The Denver Broncos have a run game problem. Despite all of the attention going straight towards Bo Nix and the issues there, the real problem is that the Broncos are consistently in poor down and distance on drives. This is why they are among the league leaders in three-and-outs and the stats suggest the offensive line is doing its job in the run game… running backs are not.
Those are catastrophic numbers. J.K. Dobbins is a big part of that, but you have to have a group effort to achieve numbers this bad. Is rookie Jonah Coleman the savior? That is highly to be determined. His sample size is just 10 rushes and he wasn’t lighting the world on fire with those 3.9 yards per carry against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
This offense will be a trainwreck until its fixed.
Broncos daily recap
Broncos at Cardinals preview: Denver aims for three-game win streak
The Broncos are coming off a big win over Seattle and the mini-bye for their game against the Cardinals on Sunday.
Is the coaching in Denver setting their offense back?
In both the run game and the pass game, we’re seeing signs of poor execution. In Seattle, we had two different wide receivers miss run blocks that cost the team a good chunk of yards. We’ve, of course, seen linemen whiff blocks.
Potent quotables
Sean Payton
Opening statement
“First day, Wednesday, a pretty normal work week schedule. Any questions?”
On his role in supporting OLB Jonathon Cooper over the last few months
“It’s been good. All the things that are league protocol relative to what he can and can’t do. He’s in good shape. He’s able to be in the building training. He hadn’t been able to practice, but the six weeks—And we’ve kind of gone through it already, just his steps and his journey. So we’re following that path.”
On what OLB Jonathon Cooper needs to show in practice to play this week
“I think it’s just getting acclimated, and then if that’s the case, what’s the pitch count? All those things as you come back in.”
On if QB Bo Nix’s character helps put him in a better position to get going again
“I think he’s seen a lot. I shared this with you guys, and I’ll say it again: I have to be better just relative to in the course of the game. Each game takes on a different feel or style, if you will. Collectively, I think his play will be a byproduct of all of us doing our jobs better.”
On the areas he wants QB Bo Nix to improve
“Just relative to third down, finding throws where you guys look at receivers that are more open than maybe you’ve seen. Play design. Last week was a different defense. It was hard to see the down-the-field throws relative to how they played. This defense is a little different, and yet each week there’s a challenge behind that.”
On how the team has performed over the last two games with him calling the offensive plays
“You’re never satisfied. The first half last week felt good with where we were at relative to the game. The second half can be a lot better. So it’s still one of those yellow tape work in progress deals.”
On getting back into the rhythm of play calling
“I just think that just our focus out here, putting the right plan together. Tonight’s an important night. This is a pressure defense. They give you some looks where they were problematic for the Rams. They were able to take a really good offense and a good quarterback and maybe put them out of rhythm. So we’re going to have to have the right answers.”
On adjusting some of the offensive terminology
“I think players, coaches, all of us, there’s a language and there’s some things that are easy.”
On how much of the terminology did change
“It’s immaterial. There are some things that became easier to call, and we continue.”
On if any of his other responsibilities have changed since resuming playcalling duties
“I think there’s not much different relative to during the week, just in the offensive meetings like we’ve been. It’s just when game time comes, it’s different.”
On S Taylor Rapp’s performance last week
“Good. He’s smart, tough, loves the game and is one of those players that can come in like he did and transition cleanly. It’s hard to find that. His experience, his football I.Q., all of that shows up on tape, and it’s one of the things that attracted us to him.”
On what Arizona’s defense does well
“They give you a couple different looks. They’re in their base defense. They have a penny package. You have to I.D. if they’re in that. Then their pressure package from nickel. They affect the quarterback. I think the other thing that stands out is they’re causing more fumbles in their wins. Their takeaway numbers have been really good, and that’s something you see.”
On Cardinals TE Trey McBride
“Clearly he reminds me a lot of [Raiders TE Brock] Bowers, these unique skill set tight ends that can get matched up on safeties or even corners. He has really good feel, really good transition, and they’re doing a really good job of moving him around. When you just look at the hit numbers, [No.] 85 [Cardinals TE Trey McBride], [No.] 14 [Cardinals WR Michael Wilson]. When you look at the targets, those two both are combining for a lot.”
On if he would like the team’s wins to be prettier
“I think there’s always, when the game’s over with, the debrief relative to, ‘This has to be better.’ That always exists, win or lose. Then to your original question, there are certain games that unfold a certain way. [Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach] Bill [Parcells] used to always talk about, ‘There’s a way to win each one of these; we just have to know how.’ So there were some important lessons in last Thursday night’s win, just relative to field position, a handful of things.”
