The Denver Broncos faced a formidable challenge in their recent matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, a team renowned for having the most potent offense in the NFL. The Ravens not only excel in their offensive strategies but also possess an unparalleled run defense, allowing an average of only 75.7 rushing yards per game, which is significantly lower than the next best team, the Minnesota Vikings, who allow 81.9 yards. The Broncos, known for their sporadic but impressive rushing attack, found themselves in a tough spot as their offensive line and running backs struggled to make a significant impact against such a strong defense.

Reflecting on the game, it’s evident that the Broncos fell short in their running efforts. This realization might seem understated to many fans. They were unable to execute a consistent ground game that was crucial for extending their offensive drives, maintaining time on the field, and effectively managing the game clock. The inability to establish a reliable rushing attack hindered their overall performance and kept their offense from being a significant force on the field.

Despite the underwhelming performance, it’s worth discussing whether what the Broncos managed to achieve on the ground can be viewed as commendable, considering the circumstances. Let’s delve deeper into the details and analyze their efforts.

In-Depth Statistical Analysis of the Broncos’ Rushing Performance

It’s important to note that this analysis will focus exclusively on designed running plays and will not include any scrambles made by quarterback Nix. This focus allows for a clearer understanding of the Broncos’ run game effectiveness.

During the first half of the game, the Broncos managed to execute 16 rushing attempts, gaining a total of just 41 yards, which averages out to a mere 2.6 yards per carry. The longest rush recorded during this half was a modest 7 yards, while there were also negative rushing plays that further hindered their progress.

Running back Javonte Williams was the standout performer during this half, carrying the ball 9 times, while Jaleel McLaughlin contributed with 5 carries. Michael Burton also had 2 attempts, but unfortunately, he ended up with negative yardage and zero gain on one of those runs, illustrating the challenges faced by the Broncos’ offense.

In the second half, the Broncos improved slightly, totaling 8 rushing attempts for 45 yards, averaging about 5.6 yards per carry. The highlight play in this half included a notable 21-yard rush, showcasing the potential of their rushing attack despite earlier struggles.

Audric Estime led the backfield with 5 rushing attempts, while Williams added an additional 3 carries, illustrating a more diverse approach in the second half.

By the end of the game, Williams averaged 3.5 yards per carry, Estime showed impressive speed with 7 yards per carry, and McLaughlin averaged 2 yards per carry, indicating varying levels of effectiveness among the running backs.

In terms of directional playcalling, Denver predominantly ran to the right side of the field, executing 14 of their 24 carries in that direction. The breakdown included 6 runs to the right tackle, 8 to the right guard, 4 up the middle, and 6 to the left side, showcasing their strategic alignment in attempting to exploit certain matchups.

Overall Evaluation of the Broncos’ Rushing Strategy

Overall, while the Broncos displayed moments of effectiveness in their rushing game, particularly in isolated instances, there were numerous opportunities left unexploited. The Ravens’ defense proved to be formidable, showcasing their reputation as the best in the league. Their linebackers demonstrated exceptional reading skills, quickly closing gaps, and delivering hard hits, while the secondary made critical plays at the line of scrimmage.

Nevertheless, credit must go to Denver’s offensive line, especially the interior players, who consistently managed to push the defensive line back. The offensive line rarely faced stalemates at the line of scrimmage, and Ben Powers showed marked improvement compared to previous games.

Many plays were determined by small details, including a few players failing to position themselves correctly or leaving too much space between themselves and defenders. Minor misalignments and improper angles taken when engaging linebackers also contributed to missed opportunities.

It was particularly encouraging to see Estime make impactful runs during the latter stages of the game. His performance highlighted his potential, which will be vital for the Broncos moving forward.

Diving into the Highlights and Lowlights of the Game

Positive Highlights of the Broncos’ Rushing Attack

One notable play that stood out was executed brilliantly, particularly because it occurred on a first-and-20 scenario. This successful play instilled a sense of optimism early in the game.

The Broncos called a Duo Right Lead play, allowing Williams to find a crease on the left side. Garrett Bolles effectively cleared the path by blocking the defensive tackle, which is a challenging job, while Powers quickly moved to engage a linebacker. However, Powers was slightly outmaneuvered by the linebacker, which limited the play’s potential.

Meanwhile, Forsyth took advantage of the defensive tackle’s focus, successfully burying him, and Mike McGlinchey did an excellent job neutralizing the defensive end.

