Denver Broncos: Offensive line was solid vs Chargers

Despite injuries, the Denver Broncos offensive line performed quite well against the Los Angeles Chargers.

When the Denver Broncos faced the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, it was almost a given that the offensive line would struggle. They didn’t.

In fact, they did very well in keeping quarterback Case Keenum from hitting the turf. The Chargers were unable to get any sacks against Keenum.

That is honestly a complete shock. The offensive line has been horrendous for a long, long time. Keenum has been sacked 24 times so far this season. Doing the math, that means Keenum has been sacked 2.4 times a game on average.

Some of those sacks were due to Keenum holding onto the ball far too long, but blame is usually rightly put on the offensive line.

Another reason it is a surprise that they didn’t give up a sack? The Broncos went with two backups on the interior offensive line. Matt Paradis is out for the year with a fractured right fibula, while guard Max Garcia missed the game with a knee injury.

Denver’s offensive line was as follows:

Garett Bolles (LT)
Billy Turner (LG)
Connor McGovern (C)
Elijah Wilkinson (RG)
Jared Veldheer (RT)

The injury to Paradis is most significant, as the center is the man of the offensive line that calls out protections, etc.

Connor McGovern stepped in for Paradis and he showed that he was the right replacement for the Broncos starting center.

That’s not to say he won’t have struggles in the future, but take this into account: the Los Angeles Chargers have two of the best pass rushers in the entire league in former third-overall pick Joey Bosa and former top-20 pick Melvin Ingram.

It was Bosa’s first game back from a foot injury.

There were a couple of times when the offensive line missed some blocking assignments, but they did well enough to allow Case Keenum time to get the ball out of his hand, even if the passes were throw-aways.

The offensive line also helped rookie running back Phillip Lindsay run eleven times for 79 yards and two touchdowns, including a 41-yard touchdown. It was Lindsay’s first two-touchdown game of his young career.

Next week, the offensive line will get another fairly large test, when the Pittsburgh Steelers come to the Mile High City.

The Steelers have a few pass rushers who are very good. One of those is a guy named Watt. No, not JJ. It’s JJ’s brother TJ, who has ten sacks this season.

Buckle up, offensive line. If they play as well against Pittsburgh as they did against the Chargers, it would be a huge boost of confidence for the team as they try and get another win, onto their winning ways.