Forget all the noise about Bo Nix, because the real problem rocking the Denver Broncos right now is their run game, and the stats are straight-up catastrophic. It ain’t the offensive line either, folks. Warren Sharp just dropped some truth bombs, and apparently, the running backs are the ones struggling big time, leaving Denver consistently stuck in terrible down and distance on drives. This is exactly why they’re among the league leaders in three-and-outs.
The Ugly Truth Behind the Numbers
When you dig into the numbers, it gets even worse. We’re talking bottom-of-the-barrel stuff. The Broncos are a dismal 30th in the league for yards after contact per rush, clocking in at a meager 2.26 yards. And if you like seeing runs gain some real estate, only 26.5% of their runs go for 5+ yards, which is 31st overall. Their longest run of the season? A pathetic 17 yards, again 31st in the league. And “elusiveness rating”? You guessed it, 31st. These aren’t just bad numbers; these are “trainwreck” numbers, especially after they somehow managed a win against our Seahawks last week.
The Backfield Burden
Who’s holding the bag on this one? J.K. Dobbins is a big part of this mess, no doubt about it. But when a team puts up numbers this bad, it’s gotta be a group effort. Remember rookie Jonah Coleman? His sample size is tiny, just 10 rushes, and his 3.9 yards per carry against the Jaguars wasn’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard. Sean Payton himself is seeing signs of poor execution in both the run and pass games. Shoot, even against *our* Seahawks, they had two different wide receivers miss run blocks that cost them big yards. The offensive line is reportedly doing its job, but if the backs can’t make plays, this offense is going to stay a trainwreck until someone fixes it.
Coach Payton’s Challenge
Coach Payton acknowledged some of the issues, hinting that collective performance is key. He knows they need to “do our jobs better” as a team, and specifically wants Bo Nix to improve on third down, finding more open receivers. But honestly, if the run game can’t even get you into manageable third-down situations, that’s a whole different beast. He’s also supporting OLB Jonathon Cooper’s return, trying to get him acclimated and figure out a “pitch count” as he steps back in, which is great for the defense, but does absolutely nothing for the offensive woes.
The Broncos have a mini-bye this week and are aiming for a three-game win streak as they head to Arizona to face the Cardinals on Sunday. But even with a recent win over Seattle under their belt, the big question remains: can they actually fix this run game disaster? Because until those catastrophic numbers improve, this Denver offense is going to be spinning its wheels, no matter who’s under center.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
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