Fruitful stretch run for Broncos relies on running game, defense and creating turnovers
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — One big takeaway from the Denver Broncos at the midpoint of the season is they don’t have enough of them.
The Broncos (5-4) are minus-1 in turnovers with a dozen takeaways and 13 giveaways.
Flipping that, along with revving up the ground game again and stuffing the run are the primary ingredients for Denver to have a successful season, one that ostensibly would include a winning record for the first time since 2016 and maybe even a playoff berth for the first time since 2015.
Before their lopsided loss at Baltimore on Sunday, the Broncos had been effective at running the ball and efficient at stopping the run.
Getting back to that “is going to be vital to this team winning,” coach Sean Payton said Monday.
“We’re minus-1 right now in the turnover battle. If we’re having that discussion toward the end of the season, it’s not going to be good,” Payton said. “So, that has to be something in our favor.”
Payton said the Broncos aren’t at the point where they can survive being even or have a negative in the giveaway/takeaway category.
They also have to stuff the run as they were before Derrick Henry gashed them for 106 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per carry Sunday.
Before their lopsided loss at Baltimore on Sunday, the Broncos had been effective at running the ball and efficient at stopping the run.
Getting back to that “is going to be vital to this team winning,” coach Sean Payton said Monday.
“We’re minus-1 right now in the turnover battle. If we’re having that discussion toward the end of the season, it’s not going to be good,” Payton said. “So, that has to be something in our favor.”
Payton said the Broncos aren’t at the point where they can survive being even or have a negative in the giveaway/takeaway category.
They also have to stuff the run as they were before Derrick Henry gashed them for 106 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per carry Sunday.
So, is there a chance Estime, who fumbled twice earlier this season, will get more opportunities down the stretch?
“I think that’s a good and fair question,” Payton said, “and one that I think I would answer yes.”
What’s working
The trick plays. WR Courtland Sutton threw a pass for the second straight game and this one resulted in a touchdown to QB Bo Nix on a “Philly special.” Last week, the Panthers took umbrage at the Broncos pulling some trickery with a big late lead. This one came on fourth-and-goal from the 2 and pulled Denver to 10-7 midway through the second quarter.
So, is there a chance Estime, who fumbled twice earlier this season, will get more opportunities down the stretch?
“I think that’s a good and fair question,” Payton said, “and one that I think I would answer yes.”
What’s working
The trick plays. WR Courtland Sutton threw a pass for the second straight game and this one resulted in a touchdown to QB Bo Nix on a “Philly special.” Last week, the Panthers took umbrage at the Broncos pulling some trickery with a big late lead. This one came on fourth-and-goal from the 2 and pulled Denver to 10-7 midway through the second quarter.
Injuries
S P.J. Locke (thumb) has missed the past two games. S Delarrin Turner-Yell is eligible to return from a knee injury.
Key numbers
6 — consecutive games with a sack for Nik Bonitto between Weeks 3-8, the best streak by a Denver defender since Von Miller in 2018.
5 — wins for Nix, the most ever by a Broncos rookie QB.
3 — Denver wide receivers who have thrown a touchdown pass now that Sutton did it Sunday. The others are Emmanuel Sanders in 2018 and Arthur Marshall (twice, last one in 1993).
Next steps
Continuing a crucial stretch, the Broncos visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday before hosting the Atlanta Falcons.
