Broncos got two key areas back on track vs. Chargers
The Denver Broncos got two key areas back on track in their victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. They must keep progressing to keep winning.
Heading into their game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Denver Broncos had a couple of major problem areas, specifically on the offensive side of the ball.
Okay, let’s be honest — there have been plenty of issues with the Broncos’ offense over the first 11 games of the season, but many of them stem from two primary problem areas.
First and foremost, the Broncos have struggled badly on third downs offensively this season, converting just 37.7 percent of their third-down opportunities as an offense. That ranks 23rd in the NFL.
Two areas of the Broncos offense that got on track vs. Chargers
Even when the Broncos are able to convert some third downs and move the ball into the red zone, they have been one of the league’s worst teams at scoring touchdowns when they get into that part of the field as well.
The Denver offense has converted just 54.1 percent of their red zone trips into touchdowns, ranking 26th in the NFL.
Ranking in the bottom 10 of the league in these categories with such a solid defense is really not ideal at all. It wouldn’t be ideal with a bad defense, either, but the offense has just not carried its share of the load this season and that’s been a theme really since the start of the 2015 season in Denver.
Against the Chargers, these two areas of the team got back on track in a big way.
On third downs, the Denver offense was 8-of-11 against Los Angeles.
In the red zone, they were 3-for-3.
When the offense is operating efficiently, the defense is able to play to its strengths and the Broncos are able to pretty much dominate games.
Look at all six of their wins this season. Even counting the team’s win against Washington, which wasn’t an altogether impressive offensive performance, the point differential with competent offensive play is staggering.
The Broncos have averaged over 25 points in their wins and under 12 points allowed in those games.
Even though this win didn’t necessarily feel like pure dominance from the Broncos from start to finish, the offense got off to a strong start, and they converted their best drives into touchdowns, not field goals or missed opportunities completely.
Here’s hoping that trend continues against the Kansas City Chiefs, who have been pretty good this season defensively at getting off the field on third downs.