First and foremost it’s important to understand the Broncos offense played very well against the Oakland Raiders over the weekend.  Additionally they managed the game very well and had two rushers near the 100 yard mark.  That is impressive.

The Denver Broncos defense was impressive early in setting up opportunities for the offense.  That went a long way.  The Broncos went for it on fourth and goal from the one.  Teams usually settle for points in tight, rivalry types of games, you only go for it if you believe in your offense and your defense.

That is what should stand out loud and clear about this Denver Broncos team.  They do believe in the defense and they know they can score points.  That is the type of team this needs to continue moulding into if it has hopes for future success. 

The offense executed very well.  The reason they don’t get an “A” is because they left a lot of points out on the field on Sunday and they would admit as much.

The upside is the Broncos ran phenomenally well and controlled the ball and the tempo on both sides of the ball.  It’s this type of a game that makes the perfect template for the team to look at and recognize this should be their pattern to success.

 

Offensive Film Study

The first possession saw Kyle Orton line-up under center early and often throughout the game.  On second and eight Brandon Marshall hooked up for his first catch on the day for a 15 yard gain on a cross route.

The next play was set up because Orton was operating under center; it was a play pass that successfully hooked up with Tony Scheffler for 14 yards and another first down.  Knowshon Moreno then had a couple of carries to get the Broncos a first down. 

Again Kyle Orton hits Brandon Marshall on an underneath route for another first down and the Broncos run game is getting warm pushing them down to the one yard line.  Then at this point, things bogged down.

Peyton Hillis was called for a false start which was ridiculous for that to happen in that situation.  So the Broncos start first and goal at the six and not the one.  Then the Raiders defense starts to show signs of life, allowing the Broncos to only reach the one yard line after four downs.

So what happened here?  Obviously the penalty was a momentum killer, but so was the play calling at this juncture.  While running it in makes all the sense in the world, the Raiders were clearly keying on stopping it and bringing more pressure.  The Broncos may have had better success running if they spread the field or if they decided to run a play pass to suck in the defense that was keying on the run.

Because it’s a game of field position the Broncos did the right thing in going for it against a team that has struggled offensively.

The second possession Denver starts at the Raiders 23 after an interception.

On third and one Knowshon Moreno picks up nine yards for a first down at the five.  The Broncos call a play action pass on second down, but there is nobody open, so Orton throws the ball away. 

This allows the next play to become the touchdown play they were seeking.  Again Brandon Marshall worked his way across the middle of the field, fighting off a defender and catching a heater from Orton for six.

Besides the points, the offense recognized the Raiders were going to give them the middle cross again and the connection was established for an early lead.

The Broncos go back on the attack after Andre Goodman’s interception of JaMarcus Russell. 

The Broncos go nowhere, and try another bubble screen this week to Eddie Royal with little success.  This does however set up a long field goal attempt due to the field position.

The Broncos tried to hit Brandon Marshall on another cross, but the Raiders rush and coverage forced a bad throw by Kyle Orton.

This is where the team on the whole needs a deeper playbook, to find a way to get the yardage they need.  There is a great deal of predictable repetition going on within the play calling. 

The team could benefit from some other ways to solve the same problem.  Things like other screen packages, hitches for first down yardage, and deeper drag routes would place more of a burden on the defense and open up the game plan.

The next Broncos drive they decide to get back to basics and hand the ball to Correll Buckhalter who scampers for a 34-yard chunk.

The play was an inside trap with Ben Hamilton and Casey Wiegmann executing a perfect double team to form a wall while right tackle Ryan Harris showed off his speed and strength as he pulled and sealed off the running alley.  All that was left was to see Buckhalter run with power and agility down to the Raider 45 yard line.

Then the Broncos hit a snag with a five yard false start penalty.  The Broncos were able to hit Jabar Gaffney on a cross, then Buckhalter and Moreno helped the team get the first down behind the offensive line.

The Broncos then continued to pick apart the middle of the Raiders defense and establish a theme that eventually came back to bite them.  Jabar Gaffney ran an awesome option or choice route where he posted up briefly, sucking in the coverage then he hit the gas to make a good grab on the cross from left to right. 

Then Brandon Marshall became a decoy running a middle cross right to left with Gaffney delaying then running behind him on a flat and more shallow route.  The Raiders choose to double Marshall and don’t account for Gaffney.  Orton connects and Gaffney picks up another crucial first down inside the ten.

The Broncos stall out at this point and nearly have a third down middle cross intended for Eddie Royal picked off by Michael Huff.  The end result is the Broncos have to settle for three points instead of a touchdown.

The point here is this drive started with a great drive and then had a definite theme of middle crosses causing headaches for the Raiders.  Running the same routes in the end zone is a dangerous proposition after the drive clearly had established these routes.  Yet again this is where the Broncos need to be more dynamic in their play calling before it does cost them in a much bigger way.

In the second half the Broncos lead by a slim 13-3 margin.  The opening drive of the second half is key in setting the tone for the rest of the game.  The Broncos wind up marching 80 yards and scoring their second touchdown on the day. 

The run game is featured and the offensive line starts to take control by establishing contact and maintaining their blocks so the backs can reach the second and third level of the defense.  The Broncos get big gainers with Moreno and Buckhalter. 

Most importantly the Broncos are able to add to their lead and take four minutes off the clock.

The very next drive the Broncos run an inside trap with Buckhalter but the ball is knocked out of his hands and the Raiders recover the fumble at the Broncos 16 yard line.

Following Brian Dawkins fumble recovery the Broncos began to chew up clock and yardage.  Offensively there was an intent focus on the run game and one creative tight end screen that was shutdown earlier in the game.

This time Dan Graham came close to getting a touchdown as he rambled from the 38 down to the Raider 12.  This set up the final score of the game, a short field goal by Matt Prater. 

Almost more importantly the drive consumed eight minutes and polished off the Raiders.

 

contact Chaz @ sportsmanagement@gmail.com

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