Mile High Report - Chargers 21, Broncos 0: Everything we know about this Week 7 beatdownBy Fans, For Fans....Your Source For Denver Broncos News and Commenthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50905/mhr-fav.png2017-10-28T04:30:01-06:00http://www.milehighreport.com/rss/stream/162660432017-10-28T04:30:01-06:002017-10-28T04:30:01-06:00Mike McCoy: ‘It’s not just one guy, one position. It’s everybody - all 11.’
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<figcaption>Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy says don’t look at Trevor Siemian. Look at every man on the offense as to why the successes aren’t there.</p> <p id="KhtYPL">If you are one calling for the benching of <span>Trevor Siemian</span>, then you just need to stop. The <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> don’t want to hear it. Head coach Vance Joseph reaffirmed <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/10/23/16525678/trevor-siemian-to-remain-the-starter">that Siemian was their guy</a> and, on Friday, offensive coordinator Mike McCoy made sure to point out that the offensive failures are everyone’s fault.</p>
<p id="dUV2Wx">“[<a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Chargers</a> DE <span>Melvin Ingram</span>] Mel got him pretty good on the one”, McCoy said of how the offense can protect Siemian better. “That says a lot about Trev with the toughness and the way he fought through some of those things when you’re getting hit like that. We have to do a better job of protecting him and make good, quick decision with the football to get it out on time. Everyone needs to be held accountable for that. We’re all in that together. It’s not just one guy, one position. It’s everybody—all 11.”</p>
<p id="Z69o4Y">McCoy’s faith in Siemian is unwavering and he is seeing failures across the board that help create a most of the issues the team is having with scoring points. </p>
<p id="bWd1Xi">A lot of people think Siemian holds the ball too long, but he ranks 12th in that mark according to Pro Football Focus. The ball is coming out, but there are many other questions that need to be answered for why a play didn’t work.</p>
<p id="UiSyOC">“It’s different every play,” McCoy said. “I wouldn’t say he’s holding it too long. It’s all different reasons. Is somebody not open? Did he miss a progression? Did somebody miss a block? There are a number of different things for every play. It’s not just the same thing. He might slide in the pocket when he thinks he can go a certain way instead of stepping up. It’s not just one thing. It’s not just one player. It’s all of us. I can do some things better, too. As coaches, we’re going to look at the film first every week at practice and see what we’re doing and how can we change too. It’s not just players. It’s coaches, too. I have to do a better job.”</p>
<aside id="zFP3dU"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Trevor Siemian poised to shred the Kansas City Chiefs defense","url":"https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/10/27/16556120/trevor-siemian-poised-to-shred-chiefs-defense"}]}'></div></aside><p id="lxT8KL">I love the honesty here, but the fan inside of me definitely blurted out, ‘Oh great, so everyone is bad at their jobs? Awesome!’ and quickly turned back on my quasi-professional blogger in me. </p>
<p id="QRzX04">McCoy is right. The failure has been in scheme and execution, although the film shows plenty of missed opportunities for big offensive plays. The failure to execute those big plays sure seems to rest on Siemian himself, but what offensive coordinator would throw one of their players under the bus after a tough game?</p>
<p id="fxCrdY">Rick Dennison did that to <span>Paxton Lynch</span> last year after a victory over the <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a>, but McCoy has a bit more savvy when it comes to player development it appears.</p>
<p id="UDnO4h">Which is a good thing, because Siemian’s confidence level is probably at an all-time low. He needs his coaches support now more than ever. </p>
<p id="5etXjK">“There’s going to be ups and downs in that position,” McCoy said of Siemian’s confidence level. “You’re going to have certain days where you may not perform. As you guys have already mentioned, what he talked to you guys about, he works extremely hard at what he does. He prepares, Billy [Musgrave] has done a great job with him and you move on to the next game. That’s what you have to do, it’s the next play. To see some of the thing that happened that game and he just kept fighting through the game. It wasn’t our best game as an offense obviously.”</p>
<p id="kipRvs">The offense needs a spark. Where will they find it this week?</p>
<h1 id="la8h7Q">Horse Tracks</h1>
<p id="ZgGtGR"><a href="http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-throughmyeyes/Through-My-Eyes-Shane-Ray-readies-for-return-in-Kansas-City/b0e8b05a-9c11-40f0-b04f-9a9dee04961a">Through My Eyes: Shane Ray readies for return in Kansas City</a><br>" A lot of people would expect people to boo me, but it’s crazy, when I go home to Kansas City and I see that sea of red, a lot of those people are people that know me."</p>
<p id="TEOBjR"><a href="http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-prepare-for-Chiefs-Tyreek-Hill-with-something-to-prove-after-last-year/5f4723cf-a467-4306-aa82-06ffe536c467">Broncos prepare for Chiefs, Tyreek Hill with 'something to prove' after last year</a><br>"Effort to the ball" will be crucial in containing Chiefs' big playmakers, starting with Hill.</p>
<p id="U2A8Rn"><a href="http://www.foxsports.com/kansas-city/story/denver-broncos-jamaal-charles-before-his-return-to-kc-in-my-heart-im-always-a-kansas-city-chief-102617">Broncos' Charles before his return to KC: 'In my heart, I'm always a Chief'</a><br>Jamaal Charles, the Kansas City Chiefs' all-time leading rusher, isn't sure what to expect when he returns to Arrowhead Stadium with the Denver Broncos</p>
<p id="f9D3r4"><a href="http://www.espn.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/79905/broncos-still-hopeful-derek-wolfe-todd-davis-can-play-against-chiefs">Broncos still hopeful Derek Wolfe, Todd Davis can play against Chiefs</a><br>While Wolfe and Davis didn't practice this week, defensive coordinator Joe Woods said "we feel like those guys will make it to the game."</p>
<p id="MeZwgm"><a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article181376691.html">Chiefs are NFL's best at not committing turnovers</a><br>Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt fumbled away the team’s first offensive snap of the season. But the Chiefs haven’t committed a turnover since then. They’re the NFL’s best when it comes to ball security.</p>
<p id="yRyxL9"><a href="http://www.tri-cityherald.com/sports/article181378786.html">Broncos out to reverse trends on offense, defense</a><br>The Broncos figure they can turn around their fortunes if they can get their quarterback to get rid of the ball faster and force opposing quarterbacks to hold onto it a little longer.</p>
<p id="WQLscW"><a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/four-down-territory-broncos-keys-005718637.html">Four down territory: Broncos’ keys to beating the Chiefs</a><br>How can the Denver Broncos pull off the upset at Arrowhead Stadium Monday night against the Chiefs?</p>
<p id="YDfq9D"><a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2017/10/27/16552784/broncos-vs-chiefs-preview-denver-writer-predicts-big-kansas-city-win">Broncos vs. Chiefs preview: Denver writer predicts big Kansas City win</a><br>I talked with Tim Lynch over at SB Nation’s Broncos blog, Mile High Report, to preview Monday night’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos. Read my answers to his questions at MHR...</p>
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<h1 id="TjhgId">NFL News</h1>
<p id="tMVHQI"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2017/10/27/16559952/bob-mcnair-houston-texans-nfl-owners-meeting-protests">Bob McNair says NFL can’t have ‘inmates running the prison,’ apologizes</a><br>Expression or not, the optics of an owner essentially describing himself as a prison warden are not great.</p>
<p id="gpzm82"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2017/10/27/16562688/marcell-dareus-jaguars-bills-trade">Bills surprisingly trade Marcell Dareus to already scary Jaguars defense</a><br>A formidable Jaguars defense just got scarier.</p>
<p id="h7CuUm"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2017/10/27/16555582/texans-jj-watt-first-pitch-world-series-game-3-astros-dodgers">World Series Game 3: Texans J.J. Watt throws out first pitch in Houston</a><br>Watt is out for the NFL season, but is a huge part of the city.</p>
<p id="XLSLQ7"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2017/10/27/16561292/bob-mcnair-inmates-prison-houston-texans-deandre-hopkins">Texans almost walk out of practice after Bob McNair's 'inmate' comments</a><br>DeAndre Hopkins didn’t attend practice after comments made by the Texans owner were made public Friday.</p>
<p id="6pPMDe"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2017/10/27/16559504/nfl-mobile-quarterbacks-pocket-passers-days-are-over">The days of the NFL one-dimensional pocket passer are over</a><br>The best quarterbacks in the NFL right now are doing their best work outside on the move.</p>
