Only a hack would suggest opponents have found a hack to solve the Broncos’ defense.
The idea began to percolate over the past two games as Denver struggled to get off the field. Ordinarily, this type of hiccup for a 10-2 team would not matter. But it is clear that the Broncos’ ability to make a Super Bowl run hinges largely on point prevention, not point scoring.
Yes, Kansas City and Washington did things to neutralize Denver’s on-record-pace pass rush. And both converted with regularity, while rushing the ball better than expected.
It is easy to understand why the numbers, without context, could prompt concern. The Broncos won their past two games, part of a nine-game winning streak entering Sunday at Las Vegas, despite allowing 102.5 yards on the ground and a conversion rate of 47.1 % on third and fourth down combined. Washington tied the game in regulation with a clock-gorging, 18-play, 71-yard drive.
Here is why hand-wringing should remain tempered.
The first win came against Patrick Mahomes. It was clear the former MVP had no interest in getting hit, so he got rid of the ball quickly. Marcus Mariota provided a different challenge, creating problems with his legs. And both were in more comfortable distances on third downs, siphoning off sacks to four for a Broncos team that had been averaging nearly five per game.
The film shows the same sound Vance Joseph scheme, disguises and calls that should land him a head coaching job after this season. It also reveals that missed tackles and sacks were more prominent than any time this season. The last two opponents did not solve the Broncos defense, they benefited from poor execution. Talanoa Hufanga, who is having an All-Pro season, missed tackles. Patrick Surtain II was rusty in his return in the first half last Sunday. Quarterbacks slipped out of the grasp of Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper.
Facing the Raiders allows for a get-right game, an opportunity to stuff the run and struggling rookie Ashton Jeanty, creating easy sack opportunities of Geno Smith.
Want a reason to worry? The Broncos rank tied for 29th with 10 takeaways, and that number must spike to alleviate all concerns about a hack.
All-Star in waiting: Jamal Murray will be a first-time All-Star this season — or he better be. He drove home the notion with a 52-point game at the Pacers. The performance was notable for two reasons. Over the past 30 years, Murray is the only player to score 50-plus points while making 75 % of his shots and committing one turnover or less. He has done it twice. And against Indiana, he reached 52 with only five free throw attempts. At a time, when thespians Luca Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander live on the foul line, “No Call” Jamal remains a refreshing watch.
Stay in Your Lane: The folks defending Lane Kiffin’s behavior and insisting he should have been allowed to coach Ole Miss in the college football playoff look foolish. Kiffin loves attention. He craves drama. He got both when courted for jobs over the last month, before taking LSU’s offer. That is his choice. No problem with that. But thinking he could still lead Ole Miss and that players wanted that is the height of delusion. It’s like leaving your wife for the mistress, and thinking you could still live at your home and celebrate a normal Christmas with the kids. Get real.
On the Mike: Time is running out on Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin. He has not won a playoff game since the 2016 season. Tomlin will get hired elsewhere, but he has grown stale with the Steelers. He refuses to fix the offense. The line is a problem. And the defense is no longer terrific. Remember, Mike Shanahan got fired in Denver, and the Eagles parted ways with Andy Reid. Every coach has an expiration date. Both sides need a fresh start.