Shannon Sharpe sends clear message to Broncos CB Riley Moss

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Former Denver Broncos star Shannon Sharpe attends a WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces.

After their 30-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17, the Denver Broncos’ magic number to secure a playoff spot remains one, and to get there they’ll need a better performance from cornerback Riley Moss than against wide receiver Tee Higgins.

Higgins finished the game with an 11-131-3 line, doing most of the damage against Moss.

According to Pro Football Focus, Moss allowed 100 yards and two touchdowns – including the game-winning seven receptions on eight targets for Higgins in the game.

“Moss is leftovers that Higgins feasted on him all night long,” Hall of Famer and Super Bowl champion Bronco Shannon Sharpe said in a post on X during the Dec. 28 game. “He was awful 2nite.”

“I love playing football. I love the sport of football,” Moss told reporters after the game. Apparently, like today, sometimes you eat a damn sandwich and you have to own it. And it’s not the first time in my career, and it probably won’t be the last time either. And the greats are able to come back, be brave and prevail, and that’s what I’m going to do. ”

Moss allowed two of the other five targets thrown into his coverage to be completed for 5 yards.

One went to Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase, who was otherwise 0-2 against Moss. Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki caught the other target with Moss for 2 yards. Moss stopped Cincy wideout Adrei Iosivas from reaching his only goal while also protecting him.

Moss missed Weeks 13 through 16 (three games) due to a knee injury sustained in Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Since then, the Broncos have allowed more than 400 yards twice.

They hadn’t allowed a 300-yard passer before Week 12. Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert threw for 263 yards in Week 16. That was the fourth-highest mark before Joe Burrow passed for 412 yards in the Bengals’ win on Saturday.

The Broncos benched Levi Wallace during a historic Week 13 outing by the Cleveland Browns and had turned to rookie Kris Abrams-Draine in Moss’ absence.

Demarri Mathis also filled in for Moss during this competition.

Riley Moss isn’t the only Broncos player to be a Hall of Famer‘s crosshairs

GettyRiley Moss #21 of the Denver Broncos reacts against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Sharpe urged the Broncos to do so change defensive strategy at some point. He told Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph to put Pat Surtain II on Higgins and double Chase.

Sharpe later questioned one of Joseph’s flash calls That led to a grab for Chase. For the game, Surtain allowed four receptions for 34 yards. Surtain allowed Chase a 3-27-0 line on six goals.

Higgins had a 1-7-0 line on his only goal against Moss.

Former Bronco and Baltimore Ravens star Sharpe also praised rookie quarterback Bo Nix for his performance Decision making in advance And about his interception.

Sharpe did Compliment Nothing and wideout Marvin Mims for one of their two shots on goal.

Shannon Sharpe was involved in the Broncos-Bengals matchup

GettyShannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco speak on stage during The Volume – Nightcap Live show.

Sharpe, who spent 12 of his 14 NFL seasons in a Broncos uniform, also expressed criticism of the Bengals. But his interest went beyond that of a spectator or even a former player. He also had a bet on it with former Bengals star Chad Johnson.

Surtain wasn’t the problem, just as Sharpe expected.

The Broncos need a win over the Kansas City Chiefs or a loss to the Bengals, Indianapolis Colts or Miami Dolphins to make the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including as a byline at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He lives in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter