Mile High Report - Raiders 30, Broncos 20 (Week 9 - SNF): Everything we knowBy Fans, For Fans....Your Source For Denver Broncos News and Commenthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50905/mhr-fav.png2016-11-15T10:00:02-07:00http://www.milehighreport.com/rss/stream/132597152016-11-15T10:00:02-07:002016-11-15T10:00:02-07:00Broncos 3rd & long: double shot
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<figcaption>Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>I was sick last week so I didn't get a chance to write up the game in Joakland. So are getting a double-post with the data from the Raiders games and the Saints games to give you plenty to chew on during the bye week. </p> <p>What a difference a week makes. A week after getting embarrassed on national TV (even though it was the offense' fault), our defense forces four turnovers to preserve the victory. The offense again was not good, it played better than it did against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a>, but you can't get much worse. So yeah, we won, but it's not all roses folks. Our defense forced 4 turnovers and our offense could only manage 23 points despite that. Think about that. Against a defense that has allowed 29.2 ppg so far this year (30th in the league) and with 4 turnovers and some short fields, our offense managed 23 points. At least we were able to keep the offense on the field this game. Our ability to convert on 11 of 19 3rd down plays is a huge turn around from the previous week in Joakland. That being said, our offense continues to under perform against some of the worst defenses in the league. We'll talk more about that later, but now onto the meat of this post.</p>
<h4>Stopping the run on First Down</h4>
<p>Against the Raiders we got destroyed on first down allowing 113 yards on 22 carries - 5.14 ypc. We did somewhat better against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">Saints</a> only allowing 46 yards on 11 carries - 4.2 ypc. We had one TFL on first down runs against the Raiders and no TFL's against the Saints on first down runs. We had no stops for no gain on first down runs against either team. For the season we have now allowed 634 yards on 146 first down runs - 4.34 ypc. That is 16th in the league. SEA is currently leading the league at 3.48 ypc allowed on first down runs and SF is dead last with 5.49 (0.5 yards worse than #31). OAK is still bad against the run on first down (#30 with 4.99 ypc allowed) so it makes a lot of sense that we ran the ball 6 times against them on first down (head-desk). After 10 games we have 8 stops for no gain and 8 TFLs on first down runs. This is really poor relative to our 2015 defense who had 16 and 24 of those two things on first down runs after 10 games. The 2015 defense was also only allowing 3.0 ypc on first down runs - 1.3 ypc less than we are currently allowing.</p>
<p>On the flip side of this we are 26th in the league at ypc on first down runs with 3.90.</p>
<h4>Forcing Teams into 3rd and long and stopping them</h4>
<p>We forced quite a few 3rd and longs against the Raiders, nine of them, allowing conversion on 4 of those 9 - two coming via penalty.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Quarter</td>
<td>Time</td>
<td>ToGo</td>
<td>Details</td>
<td>Result</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>7:19</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>
<span>Derek Carr</span> pass complete short left to <span>Andre Holmes</span> for 16 yards (tackle by <span>Darian Stewart</span>)</td>
<td>Conversion by catch</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>12:05</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>Derek Carr pass incomplete short right intended for <span>Michael Crabtree</span>
</td>
<td>Incomplete</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>4:43</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>Derek Carr pass incomplete deep right intended for Michael Crabtree</td>
<td>Incomplete</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>1:42</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>Derek Carr pass incomplete deep middle intended for <span>Amari Cooper</span>. Penalty on <span>Bradley Roby</span>: Defensive Pass Interference, 23 yards (no play)</td>
<td>Conversion by penalty</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>9:04</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>Derek Carr pass incomplete</td>
<td>Incomplete</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>9:11</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>Derek Carr pass complete short middle to Michael Crabtree for 14 yards (tackle by Darian Stewart)</td>
<td>Catch but short</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>6:30</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>Derek Carr pass incomplete deep right intended for Johnny Holton. Penalty on <span>Taurean Nixon</span>: Defensive Pass Interference, 31 yards (no play)</td>
<td>Conversion by penalty</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>3:37</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>Derek Carr pass complete short left to <span>Amari Cooper</span> for 9 yards (tackle by Bradley Roby)</td>
<td>Conversion by catch</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>3:16</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>
<span>Jalen Richard</span> middle for 1 yard (tackle by <span>Jared Crick</span>)</td>
<td>Run but short</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><br>Overall the Raiders were 7 of 15 against us on 3rd down. We only had two 3rd and long situations against the Saints and we stopped them both.</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Quarter</td>
<td>Time</td>
<td>Down</td>
<td>ToGo</td>
<td>Location</td>
<td>Detail</td>
<td>Result</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>13:11</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>DEN 49</td>
<td>
<span>Drew Brees</span> pass incomplete short left intended for <span>Willie Snead</span> (defended by <span>Chris Harris</span>)</td>
<td>Incomplete</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>10:55</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>NO 49</td>
<td>Drew Brees pass incomplete deep left intended for <span>Brandin Cooks</span>
</td>
<td>Incomplete</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>Overall the Saints were 4 of 9 against us on third down. A big key against the Saints was the lack of defensive penalties that really hurt the defense against the Raiders. In general there were very few penalties called on Sunday in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> saints game - four total.</p>
<p>For the season we are now allowing conversion on 33.3% of 3rd and longs. That is good for 25th in the league. BAL is still leading the league allowing only 18.5% conversion on 3rd and long while the Saints are dead last allowing 39.7% conversion. Our offense actually did better than that against them converting on 6 of 12 3rd and long situations (50%). Admittedly we also gave up 3 sacks on 3rd and long.</p>
<h4>Moving Forward</h4>
<p>We've got a bye week and then we get the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a> in Denver. If you can remember back to last season (as most of us can), our best offensive performance of the year came after the bye when we destroyed the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> on national television. We may have had three more yards against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">Chargers</a> in week 17 (503 to 500), but our offense was playing much better (read balanced) in that game than in the 27-20 come from behind victory over the Chargers. The optimist in me wants to believe that the offensive coaches will have a great game plan ready for the Chiefs defense, which will be the best defense that we have faced all season (they are currently ranked 7th in scoring defense). Hopefully Trevor Siemian can stop making rookie mistakes (staring down his receiver - INT to Norwood vs NO, and throwing into double or triple coverage - INT sort of near <span>Demaryius Thomas</span> vs NO). Hopefully a healthy <span>Ty Sambrailo</span> solidifies the RT spot and leads to better protection. The realist in me says that our offense will continue to struggle. I can see the next game being a 13-9 kind of game where we come out on the losing side because our offense has another game like it did against Oakland. The Chiefs have won five straight and the defense has played extremely well over the last month allowing 21 (NO), 14 (JAX), 14 (IND) and 17 (CAR) points. The flipside is that their offense has been almost as bad as ours. Their offense currently ranks 18th in scoring (we're 14th surprisingly) and 26th in yards (we're 27th). This game will come down to who makes the fewest mistakes and I don't like our chances with Siemian having a much higher chance of throwing a pick than Captain Checkdown.</p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2016/11/15/13626152/broncos-3rd-long-double-shotJoe Mahoney2016-11-09T07:00:03-07:002016-11-09T07:00:03-07:00Where's the beef?
