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Broncos’ Defense Gets Bold Challenge From Commanders, Dan Quinn Ahead of SNF

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Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn did not give away his full game plan, but he made one thing clear while previewing Sunday night’s matchup with the Denver Broncos: the run game, play-action and screen concepts will be “high value” pieces of the plan against Denver’s defense.

Quinn was asked how Washington can build on its improved rushing performance against the Miami Dolphins with a trip to face what the questioner called a “pretty tough run defense this week in the Broncos.” In response, Quinn zoomed out to the core of the Commanders’ offensive identity.

“You’ve heard me say the run, the run actions, the screens, those are the things that can set you forward,” Quinn said, adding that those elements will be “high value not just this week but moving forward” as Washington tries to stay balanced on offense.

Dan Quinn Puts ‘High Value’ on Run, Play-Action and Screens vs. Broncos

Quinn didn’t directly bite on the idea of tailoring everything to Denver’s front. Instead, he framed the Broncos game as another step in building the kind of offense he wants long term.

He pointed to the work it takes to marry the run game with play-action and screens — the timing, the reps and the commitment to calling those plays — and said he’s been pleased with the recent progress. The Dolphins game, where a reporter noted the rushing attack “got going” more than in previous weeks, was a small sign of life.

For Quinn, that formula doesn’t change just because the opponent is a top-tier defense.

If Washington can run the ball effectively, he said, it opens up balance, keeps the full playbook available and makes life easier on the quarterback. That approach takes on added weight with Jayden Daniels still working back from injury and “unlikely to play this week,” as Quinn said in a separate answer about his rookie quarterback.

What It Means for Broncos’ Elite Run Defense

From Denver’s perspective, the comments are a reminder that the Commanders are not backing away from the strength of the Broncos defense — they are running right at it.

Through Week 12, the Broncos have one of the NFL’s best run defenses, ranking third in rushing yards allowed per game and allowing under 90 rushing yards on average. They’re also near the top of the league in yards per carry allowed, giving up just 3.6 yards per rush. 

That front, led by a deep rotation up front and a fast second level, has been a big part of why Denver sits at 9-2 and atop the AFC West heading into Week 13.

Quinn’s insistence on sticking with the run and its complements is effectively a challenge: if the Commanders can at least stay on schedule on the ground, they can lean into play-action and screens to try to slow Denver’s pass rush and create chunk plays. If they can’t, the Broncos can do what they’ve done to so many teams this year — force long down-and-distance situations and unleash their pressure packages.

Washington’s ground game is one of the few bright spots for a 3-8 team. The Commanders enter the week with a top-five rushing offense by yards per game, and Quinn clearly sees that as the best path to staying competitive against an opponent on an eight-game winning streak.

Stats, Schedule & Context for Broncos vs. Commanders

The matchup itself gives these otherwise coach-speak comments some extra juice for Broncos fans.

Quinn’s message doesn’t qualify as bulletin-board material, but it does underline how much respect the Commanders have for Denver’s front — and how committed Washington is to testing an elite run defense with its own supposed strength on a national stage.

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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

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