<p id="QsDbWW"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2017/10/27/16536558/2017-nfl-trade-deadline-grades-martavis-bryant-steelers-eric-ebron-lions">2017 NFL trade deadline: Grading 1 move every team could make</a><br>SB Nation’s NFL sites weighed in on the trades they would most like to see their favorite teams make.</p>
<p id="Tq33FU"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2017/10/27/16545928/nfl-2017-week-8-halloween-celebrations-deshone-kizer-deshaun-watston-carson-wentz">7 things to watch in NFL’s Week 8: Halloween celebrations are coming</a><br>Which is scarier: facing the Seahawks defense or the thought of another DeShone Kizer start?</p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/10/28/16563166/its-not-just-one-guy-one-position-its-everybody-all-11Tim Lynch2017-10-27T10:00:04-06:002017-10-27T10:00:04-06:00Tale of the Tape: Denver’s epic goal line stand deserves some recognition
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<p>The Broncos defense stonewalled the Chargers on four straight goal line attempts from the one-yard line.</p> <p id="f2DN6Q">Amid all the disappointment and fallout from Denver’s first shutout loss in 25 years, an unprecedented defensive series went largely unheralded. </p>
<p id="yLtG32">On the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> opening series, AJ Derby fumbled the ball, giving the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Chargers</a> favorable field position. After a big play by <span>Hunter Henry</span> and a pass interference call, the Broncos defense found themselves backed up on the one yard line with the Chargers at 1st and Goal.</p>
<p id="reEy20">This is an area where running back, <span>Melvin Gordon</span>, has made a living over the past two seasons. Over the last 23 games, Gordon has scored 19 touchdowns. All of them have come within the opponent’s 20 yard line.</p>
<p id="SLJn7O">Furthermore, Gordon had scored 11 touchdowns on his last 19 attempts inside an opponents 5 yard line heading into the game against Denver. Think about that for a second. <strong>More than 1 out of every 2 hand offs </strong><span><strong>Melvin Gordon</strong></span><strong> receives inside the 5 yard line end in a touchdown, </strong>and Denver shut down four in a row.</p>
<p id="ypBBRs">Denver’s herculean goal line effort is rivaled only by the T.C. Williams <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Titans</a>, the 300 Spartans, and Gandalf. </p>
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<h1 id="ctB64a">1st and Goal</h1>
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<p id="XxTlSA">The first run, the Chargers try a quick power play off the left side targeting the C-gap off the left tackle. The left tackle will down block Gotsis while the left guard is going to pull around to lead the way for Gordon, along with the fullback.</p>
<p id="7lVyxQ">The Chargers go heavy personnel with 3 TEs and a FB. Denver is in a heavy front with Gotsis, <span>Shelby Harris</span>, Peko, and Wolfe as down linemen, Barrett, Von, <span>Marshall</span> and Davis as linebackers, and Stewart, Simmons and Parks at safety. No corners are even on the field.</p>
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<p id="aifu2E">Okung gets a nice block on Gotsis and the left guard has a pretty clear run at Marshall or Parks.</p>
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<p id="9Z9LFh">The play is going pretty well for the Chargers at this point. You have pretty large opening in the C-gap, the left guard can clear out Parks while the fullback takes Marshall. But keep an eye on Shaq Barrett.</p>
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<p id="oMSx6D">Here’s the key to the whole play, that will never make it on a stat sheet. Barrett is dominating his tight end (circled above) so the pulling guard diverts his attention to help on Barrett, otherwise Barrett would blow this play up.</p>
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<p id="TRwD3M">This leaves Parks with a unblocked path to the ball carrier, and he makes a beautiful hit in the hole, stopping Gordon in his tracks. </p>
<p id="CaACbb">Melvin Gordon is listed at 207 lbs, and runs over people like he’s 230. Parks is listed at 195. That’s a matchup that should favor the running back every time. </p>
<p id="YbCPno">Not this time.</p>
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<p id="D58BSU">Davis and Marshall do a nice job fighting through traffic to help clean up. But this whole play was made possible by Shaq Barrett being a monster to block. This also ensured that Gordon couldn’t bounce it outside.</p>
<h1 id="eKBr3L">2nd and Goal</h1>
<p id="bJ1TOb">This play was, again, all Shaq Barrett, and it will show up on the stat sheet.</p>
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<p id="efXudM">The Chargers are again trying the left C-gap (likely avoiding running to <span>Von Miller</span>’s side), and this time will combo block Gotsis with Okung climbing to the second level to take out Marshall once the double team is secure.</p>
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<p id="xrdQUe">Okung has Marshall squared up, and Davis is too far backside to make a play. </p>
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<p id="yaMwRE">All the fullback has to do is kick Parks out of the hole and Gordon will walk in for a score. Then Shaq Barrett happens.</p>
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<p id="udT8pc">He tosses his blocker like a rag doll, stays balanced, and wraps up Gordon in the backfield.</p>
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<h1 id="XQ1Z7K">3rd and Goal</h1>
<p id="Wldi3j">This one, the defense got a little help from their old buddy, <span>Michael Schofield</span>.</p>
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<p id="d8nkTO">The Chargers try one straight up the middle with Schofield pulling around to lead the way. The right guard down blocks Wolfe, and the tight end cuts Von Miller.</p>
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<p id="EmJWia">Good play here by Shelby Harris torpedoing Okung and just clogging up the running lanes. At this point Marshall and Davis are converging on the ball and LA has two blockers to handle one each. The fullback can take Marshall with Schofield blocking Davis.</p>
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<p id="3cS8Pc">However, Schofield targets Marshall instead of Davis, and so does the fullback. So you have two players blocking Marshall and no one blocking Davis, who comes up and makes another great stop in the hole.</p>
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<h1 id="UIloMT">4th and Goal</h1>
<p id="67eWLz">This one is my favorite. There are three players to watch on this play circled below: <span>Derek Wolfe</span>, <span>Todd Davis</span>, and <span>Will Parks</span>. However, before that, this play was made possible by Shaq Barrett’s run stopping ability from the previous plays.</p>
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<p id="WWGTrf">The Chargers got tired of Barrett whipping up on a tight end, so they put in an extra lineman just to block him. This has a ripple effect on the defense, because now Will Parks doesn’t have to wait and read to see if his tight end might turn for a play action pass.</p>
<p id="FY7eXW">He can immediately crash down on the play from the start; which he does, and eventually makes the tackle.</p>
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<p id="niDLED">Now, watch Derek Wolfe. The Chargers are going to try to cut him with the right tackle (Schofield) while his man, the right guard, pulls around and leads up the left side C-gap. </p>
<p id="Yw7l1Y">Wolfe, however, defends the cut and keeps his eyes on the pulling lineman, following him down the line to the hole. Now you have Todd Davis, <span>Brandon Marshall</span>, AND Derek Wolfe taking on the pulling guard and the fullback in the hole.</p>
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<p id="1MdlTH">They create a wall for Gordon to run into, while Will Parks comes from behind and takes out his feet.</p>
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<p id="B2CxTs">Gordon attempts a jump over the pile, but cannot get force or drive he needs to keep churning with Parks taking out his foot.</p>
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<p id="q9DZfm">Gordon winds up well short of the line with Derek Wolfe and Todd Davis on top of him.</p>
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<p id="nlFppF">I know the offense is giving fans zero reason to be excited or hopeful, but we are witnessing another historically good defense, and they deserve some praise for what would have been the defining sequence of the game, had we won.</p>
<p id="k1qWOo"></p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/10/27/16555574/broncos-epic-goal-line-stand-deserves-some-recognitionJeff Essary2017-10-24T14:26:13-06:002017-10-24T14:26:13-06:00‘Nobody is worried about the Broncos getting the lead’
