By Jordan Long
The 1st NFL regular season game is tonight as the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Atlanta Falcons. The Denver Broncos’ season will start on Sunday as they host the Seattle Seahawks. Denver is coming off of a 5-11 record. Denver hopes to improve the win total this season.
The Broncos offense was 17th in the league in total yards, averaging 324.1 yards per game. They also couldn’t pass the football with 208 yards passing per game. The problem with the Broncos was the offensive line. It didn’t matter who the quarterback was, the offensive line didn’t do their job giving up 52 sacks, far too many.
Looking at this year, they have a different quarterback under center, Case Keenum. Keenum can get the football out of his hands quickly. The only way he will be able to do that is if the line protects. Keenum can’t be running for his life in order to chuck the ball down field. If he has time, he will improve the Broncos passing game this year. Denver, at least on paper, should score more points.
Denver must be able to run the football. That will open up the passing game. If they can run the football, it keeps the defense guessing. Opponents won’t know if Denver is passing or running the football which could equal large gains for the offense. The running game could tire out a defense which permits the offense to stay on the field and control the clock. The offensive line needs to create holes for the running backs.
The Broncos’ strength is defense. Offenses had trouble gaining yards on the defense. Denver ranked 3rd in the league in terms of total defense allowing 290 yards per game. The Broncos used their defensive line and linebackers to rush the quarterback so opposing quarterbacks couldn’t throw the football or have time to set their feet. Denver gave up 200.6 yards per game through the air ranking 4th in the league.
Looking at the defense, Von Miller needs to blitz and sack the quarterback. Teams will double team him so he can’t. When that occurs, rookie Bradley Chubb should be open to take down the quarterback. Opponents are going to be very careful on who they decide to block. They need to pick one or the other. Denver hopes Miller and Chubb can sack the quarterback or put pressure and hit them.
The area Denver hopes to improve on for them to be a winning team is points allowed. Rivals kept marching down the field and scoring points. Denver gave up 23.9 points per game. To have success this year, Denver must keep teams out of the end zone on defense.
The Broncos hope to be improved this season. If the defense can stop teams and the offense is rolling, Denver will be tough to beat. It will all start against the Seattle Seahawks.
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