If the Denver Broncos are going to turn around a 10-point halftime deficit to the Atlanta Falcons, they’re going to need improved play from their offense – specifically their offensive line.

Through 30 minutes, the Denver offense has mustered just 76 total yards and five first downs. The Broncos have gained only 44 yards rushing on 14 carries and their longest run of the day is only seven yards. Additionally, Denver has failed to convert multiple third-and-short opportunities.

Pass protection for rookie Paxton Lynch has been just as poor as run blocking in the rookie’s first NFL start. Lynch has been sacked twice for 13 yards and was nearly strip-sacked at his own 15-yard line in the final two minutes of the half. Fortunately, Lynch recovered the fumble, but the Denver offense is showing no signs of life against a Falcons team that had been averaging 31 points allowed per game.

Ty Sambrailo and Michael Schofield, pariahs in much of the 2015 o-line’s struggles, have been woeful both in the running game and the passing game. Sambrailo has allowed both sacks and Schofield surrendered a penalty that killed a promising drive.

Still, after allowing an opening-drive touchdown, the Denver defense has kept the top offense in football mostly in check and the Broncos trail but just 10, 13-3 and will receive the ball after the intermission.

As always, the team at MHS was plugged in during the action. Here’s what they, and some of our favorite follows in the Denver media, had to say about the O-line struggles in the first half…

https://twitter.com/IanStClair/status/785226019737264128