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<figcaption>Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Afternoon Drive discusses the obvious - the quarterback is the biggest problem.</p> <p id="t11qbb">The biggest problem the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> face right now is that the offense is a threat to <em>NO ONE </em>(except possibly its own defense).</p>
<p id="8GThuS">Of all the things wrong with the offense, at the core is the fact that no team believes - or plans on - <span>Trevor Siemian</span> marching down the field and putting the ball in the end zone.</p>
<p id="VENwDq">And this leaves the Broncos’ defense vulnerable to teams playing it safe - running the ball, throwing short passes, and being completely satisfied with punting because the Broncos’ offense poses <em>zero</em> threat of winning. (pun intended)</p>
<p id="RbibGz">“Run the ball, eat the clock, not take any chances in the passing game, don’t turn the ball over, do what you have to do to get the win,” said The Afternoon Drive’s Les Shapiro. “And that’s a problem.”</p>
<div id="GP2qLQ"><iframe width="100%" height="300" style="background-color:transparent; display:block; padding: 0; max-width: 700px;" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="allowtransparency" scrolling="no" src="//embeds.audioboom.com/posts/6421742-monday-oct-23-hour-2-broncos-future-media-in-sports/embed/v4?eid=AQAAAOZ671nu_GEA" title="audioBoom player"></iframe></div>
<p id="mhaafJ">It’s a problem, Shapiro asserts, because it shows that nobody is worried about the Denver Broncos offense and <span>Trevor Siemian</span> “coming back from a deficit” - which negates to a great extent how much the Broncos defense can truly dominate and control the game.</p>
<p id="HDHAoI">Coach Vance Joseph hinted at this issue in his comments Monday afternoon:</p>
<p id="xSYvX4">“When you don’t score points, it’s hard for our defense to cause havoc because everything is being played close to the vest,” Joseph said. “It’s hard for our defense to control a game without having a lead. If we get a lead, this defense will show up big time.”</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="nPcCmI"><q>“All these teams are showing the Broncos they’re not worried about getting a lead themselves because they don’t believe the Broncos’ offense is good enough to come back. And what does that tell you? That there is a problem at quarterback more than anything.” - Les Shapiro</q></aside></div>
<p id="t8ezBb">But the Broncos <em>have to get a lead first </em>in order for the defense to be able to use its aggressive M.O., notes Shapiro.</p>
<p id="i8yLX0">“And all these teams are showing the Broncos they’re not worried about getting a lead themselves because they don’t believe the Broncos offense is good enough to come back,” Shapiro says. “And what does that tell you? It tells you there is a problem at quarterback more than anything.” </p>
<p id="fOh6e5">Shapiro states that Siemian needs to be able to lead his offense in spite of the running game, in spite of the offensive line.</p>
<p id="K1tnlM">“Good-to-great quarterbacks cover up for deficiencies, and good-to-great quarterbacks bring their teams back from a deficit,” Shapiro added. “Opponents aren’t worried about that with the Broncos.”</p>
<p id="mgLZXF">This is a clear deficiency by the quarterback, and no matter what you choose to blame it on - being young, not getting enough protection, not having a supporting running game, or just not being good enough - the fact is that Siemian is responsible for running the offense and must shoulder some blame for the dysfunction that has been this offense of late.</p>
<p id="3Ga7hP">MHR’s own coach, Shasta, <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/10/23/16525008/broncos-defense-frustrated-by-offense">noted in another thread</a> that Mike McCoy can help this situation by drawing up plays that “embrace” the quarterback’s weaknesses:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="364PTY">“Trevor missed some throws yesterday. No sugar-coating it. ...McCoy recognized this, maybe a bit late, and began calling more routes/formations that gave Trevor quick step and throw options—particularly to <span>Devontae Booker</span>/<span>Jamaal Charles</span> and the TEs. This is what you have to do ...and you don’t wait until the 4th Quarter to do it. </p>
<p id="Luvb0V">It’s time to embrace the weaknesses rather than pretend that they aren’t there. That’s what good teams do, because they all have weaknesses.</p>
<p id="NntPS2">The Broncos O-Line is not good in pass protection and marginally good in specific run plays. Don’t punish the big guys for what they have demonstrated they can’t do. Instead attack teams with what they can do.</p>
<p id="4I5mNy">...A defense wants to load the box to stuff the run <em>and</em> take away the Broncos’ short game? Fine. Spread the D wide with motion and formation shifts included, and create a consistent scrum of crossing/rub routes in the passing game, often with a leak play to the RB out of the backfield. </p>
<p id="rjo5o4">...The OLine can’t hold their blocks, so don’t ask them to. Get them on the move in both the running and passing game. And in the passing game sprinkle in a steady diet of quick hitters using stack formations, high/low concepts, late motion breaks, and designed throws to the RBs either in the flat behind the scrum or in the middle after "draining the pool." </p>
</blockquote>
<p id="frgwBv">This is supposed to be one of McCoy’s strengths as an OC, and he needs to start showing it.</p>
<p id="1Gf2KF">It’s either that...or put in a different quarterback soon.</p>
<p id="XeVXqa">Which one should it be Broncos Country?</p>
<div id="n8cfO2"><div data-anthem-component="poll:720850"></div></div>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/10/24/16535612/nobody-is-worried-about-the-broncos-getting-the-leadLaurie Lattimore-Volkmann2017-10-24T11:34:48-06:002017-10-24T11:34:48-06:00Chris Harris Jr. has an answer for winning games - don’t let the opponent score any points
<figure>
<img alt="Denver Broncos v Los Angeles Chargers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dEg14mPMqDTbdoqqeJG3AV1UbRs=/1181x70:4740x2443/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57293927/865176002.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Harry How/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It may seem like hyperbole, but it could just as easily be fact.</p> <p id="DqsLUm">Vance Joseph thinks it’s an improved running attack.</p>
<p id="61SmgC"><span>Von Miller</span> thinks he <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/10/24/16528036/von-miller-its-not-time-to-panic-but-it-is-time-to-win">just needs to get more sacks</a> and create more turnovers.</p>
<p id="EfJNrD"><span>Chris Harris Jr.</span> has a slightly different idea for how the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> can start winning games:</p>
<p id="3UUDNw">The defense cannot let the opponent score <em>any points</em>.</p>
<p id="DoKZjQ">Whether meant as hyperbole or stated more as fact, Harris Jr. has a valid point - the offense cannot be trusted to win games on its own.</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="ksUAzr"><q>“We have to find a way to not give up any points. We can still be more dominant.” - Chris Harris Jr.</q></aside></div>
<p id="sZy1Fn">“We need to find ways to not give up any points at all and not give up those careless drives,” Harris Jr. said. “We have to find a way to not give up any points. We can still be more dominant.”</p>
<p id="0pNcFR">“More dominant” primarily involves getting more turnovers because that’s about the only area the defensive unit hasn’t dominated.</p>
<p id="mxdM8Q">It has stopped every elite running back it has faced - including <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Chargers</a>’ <span>Melvin Gordon</span> twice. It held the Chargers to under 250 yards total offense, pressured <span>Philip Rivers</span> on 50 percent of his snaps, sacked him three times, stopped the offense on three-fourths of its 12 third downs and held the L.A. team to two touchdowns.</p>
<p id="FzJLJT">What more could this defense do?</p>
<p id="kLqKPU">Apparently everything - score on turnovers and keep the opponent to zero points.</p>
<p id="t4JmPK">“We just have to worry about ourselves. We have to worry about being better and try to give up zero points,” Harris Jr. said, adding again that the defense can be more dominant. “That’s the only thing we’re trying to focus on ourselves and what we can do. We can’t control what the offense does. That’s on them.”</p>
<div id="rXcR97">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"This is the time when you see who wants it."<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BroncosIn60?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BroncosIn60</a><a href="https://t.co/vsT4THYT2L">https://t.co/vsT4THYT2L</a></p>— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) <a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/922655386905260032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2017</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="n82jVv">Pointing out that the Broncos’ matchup against the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a> next Monday night is for first place in the AFC West, Harris Jr. hinted that there is plenty of frustration in that defensive room though.</p>
