Broncos 3rd Down Review - Week 10

The Denver Broncos Defense has finally jelled. We saw glimpses of it happening in Week 4 when the team tore apart the Raiders 37-6. But that was thought to be an anomaly just because well, it’s the Raiders and they haven’t been the same since the cryptkeeper went to his final interment. Besides, in Week 5 they faced the powerhouse New England Patriots, who demoralized them on the ground, rushing for 251 yards.

Since that Week 5 loss though, the Broncos have been riding a 4 -game win streak and the Defense has been a part of that. I Blame it on Del Rio.

When Jack Del Rio arrived as the seventh Defensive Coordinator in as many years, he stated that,"we expect to be a top-10, if not better, defense." With 60% of the season in the books, that goal has been achieved. The Denver Defense ranks 10th in Points Allowed (21.0), Passing Yards (218.4) and Rushing Yards (98.3). They are 6th in Total Yards Against. All this was accomplished over the second hardest schedule in the NFL, so it isn’t a fluke. Combine that with the 2nd ranked scoring Offense and things look very promising for a playoff run.

I wanted to take a look at the 3rd down plays from the Carolina game. The Broncos didn’t allow the Panthers one 3rd down conversion in 12 attempts. Not only that, but they forced 8 three and outs. The only weakness in Sunday’s game was one that has been in the forefront all year -- defending the opposing Tight End. Greg Olsen had 2 Touchdown catches for the Panthers only points. One in the 1st Quarter and one during garbage time in the 4th Quarter. In between all that, it was all Denver.

Here’s how it went down:

1st QUARTER

Possession #1

3rd and 4 at the Carolina 44 (12:22) With Cam Newton in the shotgun, Von Miller sacks him for a 6-yard loss.

Possession #2 resulted in a 6-play drive culminating in a Greg Olsen 4 yard Touchdown catch.

Possession #3
(3 and out)
3rd and 8 at the Carolina 9 yard line (4:14) Newton, once again in the Shotgun, passes incomplete deep right intended for Louis Murphy. Penalty on Left Guard Amini Silatolu, who was called for Illegal Use of Hands to the face of Elvis Dumervil. The penalty was declined.

Possession #4
(3 and out)
3rd and 4 at the Carolina 26 (:47)From the Shotgun, Newton is Strip Sacked at the 26 yard line by Elvis Dumervil. The fumble was recovered by the Panthers at their own 17. The Forced punt results in Trindon Holliday's 76-yard Punt Return Touchdown to start the 2nd Quarter.

2nd QUARTER

Possession #5
(3 and out)
Carolina 20 yard line (14:40) The Panthers did not gain a yard in this series, they actually lost 5 yards on a False Start before the Punt. Von Miller stopped DeAngelo Williams for no gain on 1st down and Newton threw 2 incompletes.

Possession #6
(3 and out)
3rd and 18 at the Carolina 14 yard line (8:22)From the Shotgun, Cam Newton completes a pass short left to Tight End Greg Olsen for 8 yards. Chris Harris and Jim Leonhard make the stop.

Possession #7
(3 and out)
3rd and 10 at the Denver 29 yard line (:54)From the Shotgun, Cam Newton scrambles up the middle to for 4 yards and is stopped by Rahim Moore.

3rd QUARTER

Possession # 8
(3 and out)
3rd and 2 at the Carolina 31 yard line (12:35) Newton is Sacked by Kevin Vickerson for a 9-yard loss.

Possession #9
(One play)
1st and 10 at the Carolina 34 yard line (10:12) Tony Carter picks off Cam Newton’s pass intended for Brandon LaFell and returns it 40 yards for a Touchdown.

Possession #10
3rd and 10 at the Carolina 35 yard line (6:27) From the Shotgun, Cam Newton is Sacked for a 3 yard loss by Chris Harris.

Possession #11
(3 and out)
3rd and 2 at the Carolina 30 yard line (3:28) From the Shotgun, Cam Newton is stopped for a 4 yard loss by Von Miller.

4th QUARTER

Possession #12
(3 and out)
3rd and 14 at the Carolina 16 yard line (13:35) From the Shotgun, Newton’s pass intended for Brandon LaFell is incomplete because Robert Ayers got a hand on it.

Possession #13
(3 plays)
3rd and 19 at the Carolina 2 yard line (10:39) From the Shotgun, Cam Newton is Sacked in the End Zone by Mike Adams for a 2 yard loss and a Safety.

Possession #14
(5:15) A 10 play drive that results in a Greg Olsen 5 yard Touchdown catch.

Possession #15
3rd and 6 at the Denver 32 yard line (2:00) From the Shotgun, Cam Newton passes deep over the middle intended for Wide Receiver Armanti Edwards, but the ball is Intercepted by Rahim Moore and returned 23 yards.

It’s games like these that make my playoff wishes come alive.

I Blame it on Del Rio.

Go Broncos!

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