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<figcaption>Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for NYCWFF</figcaption>
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<p>An anemic offense needs to answer some questions</p> <p id="AbDEcJ">No matter where you stand, the consensus is, for varying reasons, our offense is a repeat of last year. A killer defense covering for its weak offense. That the offense doesn't matter because of our Defense. Changes shouldn't be made because of that “Super Bowl Window”.</p>
<p id="Usgojc">What defines a Super Bowl window? Shouldn't we always be in one? If a Super Bowl window means we have the tools NOW, then why is our offense poor?</p>
<p id="OCv2LN">Is a non-SB window, a year when you rebuild? Not sure about all y'all, but to me, our offense sure looks like a rebuild. Not a good one, either.</p>
<p id="Z7nEOC">Our defense is built to be a self-perpetuating machine where we bring in new to learn from the old and slowly the new become the old (experienced), then our defense is always in a SB window. Right?</p>
<p id="wTYeHl">Then what are we doing on offense?! Are we the <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a> from the Manning years, only the flip? Are we going to stay stuck in a defense-only driven team? </p>
<p id="xwdhn4">It seems to me, if we want our offense to resemble our defense, we need old teaching new. In the QB department we don't have that. That's ok, most teams don't. But who is our vet OL guys mentoring? Who is Okung and Stephenson teaching? Ty? Hurt McGovern? Who?</p>
<p id="XWH05L">Who's DT and E mentoring? I don't see any recent draft picks do you? Latimer, Norwood, Fowler and Taylor haven't shown they're the future. Maybe Sunshine, but he's being used oddly.</p>
<p id="1NLOsG">We drafted <span>Jeff Heuerman</span> and he's equal to a rook in playing time and we still don't know what he has. We have two TE’s on the PS. Maybe AJ Derby is the guy Virgil mentors?</p>
<p id="MayxW5">Thank goodness for CJ. Anderson. He's mentored <span>Devontae Booker</span> and Andy Janovich. That's a ray of sunshine.</p>
<p id="WZpzt4">If they don't want to make changes, staying with QB T who's the "safe" pick, is that who we now are? The team that plays safe? A <strong>Kicking and Screaming </strong>team...only on defense. On offense, we're the, take a holding call over letting the QB get hit, team.</p>
<p id="kaYhFJ">Not to mention, if he's so safe, why is that he throws dropped INT just about every game? Some multiple times. His completions are down in the 40’s% range. Against Houston, we had a run game and all the starters and still, his completions dropped from the week before. If it was blamed on his arm, shouldn't it now be going back up, not down?</p>
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<blockquote><p id="rhfzx8"><strong>Kubiak: </strong>“I think Trevor’s a battler. He continues to get better every time we go out.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="3DMwlL">No matter who we play, they're going to have good games and bad games and rookie moments. So, instead of building the team NOW, to win from NOW ON, we're playing a game that isn't good and in all likelihood won't even be using this QB next year. Who is QB L learning from him? Someone, tell me.</p>
<p id="YQ60xQ">He's watching a guy who plays safe. Who when pushed to go through his progressions, overlooks open guys. QB T runs the huddle well, but QB L isn't in the huddle. He can listen in, but doing is learning. He's not learning how to watch game film from some guru because Peyton is gone.</p>
<p id="xBIBG5">Speaking of Manning, if they've decided to stay on this path of playing the safe guy, bring Manning in to coach up these QBs. Pay him whatever he wants to watch film with them. To work with the TEs and RBs. Mentor QB L. Heck, bring in Norv Turner. Mike Shannahan. Bill Walsh ;) Anything to help change this offense.</p>
<p id="NCGIHu">Some say, he's not ready. When exactly is a good time to go through growing pains? When we're out of the SB window? When we're in a reboot? When? No matter when, he'll still go through the same growing pains. Who cares if he's not ready now? After the fiasco we saw tonight, it doesn't seem he could do worse.</p>
<blockquote><p id="0c3B55"><strong>Lynch wasn't worse against Atlanta. His completion rate was 65.7. Trevor was 48.7 against the stinking </strong><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders"><strong>Raiders</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p></blockquote>
<p id="MGitHH">Against Atlanta he had no <span>Virgil Green</span>, No Stephenson, no Okung and basically no Gary. Plus the game plan was made for Trevor with no tweaks. And Andy Janovich was used 12 times. Plus, he was stuck with Ty! Remember, the guy all hated? He still did tons better than Trevor against the nasty Raiders. With the same putrid game plan.</p>
<p id="UHIuSk">The team under Trevor has now lost two division games. We still have to play KC twice and the Raiders, again. The NFC Atlanta loss was inconsequential in relation to losing to divisional rivals. </p>
<p id="lSveuI">Wouldn't it have made more sense, ready or not, to give the guy who's supposed to lead the team next year, some experience now? In a clear offense rebuild year?</p>
<p id="AWaIlo">What are we doing? Because if we're building to win from now on, but also in a SB "window" how is that accomplished by rotating QB's, next year? </p>
<p id="jY6AMs">I just don't get it. Unless it's all built on cross your fingers for this week. That's what it feels like. It doesn't feel like we're building an offense for next year, to win from now on. It feels like it did when Osweiler played. It was clearly plain to see he wasn't going to be the franchise QB we'd been dreaming of, so we just sighed. Well, I sighed. Few agreed with me. Most didn't. Quite vocally, too.</p>
<p id="ykYzBs">So, we wasted four years on a QB who lacks IT and now have another who does, too. Look how it's turned out. </p>
<p id="HQKn9g">Yes, my pessimism is deep and Raider dark, but things that are illogical bother me. Playing on luck. Or are we operating under the adage of best laid plans go awry?</p>
<p id="6geoxu">This offense isn't gelling. Maybe that's why the players wanted Siemain the Captain, so he'd step up and lead and mold them together. After nine weeks, it still begs the question, why didn't they let the guy who's supposed to be the future, go ahead and take the reins?</p>
<p id="AXOdBz">Please don't say, it would ruin him. Bad coaches, with bad schemes, ruin QB's. Playing as a rookie, doesn't. Why? Because if you let losing and INTs and NFL pressure mentally collapse you, you don't have IT and you wouldn't make it with anyone. QBing is attitude. Better to see sooner, rather than later, what you have.</p>
<p id="FeIgxd">So, what are we doing? Waiting another year to see? How do the OL, WRs get clicking as one unit, if we're switching again? Year three, fifth QB makes us little better than Cleveland.</p>
<p id="v4ZBKZ">Our game plan is so simple, and yet Lynch can’t run it? If that is true, that our prize draft pick can’t relay these simple plays, then why did they draft him? </p>
<p id="pksxOs">What are we doing? We have the dink and dunk guy, the throw three completions beyond 19 yards guy, the, launch the ball up and hope a WR can twist to catch it, guy, but where's the dual threat guy? Where's the push the ball down the field and make intermediate completions, guy? </p>
<p id="vVyMeA">Who's afraid of Trevor? His Hannibal Lector self, Belichick, gave up Jamie Collins. If he thinks we had a QB who could do anything to his defense, would he do that now? He waited until he knew Siemain was no threat, with his legs or arm.</p>
<p id="FDqqWX">Blame play calling which is a big factor, or drops (below the league average), blame the OL, but when you are throwing 91 times to one area of the field with a completion of 73%, compared to the other <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> at 85 tries for 57%, defenses are going to figure you out.</p>
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<blockquote><p id="MVi1kg">“I feel really good about what Trevor’s doing....He’s going some good things, but like all of us, we’re looking to be more consistent.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="ruNUPt">What are we doing? This isn't me trying to change anyone's minds. This isn't about Trevor OR Lynch, the people. This isn't personal. I don't know either of these guys. Both of them are Floridians and from down the road from me. Which in the south, means within a couple hours. This is about our future, our goal, our plan.</p>
