Broncos Running Game Steps Up

Willis McGahee is on a tear. In three of his last four games, he has rushed for over 100 yards.

Before the Chargers game, McGahee was 15th in the league in rushing, one spot behind Frank Gore. Now he is 9th in the league.

He carried the ball 16 times for 125 yards in the Broncos 29-24 loss to the Chargers.

“It is what it is. It doesn’t mean anything because we didn’t win,” McGahee said. “It’s good that we’re establishing the run game, but we’ve got to put everything together, and get the ‘W.'”

With a 7.8 yards per carry, why didn’t the Broncos give him more touches then?

The Broncos are now averaging 101.8 yards per game, ranked 20th in the league.

“Willis has stepped in and done a terrific job,” John Fox said. “I think with that goes our offensive line, our blocking element, the full backs, the tight ends. We’re getting better in that area.”

Even Knowshon Moreno stepped it up yesterday. Even though he didn’t get one carry, the Broncos used him as a receiving back. He had 3 catches for 40 yards, but his most notable one was the 28-yard touchdown reception that brought the Broncos to within two points late in the fourth quarter.

With that said, you have to like how the coaching staff is utilizing their backs at this point. The Broncos are no longer dead in the water as far as the rushing game goes. Because they have life, it should ease the pressures that Tim Tebow (or maybe Kyle Orton?) will feel as the season wears on. Opposing teams now have to respect the run.

Give the offensive line plenty of credit. They have done a great job in their zone blocking scheme all while protecting the quarterback. They didn’t give up any sacks yesterday, and they have only given up two sacks combined in their previous two games.

John Fox’s philosophy is slowly gaining speed and strength.

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