Comcast Redzone Report - Behind the losing streak

by John Bena on Nov 24, 2009 7:08 PM MST in 2009 Denver Broncos Game Recap

This post is sponsored by Comcast and their NFL RedZone channel. Want to see every touchdown from every NFL game as it happens as well as live look-ins to all of Sunday's games in key situations? Then you need Comcast's NFL RedZone.

If we are going to have a sponsorship deal, we might as well find a way to incorporate said sponsorship into something that is near and dear to Broncos fans - the team's performance in the Red Zone. This has been a key point of contention for a long time with Denver - take last year into account - 2nd in Yards, 16th in points.

Each week we'll take a look at the Broncos' trips into the Red Zone and how they fared. Good teams, playoffs teams, score in the Red Zone. If the Broncos want to be a playoff team, they'll need to as well.

The Denver Broncos have now lost 4 games in a row. We all know that. While the reasons behind the losing streak are many, one need look no further than the Red Zone to see a major cause of the team's struggles, on both sides of the ball.

Overall in 2009, the Broncos Offense looks like this -

'09 OFFENSE TOTALS

WEEK	OPPONENT	RZ EFFICIENCY
1	@ CIN	0/0
2	vs. CLE	2/4
3	@ OAK	2/6
4	vs. DAL	1/2
5	vs. NEP	2/3
6	@ SD	2/4
8	@ BAL	1/1
9	vs. PIT	0/0
10	@ WAS	0/1
11	vs. SD	0/4
	TOTALS	10/25 (40.0%)

Now, before going any further, you can look at the Broncos season as two different ones - the 6-0 start and the 0-4 after the BYE. After 6 games, the Broncos were one of the better teams converting Red Zone appearances in 6 points. The offense had made 19 trips inside the 20, scoring TDs on 9(9/19 - 47.4%). That averaged out to just over 3 trips per game, with the Broncos scoring on just about half.

Now for the last 4 games. With four trips against the Chargers, the Broncos have made just 6 trips in 4 games(1.5 per game), while scoring just 1 Touchdown(1/6 - 16.7%). It's easy to do the math - the Broncos are getting to the Red Zone about half as much as they were to start the season, scoring 1/3 fewer times when they do get there. In other words, they are really struggling on offense when it matter most.

DEFENSE

Here is what the Defense looks like so far this season -

'09 DEFENSE TOTALS

WEEK	OPPONENT	RZ EFFICIENCY
1	@ CIN	1/2
2	Vs. CLE	0/1
3	@ OAK	0/1
4	Vs. DAL	1/3
5	Vs. NEP	2/2
6	@ SD	1/2
8	@ BAL	1/3
9	vs. PIT	3/4
10	@ WAS	2/4
11	vs.SD	3/6
	TOTALS	14/28(50.0%)

Like the offense, the Red Zone has been a tale of two seasons for the defense as well. In the first 6 games, the Broncos allowed just 11 trips inside their 20, giving up touchdowns on 5 of those.(5/11 - 45.5%) Opponents were averaging just under 2 trips per game(1.8) and scoring less than half the time.

The past four games has been a completely different story. In 4 games, the Broncos have allowed 17 trips inside the Red Zone(4.25 per game), allowing touchdowns on 9 of those trips(9/17 - 52.9%). Teams are getting twice as many opportunities in the Red Zone and are making the Broncos pay for it.

Whatever the reason, the offense and defense are both going the wrong direction inside the 20. If the Broncos are going to pull themselves out of this funk they are in, both sides of the ball need to improve when it matters the most - inside the Red Zone.

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Comments

I know I am watching this happen but I can't believe what I am seeing

I would hope you would support who we are. Not, who we are not. Coach Norman Dale "Hoosiers"

by dmitchell624 on Nov 24, 2009 7:18 PM MST reply actions

You aren't the only one.

I know we weren’t the cream of the crop when we were 6-0, however ZERO TDs in the redzone for the last 3 games. That is uncalled for and needs to stop………..Thursday.

We have 5 trips and the opponents have 14. WOW!

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Nov 24, 2009 8:14 PM MST up reply actions

One of the main problems is that the defense has given up long drives while our offense cant be expected to go 80+ yards every possession

The return game has been horrible . I watched that Bears game Sunday night and was just amazed at what good field position that Knox and the return game gave the Bears . We dont get any easy scores via turnovers,great punts ,or anything like that and that is hurting us badly. We just dont get the timely ST play and thus require our offense and defense to play perfect every game .

by Hoopforia on Nov 24, 2009 8:52 PM MST reply actions

Packers fan here

voicing my support for you Broncos fan. Chargers-lazy team that assumes it can make the playoffs every year. Broncos-team that gives its hardest, game in and game out. At least you guys are still 2 games up on the Cutlers.

by Donald Driver on Nov 24, 2009 9:46 PM MST reply actions

Thanks, friend

Nice post

Moreno/Buckhalter in '09

by Doc Bear on Nov 24, 2009 10:44 PM MST up reply actions

We would like you guys to help us with that ok?

A nice pounding of Cutler next time and causing him to throw some picks would make me very happy.

I would hope you would support who we are. Not, who we are not. Coach Norman Dale "Hoosiers"

by dmitchell624 on Nov 25, 2009 5:27 AM MST up reply actions

Sorry guys but the losing streak

may not end unless I can recover my Broncos hat. As some of you recall I lost it on a soccer field the morning they got their first loss. And haven’t gotten it back. And you know the rest. Not to uh be superstitious or anything, but the new Broncos hat I have hasn’t helped a lick. I can either sacrifice it in a bonfire, bring in a witch doctor, or search all over San Francisco for my hat.

Or hope it’s all nonsense and the Broncos win Thursday.

There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos fan in Niners/Raiders country, and damned proud of it.

by underdog on Nov 24, 2009 11:31 PM MST reply actions