Denver Broncos hit on all keys to victory in win over Giants

Denver Broncos defense. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos defense. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Establishing the run game

Check.

Much like it was for the Giants, it was tough sledding for the Broncos’ run game. The Giants possess a number of talents in the front seven – such as Blake Martinez and Leonard Williams – so it was always going to be a fight at the line of scrimmage.

But the important thing for Pat Shurmur here was that he did not allow the Denver Broncos to become one-dimensional. It would allow the Giants’ defense to dictate the game and put the offense behind the eight-ball.

Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon split the backfield duties evenly, appearing in just about 50 percent of the snaps each. To say they earned it would be an understatement as they continued to plug away at a tiring Giants defense.

It would eventually pay off as Melvin Gordon would take a carry 70 yards for a touchdown with just over four minutes remaining to help ice the game. It also gave Gordon 101 rushing yards for the game on 9.2 yards per carry.

This week it was Gordon’s turn to make the big game-changing play for the Denver Broncos and that was great news. What is even better news is that Williams showed flashes that he too can be the game-changer if it was to fall on his shoulders.