<p id="Xem8Qr">“It’s not a good mood at all. You lose back-to-back games. You lost games when we felt like we were a better team than them. It’s not good at all,” he said. “Guys have to do more. This is the time you see who wants it and who wants to step up and make plays and figure out who wants to take their game to the next level.”</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="7rcweE"><q>“They’re scheming us, they’re setting pick plays and they’re figuring out ways to empty us out with three tight ends....We have to get used to how teams are playing us.” - Chris Harris Jr.</q></aside></div>
<p id="xzZplx">For the No Fly Zone this has been equally tough since opponents have been neutralizing their dominance with a lot of short schemes to go for medium chunks of yards to move methodically down the field.</p>
<p id="PJ5Jsm">“They don’t even give us any plays to gamble with. Everything comes out fast, pick plays. They’re not really throwing the ball,” Harris Jr. said. “Think about it, they don’t throw the ball down the field really. ...They’re scheming us, they’re setting pick plays and they’re figuring out ways to empty us out with three tight ends....We have to get used to how teams are playing us.”</p>
<p id="LsKiMN">Joseph knows the defense is doing almost all it can, especially when it can’t play with a lead.</p>
<p id="4jr3jh">“It’s hard for our defense to control a game without having a lead. If we get a lead, this defense will show up big time,” the coach said. “It’s hard for us on defense to be the difference if it’s not with a lead because teams are just going to run the ball, run the ball, third down, try their luck and punt it back. That’s what we’ve seen in the three losses.” </p>
<p id="RB8KsH">Harris Jr. may not be despondent over the secondary’s inability to truly affect the game, but he is definitely is not happy about the scenario.</p>
<p id="zIjGUG">“It’s hard. It’s hard to make plays, it is. Hopefully they start coming,” the cornerback said. “We have to control what we can control on defense and try to be more dominant.”</p>
<div id="gnEoo5"><div data-anthem-component="poll:720734"></div></div>
<p id="Rw1x34"></p>
<p id="CHOGMT"></p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/10/24/16535172/chris-harris-jr-on-winning-games-dont-let-the-opponent-score-any-pointsLaurie Lattimore-Volkmann2017-10-24T10:17:33-06:002017-10-24T10:17:33-06:00Broncos 3rd & long: At least the defense is playing well*
<figure>
<img alt="Denver Broncos v Los Angeles Chargers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IwKkJNcdx6qYxjVVJ3i2POE3v9M=/0x0:2639x1759/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57292227/865175340.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Most of the time.</p> <p id="EsWHGd">Before you get the impression that the asterisk means that I think the defense is playing poorly, let me say that they are not. They are still playing at high level (242 yards and 14 points allowed is elite), but they are not playing at as high of level as during the first few games of the year. There are some cracks that are showing because of the complete lack of an offense and multiple failures by the special teams units. </p>
<h3 id="QKK5NH">Stopping the Run on First Down</h3>
<p id="aKu9C4">Teams are finding success running the ball against our defense in the past two games. Against the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a> the majority of those rushing yards came on first down (with many of them coming on that 47 yard run). This game was even worse. The <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Chargers</a> ran the ball for 80 yards against us - 65 of which came on first down runs. Because their head coach was not worried about our offense scoring on their defense, they were able to run the ball 14 times on first down (4.64 ypc). The first down run defense was quite stout until late in the fourth when they were visibly gassed. </p>
<p id="7p8zbu">The two longest first down runs of the day (21 and 11 yards) came on the Chargers 4th quarter TD drive. Both were back-breakers. The 11 yard run started the drive and got the Chargers out from the shadow of their own goalpost (the drive started at their 8 yard line) and the 21 yard run was a gut-punch to a proud stout run defense that had held up quite well up to that point. We have now allowed 167 rushing yards on first down in the last two games after allowed 207 rushing yards <em>total</em> in the first four games. Yes, 68 of those 167 yards are on two runs, but our run D still allowed them. </p>
<p id="fSoLkO">We had no tackles for loss and three stops for no gain on first down runs this game. We have now allowed 269 first down rushing yards on 72 carries (3.74 ypc) and we have 5 TFL’s and 14 stops for no gain on first down runs. We are 9th in ypc allowed on first down runs. CLE is leading the league at 2.64 and JAX and NE are tied for last place with 5.67 ypc allowed. </p>
<p id="FRsTnW">On the offensive side we are 30th in ypc on first down - getting a paltry 3.32 ypc on first down runs. For comparison, three of our upcoming opponents have been very effective at running the ball on first down: KC 5.94 (1st), NE 4.95 (5th) and PHI 4.63 (8th). </p>
<h3 id="kJeRWs">Getting our opponent in and stopping them on 3rd and long </h3>
<p id="1c0KDy">The good news is that of the twelve third downs that we forced, nine of them were of the long variety (7 or more needed to gain). Our defense, because of our ability to rush the passer, has generally thrived when we get the opponent in 3rd and long. The bad news is that all three of the 3rd down conversions that our defense allowed were on 3rd and long. </p>
<div id="U58A18"><table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Quarter</td>
<td>Time</td>
<td>ToGo</td>
<td>Location</td>
<td>Detail</td>
<td>Result</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>4:16</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>SDG 32</td>
<td>Philip Rivers pass incomplete deep middle intended for Keenan Allen (defended by Bradley Roby)</td>
<td>incomplete</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>0:19</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>SDG 39</td>
<td>Philip Rivers pass incomplete. Penalty on Philip Rivers: Intentional Grounding, 16 yards</td>
<td>incomplete</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>7:39</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>DEN 20</td>
<td>Philip Rivers pass complete short right to Keenan Allen for 19 yards (tackle by Bradley Roby). Penalty on Shaquil Barrett: Defensive Offside (Declined)</td>
<td>conversion by catch</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>3:12</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>SDG 34</td>
<td>Philip Rivers pass complete short left to Austin Ekeler for no gain</td>
<td>catch but short</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>1:59</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>SDG 15</td>
<td>Philip Rivers pass incomplete short right intended for Melvin Gordon</td>
<td>incomplete</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>3:35</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>SDG 34</td>
<td>Philip Rivers pass complete short right to Tyrell Williams for 11 yards (tackle by Justin Simmons)</td>
<td>catch but short</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>10:13</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>SDG 18</td>
<td>Philip Rivers pass complete short right to Hunter Henry for 13 yards (tackle by Will Parks)</td>
<td>conversion by catch</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>5:51</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>DEN 42</td>
<td>Philip Rivers pass complete short left to Travis Benjamin for 42 yards, touchdown</td>
<td>conversion by catch</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>1:54</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>SDG 30</td>
<td>Philip Rivers sacked by Von Miller for -10 yards</td>
<td>sack</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<p id="eTO41R">The worse news is that two of the three were on that long 4th quarter drive that crushed any tiny hope the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> had of making a comeback in this game. </p>
<p id="8aReUX">We have now allowed conversion on 8 of 39 3rd and longs (counting penalty conversions) - 20.5% for the season. Overall on 3rd down we have allowed conversion on 23 of 82 3rd downs - 28.0% (again counting conversions allowed by penalty). We currently lead the league in 3rd down conversion % allowed. SF is the worst allowing 50% conversion on 3rd downs. </p>
<h3 id="QY2T7N">Moving Forward</h3>
