual quarterback pressures through four games with 22. That in spite of being the focal point from the opponent.
When Shane Ray returns, I would expect Miller to begin to get more and more opportunities to make those plays on the quarterback that he is used to making. When that happens... look out!
Horse Tracks
Next-Day Notebook: Top-ranked defense could be 'scary' if it prevents deep passes
Denver headed into Monday night ranked No. 1 in the league in total defense, but Justin Simmons and his teammates know there's another level it can get to.
Broncos head into second quarter of the season with momentum, room to improve
Derek Wolfe may have summed up the Broncos' mindset better than anyone.
NFL picks 2017, Week 5: Experts expect win streaks to continue for Eagles, Steelers - SBNation.com
Can’t miss picks for every game this week!
NFL Panic Index: Seahawks can’t hang onto a good running back - SBNation.com
Seattle’s snakebit on running backs. Eli Manning leads the Giants in rushing TDs. Matt Ryan doesn’t look like an MVP. There’s plenty to panic about in Week 5.
The Jets aren’t very good at tanking - SBNation.com
Riding a two-game win streak, the Jets were supposed to be tanking this year. Retired NFL lineman Geoff Schwartz explains why that’s almost impossible to do in the NFL.
Danny Trevathan’s suspension for hit on Davante Adams reduced to 1 game - SBNation.com
Trevathan was issued a two-game suspension last week for a hit that sent the Packers WR to the hospital.
Brandon Weeden reaches deal with Tennessee Titans - NFL.com
Former Browns first-round pick Brandon Weeden has agreed to terms on a one-year contract that would send him to Nashville, the Titans announced.
Deshaun Watson, Todd Gurley among Players of Week - NFL.com
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week after setting a rookie scoring record. Who else earned NFL Player of the Week honors?
Quarterback Confidence Index rating for all 32 NFL teams through Week 4
Tom Brady is Tom Brady. Matt Ryan has thrown the same number of touchdown passes as picks. Matthew Stafford is as efficient as ever after signing a record-breaking deal. Here's how every team should feel about its quarterbacks.
FPI projects best, most important games of NFL Week 5
The best game of Week 5 comes first, as the ESPN Football Power Index's matchup quality metric rates Thursday night's Patriots-Buccaneers contest as the week's No. 1. The still unbeaten Chiefs facing Deshaun Watson and the Texans is at No. 2.
The Pats Have Gotten By With Bad Defenses, But This Is Ridiculous | FiveThirtyEight
Too bad Tom Brady can’t play on both sides of the ball.