The Denver Broncos enter the bye week at 6-0 after a 26-23 overtime win against the Cleveland Browns. Coming off the bye week, they will face the Green Bay Packers. Denver is the most criticized undefeated team. What’s been their strengths and what do they need to correct?
The Denver Broncos’ defense is one of the main reasons Denver hasn’t lost a game. The defense has only allowed 17 points per game. They give up 281 yards per game, of that 192.2 yards through the air. Teams are having a tough time running the ball on this stout defense as they average only 89.2 yards per game.
The Broncos put an emphasis on pressuring the quarterback. The defense has sacked the quarterback 26 times, ranking first in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers are second with 23 sacks. Denver’s pressure has led to nine interceptions. They are 2nd in the NFL with three of those taken back to the house for touchdowns. The Broncos have forced 11 fumbles.
One player on special teams who has been a bright spot through six games is Brandon McManus. Last year he struggled to kick field goals, making 9 of 13. He ended up losing his job as kicker but remained as the kickoff specialist . The Broncos never worried about his strong leg but his accuracy. This year he has been proven to be a weapon. McManus is 16 out of 17 with a long of 57.
The Broncos have difficulties on offense. They score 23.2 points per game, throw for 240.8 yards per game and haven’t been able to run the ball. They average 85.0 yards per game on the ground. The offensive line hasn’t been able to create holes to run the ball making it tough for the running backs to even gain a yard. The offensive line is young and they need more game experience. This has also affected the passing game because they are failing to protect Manning. Even if he doesn’t get sacked, opponents are still hitting him as he is releasing the ball.
Peyton Manning has thrown for a total of 1,524 yards. Not a bad total but he has thrown 10 interceptions. In Sunday’s game, he added three interceptions, one of which wasn’t his fault. It hit his running back and he couldn’t hold onto it. The other two, he appeared to not see the linebackers in coverage. The Broncos aren’t running his offense or coach Gary Kubiak’s offense. They have been operating out of the pistol, which is a compromise between the two offenses.
The offensive problems haven’t been all on Peyton Manning. His receivers are dropping passes that should be caught. In yesterday’s win, catchable throws were towards Demaryius Thomas. Some of them hit him right in the hands, he looked up to run, and dropped the ball. Manning couldn’t have thrown it in a better spot.
The Broncos still haven’t lost a game and that’s all that matters at this point. During the bye week, Denver needs to focus on the offense. They must find a way for Manning not to turn the ball over and have receivers catch the ball. It’s a respectable start but if the Broncos want to go far in the playoffs, they have areas to correct.
What do you think of Denver’s start?
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