By Jordan Long
The Denver Broncos are 2-0 to start the NFL season. The Broncos managed to win close games against the Seattle Seahawks and the Oakland Raiders. The offense and defense are having problems that might be a concern moving forward.
The Broncos have been running the football at will. The offensive line is creating holes for the running backs. Denver averages 157 yards on the ground. The most impressive runner to this point has been undrafted rookie Philip Lindsay, rushing the ball for 178 yards. His average yards per rush is 6.1 yards. Lindsay makes 2nd and 3rd downs easier to convert if he is able to keep gaining 6 to 7 yards when he carries the rock.
Denver’s problem is passing the football. Case Keenum is in his first year in Denver. He is throwing the football for an average of 270 yards per game, 13th in the NFL so far. The offensive line is allowing Keenum to have time to throw the football and he has been sacked only twice. His problem has been turnovers. Keenum hasn’t protected the football and is throwing to a receiver who is clearly not open. The defensive backs are picking the ball off. Keenum tossed 4 interceptions to this point, far too many to begin the year.
Keenum must play better. He can’t look at his first receiver but all of his wide outs. Keenum can even use the check down which will help Denver march the ball down the field. He needs to stop forcing it into double coverage because those lead to turnovers. Turning the ball over keeps the defense on the field.
The defense isn’t doing their part. They are having difficulty stopping opponents from passing the football. Denver’s secondary is not playing coverage on the tight ends and they had miscommunications on wide receivers. When this happens, there is a receiver wide open who ends up with large chunks of yards. Denver gives up 261.5 yards passing which ranks 21st in the NFL. That must improve, otherwise Denver could be in for a long year on defense.
Denver’s bright spot on defense is stopping the run. Opponents through 2 games haven’t been able to rush the football on this defense. When rivals try to open up their running game, they gain 3 or 4 yards. The Broncos allow teams to run the football an average of 78 yards per game 7th in the NFL.
The Broncos are lucky to be 2-0. It is early in the year. They have plenty of time to fix their mistakes on offense and defense. If that happens, Denver could be a playoff team.
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