NFL Week 4 Byes: Looking back, looking forward
By Andrew Garda
Denver Broncos, 2-1
The Denver Broncos could be 3-0 as they dropped one after mounting a great comeback last weekend in Seattle, but they fell short. The offense seems to be the issue although there are some extremely ridiculous takes which makes you think we’ve lost our collective minds.
Broncos are 0-3 in OT games w/Peyton Manning as QB (including playoffs)
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 22, 2014
They were 4-0 in OT in 2011 w/Tim Tebow as QB
(via @ESPNStatsInfo)
HAWT SPORTZ TAKZ aside, what the Broncos need to do on the offense has to do with timing and blocking as well as getting Montee Ball back on the right track.
Ball was out for much of the preseason because of an appendectomy and that could be contributing to a mediocre start as he might still be getting into the swing of the regular season. But the blocking isn’t helping with struggles by guard Orlando Franklin (which is dragging Ryan Clady down as well) and tackle Chris Clark. There are times when the blocking doesn’t seem to be in the right place and Ball is being exposed to early hits, making it tough for him to get going.
In some ways it has seemed like the Broncos aren’t passing enough but Mike Klis of The Denver Post was on 102.3 ESPN on Tuesday and he quoted some numbers which support the idea that it’s not the frequency of the runs versus passes—it’s the ineffectiveness of the run plays. Klis told host Cecil Lammey that the Broncos are actually running the ball ever-so-slightly less on first down (51.2 percent in 2014 so far versus 51.3 percent in 2013) and throwing as much as they did last year (73 percent both this year and last).
And of course, the pass and run game are symbiotic. If the run game can get going, that will make life easier when the team throws the ball, while an effective pass game will pull the linebackers off the line and make things easier for Montee Ball.
The schedule after the bye is interesting with games at home against the Arizona Cardinals, in New Jersey against the New York Jets then home against the San Francisco 49ers and the San Diego Chargers then capping the run off with a trip to New England to face the Patriots.
All could be tough games and all will need the offense on point for the Broncos to come away with a win.