Super Bowl 50: Five keys for the Denver Broncos
By Dani Bostick
5. Establish a fierce run game
Today’s NFL is fraught with pass-heavy offenses that rely primarily on their star quarterback’s accuracy and strength along with the increasingly athletic and ninja-like wide receivers. Even the Pittsburgh Steelers, home of the vaunted Steel Curtain, has transitioned to more of an offensive powerhouse.
The Broncos are a bit of a throwback insofar as they depend more on their defense and run game. Their run game is borne of necessity since Peyton Manning is no longer as accurate and powerful as he once was.
Thankfully, the Broncos have two stellar running backs to whom Manning can hand off the ball. While the Broncos offense is not particularly threatening, they do have a strong ground game that has gotten the best of opposing defenses.
Both Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson averaged over four yards per carry with Hillman totaling seven touchdowns and 863 yards and Anderson tallying 720 yards and five touchdowns. Anderson managed to rush for 72 yards against Pittsburgh’s fifth-ranked rushing defense in the divisional playoff game on January 17.
The Panthers have the fourth best rushing defense in the league, allowing only 88.4 yards per game during the regular season, so the Broncos running backs and offensive line will face somewhat of a challenge in penetrating the Panthers defense. Without a solid run game, the Broncos have little chance of winning the Championship.
Next: 4. Devise an ideal game plan for Peyton Manning