<p id="Bq4LMA">I have zero confidence in the offense ability to score points. A weak offense was further weakened by having to employ it’s 4th string RT and 5th and 6th (or 7th) string WRs on Sunday. Next Monday our offense will be facing a defense that is not as good as the defenses that it faced in the last two weeks, but I’m still not confident that <span>Trevor Siemian</span>, who is playing like a broken QB - broken in both body and spirit, can lead this offense to more than 16 points. I fear that our defense we again but put in bad situations and they will eventually have a breakdown like they have had in the past three games. One of two defensive mistakes in coverage will lead to 14 points for the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a> and our offense will not be able to overcome a deficit (again). In our three wins this season we have never trailed. In our three losses we have not even been able to tie the game once we lost the lead (BUF) if we ever even had it (NYG and @LAC). </p>
<p id="paaYgp">In his 20 NFL starts, <span>Trevor Siemian</span> has only lead four drives in the 4th quarter or overtime that allowed the Broncos to take a lead. Two of those drives occurred in his first three starts (CAR and @CIN). He has lead 20 4th quarter scoring drives in 20 starts, but the last time he lead the team on a scoring drive in the 4th quarter that either tied the game or took the lead was last year in Denver against KC (we were down 16-10). Here are all 20 4th quarter scoring drives</p>
<div id="fEti0R"><table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Year</td>
<td>Date</td>
<td>location</td>
<td>Opp</td>
<td>Result</td>
<td>Plays</td>
<td>Length</td>
<td>Yds</td>
<td>Tm</td>
<td>Opp</td>
<td>Qtr</td>
<td>Time</td>
<td>Tm</td>
<td>Opp</td>
<td>Result</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>9/8/2016</td>
<td></td>
<td>CAR</td>
<td>W 21-20</td>
<td>10 ( 4 P, 7 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>4:41</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>9:26</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>Touchdown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>9/18/2016</td>
<td></td>
<td>IND</td>
<td>W 34-20</td>
<td>8 ( 3 P, 4 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>2:11</td>
<td>58</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>1:51</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>Field Goal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>9/25/2016</td>
<td>@</td>
<td>CIN</td>
<td>W 29-17</td>
<td>13 ( 8 P, 6 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>7:56</td>
<td>82</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>6:56</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>Touchdown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>9/25/2016</td>
<td>@</td>
<td>CIN</td>
<td>W 29-17</td>
<td>4 ( 3 P, 1 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>1:39</td>
<td>83</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>4:23</td>
<td>29</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>Touchdown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>10/13/2016</td>
<td>@</td>
<td>LAC</td>
<td>L 21-13</td>
<td>11 ( 10 P, 0 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>2:36</td>
<td>56</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>0:27</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>Field Goal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>10/13/2016</td>
<td>@</td>
<td>LAC</td>
<td>L 21-13</td>
<td>11 ( 9 P, 2 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>3:51</td>
<td>51</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>8:08</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>Touchdown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>10/24/2016</td>
<td></td>
<td>HOU</td>
<td>W 27-9</td>
<td>7 ( 0 P, 6 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>2:43</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>1:57</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>Field Goal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>10/24/2016</td>
<td></td>
<td>HOU</td>
<td>W 27-9</td>
<td>7 ( 2 P, 4 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>3:20</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>11:36</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>Field Goal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>10/30/2016</td>
<td></td>
<td>LAC</td>
<td>W 27-19</td>
<td>6 ( 3 P, 2 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>2:43</td>
<td>71</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>5:19</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>Field Goal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>11/6/2016</td>
<td>@</td>
<td>OAK</td>
<td>L 30-20</td>
<td>2 ( 2 P, 0 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>0:51</td>
<td>75</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>30</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>5:18</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>30</td>
<td>Touchdown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>11/13/2016</td>
<td>@</td>
<td>NOR</td>
<td>W 25-23</td>
<td>10 ( 5 P, 4 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>4:18</td>
<td>43</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>3:23</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>Field Goal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>11/13/2016</td>
<td>@</td>
<td>NOR</td>
<td>W 25-23</td>
<td>7 ( 4 P, 3 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>3:52</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>9:37</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>Touchdown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>11/13/2016</td>
<td>@</td>
<td>NOR</td>
<td>W 25-23</td>
<td>4 ( 1 P, 2 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>0:18</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>2:50</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>Field Goal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>11/27/2016</td>
<td></td>
<td>KAN</td>
<td>L 30-27</td>
<td>11 ( 4 P, 6 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>6:09</td>
<td>49</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>8:51</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>Field Goal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>11/27/2016</td>
<td></td>
<td>KAN</td>
<td>L 30-27</td>
<td>6 ( 2 P, 4 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>2:37</td>
<td>96</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>3:00</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>Touchdown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>11/27/2016</td>
<td></td>
<td>KAN</td>
<td>L 30-27</td>
<td>4 ( 2 P, 2 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>1:37</td>
<td>88</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>7:47</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>Touchdown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>12/4/2016</td>
<td>@</td>
<td>JAX</td>
<td>W 20-10</td>
<td>4 ( 0 P, 3 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>0:58</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>0:29</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>Field Goal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>12/11/2016</td>
<td>@</td>
<td>TEN</td>
<td>L 13-10</td>
<td>11 ( 9 P, 1 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>4:27</td>
<td>39</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>4:28</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>Field Goal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016</td>
<td>12/11/2016</td>
<td>@</td>
<td>TEN</td>
<td>L 13-10</td>
<td>5 ( 5 P, 0 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>2:36</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>9:58</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>Touchdown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2017</td>
<td>10/15/2017</td>
<td></td>
<td>NYG</td>
<td>L 23-10</td>
<td>7 ( 6 P, 1 R, 0 Y)</td>
<td>2:03</td>
<td>58</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>4:07</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>Touchdown</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<p id="AEPmOn"> If you can honestly say that you are confident that Trevor Siemian can lead the Broncos on a 4th quarter game-winning FG drive with the game tied, then you are much more optimistic than I. While I would love to see that happen, the regression of both Trevor Siemian and our offense as whole over the past four games has eroded any confidence that our 42 point performance against DAL might have given me. </p>
<p id="2PXC4X">The Broncos scored 42 points in one game against Dallas and have scored 66 in their other five games. That’s 13.2 points per game, or worse than the worst scoring offense in the NFL, MIA, who is currently putting up 15.3 ppg. </p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/10/24/16533332/at-least-the-defense-is-playing-wellJoe Mahoney2017-10-24T07:20:02-06:002017-10-24T07:20:02-06:00Exclusive: Von Miller says it’s ‘not time to panic’ yet
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<img alt="NFL: Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jl6CsNXrbm7t1GvJf0BXIlpl2Mo=/0x0:4838x3225/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57280173/usa_today_10362560.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In an exclusive interview with MHR, No. 58 says if he can get multiple sacks and create turnovers against KC, he can change the game...and hopefully the Broncos season.</p> <p id="Ir7R6O"><span>Von Miller</span> waltzed onto the dance floor last year as <em>Prince Charming</em>, sweeping his “Dancing With The Stars” <em>Cinderella</em> off her feet while gliding across the dance floor to Disney’s “A Dream is a Wish.”</p>
