FanPost

Seizing Momentum: Denver Drives for Dominance

Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

The Denver Broncos have been the dominant team in most of their games this season. But how do you measure dominance? One idea is to look for a long scoring streak during the game, because it means that the offense and defense are both working well: the offense is scoring when it gets the chance, and the defense is stopping the other team and handing the ball back to the offense.

How big should a scoring streak be before it's considered "dominant"? Scoring twice in a row, even a pair of touchdowns, is hardly unusual—all you need is a single defensive stop. More than that, however, and you've got the other team on its heels. For this exercise, we'll say that a scoring streak of MORE than two touchdowns—at least three consecutive scores—should indicate dominance and momentum during the game.

The table below looks at the scoring streaks during the Broncos games this year, by both Denver and the opponent. It lists the number of points and the number of scoring drives during the longest scoring streak by each team in each game. Highlighted in red are the situations where the Broncos did not have a dominant scoring streak, or when they allowed one by the other team.

Week

OPP

DEN Streak

OPP Streak

Points

Drives

Points

Drives

1

BAL

28

4

10

2

2

NYG

21

3

7

1

3

OAK

17

3

7

1

4

PHL

38

6

10

2

5

DAL

21

3

14

2

6

JAX

14

2

12

3

7

IND

13

2

23

4

8

WAS

38

6

14

2

10

SD

21

3

14

2

11

KC

10

2

7

1

12

NE

24

4

31

5

13

KC

28

4

14

2

14

TEN

24

4

7

1

15

SD

7

1

21

3

16

HOU

21

3

7

1

17

OAK

34

6

14

2

19

SD

17

3

10

2

20

NE

13

3

7

1

Key observations:

  • In 12 of the 16 regular-season games, the Broncos had a scoring streak of more than 14 points and three drives. In seven games, they scored at least 24 points in a row, and in three games they had streaks that included SIX scoring drives, each producing 34 points or more—without a score from the other team.
  • Half of the regular-season scoring streaks happened when Denver was behind in the game, usually by more than ten points.
  • The momentum continued into the playoffs, falling just short of our "dominance" criteria in the championships against New England (three drives, but only 13 points—too many FGs).
  • In only three games did the Broncos allow a scoring streak of more than 14 points. These were also the only three games in which the other team had a longer scoring streak than Denver. Surprise: they were also the three games Denver lost.
  • In six games, Denver kept its opponent from scoring even twice in a row—the other team's longest "streak" was one drive. This only happened to Denver once—in its tired effort in week 15 against San Diego.
  • To sum this up in a single number: of the 72 instances this year where the Broncos had the opportunity to achieve a dominant scoring streak or prevent their opponent from having one, the team achieved the objective 56 times, a 72% success rate.

What's the point of all this? It's not a comparison of the Broncos and Seahawks, but rather speaks to the character of Denver's team this year. Put simply: Never count the Broncos out. They may be behind by two touchdowns at halftime, or kept to a low score after three quarters, yet they can still seize momentum, dominate the game, and score 24 points before you get back from that liquor store run.

GO BRONCOS!!!

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR.