The Denver Broncos are in the win column once again ladies and gentlemen!
This season has been full of narrow losses and teething problems, although it might be short-lived, having another win under the belt is a refreshing feeling for those who align themselves with the Broncos.
Here are my takeaways from the Broncos’ second win of the year.
Run game finding its groove
The Packers’ run defence isn’t the best by any stretch of the imagination but the Broncos ran the ball well throughout the game.
The running backs were consistently churning yards on first and second down, setting the passing offence up with manageable third down yardage which is what we expected this Sean Payton offence would look like.
The Broncos ran the ball 25 times in the game for 145 yards, and the Packers just couldn’t stop Javonte Willams or Samaje Perine in the running or passing game.
Defensive consistency
The defence has finally looked to have regained some of their form from last season stringing together three good games.
They’re still a long way off their stellar performances from a year ago under Ejiro Evero but they’re showcasing the ability that everyone knew they had.
There’s an argument to be made that the Broncos’ defence was unfortunate to give up the two touchdowns that they did.
Romeo Doubs’ touchdown should have been awarded as an interception to Patrick Surtain II according to CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore and Jayden Reed was in the right place at the right time to catch a dropped ball in the endzone by Doubs to make it 17-16 late on.
The pass rush struggled and there is still a concern that the front seven lacks dynamism and depth but P.J. Locke stepped up when it mattered and grabbed the game-sealing interception late in the day getting Denver in the win column.
Offence moved the ball well
Akin to the first takeaway, the offence looked promising moving the ball through all four quarters.
Russell Wilson looked good moving the ball through the air and as mentioned prior the running attack consistently gained yards on the ground.
Wilson could have had two touchdowns in the game but one was chalked off early in the game due to a penalty.
It is concerning that the offence can’t convert their drives into touchdowns and often in the red zone there is a tendency to go ‘three-and-out’.
Despite having a redzone percentage around the league average, the Broncos have only scored 14 touchdowns off of their 70 drives this season.
Second half offence is still shaky
The offence in the second half has been extremely poor so far this season, failing to score in the third quarter of four out of seven games so far this season.
Outside of their scripted drives, the offence often fails to find fluidity, especially in the second half.
This week that issue was mitigated and the Broncos looked to move the ball well throughout the game, despite some shaky play in the second half and it is a concerning trend for the season.
Week eight preview
Coming off a positive performance and a needed win, the Broncos face arguably the toughest test in the league when they welcome the Kansas City Chiefs to Mile High next Sunday.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will be looking to extend their dominant run over the Broncos, their win streak currently sits at 16 wins and they will be hoping to make it 17 on Sunday.
The Broncos are out of playoff contention and will just be playing for pride in the final ten weeks of the season and many will be playing to try and earn roster spots for their next teams beyond the Broncos.
One way for Payton to repair some of the damage his short tenure has done among Broncos country is snapping the streak and stopping the red-hot Chiefs from running away from the rest of the AFC once again.
