The top two picks of the 2011 NFL draft are their teams’ best players and a key to their success Sunday. Miller has the ability to take over games, as he did in the AFC championship against New England.
The Broncos’ first-team all-pro pass rusher could be called upon to “spy” or simply chase Newton. Either way, the Broncos’ success depends on Miller getting to Newton, either as a pass rusher or containing his runs. Getting to Newton is one thing, but taking the quarterback’s large and athletic frame to the grass consistently will be one of Miller’s most difficult challenges of the season.
Newton is often termed a running quarterback, but nearly all of his runs come on called rush plays, not scrambles. For the most part, he tries to be a pocket passer. If Miller can ramp up the heat and get a couple of sacks on Newton, it could discourage the Panthers from trying to hit the deep ball that has been so successful this season.