<p id="FSONEQ">Here we are, nine games in and we look as bad as last year. Worse, actually. </p>
<ul>
<li id="bMAwqk"><strong>Pass = 25th (14th, 2015) </strong></li>
<li id="lMGElg"><strong>Rush = 23rd (17th, 2015) </strong></li>
<li id="sfjE8F"><strong>Tot = 28th (16th, 2015) </strong></li>
<li id="rfALLW"><strong>PPG = 13th (19th, 2015)</strong></li>
</ul>
<p id="Qv9i8g">I thought that's why we drafted Paxton the Lynch? Wasn't it because we wanted a dual threat guy? Someone who could extend plays with his legs? His arm? Who defenses had to respect? Who played with some grit? Where is that in QB T??</p>
<p id="vKuEWB">In 2014, after the <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Rams</a> game, I was so furious. I made a picture of Manning sitting in defeat with time still in the first freaking half and blasted him. Elway, Fox, the Captains. I said what kind of team lacks fire and passion? Who gives up? I said more, but you get the picture. I then sent it to Elway and every single PR person with the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a>. I sent it to every blog. </p>
<p id="LLLsWr">So, don't think this is some anti-QB T narrative. It's an anti-fire extinguisher rant. Give us a pulse. I don't know why we're all supposed to sit back and say, thank you, give us more? I'm sick of babying my words. </p>
<p id="IZdg5n">I know, trust in Gary. It doesn't matter what I (or others) think or want. But, as a fan who's followed this team through a whole lot of bad QBs, spent thousands of dollars, cried over and felt like I died over, this team, I would really like to know, what's the Plan?</p>
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<p id="V80c3G">Right now, the plan sure looks like, play the QB I can go off my play sheet and not change anything, plan. The, stick with QB T until we lose a few times, plan. The crying and whimpering, plan. Sigh. The dink and dunk, plan. Only there's no dink.</p>
<p id="BEt4kP">This plan stinks. To be fair, running out of the EZ every kick/punt is insanity. That's not going to help any QB. Nor is using the same game plan week after week. Rico needs to be relieved of his duties as play caller. He's part of the problem of this offense looking like it has no future, no vision. WCO with no run or a mobile QB is like ordering steak when you have no teeth. Stop it!</p>
<p id="mdTO1n">I know hindsight is 20-20, that we can't look back and only ahead, but that's my point. What exactly are we looking ahead to? Another year of hold on to your seats, quarterbacking? Couldn't it have been done this year? Two years instead of three? </p>
<p id="vHJLzt">What are we doing? Winning by defense. Well, our defense is dropping like flies from spending so much time making up for the offense. </p>
<p id="GoVL23">Winning one sided is like ordering an Oreo and it has no cream in the middle. A burrito that arrives with no spices. Sure, they'll fill your stomach, but are you satisfied? Was that what you were promised? Feels like a bait and switch. Advertise the burrito with steak, chilies and onions and jalapeños and you get plain chicken stuffed in a fat-free tortilla. </p>
<p id="cHquxQ">But, hey, that plain chicken roll up is the safe choice. The no bloat option. Just don't ask to look behind the counter, where that steak filled burrito is just sitting there. We’re told it just need a dash of paprika for color, first. While we starve.</p>
<p id="gQ2KPH">I want to know what are we doing? Is this the future Gary dreamed up? A game plan that only works if it has a fully healthy FB? A plan built on short passes to the left, 73% of the time? Sticking with a QB who, by my account, is not the future? We need Kubiak to tell us something, anything. Tell us: <strong>Where is the Beef</strong>? Please?</p>
<p id="86NfxY"></p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2016/11/9/13529938/wheres-the-beefJulie Dixon2016-11-08T20:59:54-07:002016-11-08T20:59:54-07:00How can the Broncos offense get better?
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<img alt="Denver Broncos v Oakland Raiders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uLF2R0Sj3MlVKpg-Hw2Zr4pdcdc=/0x0:4406x2937/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51745643/621533770.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Gary Kubiak likes to say “we have to get better,” so let’s be part of the solution and help our coach help his offense actually get better.</p> <p id="B8HCnE">It’s not easy being a Broncos fan this week after our Super Bowl-defending champions were a hot mess against hated division rival Raiders on Sunday.</p>
<p id="y2DlOC">If you want to continue debating whether a change in quarterback is a good idea, Eric Goodman and Les Shapiro of the Afternoon Drive debate whether there is any logic in considering Paxton Lynch as a starting quarterback sooner rather than later:</p>
<div id="8sI3qh"><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/292167764&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false"></iframe></div>
<p id="U9QEOw">And if you want to know how Chad Brown feels about the Broncos chances to make the playoffs with the Chiefs and Raiders ahead of them in the division, you can listen here:</p>
<div id="v7DgvD"><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/292160989&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false"></iframe></div>
<p id="yBxc40">But frankly, I’m ready to move on with solutions rather than lob more of the same complaints we all have - the offense needs creative play-calling and the defense needs to vastly improve against the run (which will be helped significantly if not gassed because it is never off the field).</p>
<p id="CEwvN7">It seems clear the Broncos are not making a quarterback change in the near future, so whining or cheering that is neither fun nor productive. But thanks to <a href="http://www.milehighreport.com/2016/11/7/13557920/broncos-need-a-run-run-pass-on-third-down-strategy">some interesting statistics pointed out by FrenchFred</a> and some insightful responses by shasta77, I am pulling one response in particular to the forefront to highlight some explanations/solutions that we can all learn from and discuss:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="dQ4S6k">Trevor Siemian’s current QB ratings picture is similar to the rookie year for the very same Derek Carr that is in the MVP discussion at the half-way point this year.</p>
<p id="XtdeIL">Every month of his rookie season, Carr’s completion percentage went down, and not just a little: 63.2% in September, 58.6% in October, 57.1% in November, bottoming out at 54.5% in December. And it’s a frequent pattern for many (if not most) rookie QBs for two reasons - 1) DC’s have no NFL film on them early, but later on they do, and they adjust their schemes in November/December to take away what was successful in September/October; 2) The rookie wall is not kind to many QBs in the second half of the year. The rigors of preparation alone begin to wear on them, not to mention the differences in the physical toll from what they experienced in college. The up-and-down impact of both of these factors again is perfectly captured by Carr’s QB Rating.</p>
<p id="OaHmTv">...For Trevor there is the ugly absence of a running game to further compound things, particularly in a system that demands a sufficient running attack to create some of the more dynamic options in the passing game. This leaves a rookie QB with little "disguise" in the passing game, and an increasing tendency for DCs to actual make little effort to take a non-existent running game away - giving them increased disguise and coverage flexibility to stop a passing game that is all they are concerned about.</p>
<p id="MgERkW">The nonsense narrative that DCs are "loading the box" to stop our running game is completely false. Oakland was so convinced that Denver would come out throwing that they had only six in the box for most of the game, including every play on Denver’s first four possessions. And that approach is making the windows for success in the passing game ever smaller for any QB, but even more so for a rookie.</p>
</blockquote>
<aside id="FsOaSJ"><q>FrenchFred’s idea of "run, run, pass" is exactly the flipping of the "playsheet" that would force teams to honor the potential for a consistent running attack (much like the Texans had to) and open up the potential for success throwing the ball. </q></aside>
<blockquote>
<p id="5kPzr6">As a result Siemian would be throwing to receivers who weren’t briefly open but actually open by several yards or more, the natural result of giving the safeties and linebackers a post-snap worry that it might be a running play instead of a pass. That hesitation is the difference between completed passes with YAC potential and big gains, or an INT/deflected or incomplete pass in traffic/receiver getting crushed immediately after the catch.</p>
</blockquote>
<aside id="RQxLKK"><q>So, yes, run the damn ball a lot. </q></aside>
<blockquote>
<p id="3uXYZT">And run it inside, outside, Power, ZBS, counters, traps, reverses/Jet Sweeps, toss sweeps, crack sweeps, G-leads, the whole shooting match (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.milehighreport.com/2016/10/24/13383892/breaking-down-the-denver-broncos-horrendous-play-calling-so-far-this-season">many of which I've described here</a>). Screens and swing passes, too, as they are an extension of the running game in this offense.</p>
<p id="ocG0Xo">Make the defenses pay for leaving six in the box. All of it will help Siemian ride out the rookie wall and DC adjustments, while finally giving him more options in the passing game than throwing short into traffic, deep for a barely open receiver, or throwing it away to protect the ball.</p>
</blockquote>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2016/11/8/13558486/how-can-the-broncos-offense-get-betterLaurie Lattimore-Volkmannshasta77FrenchFred2016-11-08T11:00:03-07:002016-11-08T11:00:03-07:00Week 9 AFC West Review
<figure>
<img alt="Denver Broncos v Oakland Raiders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZjriopGz68Pc8uCPEhUMoZ54aXc=/0x0:4537x3025/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51736063/621534846.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>One team falls, 3 Rise (someone hand me my blankie).</p> <p id="P8FcDx">This was a weekend blur of bad and more bad as we were the only AFC West team to lose... and we lose to the stinkin’ <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a>.</p>
<div id="2jqwJl"><table>
<thead><tr>
<th>TEAM</th>
<th>W</th>
<th>L</th>
<th>PCT</th>
<th>PF</th>
<th>PA</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Okaland</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>0.778</td>
<td>245</td>
<td>223</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kansas City</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>0.75</td>
<td>185</td>
<td>151</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Denver</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>0.667</td>
<td>214</td>
<td>166</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>San Diego</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>0.444</td>
<td>268</td>
<td>247</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<h3 id="Jlp7iw">Jacksonville @ Kansas City 14-19</h3>
<p id="5tU9Yb">The KC <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a> won in a game so bad, they needed the refs to win it for them. The team that played, not only didn't look good, if they go to the POs, it'll because <span>Alex Smith</span> saves them.</p>
<p id="J9Ers4">I won't say much about their offense since <span>Alex Smith</span> wasn't playing, and a couple players were out. They were without their LG, 2 RBs, their WR and TE Kelce was ejected from the game. Their defense is the real story. Good Lord. </p>
<p id="JNKTYe"><span>Blake Bortles</span> actually showed up to play. His mechanics were all over the place, his receivers dropped passes after passes and they had four turnovers, yet they still scored 14. They also exposed some flaws in KC’s defense. Something worth paying attention to. <span>Chris Ivory</span> and their WRs were getting open time after time. Bortles was able to run free almost any time he wanted.</p>
<p id="LVoE71">On one play, Foles was intercepted, but as soon as he caught it, he was hit by his own teammate saving KS from a loss. Later, the Jags scored on a TD, but like so much reffing this year, a bad call said Ivory lost the ball before it crossed the line. Replay showed this to be false and that no ref had a clear view. </p>
<p id="1CmKl2">This gift wrapped a win to a team that didn't earn it.</p>
<p id="Qm9kD8">Kielce got ejected for going off on the refs, which on par for a game that was an insult to watch.</p>
<p id="7r3fe3">Next up, a trip to Carolina CBS 1:00</p>
<h3 id="TwOstY">San Diego @ Tennessee 43-35</h3>
<p id="uNQ373">Good thing for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">Chargers</a> that <span>Marcus Mariota</span> is a take two steps forward, take one back, QB. If not for that, San Diego would've lost.</p>
<p id="AdKlLN"><span>Mariota</span> threw three TDs, but also turned it over by a fumble for a pick six, an INT for a pick six and an INT. Is that a record for a QB? The only thing missing was him running in a TD. Oh, wait. He did that, too. </p>
<p id="v5QCpI">And after giving them two scores, it was still a close game. The difference between a win and a loss was Melvin Gordon. This cat should be in the MVP talk, at the very least OPTY. The people who have scored more than him are nine kickers. He rushed for 195 yards. </p>
<p id="cmy24t">While the <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Titans</a> couldn't stop the run, they couldn't run it, either. Kind of like us. Even so, the Chargers needed those two scoring turnovers to win. Better to be lucky than good.</p>
<p id="1eN6IW">Injuries: <span>Orlando Franklin</span>, concussion </p>
<p id="Vh2bPu">Miami travels to San Diego CBS 4:05</p>
<h3 id="oYempq">Denver @ Oakland 20-30</h3>
<p id="qdf9q4">Brandon McMoney was great. TJ Ward played his guts out. Um, um...oh, our OL can run fast! Well, fast in relation to a NT. </p>
<p id="dAm3YS">On a lucky dump off that had <span>Kapri Bibbs</span> looking like an old school video game hero avoiding a slow moving monster, we saw our big boys run. The whole play was kind of hilarious with so much galloping beef. Made me think of a bull run when you're “behind” it. That was a lot of moving parts. At one point, when they all kind of converged on little Emmanueal Sanders, I was afraid he'd be trampled and all we'd see would be his cleats sticking up. Luckily, Kapri juked and the herd missed him. TD and a pancaked E, avoided.</p>
<p id="A9uQCC">Unlike the rest of this game, it was far from hilarious. It was a funeral procession in a graveyard of horrors and the grim reaper was Jack, I now hate your maggot guts, Del Rio. Fitting the guests were already dressed for the occasion. </p>
<p id="FzWuDl">Instead of handing out game balls, sickles should be given. This was such an awful game, I can't really think who was the worst. <span>Bradley Roby</span>? Don Stephenson? <span>Trevor Siemian</span>? Rick Dennison? <span>Jared Crick</span>? Joe DiCamillis for allowing run backs? <span>Gary Kubiak</span> for not making any changes to this offense? </p>
<p id="KvsWwL">All of the above. To add insult to injury, we lost <span>Derek Wolfe</span> for a week to a month. <span>Brandon Marshall</span> needed medical attention and the entire team had bruised and broken egos. This team needs an ER trip and a blood transfusion before it heads to the city of voodoo. </p>
<p id="JNPPJp">Injury: Derek Wolfe, elbow</p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2016/11/8/13558616/afc-west-review-week-9Julie Dixon2016-11-08T09:30:03-07:002016-11-08T09:30:03-07:00Broncos at Raiders: The No Bull Review
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/F3vg_kcPmGo0w3yQw-De9hD0HGs=/0x630:3456x2934/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51732483/usa_today_9660730.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Denver got smoked on Sunday night at Oakland. Here are my thoughts, opinions, and analysis on the game.</p> <p id="YCkSGW">You know how many of us that talk football like to say, “The score doesn’t reflect how bad team <em>x</em> got beat.” Yeah, that’s the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> on Sunday.</p>
<p id="xw6cIN">Broncos Country, if you have a weak constitution, please just close the tab right now because you aren’t going to like my next paragraph.</p>
<p id="LaHqHL">The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> in all ways looked like a far more complete team than the Denver Broncos on Sunday. They had a potent running game that offensively wore our team out. They had a sound defense that played well and made our offense look the worst it has looked all season long. Their Special Teams were even far superior winning field position with punts and covering well in the return game. My hats off to the Oakland Raiders...I’m a Bronco fan and as such I friggin hate their team, but you have to give credit where it is due.</p>
