The Broncos appear to have a major matchup advantage when it comes to defending the Panthers’ receivers.

The defensive backfield of Aqib Talib, Chris Harris, and company is a supreme unit which has shut down nearly every opponent it has faced. As a team, Denver’s Adjusted Defensie Passing Net Expected Points (NEP) was -64.83 (negative NEPs are better when we’re analyzing defense), good for first this year. This defensive backfield is one of the reasons why the Broncos’ defense was so unbelievably dominant.

Their matchups of Ted Ginn Jr., Corey Brown, Jerricho Cotchery, and Devin Funchess suggest they have the upperhand. Their regular season Reception NEP marks ranked 30th, 69th, 59th, and 68th, respectively among wide receivers with at least 50 targets.

The ability of Denver to match up one-on-one on the outside will allow Wade Phillips to double cover Greg Olsen, spy Cam Newton, or leave an extra defender in the box to defend Carolina’s fourth-ranked rushing attack, in terms of Adjusted NEP.