<p id="ZOySyJ">It is fitting that that was Miller’s favorite dance in his seven-week run on the hit Hollywood show because 19 months later, it’s his <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> teammates in desperate need of a Prince Charming to sweep them off their losing streak.</p>
<p id="z1hjv0">And that’s exactly what Miller intends to do.</p>
<p id="otHqhZ">“I feel like I can single-handedly change the game. I’ve done it before and I just need another one this week,” Miller told Mile High Report in an exclusive interview Monday, reiterating his post-game comments that difference-makers on the Broncos need to get more difference-making plays to help the offense. “Getting sacks are my job.”</p>
<div id="e718pl">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The most productive edge rushers this season <a href="https://t.co/uNCvWJbrep">pic.twitter.com/uNCvWJbrep</a></p>— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF/status/922527051269181443?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a>
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<p id="fHMxhf">“We are last in turnovers (forced fumbles) in the NFL right now. If we can’t get those, there’s not a lot more our offense can do,” said Miller, adding that “one or two more short fields” for the offense may be all it takes to get the momentum in the Broncos’ favor. “We create more turnovers, we win the game.”</p>
<p id="14v2Nd">Talking to MHR initially about a <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/10/24/16528462/von-miller-vons-vision-create-change-partnership-with-microsoft-surface">partnership between Von’s Vision and Microsoft Surface</a>, Miller refused to blame the offense for the 21-0 thrashing by the Chargers - even if everyone else is.</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="7hqpCg"><q>“We create more turnovers, we win the game. We wouldn’t be having this conversation if we had gotten more turnovers [against the Chargers].” - Von Miller</q></aside></div>
<p id="cingRZ">“My view on things is a little different than other guys in the NFL and even my own teammates, but as a leader on the team, that’s the energy I have, and I hope it rubs off on some of my teammates,” Miller said. “We wouldn’t be having this conversation if we had gotten turnovers.”</p>
<p id="TEEr1H">That vibe is what Miller is taking into Arrowhead and planning on using to win. </p>
<p id="4irufs">Well, that and the mentality of getting two, three, even four sacks - whatever it takes.</p>
<p id="ZRCfJX">“A lot of guys may not think that way, but I think I can single-handedly change the game,” Miller says with such conviction, it’s impossible not to believe it. “If we can get a win in Kansas City, we can turn this around.”</p>
<p id="Ttxrxy">Facing a 5-2 <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a> team that leads the AFC West and is third in the league in total offense but has dropped to 29th in defense, Miller isn’t wrong about how he could effect that game by rattling <span>Alex Smith</span>.</p>
<div id="D3Amsd">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">From his first career sack to sack No. 80.5, <a href="https://twitter.com/VonMiller?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VonMiller</a>'s had some pretty memorable QB takedowns.<br><br> 's » <a href="https://t.co/6rQi6b4P0Y">https://t.co/6rQi6b4P0Y</a> <a href="https://t.co/2LD30C8INV">pic.twitter.com/2LD30C8INV</a></p>— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) <a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/922524127285493760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a>
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<p id="c70prw">For Miller, the <em>mindset</em> to play big is almost as important as the <em>preparation</em> to play big.</p>
<p id="3dR022">And that’s the message he is telling his teammates this week as they head to KC.</p>
<p id="yDz2sk">“If we don’t think we can win it,” he said, “we aren’t going to win it.”</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="R6ZvwV"><q>“I was thinking, ‘What would DeMarcus Ware say right now? What would Peyton Manning say?’ I don’t think it’s time for my Nobel Peace Prize speech just yet. I believe in my guys...It’s not time to panic.” - Von Miller</q></aside></div>
<p id="brAPz9">On the bus ride home from DIA Sunday night, Miller said he was thinking to himself, “What would <span>DeMarcus Ware</span> say right now? What would <span>Peyton Manning</span>, <span>Tim Tebow</span>, <span>Ray Lewis</span> say?” </p>
<p id="xsrDzo">Miller answered his own question by saying he doesn’t believe the time is yet for his “Nobel Peace Prize speech,” but he chuckled at the suggestion for “having one ready just in case.” </p>
<p id="3WWrmv">“I’ve got faith in our leadership and all my guys here that we can do this,” Miller said. “We’re six games into the season; it’s not time to panic.”</p>
<p id="AUCkqn">Perhaps not.</p>
<p id="ym8ger">But it is time for the team’s Prince Charming to waltz onto the field and have a huge game to save the season.</p>
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https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/10/24/16528036/von-miller-its-not-time-to-panic-but-it-is-time-to-winLaurie Lattimore-Volkmann2017-10-23T13:30:01-06:002017-10-23T13:30:01-06:00Broncos defense frustrated by offense but ready to get back to work
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<img alt="NFL: Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-5-V_tZmNbhT76kuDS4u4nlqb_0=/0x0:4932x3288/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57273615/usa_today_10364153.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="1bCab4">A game where a team’s defense holds an opponent to 242 yards, prevents it from converting on 9 of its 12 third-downs and zero of its fourth downs, makes an amazing goal-line stand for four downs against one of the best running backs in the league and holds “the enemy” to only two touchdowns is often a team on the winning side of the equation.</p>
<p id="Pv4Wwo">But that assumes the offense can hold its own to score.</p>
<p id="adnbvR">Unfortunately, the math for the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> just isn’t adding up.</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="ye1VFT"><q>“These last two weeks I have not played good enough. I turned it over, and it is tough for these guys to win.” - Trevor Siemian</q></aside></div>
<p id="29XOYr">And in fact yesterday it didn’t have to add at all since there was no scoring to be had in any way.</p>
<p id="u1dj7w">For the first time since 1992, the Broncos couldn’t score a single point in four quarters.</p>
<p id="rcWCEi">“We got shut out. We have to figure it out,” quarterback <span>Trevor Siemian</span> said in the most frustrating understatement of the year.</p>
<p id="Jvwcj9">But <span>Siemian</span> - who threw an interception and lost a fumble among his 25-of-35 attempts for 207 yards - has an idea what needs to get “figured out.”</p>
<p id="ovaT4x">“We have not been really good on first and second downs. That makes third downs tough for us,” he said, noting that early on in the season the Broncos more often only had to convert third-and-short. “These last two weeks I have not played good enough. I turned it over, and it is tough for these guys to win.”</p>
<div id="bQzxtM">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Broncos offense today:<br>Fumble<br>Punt<br>Punt<br>Punt<br>Punt<br>Fumble <br>Punt<br>Punt<br>Punt<br>Punt<br>Interception<br>Turnover on downs</p>— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanKoenigsberg/status/922237770508017664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2017</a>
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<p id="P1v32x">Coach Vance Joseph and the rest of the offense, however, refuse to let Siemian take all the blame.</p>
<p id="t79Oev">“When the run game is effective, [Siemian] can play fast and keep us in shrub third downs,” Joseph said. “Right now every third down is eight, nine, 10. That’s a tough spot for a young quarterback to be in.”</p>
<p id="3UbjEC">The reason for those third downs had a lot to do with the Broncos’ 69 total yards rushing in which Siemian’s 14 yards were the second most from a player on the day.</p>
<p id="U1yRYU">But the multiple passes short of the first-down marker and the lengthy time holding onto the ball, giving <span>Melvin Ingram</span> and <span>Joey Bosa</span>, ample opportunity for multiple sacks, didn’t help.</p>
<p id="RqqBZP">“We didn’t do our job today and that’s why the scoreboard looked the way it looked,” said running back <span>Jamaal Charles</span>, who gained a mere two yards on four attempts all day - far, far below his average.</p>
<p id="Jtzmii">But it was <span>Demaryius Thomas</span> who said what everyone on the team felt - the shutout, first in 25 years, just “hurt.”</p>
<p id="EspIxf">“I didn’t even know that stat. Being shut out period in the NFL with the talent we have hurts,” said Thomas, who was sixth on the list of top receivers for the Broncos yesterday, catching two passes for nine yards. “I can only speak on myself, I can’t speak on everybody but it hurt. I’m going to get better and hopefully everyone else around me sees me working and we get better as a group.”</p>