<p id="oYEjSQ">Now that that ugliness is over with, let’s dig into the Broncos and see how much more ugly things can get. There’s a theme in this No Bull Review this week and it can be summed up in one word: exposed.</p>
<h1 id="SCYtaF">Offense</h1>
<p id="nSPHWy">Let’s start with the biggest elephant in the room: our play calling is stale, weak, and impotent. The offense still hasn’t learned anything about getting a run game going as they came out throwing 3 straight times to start the game. In the first 3 drives we went 3 and out running the ball twice for a whopping 5 yards on the ground.</p>
<p id="BHJ1Pv">Our 3rd down play calling was still head scratching at times. On a 3rd and 1 with a gap in front of the center, we pass the ball instead of sneaking for the easy 1st down. On 3rd and 4 we ran a play designed to pass the ball 1 yard behind 2 other receiving options and it failed horribly.</p>
<p id="yyJuM7">Kubiak again was quoted in his press conference saying some nonsense about “...we’ve got to find a way to run the football somehow some way to help our football team…” Well, Kubiak, maybe if you called more run plays the team would have better luck with that. </p>
<h2 id="5sjORc">Quarterbacks</h2>
<p id="5YJhwF"><span>Trevor Siemian</span> is looking worse by the week. Maybe he’s going through a rough patch as a young quarterback in a junky offensive system. I’m still sticking with my assessment from last week though: the guy isn’t anything special at QB.</p>
<p id="bCZfxU">It isn’t all negative from me with him: he had a great bootleg adjustment to throw the deep TD pass with a guy in his face. I just wish we could see more of that from our offense.</p>
<p id="VB8HRt">Let me give you all one key I’m seeing from him that is helping me get more down about his potential as the weeks go by. In the 2nd half, deep in his own territory on 1st down, he watches Sanders through his whole route and throws into double coverage. Why is this such a problem? Because not only is he staring down his option...he’s choosing to throw into a guy who is blanketed in every way. This just isn’t sound play from a QB. Sure, guys do this from time to time, but it is a constant. He looks like this on at least one play per game.</p>
<p id="5B03fv">Here’s the other thing he’s lacking: fire. I really like how unflappable he is, but sadly, there’s just no leadership fire coming off of him at all. Sure, that could be because he is young, but I don’t think that’s the case. Tebow was young too and even though he was a joke as far as being a NFL passer, he got the offense fired up to win in a big way when we were in holes at the end of games.</p>
<h2 id="u15mGg">Line</h2>
<p id="3xxXxo">Overall the line looked fairly terrible at run blocking and average at pass protection. As the game wore on and the score got lop-sided the pass rushing started working more situationally for Oakland (much like what we like to see from our defense). They gave up 2 sacks and 5 quarterback hits. This far into the season I would have hoped for more.</p>
<p id="lJQGPB">It is worth noting that the tackles <span>Donald Stephenson</span> and Russel O’kung had bad games for the 2nd straight week.</p>
<h2 id="bt7N03">Running Backs</h2>
<p id="xzyHWv">Neither Bibbs, nor Booker really wowed in this game as far as running the ball. That doesn’t really say much when the coaches abandoned the run game yet again. We ran 12 times and passed 37 times in case anyone missed it. When the pass run ratio gets this imbalanced, I have a very hard time knocking the RBs as they just aren’t getting the chance to get into a rhythm.</p>
<p id="qyykBj"><span>Kapri Bibbs</span> did raise my eyebrows with his amazing screen play. He was so good using blocks and being patient on the long run to score the ball. Sure, it was one play, but a guy showing that kind of skill in space deserves to get more shots to see if he can make it happen more. Hopefully our coaches noticed this too and will see if he’s got more of this kind of work to put out there against the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">Saints</a>.</p>
<h2 id="pfOstB">Receivers</h2>
<p id="nKiesc">The receivers for Denver need to take their lumps as well on this game. There were several drops where <span>Siemian</span> is actually throwing a good pass that is catchable (and oftentimes hitting them in the hands) and the passes get dropped.</p>
<p id="TreeRh"><span>Virgil Green</span> for instance had a terrible drop on 3rd and 12 that hits him right in the numbers. In positive news for him, he did fit in his 1 really nice route downfield for a big gain...too bad we only attempt that kind of TE route once per game on average.</p>
<p id="LcDDT1"><span>Demaryius Thomas</span> ran a weak sauce route running on a 3rd and 5. He got both out maneuvered and overpowered. He did have a great catch at the sidelines in the 2nd quarter as he adjusted to the outside throw. Later on a 3rd and 1 crossing route he lets the ball whip right through his literal hands. Yes, the ball there was low, but I expect a #1 NFL WR to catch it when it hits them in the hands.</p>
<p id="Jdqk7C">I don’t know for sure what to make of it, but I thought I’d point out this: <span>Emmanuel Sanders</span> is getting paid ~$6.2 M and Demaryius Thomas is getting paid ~$15.2 M for a total of ~$21.4 M this season. In this game we targeted them 21 times for 10 catches, 103 yards, and 0 TDs. Bad throws? Not enough effort? Poor offensive system? I’ve got lots of ideas on what the cause here is, but I’m having trouble putting my finger on any one thing. Maybe hit the comments up and let me know your thoughts on this one.</p>
<h1 id="sNecdK">Defense</h1>
<p id="Gw4VuB">We’ve been noting for most of the season that this defense has a weakness up front in stopping the run. This is the game where that weakness got straight up exploited. Also, as heroic as our defense is, they spent ⅔ of the game on the field which ended up tiring them out and looking like something you’d see from the <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a> defensively.</p>
<h2 id="Y47Uid">Front 7</h2>
<p id="P7xrNy"><span>Jared Crick</span> still getting washed out in run defense consistently. This is a very big problem and you could do a clinic on the video replay of the Raiders running at the gap between him and Sylvester Williams. Our guys weren’t even holding their ground...they were getting owned on a consistent basis.</p>
<p id="dYnuEq">What many of us don’t understand is why the defense isn’t rotating <span>Billy Winn</span> in so he can shore up the play up front. He’s a great run defender (and somewhat poor pass rusher). I would think as agile as Wade Philips’ defense is, he could figure out something better than what we saw from Crick who got 94% of the defensive snaps.</p>
<p id="9cIuov"><span>Brandon Marshall</span> played his tail off in this game with a bum hamstring. The guy has a ton of heart and talent. He had some of the most superb coverage against a TE I’ve seen from our LBs tipping a TD pass away. He also had another great stop out in the flat in the 2nd quarter out in space. The problem we have is that we don’t have a clone of him to help out and the closest thing we had to that last year signed with the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Bears</a>.</p>
<p id="so1cug">I remember clamoring for <span>Zaire Anderson</span> to replace <span>Todd Davis</span> earlier this season...I take that back. He looked pathetic in coverage giving up a big pass and never really being at any point in a spot where he had a chance.</p>
<h2 id="mTPcfc">Secondary</h2>
<p id="h1oJJR"><span>Bradley Roby</span> got straight up picked on, beat like a drum, and his damn lunch money stolen. I had so many notes on plays he gave up. The guy led the team in tackles. Our cornerback. Ladies and gentlemen, that is not a good thing. That is a very bad thing. You could cut up his play in this game and give a clinic on how to beat every type of man coverage as a WR. His coverage was weak, his tackling was weak, and he looked like a sorry excuse for a starting corner. That’s pretty heavy handed of me to say, and it is worth noting that the WRs of the Raiders are very talented. Their QB doesn’t suck eggs either. Still, this is the NFL and if you get picked on like this it is because you aren’t playing well at all.</p>
<p id="TkDlWX">One thing I will note here: the refs were consistently ticky-tack with their calls. Yes, several of them were fair to call, but there were a good number that weren’t what you’d see called in a normal NFL game. It was driving several of our guys in the secondary crazy as it seemed like they couldn’t even try to cover guys without getting a flag. </p>
