Denver Broncos killed by Jaguars’ ball control in second half
The Denver Broncos’ offensive gameplan was completely destroyed by the Jaguars’ ball control in the second half of Sunday’s loss.
Despite the fact that it hasn’t been reflected in the outcome of their games, the Denver Broncos have actually done a pretty good job of controlling the time of possession battle this season.
That is, until the second half of their 26-24 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
As the Broncos were driving down the field at the end of the first half, Joe Flacco threw a most untimely interception to Ronnie Harrison, setting the Jags up for their second field goal of the game at the time.
The Jaguars finished out the half with the football and capped it off with a score, and they came out of the locker room at halftime and received the opening kickoff.
After Flacco’s interception at the end of the first half, the Jaguars absolutely dominated the ball control battle. Although the Broncos sprinkled in a kneel down and a three-and-out, here’s what the Jaguars did with the ball after that pick on three consecutive drives.
- 26 plays
- 12:55 game clock
- 17 points
- 189 yards
Now, Joe Flacco is not directly to blame for this. The Broncos’ defense couldn’t tackle Leonard Fournette and couldn’t sack Gardner Minshew when they had him in their grasp, but Flacco’s interception was the turning point, and after the Jaguars went on a 16-play, 75-yard drive that took 10:24 off the clock, Flacco and the Broncos’ offense went three-and-out.
After a three-play, 93-yard touchdown drive, Flacco and the Broncos’ offense went three-and-out.
After moving the ball with relative ease in the first half, the Broncos’ offense couldn’t even go 10 yards and it absolutely killed the team’s chances of winning the game.
Looking over the final statistics from the game, I thought it was a bit shocking to see Phillip Lindsay only got 10 targets/touches (9 carries, 1 pass target). I was going to write about what an oversight it was by the Broncos’ coaching staff to not get him the ball more, but the reality is, they couldn’t extend drives between the Jaguars just dominating the football.
Lindsay didn’t get enough opportunities because the Broncos couldn’t go 10 yards to open the second half and in fact did not gain a first down besides a roughing the passer penalty until the game-winning drive in the fourth quarter.
They went an entire quarter without achieving a first down on their own accord.
Broncos may have to blow things up soon. dark. Next
The offense can’t be expected to just go out and move the ball at will every single possession, but this is yet another area the Broncos have to be better going forward if they’re going to get on the board and get a win anytime soon.