Denver Broncos: 25 or Under? Week one edition
In 2020, when the league was producing points at an all-time high, the Denver Broncos were meddling, at best. Led by youth, undeveloped talent, and a revolving door at the most important position in sports, the Denver Broncos had a subpar mean of 20.2 points per game.
That sort of production is simply unacceptable in this upcoming season, which begins with the “G-Men.” With the return of Pro Bowl wide receiver Courtland Sutton, this team automatically gets a significant boost. Second-year wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler are much more vested and seem fit for battle this season.
From an overall standpoint, the Denver Broncos as a team last year were facing significant odds. It wasn’t enough that they were in a division with the Kansas City Chiefs, it wasn’t enough that Courtland Sutton went down early, but COVID ripped away any opportunity this unit had at growing into the youth movement that is being pushed in place.
Last season was hard-pressed for any sort of success, that never really took place. This season could be much different. This offense had a full off-season, this offensive line has had another year to gel as a unit under Hall of Famer, Mike Munchak, and although he is limited from a physical standpoint, there is a veteran quarterback under center.
In 2021, the Denver Broncos are carrying just five wide receivers on their 53-man roster, along with four tight ends. What this tells me is that the Denver Broncos may be running out of 12 personnel much more than anyone expected.
12 personnel refers to an offense’s grouping that is out on the field, the one standing for the number of backs in the backfield, and the two referring to the number of tight ends in the package. This may be the offense we all see in week one and beyond. While it sounds a bit boring, it is this team’s best recipe for success in the upcoming season.
Feeding off of a strong run game and great play-action, I think Melvin Gordon has not only a strong week one performance, but a strong season. In this battle with the New York Giants, I expect Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams to see a heavy workload.
This actually takes away from the New York Giants’ strength also as they have invested heavily into their secondary. Two teams sit at the top in spending on secondaries across the National Football League, the Denver Broncos and the New York Giants.
If the Denver Broncos can run through Gordon and Williams, I think they should be just fine against the likes of Adoree Jackson and James Bradberry. Even then, I trust these offensive weapons to have their will against this defense, if that is the route offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur decides to take.
This New York Giants defense was tough last season, allowing just 17.5 points per game. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Giants uphold that, but I think the Denver Broncos will still be able to squeeze in 25+ points against them. Due to extra possessions from a turnover-laden offense, the Broncos should be able to find the end-zone multiple times come Sunday.
In my final prediction for the Denver Broncos’ offense in the first 25 or Under segment, in a Melvin Gordon-led effort, the Broncos score 27 points. Again, this attack will be led by Gordon, followed by Williams and a touch of Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy.
Teddy Bridgewater throws a couple of touchdown passes, one to Melvin Gordon. This would bring Gordon’s touchdown total for this game up to two, as I see him rushing one in also. Courtland Sutton also tacks on a short touchdown in this game on a fade from Teddy Bridgewater. Flashing back to the preseason match-up with the Minnesota Vikings, Teddy showed an ability to throw a nice end-zone fade, ala the touchdown reception fro now Detroit Lion, Trinity Benson.
Just clearing the threshold of 25 points on offense, will the Denver Broncos have the same fate on defense?