<h1 id="Y1Zhdg">Special Teams</h1>
<p id="RKoMJC">Kubiak tried to say that Kapri Bibbs running out the kickoffs was part of some sort of plan. Okay...tell Joe DeCamillis that his plans sucks and it needs to change yesterday. Our guys are catching kicks 2-5 yards deep in the end zone and just throwing away about 10 yards in field position each time they do. KNEEL THE BALL.</p>
<p id="Hojrn1"><span>Brandon McManus</span> nailed not one, but two 55 yard FGs to end the first half (due to Oakland icing him with a timeout). If there was one positive to take away from this game it was seeing him hitting some monster field goals.</p>
<h1 id="qCwE9A">Final Thoughts</h1>
<p id="UUXT2g">I know that part of the negativity we’re all having is because our team just lost in a bad way. It was pretty darn poor. Part of me wants to sip some kool-aid and rally the troops. For some reason, I’m not feeling it though. </p>
<p id="xupTXh">Why? Because our offense is who it is. We are a dumpster fire of an excuse for an actual NFL offense. We aren’t below average...we are terrible and it is catching up to us. If this offense doesn’t do something big to adjust in the next few weeks, we will be in very big trouble. We can’t keep giving up early leads to teams, leading the league in 3 and outs, and trying to air it out with a back-up quality quarterback. It isn’t working. It hasn’t worked at all this season other than when a defense went cover-1 consistently with 7-8 in the box daring us to throw go routes (Cinci in case you were wondering).</p>
<p id="AEqgLA">The woes we have at offense are wearing on our defense as well. It isn’t fair to them at all to have to be on the field that much and somehow find a way to win.</p>
<p id="JIDd8P">Also, injuries are catching up to our teams...I would say the loss of C.J. <span>Anderson</span>, <span>Aqib Talib</span>, <span>Derek Wolfe</span>, and others over this season are pretty significant.</p>
<p id="pbBi8Y">This is the point in the season where your team needs to dig deep. It is also the point in the season where if something isn’t working, your coaches owe it to the team to make an adjustment. Here’s what I’d like to see in order of preference:</p>
<ol>
<li id="wvRE9m">Get a FB in (<span>Juwan Thompson</span> if <span>Andy Janovich</span> isn’t ready) and put an emphasis on running the ball creatively (not just inside zone plays which constantly suck)</li>
<li id="cC5BFc">Scrap whoever or whatever is driving the game plans that start the game and let someone fresh design it</li>
<li id="cdoW2o">Switch QBs and see if it can spark the passing game</li>
</ol>
<p id="jft88F">What do you guys think? Hit up the comments and let us know your thoughts on what to do in order to get the offense to improve. Also, get active in rec’ing the comments you agree with. I’m curious to see which way the MHR community leans on this issue.</p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2016/11/8/13560082/broncos-raiders-the-no-bull-reviewsadaraine2016-11-08T07:00:07-07:002016-11-08T07:00:07-07:00Who was calling the plays on Sunday night?
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jKhifolr1Wk4uBGDqkbepYM-90Q=/0x0:5184x3456/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51727745/usa_today_9660696.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Afternoon Drive had some questions about the play calling in the Denver Broncos debacle in Oakland on Sunday night. Les even got shot down by Gary Kubiak at one point.</p> <p id="92KrQs"><a href="http://milehighsports.com/afternoon-drive-with-eric-goodman/" target="_blank">Eric Goodman and Les Shapiro of The Afternoon Drive</a> were just as perplexed as most of the members of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> Country on Sunday regarding the play calling. Four 3 and outs to start the game, and a lopsided time of possession stat will do that. Les noticed something, and it begs a question.</p>
<p id="bDBPLW">Who is in charge of the play calling in Denver right now. Rick Dennison has become the ire of so many. What is his job, exactly? However, Shapiro heard Sean Salisbury (former NFL QB, ESPN talking head, current radio host in Texas) mention that he thought <span>Kubiak</span> was not the one with play calling duties at different times in the game. Maybe we are missing something here.</p>
<p id="QfWBL6">Who was in charge of calling the plays? Was that really what was to blame in the game on Sunday Night Football? Kubiak dismissed the notion that he was not calling the plays. Maybe he should have. The offensive game plan was so bad, why would he want to be associated with it?</p>
<p id="LEbaBL">The Broncos have slipped to third in the AFC West. This is a rather unusual position to be in for Denver fans. With the play of the offensive line incredibly shaky, and the defense wearing down from overuse, what can be expected in the next few weeks? Is anybody else here helplessly waiting for the bye, hoping that things can’t get any worse?</p>
<h3>Bonus Listen</h3>
<p id="FpOsAx">Mike Pritchard joins The Afternoon Drive to discuss the Broncos garbage fire.</p>
<div id="SvISsR"><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/291991919&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false"></iframe></div>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2016/11/8/13559434/who-was-calling-the-plays-on-sunday-nightAdam Malnati2016-11-07T11:40:27-07:002016-11-07T11:40:27-07:00Broncos fail to plan for Raiders attack
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4JjhDH3gktfVgVYN0RMNyGq0lqs=/0x0:3560x2373/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51720135/usa_today_9660376.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>And Sunday night was the result.</p> <p id="V1ynfh">Losing a game after playing well is disappointing and soul-crushing.</p>
<p id="AtR5BQ">Losing a game because there was never a plan to win is therapy-inducing.</p>
<p id="qG1UXt">ICYMI: Broncos were the latter yesterday in a 30-20 thrashing in the Black Hole (and I cannot tell you how painful that is to write).</p>
<p id="AxcRCQ">The Broncos did not lose to the Oakland Raiders because they were <em>obviously</em> less-talented heading into the game.</p>
<aside id="vrwCJv"><q>They lost because they were <em>obviously</em> out-coached before the game started (which is equally painful to write given that a former Broncos’ defensive coordinator is responsible for this Raiders resurgence).</q></aside>
<p id="i9riuJ">Among other things, this week’s coaching in Dove Valley apparently didn’t include instructions for staying in the end zone on kickoffs even though statistics show the Broncos have given back a bazillion yards by starting drives way behind the 25.</p>
<p id="zEBYPS">And by a bazillion, I mean 40 yards lost (aka, way more than should have ever occurred).</p>
<p id="cjePdh">MHR’s Joe Mahoney reports that Broncos have returned 13 kickoffs this year but only three had to be returned because the ball did not reach the end zone. And on those 13, Broncos have only started one drive beyond the 25 (against the Bengals when Cody Latimer took one out 46 yards).</p>
<p id="xy3qmp">So there has never been a plan to just take the touchback and keep the better starting field position.</p>
<div id="EbVSMg">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Average drive-start position:<br><br>Oakland -- at its 35.<br><br>Denver -- at its 17.</p>
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaseDenver/status/795472454009270272">November 7, 2016</a>
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<p id="auVH29">This week’s coaching also didn’t include looking at the numbers and noticing that prior to Sunday night the Raiders had the 29<sup>th</sup>-ranked defense against the run and 28<sup>th</sup> against the pass – 31<sup>st</sup> overall in defensive rank.</p>
<p id="nBGMgH">It should have been the chance of a lifetime for this Broncos’ offense to establish a running game, even with backups Devontae Booker and Kapri Bibbs taking the lead.</p>
<p id="CGiCGk">But there was no plan for that. Instead:</p>
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<p id="rcrcTz"><strong>Drive one</strong> – starting from the Broncos’ 14 – went three-and-out in 23 seconds on three dropped passes.</p>
<p id="MGZd5d"><strong>Drive two</strong>: three-and-out again on two dropped passes and one attempt at a run – 57 seconds total.</p>