Despite Powers being beaten and the right outside linebacker making a decisive play on the ball, it is worth noting that Williams’ ability to create a cutback lane contributed to the disruption. Overall, the execution of this play was commendable, showcasing the team’s potential.

Another successful play occurred on first down, which is a crucial aspect of any efficient offense.

The Broncos executed a play known as Y Insert Duo Right, where McGlinchey effectively sealed off the defensive end. The combination block between Quinn Meinerz and Forsyth was nearly flawless, showcasing great teamwork and execution. Forsyth did a commendable job down-blocking on the defensive tackle, although he needed to keep his head up to avoid lunging at the linebacker.

Powers, on the backside, demonstrated effective technique by turning his hips to cut off the defensive tackle, while Bolles navigated successfully to reach the linebacker. If Adkins had managed to maintain better leverage against the defender, the team could have potentially gained an additional 5 yards.

I am particularly fond of this innovative play concept known as OG Influenced Y Wham, which fans may recall from a previous game.

The Ravens might have anticipated this play, given that Adkins was directly focused on the defensive tackle. Fortunately for the Broncos, he executed well, managing to stalemate the defensive tackle. McGlinchey effectively neutralized the defensive end, while Meinerz skillfully maneuvered around the defensive tackle. Forsyth also showcased excellent footwork as he moved to engage the linebacker.

I want to commend Bolles for his exceptional blocking on this play. He firmly secured the linebacker, driving him to the ground with the assistance of Forsyth, demonstrating impressive strength and technique. This may be one of my favorite plays from him this season.

Ultimately, the lone defensive player who made the play was the one that the Broncos failed to account for effectively. This is a situation that teams often encounter, but it’s a fundamental aspect of the game.

Identifying Areas for Improvement in the Broncos’ Rushing Game

The Broncos attempted to spread the Ravens’ defense by running multiple plays to the left in a spread formation. This strategy aimed to create enough blockers to secure the defense remaining in the box. However, one of the issues was that Powers took too long to reach the second-level linebacker, which limited the effectiveness of the play.

The Broncos executed well at the point of attack, with Meinerz and Forsyth performing admirably. However, Powers needed to adjust his positioning and quickly move down the line to cut off the linebacker. The backer displayed impressive awareness, navigating around Powers to make a play, making it a challenging situation for the Broncos. While Powers exhibited solid technique, the critique comes from a deeper analysis of the play and understanding how the defense reacted.

Sometimes, negative outcomes arise due to the exceptional performance of the opposing defense, and this was one of those instances.

Analyzing this play provides an insightful look into the effectiveness of the Ravens’ run defense. The linebackers (#23 and #0) displayed excellent patience and vision, making it difficult for the Broncos to gain any meaningful yardage.

Forsyth needs to refocus his attention during this play. His gaze was solely on the playside linebacker (#23), which was not an effective strategy. Instead, he should have maintained a more vertical line of sight downfield, reducing the likelihood of overshooting the linebacker and allowing him to get undercut.

Had Forsyth successfully executed this block, McLaughlin would likely have found a clear lane to cut through, changing the dynamics of the play significantly.

Recognizing Strong Points in the Broncos’ Performance

One play that exemplified strong blocking and relentless effort was pivotal in creating a significant gain for the Broncos.

In a second-and-10 situation, the Broncos executed what is known as a Lead Draw. The design suggested a draw play, indicated by McGlinchey’s pass set, Burton’s hesitation, and the reverse handoff that ensued.

Burton excelled in his blocking responsibilities, while Meinerz and Forsyth displayed impressive leverage, effectively neutralizing the defensive tackle and the linebacker behind him.

Estime, although making a questionable decision to run directly between Meinerz and Burton, managed to power through contact and evade the tackle, showcasing his determination. While he should have bounced it outside to capitalize on the opening, his effort demonstrated the qualities that Denver seeks in a promising rookie running back.

Comprehensive Analysis and Future Considerations for the Broncos

In summary, the Broncos’ run game showed potential, although they left numerous opportunities unexplored throughout the game.

This matchup highlighted that while Denver may not yet be fully prepared to compete with the league’s elite teams, they exhibited significant promise and potential. They held their own against a robust defensive front seven, and their performance suggests they are moving in the right direction. By addressing the small details and improving their execution, they could become significantly more competitive in future games.

There are various positive takeaways from this game, and I remain optimistic and encouraged by their performance despite the loss.