Fansided

5 reasons Broncos can win the Super Bowl this year

By Russell S. Baxter

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 30: Bradley Chubb (55) of the Denver Broncos after forcing Philip Rivers (17) of the Los Angeles Chargers to throw an interception during the first quarter. The Denver Broncos hosted the Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, December 30, 2018. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 30: Bradley Chubb (55) of the Denver Broncos after forcing Philip Rivers (17) of the Los Angeles Chargers to throw an interception during the first quarter. The Denver Broncos hosted the Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, December 30, 2018. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 2: Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos attempts to run the ball past Michael Johnson #90 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 2: Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos attempts to run the ball past Michael Johnson #90 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

3. Commitment to the ground game

This past season, the Broncos’ running game was very effective early in the year. The team dropped four straight games after a 2-0 start but in the team’s first four contests, Denver averaged a brisk 148.3 yards per game on the ground and ran for at least 120 yards in each contest.

The rookie combination of undrafted Phillip Lindsay and 2018 third-round pick proved to be a potent duo. By season’s end, the former totaled 192 carries for 1,037 yards and nine scores (8 of those in his final 9 outings) and earned a Pro Bowl invitation before suffering a wrist injury in Week 16 at Oakland. Freeman finished second on team with 521 yards rushing on 130 attempts and ran for five TDs.

Still, Denver finished just 12th in the league in rushing (119.2 yards per game) after a promising start. The club ran for at least 120 yards in only four of their final dozen contests and was held below the century mark five times. It’s also worth noting that no Broncos’ player totaled at least 20 rushing attempts in any contest.

The team recently added former Detroit Lions’ running back Theo Riddick, a solid performer who should help greatly as a pass-catcher. In any case, Vic Fangio and company may need a big effort from the running game this fall if the Broncos are going to keep their opponent’s offenses on the sidelines.

Next: No. 2

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