<p id="fk17V1"><strong>Drive three</strong>: run, incomplete pass, four-yard pass on 3<sup>rd</sup>-and-7 – 1:01 time of possession.</p>
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<div id="wy9Tgi">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Officiating highly suspect tonight...but not the reason <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Broncos?src=hash">#Broncos</a> are losing.<br><br>This is why (mostly TOP): <a href="https://t.co/MwJL7uIuk5">pic.twitter.com/MwJL7uIuk5</a></p>
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/MileHighReport/status/795485995655372800">November 7, 2016</a>
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<p id="gbZ5uZ">By the end of the first quarter, the Broncos’ offense had been on the field for two minutes and 11 seconds.</p>
<p id="iPZaEn"><em>TWO MINUTES! (a</em>nd we wondered why the defense gave up 200-plus yards rushing in the game?)</p>
<p id="c0LWZg">Because when the Broncos planned to throw the ball eight out of nine times to open the game, the only thing they were planning for was to put their defense on the field all night.</p>
<p id="AAjbXg">And as much as this Broncos defense has saved its offense for one-and-a-half seasons, a two-to-one time of possession will break down even the best.</p>
<p id="F4Jpbe">Sunday night = exhibit A.</p>
<p id="fkbocq">Comments from both teams after the game said it all – the Raiders prepared for what they knew the Broncos’ offense and defense would do; the Broncos prepared to "play hard" (because, you know, <em>playing hard</em> always wins games).</p>
<aside id="J5Z6Kj"><q>"All the defensive coaches prepared us well. We knew they would stretch, run boot legs, and all those different things they would use to help their quarterback gain confidence. We just tried to put a little pressure on them." - Raiders’ Khalil Mack, who had two sacks, including a strip sack and fumble recovery, on Trevor Siemian.</q></aside>
<p id="xw3qXE">On the other side of the ball, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was stymied but not stopped by the No Fly Zone, and Carr smartly stayed away from Chris Harris Jr. while going after Bradley Roby, Lorenzo Doss and Taurean Nixon all night – all three of whom drew pass interference calls trying to cover.</p>
<p id="VKBcW3">Carr and the Raiders offense also attacked from the ground early and often. Unlike Denver, Oakland kept running the ball, and even as the Broncos D held the Raiders to field goals early on, the damage was being done and would unravel in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p id="lisDzn">"We wanted to run the ball coming in," said running back Latavius Murray who contributed 114 of the Raiders’ 218 rushing yards. "We knew they had given up a lot of rushing yards, so we knew we had to run the ball to go out there and be successful and we were able to do that really well."</p>
<p id="fXOb4c">Yes. Yes, they were.</p>
<p id="6tU12f">Per Andrew Mason, Raiders’ 218 yards rushing were the most allowed by the Broncos in 75 games. The last big one was against the Patriots in 2012 when New England rushed for 251 yards.</p>
<div id="3noJpT">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">First half stats - Siemian 10/20, 122 yards, 1 TD; Carr, 12/20, 122 yards. Difference is run game - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Broncos?src=hash">#Broncos</a> 23 rushing yards, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Raiders?src=hash">#Raiders</a> 124.</p>
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/MileHighReport/status/795464596295401472">November 7, 2016</a>
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<p id="A8NQGq">Gary Kubiak contended his team "had enough juice" and was ready to play but didn’t get off to a good start – and then things went from bad to worse on offense, defense <em>and</em> special teams.</p>
<p id="TYJ0vF">"We lost the field position battle all night long. Offensively we got off to a horrible start, four three-and-outs. Defensively we started off playing good…then we gave up 220-plus yards rushing," the coach said. "That’s a team not playing good enough to win. That’s what I just told the players. We’ve got to improve, get back to work."</p>
<p id="V0QJg3">Brandon Marshall and Von Miller acknowledged after the game that they already practice hard.</p>
<p id="IA1cpU">"We’ve got to watch the film, get back to the lab like we always do and just lean on our guys," Miller said. "I love all these guys. I win with them, and I’m going to lose with them too. That’s what I’ve got to offer right now – love and hard work. I point a finger at myself to work even harder. I already work hard, but it’s another level I feel I could take it to – not for me but for my teammates."</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Let's start counting holds on Von for fun. I'm at 3 in this drive.</p>
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/MileHighReport/status/795466728008544256">November 7, 2016</a>
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<p id="EfGw0t">Marshall thought maybe better intention in practice could help.</p>
<p id="bTd9Ah">"We’ve got to just get back to the drawing board man and you know fight and just practice harder," Marshall said. "I think we practice hard, but it’s just not translating."</p>
<p id="AtryHv">True enough.</p>
<p id="QTQ2Zb">The run defense was exposed hard. Losing Derek Wolfe and Brandon Marshall to injury later in the game didn’t help, but the Raiders were beating up on the Broncos long before that.</p>
<p id="wiAF4Y">The depth of the secondary was clearly not as good as thought when facing a quarterback-receiver duo that could rightfully argue it is elite, rather than just good (as claimed by T.J. Ward last week). The pass rush still did its thing pressuring Carr despite no-call after no-call on holding against Miller.</p>
<p id="kOqxyG">"I think when you look at the plays where there was so many missed tackles, maybe some missed assignments that we had, and the yards after the catch," said DeMarcus Ware. "Those were really big, so we need to make sure that we go back to the fundamentals of football, and work on those things in practice."</p>
<aside id="GDqNpd"><q>"I tell the guys to keep your poise. It is not the end of the season. The championship isn’t won yet. We have to improve from this game because there were a lot of mistakes made, and get ready for next week." - DeMarcus Ware</q></aside>
<p id="nBg66Y">But in the end, it still comes down to the offense not executing, though there were a few impressive highlights - Brandon McManus’ 55-yard field goal (twice), Jordan Norwood’s touchdown catch, Kapri Bibbs’ 69-yard touchdown off a short pass, Siemian’s 26-yard beauty to Virgil Green.</p>
<p id="5PphaC">Siemian had a few very good passes and several bad ones. Some were drops to be blamed on the receivers and some were just too short to matter. But in the end, much of the struggle can be pinned on the lack of a running game.</p>
<p id="yjQAly">"Yeah, it’s tough being in a hole like that. Four three-and-outs…that’s not good for the whole football team," said Siemian, adding that it was tough to get into offensive rhythm. "Whatever you’ve got to do – claw, scratch, fight – just find a way to get a first down, stay on the field, and hopefully get a little rhythm going."</p>
<div id="ZA1IKE">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Our biggest thing is just staying on the field." - <a href="https://twitter.com/TrevorSiemian">@TrevorSiemian</a> on offensive problems versus Raiders.<br><br>No kidding.</p>
— L.Lattimore-Volkmann (@docllv) <a href="https://twitter.com/docllv/status/795499354492649476">November 7, 2016</a>
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<p id="hdDGm5">Kubiak believes Siemian "is a battler" and is improving each week. The coach argued that throwing the ball 33 times (versus 12 rushing plays) is tough on everyone – from the quarterback to the offensive line.</p>
<p id="KX2Tev">"We’re getting into a brand of football that’s throw, throw, throw – hell it’s not even fair to [the line]," Kubiak noted. "We’ve got to find a way to run the ball some how some way to help our football team. Obviously the last two weeks it has been pretty non-existent It’s been tough."</p>
<p id="ammftG">You know why that is, coach?</p>
<p id="kFO9vy">Because if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.</p>
<p id="QEN8ZQ"> </p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2016/11/7/13552530/broncos-fail-to-plan-for-raiders-attackLaurie Lattimore-Volkmann2016-11-07T10:36:48-07:002016-11-07T10:36:48-07:00Are the Broncos the Titanic of the NFL?
