It’s still a week out from Halloween, but the Denver Broncos offense is starting to look like Frankenstein’s monster. After back-to-back losses, it may be aliiiiive.
The first quarter offensive woes continue for the Broncos, however, as once again they fell into a deficit through 15 minutes of play on Monday night against the Texans.
The Denver defense forced a pair of three-and-outs to open the game, but the Denver offense failed to get any momentum just as it has done all season long. By allowing a pair of Texans field goals, Denver extended it’s league-worst scoring differential in the first quarter of 47-13.
Trevor Siemian and the Broncos went three-and-out on their first three possessions despite trying to change up the play calling from previous weeks. Denver opened with five consecutive passes, but Siemian was unable to connect with any of his intended targets. The offensive line wasn’t doing the rest of the offense any favors, as they were whistled for four holding penalties, including two that negated third-down conversions.
Not only did the Broncos fail to score again in the first quarter, they didn’t even convert a first down until the :15 mark.
But when the second quarter rolled around, the Broncos seemingly turned on a switch. Once field position flipped the Broncos began to find their rhythm both in the running game and through the air.
A 10-play, 75-yard drive that involved five different offensive playmakers put Denver in the end zone on a seven-yard C.J. Anderson run.
The very next drive Denver turned right around and went another 68 yards on seven plays, including a 29-yard pass play to Emmanuel Sanders and a 12-yard run by Devontae Booker. Siemian found Demaryius Thomas for a five-yard touchdown on third down to give Denver a 14-6 lead.
It’s a bit premature to say that Denver’s offensive woes are over, and they certainly aren’t rampaging their way through a village any time soon, but at least there are signs of life – and a halftime lead.
Here’s what the team at MHS (and some of our favorite social media follows) had to say about the Denver game plan as the first quarter unfolded in an all-too-familiar way, and what they had to say when things started to pick up.
First quarter…
They're trying to use the pass to open the box for the run. Ain't gonna work tonight. Gotta run the ball.
— Jake Marsing (@JakeDMarsing) October 25, 2016
Glad we’re getting that run game going … three straight passes = three and out
— Michael Jaycox (@MilkyMike) October 25, 2016
I'll say it now, Rick Dennison must go. Offense has been bad since his hire no matter the QB. Really bad offense since mid 2014. #Broncos
— Sean Walsh (@seanwalshsports) October 25, 2016
Really hoping those weren't scripted plays and that Trevor Siemian didn't have the last 11 days to work on them.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) October 25, 2016
Broncos open with five consecutive passes.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 25, 2016
2nd and long. 3rd and long. Starting to look too much like that San Diego game. Can't win that way. Can't sustain drives. #Broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) October 25, 2016
Denver Broncos' 1st Quarter 3-and-out possessions
First 6 Games – 3
Tonight vs Houston – 3 pic.twitter.com/d5KCusxZJ4— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/790723534439886848
And with :15 left in the opening quarter, Broncos achieve their first 1st down.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) October 25, 2016
Second quarter…
Siemian on that drive… 5 for 5 54 yards. #4Broncos
— Steve Cox (@SteveCoxDenver) October 25, 2016
Anderson + Booker = 45 yards and a touchdown on seven carries, good for a 6.4-yard average. Anderson 4-33, Booker 3-12.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 25, 2016
Ten plays on that Broncos TD drive, five different WRs or RBs had the ball in their hands.
— Casey Light (@lightonhisfeet) October 25, 2016
#Broncos offense finally starts to gain some rhythm. It's no coincidence Janovich was on the field. 😂😝
— Ian St. Clair (@IanStClair) October 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/790729109710131201
Emmanuel Sanders get Broncos within the five-yard line with a nice catch and run. #Broncos offense has finally come alive.
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) October 25, 2016
Interesting that the #Broncos offense comes to life after the first 15 scripted plays. Running plays getting things moving.
— Chad Brown (@chadbrown94) October 25, 2016
I guess @ESanders_10 was right ths wk. Gotta run to set up the pass. Bring those defenders up. Then throw to those 2 Pro Bowl WRs #broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) October 25, 2016
The Broncos have as many touchdowns on their last two drives as they had on their previous 29 (not counting a kneeldown series).
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 25, 2016