It’s time to make some changes for the Denver Broncos

It’s time to make some changes for the Denver Broncos.

The Denver Broncos squandered an opportunity against the Atlanta Falcons to reach a 4-4 record and put themselves in the thick of the playoff race. The 3-5 Broncos have lost games in many ways, and the coaching has been no small part of their losses.

The Denver Broncos’ offense has struggled to put points on the board for large stretches of games, with plenty of blame falling on Pat Shurmur’s shoulders. For Shurmur and the Broncos’ offense, it’s time for some change.

In-game changes and adjustments, that is.

Shurmur has spent eight games with the Denver Broncos’ offense and had an abbreviated offseason due to COVID-19. It isn’t fair to be calling for jobs yet, but it is absolutely fair to criticize Shurmur for the lack of in-game adjustments.

Here’s how Shurmur can learn from his mistakes, and help the Broncos’ offense put up some points:

Let Drew Lock play to his strengths

I was hesitant about the move from Rich Scangarello over the offseason, as Drew Lock and “Scangs” formed a good relationship during the final five games of the 2019 season. Although the individual play-calling was questionable sometimes, Scangarello certainly looked like a guy who would play to Lock’s strengths.

Shurmur has really struggled to let Lock do what he does best, which is play up-tempo and attack the defense fearlessly. The Broncos’ slow starts can be partially attributed to Shurmur’s unwillingness to abandon the run game.

Coming into Sunday’s matchup against the Falcons, the Broncos knew the secondary was the weakness of the Atlanta defense. Against a Falcons’ defense giving up the second most yards-per-game in the NFL, the Broncos seemingly called run after run on the early downs.

A good running game will only aid Lock, but not when it’s coming at the expense of a fast start. The Broncos need to allow Lock to work the quick passing game in order to soften the opponents’ defense.

Experiment with creative personnel to exploit the passing game

Pat Shurmur is known for his heavy use of “11” Personnel, with three wide receivers and one running back. This is typically a dead giveaway for defenses, indicating the play will likely be a pass.

Shurmur would do well to employ different personnel packages to start the game. We have yet to see the Broncos employ “22” Personnel, with two running backs and two tight ends on the field at the same time.

Having both Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay on the field together is something the Broncos have not taken advantage of. The two could easily be flexed out wide to create a spread look that would cause mismatches against any defense, allowing Lock to have wide-open looks in the quick game.

Even using more “12” personnel with one running back and two tight ends would help Lock find comfort earlier in games. Lock has obvious chemistry with both Noah Fant and college teammate Albert Okwuegbunam, and not putting the two on the field together seems like a huge mistake for the Broncos’ offense.

Changing up the personnel will help Lock get a clearer picture of the defense, which will help his decision making and help him get the ball out quicker. Additionally, the added uncertainty of different personnel will throw opposing defenses off of their game plan, allowing Lock more time in the pocket to deal to his weapons.

Adjust the strategy to what the opposing defense is giving you

This has been Shurmur’s biggest struggle of the season.

The Broncos’ offensive explosions in the fourth quarter come after finding a weakness in the defense. Against the Falcons and the Kansas City Chiefs, it was too little, too late.

Pat Shurmur has to be more diligent about finding the weakness in the opposing defense and exploiting it. On the same note, the Broncos cannot afford to diverge from what is working offensively.

In the Broncos’ season opener against the Titans, Noah Fant had five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown in the first half. In the second half, Fant didn’t have a catch, and the Broncos’ offense shifted away from the mismatch that Fant provided.

For an offense that has struggled to put up meaningful points, the Broncos need every advantage they can get. Shurmur has to assess his offensive production in-game and adjust accordingly to take advantage of mismatches.

It is time to make some changes to the Broncos’ offense, but not by firing coordinator Pat Shurmur. The Broncos have had eight games, and fewer with Lock at quarterback, to find their rhythm on offense.

Shurmur must adjust his philosophy, and be able to make in-game adjustments to help Drew Lock, not hinder him. If Pat Shurmur can adjust to help Lock find his rhythm, the Denver Broncos will finally put four quarters of offense together.