<p id="lEnIzU">The potential offensive highlight of the game was an 81-yard grab by DT midway through the third quarter that was called back for offensive pass interference. Instead of 1st and 10 from the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Chargers</a>’ 10, it was 1st and 15 from the Broncos’ 4. Three plays later, punter <span>Riley Dixon</span> trotted out for the last of his eight punts of the day.</p>
<div id="S1eBI0">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Take away one flag and Demaryius Thomas has 3 catches, 90 yards. Instead he has 2 catches, 9 yards.</p>— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeKlis/status/922235447228502016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2017</a>
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<p id="5AcWf4">It was a perfect metaphor for this offense this season - a big play that could have turned momentum in the Broncos favor was stripped away with a penalty. </p>
<p id="fjxIkl">“It was a dagger. It was a big play, something we needed. It was a spark,” Thomas said of the call, which he said “just sucked” because it could have changed the whole game. ”As a whole, as an offense, we still have to play better. Whatever gets called we have to execute better. We have to stop hurting ourselves. When you get first downs and go backwards, that’s not good football.”</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="YjrSvz"><q>"It's definitely at a high. It's hard when you can't make those plays and change the game. We do whatever we can to make plays and get the offense the ball. We have to just figure out how to get points up there." - Chris Harris Jr.</q></aside></div>
<p id="lDivF7">Even the defense, which tries to keep the focus on its own play and not dog the offense, let some frustration show.</p>
<p id="r5duGS">"It's definitely at a high. It's hard when you can't make those plays and change the game. That's frustrating when you're just kind of out there,” said <span>Chris Harris Jr.</span> who contributed two solo tackles to the stats chart. “We practice hard. We try to come in and play great defensively. We do whatever we can to make plays and get the offense the ball. We have to just figure out how to get points up there."</p>
<p id="JYLOMO">Aside from the offense actually getting points on the board the way it should, <span>Von Miller</span> believes the defense should try to do even more - mainly because it has to if this team is going to have a chance at beating another team.</p>
<p id="mkXb1o">“We have to create turnovers,” said the edge rusher who got two sacks on the day and didn’t even feel like celebrating. “The problem is a tough problem to solve because there are so many ways to get turnovers, and we are not getting any of them. ...We have playmakers all across the field, and we have to get them to make plays on defense to put our offense in a better position.”</p>
<div id="05u9Qw">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">79.5 sacks look good on you, <a href="https://twitter.com/VonMiller?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VonMiller</a>. <a href="https://t.co/yJitcbbC0i">pic.twitter.com/yJitcbbC0i</a></p>— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) <a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/922205715040575489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2017</a>
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<p id="BlYRG1">Miller noted that the frustration on the defense takes it toll in the locker room, but they are a team and if they win together, they lose together.</p>
<p id="VkCB9V">“It’s tough when you don’t put up any points. It’s terrible. Organizationally, when you look at the scoreboard and see a big goose egg, it’s terrible,” Miller said. “But we are not going to point fingers. We could have gotten a turnover. <span>Aqib Talib</span> is a pick-six machine. I am a sack machine. We have guys over there that create turnovers. We are just not doing it. I figure if we can do that, it will alleviate some of the tension.”</p>
<p id="ZzpFbV">As the Broncos sit at 3-3 with some of the toughest teams on their schedule yet to come, it would be easy to give up.</p>
<p id="jJExZy">It’s not in Miller’s DNA to do that. No matter what the outcome is, No. 58 will not let his teammates think of such a response.</p>
<p id="Igl54y">“Losses always hurt. Adversity is always tough. ...It always feels the same. It always feels like it’s the end of the world. Your back is against the wall – you have to do something right now,” he said, adding that that is OK but going back to work tomorrow to get better is the only option. </p>
<p id="j2n4MS">“We will go to work tomorrow, practice great, and our breaks will come,” Miller added. “Obviously like I have said before, we have some issues that we have to address on different phases of the ball and we will do that. We have great leadership and 100 percent I believe we will get those issues resolved.”</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="1Pmzpe"><q>“Losses always hurt. ...We just have to keep ballin’. We have to get out of this funk and get back to playing Broncos football.” - Von Miller</q></aside></div>
<p id="mnhcms">It’s a tall order to get them resolved before Kansas City on the road next weekend, but Miller continues to do the only thing he can - do whatever possible to get a win one week at a time.</p>
<p id="3XKuAK">“We are in a really tough spot. We are going against the best team in the National Football League next week,” he said. “This division is tough; I’ve said that before. We’ve been here before; it’s nothing new. We’re in a tough stretch. </p>
<p id="Yrx0dK">Getting out of this funk on offense + the defense ballin’ = the only chance the Broncos have for this season to add up to success.</p>
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https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/10/23/16525008/broncos-defense-frustrated-by-offenseLaurie Lattimore-Volkmann2017-10-23T10:30:02-06:002017-10-23T10:30:02-06:00Five things we learned from the Broncos first shutout loss since 1992
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<img alt="NFL: Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Xm2Lp9zCcnmeAIQ63ElAdeww_KE=/0x0:3724x2483/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57268265/usa_today_10364249.1508769972.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It starts and stops with Trevor Siemian. He’s why the offense is struggling and he needs to be benched.</p> <p id="WSQ1E7">For the second week in a row, <span>Trevor Siemian</span> embarrassed the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a>.</p>
<p id="sUFzKM">In the process, the Broncos were<a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/10/22/16517886/broncos-reliving-2016-nightmare"> humiliated with the most recent most embarrassing loss in team history.</a> I didn’t think it could get worse for the Broncos after the 23-10 flogging at the hands of the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>. I should have given <span>Siemian</span> more credit because after Sunday’s 21-0 shutout to the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a>, he said “hold my beer.”</p>
<p id="djK9J8">At this point,<a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/10/22/16517974/broncos-should-bench-trevor-siemian"> what more does the organization need to see?</a> It was not only embarrassed two weeks in a row, it was shutout for the first time since 1992. Have the standards dropped that far for this organization?</p>
<p id="2ltlGy">It’s not about to get better for Denver either. Over the next three weeks, the Broncos (3-3) face the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> (on the road), <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> (on the road) and <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>. If Denver isn’t 3-6 after that stretch of games ... there’s no conceivable way this team wins a game over the next three weeks.</p>
<p id="hnrFJy">As it stands now, the Broncos have lost two in a row and three of their last four. The confidence of a good season has vanished quicker than tacos when I’m around.</p>
<p id="cIKwQE">Here’s the five things we learned from the most recent debacle.</p>
<div id="HI0RD9">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Vance Joseph needs to make the easy decision & bench Siemian. Give the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Broncos?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Broncos</a> offense a spark & some life, as <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamMalnati16?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AdamMalnati16</a> & I breakdown the latest embarrassment on the <a href="https://twitter.com/MileHighReport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MileHighReport</a> Radio Recap. <a href="https://t.co/aFd3uajH9O">https://t.co/aFd3uajH9O</a></p>— Ian St. Clair (@IanStClair) <a href="https://twitter.com/IanStClair/status/922457678391267328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a>