On how players’ make up allows them to buy into finding different ways to win each game
“To your question, that is a strong element to our player procurement, whether it’s free agency, draft, especially with today’s challenges. I think it’s always when the water gets a little rougher that you lean on that.”
On the defense’s performance last week
“[Seahawks WR] Jaxon [Smith-Njigba] made a number of fantastic plays. It’s interesting, every week there’s a lot of attention drawn to a player like that. Not just him, and yet he’s able to have… I thought we did a pretty good job minimizing the run after the catch, but the turnovers were huge. The pressure and the hits on the quarterback, that has an effect and it was really impressive.”
On CB Kris Abrams-Draine’s performance
“The ball finds him a little bit, and it did the other night. He really has good ball skills. He has really good football I.Q., and we saw that a year ago even. So I’m glad we have that depth. We certainly needed it last week.”
On if the running backs or offensive line have contributed to the run game struggling
“There are some things that we’ve done the last couple weeks we’ll continue to work on. Again, it would probably go into that work in progress still, and we’ll get that going.”
On the potential impact of RB Jonah Coleman’s return
“We think it’s a deep room and a talented room. So all those things are a positive.”
On OLB Jonah Elliss’ status
“He’s going to be someone that it’s not season-ending, and so we’re fortunate. So that’ll come out later in the week, but it was better news.”
On how DL Zach Allen’s stamina allows him to maintain his level of play throughout the course of a game
“I do. When you were asking that question, occasionally you’re around players, Zach’s one, [Raiders DE] Maxx [Crosby] is one, [Saints DE] Cam Jordan was that way for years. That stamina of those guys are wrestling on every play, and there’s a lot that goes into that. He would be one of those players. I would agree.”
On how much influence he sees of 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan and Rams Head Coach Sean McVay on Cardinals Head Coach Mike LaFleur
“Quite a bit. You see there’s a feel to their personnel groupings and their play designs, I would think. Then everyone’s got a little spin that’s different, but certainly you kind of see some of the Rams stuff.”
On the potential benefit of having OLB Jonathon Cooper back while OLB Jonah Elliss is banged up
“You never know how it’s going to unfold, but that’s a positive relative to our team. We’ll see how this week goes.”
On how he works with veteran players who start slowly
“I think we as coaches… I know myself, we internally look at ourselves and the plan and [ask], ‘How do we become more efficient?’ So it always is that self-lens. I think we always look at it that way as teachers.”
On how additional reps for young players such as CB Jahdae Barron can help evaluate their development
“I think it’s just additional work, additional reps. Where he’s playing, his versatility and all of it factors into your roster. Like I said at the onset, drafting sometimes to a position of strength is a good thing.”
On balancing familiar offensive concepts with new ideas
“There’s not this idea that we’re doing what we did in… The 2006, to ’15 to ’18, all of that changed dramatically relative to each season. So the good news is we’re six weeks in, and let’s see where we go.”
On if he resists the urge to rely on familiar offensive concepts
“No, because I’ve forgotten stuff that maybe was really good in 2008 or ’09 that would apply. They run together, the years, and it’s just a constant adjustment, transformation. Who are our players? What do we ask? It evolves. So it really starts with our people, and it moves.”
On if the years begin to run together
“Yes. There are a few of you that can vouch for that.” (Laughs)
Bo Nix
On Head Coach Sean Payton saying there’s a way to win each game and coming off a 17-14 OT win against Seattle
“I think [Head] Coach [Sean Payton] does a great job of he manages our team, and he knows how to articulate exactly what he wants and the style he wants us to play. The other day (before the Seattle game), he was very honest, very candid about, ‘Listen, this is a body-blow type of game. This isn’t going to be just throwing haymakers. The way they play defense, the way they play as a team, they take you to the fourth quarter.’ For us, it’s just making play after play. He called it. He said it’s like a boxer… We threw a couple of good punches early and got a good lead. Then like he said, he said it was going to be a low-scoring night. He said it was going to be an ugly win, and sure enough, that came true and he was exactly right. We just found a way to win. There was a way to win that game, and we found a way.”
On Payton saying that as the head coach he has to do a better job to help the offense
“He’s been a really good leader right now. We need that. I think it goes back to us. I have to play better. We have to play better. The offense has to play better. He’s going to take his [blame] and that’s what great leaders do. I feel like I can overcome some of the stuff that is putting us in a bad spot, and I feel like I can play better. I’ve looked at my preparation. I’ve looked at my process, and I’ve tried to see anything that can be moved around or be changed so that I can overcome and just figure out ways to put us in a better spot. For us, if Coach is saying that, if I’m saying that, we have plenty of leadership on offense saying that, we’re going to be just fine. We’re going to be OK.”
