The Denver Broncos can’t put it all together.
Early in the season, the team seemed to play one good half of football and one terrible half in each game. Through five weeks, the defense was terrible and the offense was competent.
Against the Kansas City Chiefs last week, the defense flipped a switch and had a great game — but the offense had its worst game of the season.
While the passing game was abysmal in Week 6, Denver’s ground game was a silver lining for the offense in Kansas City.
Broncos running backs Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin combined to rush 17 times for 82 yards against the Chiefs, a combined average of just under five yards per carry. Denver quarterback Russell Wilson credited the offensive line for opening up running lanes for Williams and McLaughlin.
“I thought the offensive line — it starts with those guys up front — I thought they did a really good job being physical,” Wilson said. “It’s a really good defense and a really good defensive front, their linebackers do a good job and I thought our offensive line did a really good job battling with those guys, play after play. I thought that we ran it well when we needed to and did some really good things there.”
Wilson himself also scrambled four times for 31 yards in Week 6. Overall, the Broncos rushed 23 times for 115 yards, averaging exactly five yards per tote. If not for falling behind and needing to throw the ball, Denver could have totaled many more than just 17 running back carries on Thursday.
Going forward, the Broncos can count on their two backs to establish a productive rushing attack, but Denver will need to keep things close for the game script to allow a run-heavy attack on offense. When their numbers are called, Williams and McLaughlin have proven to be productive weapons.
