A major problem for the Denver Broncos this season has been their slow starts on offense. When they start fast, they tend to win. The exception to that rule being the walk-off field goal by the Indianapolis
Colts. In their other two fast start games, they beat the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets. While the 10 points scored against the Jets was basically it for them, they scored a lot of points in both that Bengals and Colts game.
When they start slow… a late rally that came up short on another walk-off field goal by the Los Angeles Chargers and then two epic comeback wins over the Philadelphia Eagles and that record-breaking one last week against the New York Giants. I am sure calling plays in a game where its competitive throughout is a lot easier than when down by three scores.
Head Coach Sean Payton was asked how they might see longer sustained drives by the offense and he likened it to starting better from the first play.
“Let’s be honest, I think we want to start better,” Payton said on Friday. “So whether time’s coming off the clock or it’s not, we have to work on our first half. I thought the point of emphasis this week with the whole group, they handled it well. You have to find a way to make Wednesdays like Sunday. Sometimes that’s challenging. That’s one of the things that you look at as a coach. Even after a big win, all right, there are a lot of things that need fixing.”
The slow starts in games often come from slow starts on drives and poor execution. We all saw that once the Broncos went into an up-tempo offense that the comeback gained steam. However, Payton doesn’t think that is the answer to fixing the problems on offense.
“I think more than any of that, if I felt it was tempo driven… I think the attention to detail, the huddle and those reps that we’re taking on Wednesday,” Payton explained. “How do we create more stress and urgency, Wednesday, Thursday, so that when Sunday comes… I think that’s important.”
The focus for him is more on the details of each play. Again, execution is the problem on the offense more so than the play-calling. I think back to one of the early screen passes called. Denver had three blockers to two defenders and not a single block was made… the play went for negative one yard if I remember correctly. That kind of stuff is maddening for fans, so I can’t imagine how maddening it is for coaches when reviewing the film.
However, it is important to note that the Broncos are winning games while working out these kinks. If they can get them worked out and start playing with more consistency throughout the entire football game, this team has a very high ceiling under Bo Nix. This game against the Dallas Cowboys will be a huge test for them to get it right. The Cowboys defense is atrocious and missing key players, so there is no reason for Denver to struggle here.