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<h2 id="YN7023"><strong>Siemian is done</strong></h2>
<p id="KbvuNN">Even if he doesn’t admit it or know, even if the organization doesn’t admit it or know, Siemian can no longer play or remain the quarterback. Denver cannot continue to put him on the field and expect to get different results. That’s the definition of insanity.</p>
<p id="xtmgU9">I said in the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/10/18/16492256/broncos-chargers-preview-week-7">game preview</a> that the time has come for Siemian to step up and deliver. Show in a must-win game the team can rely on the quarterback to get the job done. Show the most important position on the field has the shoulders to actually carry the team.</p>
<p id="uXC9TT">He failed in miserable, historical fashion, and <a href="https://goo.gl/YzeszF">as Adam Malnati and I said on the MHR Radio Recap,</a> he needs to find a spot on the bench. </p>
<p id="IPIMBk">There are no more excuses you can make for Siemian. It’s not the offensive line’s fault, the coaches, the play calling, the receivers, the left-handed balls or his throwing glove being on the wrong hand. He’s just a bad quarterback. He could become a serviceable backup for some team in the NFL, but at this point, the odds of that don’t look good either.</p>
<p id="auXP7f">Here’s a crucial point made by Benjamin Allbright on Twitter that ends the “yeah, but it’s the offensive line’s fault:” The Chargers literally have the two guys at right and left tackle (<span>Michael Schofield</span> and <span>Russell Okung</span>) whom Denver ran out of town, yet it’s not a problem for them. Gee, I wonder why?</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Chargers literally have the guys the Broncos ran out of town at both tackles in this game. <a href="https://t.co/Z4DmIorsHK">https://t.co/Z4DmIorsHK</a></p>— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/922234519746379776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2017</a>
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<p id="ZntU7B">Whether Siemian’s the “lone problem” isn’t the issue. He’s the biggest, most glaring problem. He’s not good. In fact, not only has Siemian not improved, he’s regressed. Enough. Is. Enough. Make the switch now to <span>Brock Osweiler</span>, see if a spark ignites the offense and get behind him.</p>
<p id="iAFGvJ">“To have three more turnovers, six three-and-outs, not cross the 50, three times, that’s unacceptable,” Broncos coach Vance Joseph told Dave Logan after the game.</p>
<p id="qgtfO2">OK, prove it. Back up your words with a move that should have been made before Sunday’s game. What is not an option is to do nothing and keep your head planted in the ground. If a move isn’t made, what message does that send?</p>
<h2 id="G9dScJ"><strong>Take out “special” from special teams</strong></h2>
<p id="lIwfi7">Legend has it that Gary Payton, one of the NBA’s all-time best point guards, had a great line about Jason Kidd, another of the NBA’s all-time best point guards. Until Kidd proved he had a jumpshot, Payton would just call him “Ason.” I tried to find if the legend was real but didn’t have any luck. Still, it ties in with the Broncos.</p>
<p id="qYUvk2">Until Brock Olivo and his teams prove they can do their job, they’re just “teams.” The returners consistently put the offense in a bad spot by returning kickoffs they should down, the coverage has more holes than a fishing net and Brandon McManus. The positive out of Sundays’ game, courtesy of my wife: At least Denver didn’t get into range to see McManus miss a field goal.</p>
<p id="W4A8n7">We thought the special teams were bad last season, Olivo and this year’s “teams” are taking a cue from Siemian, “hold my beer.”</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’m a small man. I’m a 48-yr old man. I’m a Denver native. That goes down as one of the most pathetic Broncos performances ever put forth.</p>— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) <a href="https://twitter.com/VicLombardi/status/922235650757222400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2017</a>
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<h2 id="JidCTT"><strong>Broncos defense deserves better</strong></h2>
<p id="CQq5Dm">Every single member of that defense should be pissed. And they should all call out Siemian. Denver’s defense just battled its ass off, and that’s what it gets for its troubles?</p>
<p id="Kzi0wc">The Broncos held <span>Philip Rivers</span> and the Chargers to 242 yards of total offense — 162 through the air and 80 on the ground. By the time Rivers hit <span>Travis Benjamin</span> for the 42-yard touchdown with a little over 5 minutes left in the game, Denver’s defense was gassed. Even then, the defense still held the Chargers to 14 points. </p>
<p id="uDfGY7">The Broncos also held LA to 3-of-12 on third down and 1-of-2 in the red zone. Remember they also had that remarkable stand early in the game when they shut the Chargers down from inside the 1-yard line. Siemian and the offense rewarded Denver’s defense by being even worse on third down and in the red zone — 3-of-14 and 0-of-1.</p>
<p id="tM2AgS">About all you can say that’s negative about Denver’s defense is it didn’t force any turnovers, but would it have mattered with how inept and incompetent Siemian is?</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Whatever you do, Broncos fans, don’t you dare pin this on the defense. Not one bit.</p>— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) <a href="https://twitter.com/VicLombardi/status/922238189636435968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2017</a>
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<h2 id="NWLogX"><strong>What does Joseph do exactly?</strong></h2>
<p id="IFkN3H"><a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/10/19/16501962/jamaal-charles-to-get-more-and-more-touches">Prior to Sunday’s game, Joseph told the media</a> he wanted to get <span>Jamaal Charles</span> more touches. Right on cue, Broncos Country got excited about the prospects. As we’ve seen since the start of the season, when Charles touches the ball excitement tends to follow.</p>
<p id="Gs5d09">If eight touches are “more,” I cringe to think what less means. Siemian finished with more yards rushing than Charles. On no planet is that acceptable. It’s time for Charles to become the No. 1 back for this team. <span>C.J. Anderson</span> is a nice player, but he’s a complimentary running back. Charles has proven he can do it, so give him the chance. Feed him the ball. For those who say, “They’re saving him.” Saving him for what? Another season of not making the playoffs? “Well, at least Charles didn’t get injured.”</p>
<p id="0nghg4">As mentioned earlier, Joseph is the one who makes the ultimate decisions for the Broncos on the field. If he says Charles gets more touches, he should get more touches. When he says it’s unacceptable how Siemian played on Sunday, back it up because your words carry no weight if you don’t.</p>
<p id="7JsLAM">It gets worse for Joseph: He joins Lou Saban (1967) as the only head coaches in Denver history to lose by shutout in his first season with the franchise. Two weeks in a row his team has been embarrassed, and he’s also the guy who decided to go with Siemian in the first place.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/VonMiller?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VonMiller</a>'s two sacks vs. the Chargers represent his 20th multi-sack game.<br><br>He is also the second fastest player to reach 80 career sacks. <a href="https://t.co/Qdm3GoyGgB">pic.twitter.com/Qdm3GoyGgB</a></p>— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) <a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/922276849257984000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a>
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<h2 id="ENtCl9">
<span><strong>Von Miller</strong></span><strong> is special</strong>
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<p id="mV5gjh">The Broncos outside linebacker finished with two sacks on Sunday, five tackles (two for loss) and two quarterback hits. That performance allowed Miller to pass Ring of Famer Karl Mecklenberg for second on Denver’s all-time sack list. Miller now trails only Simon Fletcher in Broncos history. </p>
<p id="mPmokW">Those two sacks also represent the 20th time Miller has tallied a multi-sack game in his career, and he’s the second-quickest player in NFL history to reach 80 sacks, behind only Reggie White. We knew Miller was special, see his MVP showing in Super Bowl 50, but he may go down as the best Broncos defender in history by the time he’s done.</p>
<p id="FW1cj2"><em>The MHR Radio Podcast is now on </em><a href="https://goo.gl/vLyHyQ"><em><strong>iTunes,</strong></em></a><em> </em><a href="https://goo.gl/2vBomS"><em><strong>Google Play</strong></em></a><em> and </em><a href="https://goo.gl/D33Fa2"><em><strong>Stitcher.</strong></em></a><em> Please subscribe to the one that fits your fancy, and also rate and review what you hear.</em> </p>
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https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/10/23/16518142/five-things-broncos-first-shutout-loss-since-1992Ian St. Clair