On if the fact that he has played better in the past gives him confidence
“Absolutely. I think that’s what’s playing the biggest factor in it right now is I’ve seen what it is like to be very concise, be very crisp and to be very good on a competitive Sunday. I just am working to get back to that. At the same time, they’re so many things that go into it… I know the things that I can control. I’m working to maximize those. I just feel strong where I’m at. I’m good mentally. I had a good practice today. I feel good physically. I think it’s going to be there. It’s just in football, you have to get that one (game) that just gets you going. I think we’ve been playing some really good teams thus far and haven’t gotten that one, but we’re searching for that one game that sort of just puts us right back where we were.”
On if there’s a mental aspect involved in coming back from injury
“I’d be lying if I said no. I think that’s just what happens. I think you come back, and every day is a progression. I’m not necessarily doing physical therapy treatment, but I’m out there on the practice field getting rep after rep trying to get back in super great shape so my carries can go up, so I’m ready when my number’s called and when I can run. I’m not scared. I’m not physically worried. I just think there’s something to the sport. I think all guys, when they come back from an injury, just doing it one day at a time. I think that’s just part of the game. That’s part of the process. I had surgery probably six months ago. It takes a while for things to fully reengage. I’m confident in myself. I know I’m going to get back and be exactly what I was, if not better. My training is going like this (points upwards) and at the end of the day, it’s all about getting better.”
Courtland Sutton
On the Broncos defense
“I love our defense. Over the past few years, I’ve spoken highly of them and it’s not a biased thing. I’ve seen a good amount of ball so far throughout my career. You can tell [they’re] a tight-knit group and the way that those dudes prepare and the way that they practice and the way that they communicate with each other. Whatever they may see and the way that they make corrections, it’s never a finger pointing situation. It’s always, ‘How can we correct this the fastest and most efficient way.’ And they do that. I think when you have a group that is that tight knit and can communicate the way that they do and play as fast as they do, we get to see the results from it. They have been playing their butts off. I appreciate them and am very appreciative of having a defense as solid as them backing us up.”
On balancing the rush to improve while not being too harsh on themselves
“I’m sure you have heard it—and it’s not to be taken lightly from the question that you are asking—but we are 4-2 in this situation. All we can do is look at each week, go back to the drawing board—the debrief as [Head] Coach [Sean Payton] would like to call it—go to the debrief and say, ‘What was it that particular week that kept us from being able to have that success?’ Each week, we need to be able to do that, eliminate whatever it may have been and grow from it. When you can take that approach, at some point you will turn the corner. You just hope that it happens sooner rather than later. I think the guys in the locker room—offense, defense and special teams—but speaking specifically to the offense, I think the guys are having the attitude of wanting to improve and get better. Everyone wants to do better so we can get this onto the right track and the right path. Our defense is playing so well that if we can find a way to put up more points, there aren’t going to be as many sit on your hands and praying and hoping at the end of these games because they’re playing so well. We scored 14 points in the first half and then didn’t score again until I think [K] Wil’s [Lutz] kick at the very end of the game. Our defense went out there and pitched a shutout. You don’t want to put those guys in that situation. I appreciate them being able to step up to the plate when we weren’t able to ice the game at the end with 1:25 left. That’s on us to be able to find a way to get that done. I think the attitude in that room and on the offensive side of the ball is fixing that, correcting that and everyone has the attention to detail to be able to go into that direction.”
On if he has additional conversations with others on the offense when there are struggles
“It depends on how you phrase that. You can have the conversation of, ‘Hey, we have your back.’ Don’t feel like the world is against you because the percentage of people who are going to critique versus the percentage of people who are going to say, ‘Hey, we have your back,’ is very much swayed in the negative. But being able to have that conversation of saying, ‘You’re not going through this by yourself.’ It’s like I told you guys last week, he isn’t the only one out there playing. There are 10 other guys that are out there putting their fingerprint on that situation. It’s a conversation we all have within ourselves, within our position groups and within the offense of saying, ‘Hey, we have to find a way to get this figured out; we’re all in this together.’ I know I keep saying it, but at some point, the tide is going to turn. We’ve seen this offense be successful and we’ve added nice pieces to this offense. It’s going to happen. It’s bound to happen. There are too many weapons on our offense and it’s going to happen at some point. And when it does, everyone will be like, ‘Oh you guys figured it out.’ We all we got, we all we need at the end of the day.”
Under the radar
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