<figure>
<img alt="Denver Broncos v Oakland Raiders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZgDh8B_yabntbfIHYHng0XBKZ9s=/0x4:2842x1899/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51718745/621542278.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The playoff shoreline is swiftly fading into the night. Who, other than the defense, will pick up a bucket?</p> <p id="ygmqUa">Like the iconic Titanic, expectations were high for the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> this season. Some fans thought with its historic defense, that it was an indestructible force no matter how much the offense floundered. </p>
<p id="IzyGHq">But this team has had leaks since training camp that continue to widen. And it’s becoming increasingly clear that the coaching staff never repaired them. On Sunday Night Football, one has to wonder if the Broncos finally hit the iceberg. </p>
<p id="gMIpL7">With the Broncos getting manhandled by their hated rival, they sink to third place in the AFC West. </p>
<p id="x3BbzL">Leave it to Denver: When it gets totally embarrassed, it makes sure it happens on national TV. The first happened against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a>. </p>
<p id="XehE9L">Now with the toughest remaining schedule in the NFL, it’s hard to feel hopeful that this ship will stay afloat. Next up is <span>Drew Brees</span> and the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a>. Does anyone actually, truly, believe this putrid, “meh” Broncos offense can keep pace with that high-scoring machine? </p>
<p id="d7yLv3">By now, the realization has surely hit players, coaches and fans that it’s far more likely Denver misses the playoffs than repeats as <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> champions. Especially as those gaping holes in the offense continue to go unplugged.</p>
<div id="2CrMOA">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Win as a team, lose as a team.<br><br>We've got to get better across the board.<br><br> » <a href="https://t.co/FK4kiIXuUO">https://t.co/FK4kiIXuUO</a> <a href="https://t.co/iyMIKyct61">pic.twitter.com/iyMIKyct61</a></p>— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) <a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/795667778984407040">November 7, 2016</a>
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<p id="iNpUyy">I get it. There are those in Broncos Country who live in Lego Land where “Everything is awesome.” </p>
<p id="I0Ptus">“It’s a long season and there’s a lot of football left.”</p>
<p id="0qaGHh">No matter how good Denver’s defense is – and it’s really, really good – there’s only so much water it can throw overboard by itself. It needs help. In those two losses on national TV, it got none. Yet the only reason either game was close was because of the defense. </p>
<p id="ICUD8m">For those who reference the 218 yards rushing the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a> compiled as a sign this defense failed, take a look at the time of possession. The Broncos defense was on the field for OVER 40 minutes. On what planet can any defense have sustained success when it’s on the field for more than half of the game? Yet despite that, the defense somehow kept Sunday’s game close and the offense still couldn’t do anything save for another three-and-out … or turnover.</p>
<p id="h9NRTu">Heck, the only reason Denver beat the Chargers at home is because of the three interceptions off <span>Philip Rivers</span>, one for a pick-six, and it still almost blew it. If not for those turnovers, the Broncos lose that game as well.</p>
<div id="X7hZqX">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/JrodVCrick">@JrodVCrick</a>'s mood after <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DENvsOAK?src=hash">#DENvsOAK</a>? <br><br>You can probably imagine.<br><br> » <a href="https://t.co/IRtqjZyUgj">https://t.co/IRtqjZyUgj</a> <a href="https://t.co/zlcBW7k1vt">pic.twitter.com/zlcBW7k1vt</a></p>— Broncos TV (@BroncosTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/BroncosTV/status/795523696286986240">November 7, 2016</a>
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<p id="75x2ou">It’s been said by some since before training camp, and it’s showing it’s ugly head right now: It doesn’t matter how good Denver’s defense is, it needs help from the offense. You simply cannot rely on what happened a season ago to get you through again.</p>
<p id="5El3ig">Instead, the Broncos have an offense that rivals <span>Tim Tebow</span> for putridness. There is one big difference though – at least he was mobile. </p>
<p id="Re9TRX">You have an offensive coordinator who … does what exactly?</p>
<p id="2g7FTN">What the Broncos have is a head coach who looks like he’s taking on water and doesn’t have enough buckets to save his sinking ship. The leak started before the voyage even began when he botched the quarterback situation in training camp. And it widens even more when he skirts around the bigger problem by saying Denver needs to run the ball but doesn’t. </p>
<p id="rfhcUK">Much like the Titanic, Denver had massive expectations for this season. The hyperbole was matched only by the sheer level of delusion. </p>
<div id="SrbF2i">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Broncos?src=hash">#Broncos</a> O & <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrevorSiemian?src=hash">#TrevorSiemian</a> are Avg at best. I'll ask, when did Avg become acceptable in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MileHighCity?src=hash">#MileHighCity</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/1RickLewis">@1RickLewis</a>? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheTruth?src=hash">#TheTruth</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeatNO?src=hash">#BeatNO</a></p>— Matt McChesney (@SixZeroStrength) <a href="https://twitter.com/SixZeroStrength/status/795636471420030976">November 7, 2016</a>
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<p id="w2djJk">A ship once deemed “indestructible” is now taking on water at disastrous levels.</p>
<p id="gPJg9F">The playoff shoreline is swiftly fading into the night. Who, other than the defense, will pick up a bucket? If it isn’t already too late.</p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2016/11/7/13552276/could-the-denver-broncos-be-the-titanic-of-the-nfl-this-seasonIan St. Clair