Denver Broncos gameday: If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It
The Denver Broncos have been among the best teams in the NFL this season running the ball. If it’s working, why change it up now?
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” should be the mentality for the Denver Broncos this game day against the New York Giants on Sunday night.
The Denver Broncos are back from their bye week tonight, but there are numerous question marks about the offense heading into Sunday’s action versus the Giants. Namely, the involvement of Jamaal Charles in the running game. Another is passing to Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.
The running game is third best in the NFL behind Jacksonville and Kansas City, despite limited touches for Charles. C.J. Anderson is shouldering the load among the top three backs. A healthy Charles will take the stable of backs to another level.
Anderson is currently ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing yards per game. Charles appears to making quality runs in a short quantity of carries averaging 5.3 yards a carry, right on par with his career average. Mike McCoy needs to involve Devontae Booker some as well. Nevertheless, this game against the Giants may not be the right time to deviate from their script.
There is no bigger disappointment in the NFL than the Giants. The Giants were seen as a playoff or Super Bowl contender. Now the team is facing a plethora of injuries at the wrong time and are winless at 0-5.
The defense will be without Olivier Vernon and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Despite numerous pass rushers, the run defense for New York is very suspect this season. Ranked 29th against the run allowing 139 yards per game the Broncos should continue with bell cow Anderson and change of pace back Charles/Booker. Consider a counter playbook later.
The Broncos still find themselves in a precarious situation. They need to find ways to involve Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas in the passing game. Last year, the duo expressed frustration; however, there is a change in mentality this year. Just ask Sanders.
"“Having a balanced attack, there’s nothing wrong with it. Obviously, this is probably my fifth interview and every single one—it’s crazy how me and Demaryius haven’t said anything about we want the ball or anything of that sort. But somehow, somebody brought this conversation up. I guess based off of last year. We haven’t said anything. We know that it’s going to come. Hopefully it comes this week, but we’re 3-1 right now. It’s four games in. We have 12 games left. Obviously, the goal is to get 1,000 yards. I still think that is very attainable. I’m not pressing the panic button at all.”Emmanuel Sanders (quotes via Broncos PR)"
Even McCoy recounted the game with Thomas and Tim Tebow against the Chiefs.
"“I’ve played with D.T. before and we’ve ran the ball 50 plus times in Kansas City and they didn’t complain when we won the games. Like I said, they want to win. But you know what, they also want the football. They all want the ball every play, as all the great ones do. I should give them the ball every play, but we also have to do some more things, game plan and teams are going to take certain things away. I love the way those two work.”Mike McCoy"
It is important for there to be consistency across the board in the passing game and running game. The Broncos will need to be more creative to get everyone involved. Yet, against the Giants tonight it is imperative the coaches do not change an identity now. If they do, it can backfire in the form a close game, or at least closer than this one needs to be.
Simply put: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”