Make no mistake. The Denver Broncos defense was outstanding in the second half in a 13-10 loss to the Titans. Not including Tennessee’s final kneeldowns, the Denver D held Marcus Mariota and the Titans to 66 yards and no points on 21 plays in the second half. They forced five punts and ran just five plays (non-punts) in Denver territory. But the absence of Brandon Marshall on the inside proved to be a major undoing in the first half where Tennessee did just enough damage to escape with a win.
Marshall has been battling a hamstring injury and on Friday was ruled out for the game. That forced Todd Davis and Corey Nelson into the primary ILB roles with Zaire Anderson in rotation, all against a Tennessee offense that came into the game boasting the league’s No. 2 running back and No. 3 overall rushing attack.
DeMarco Murray found the end zone on Tennessee’s opening drive and would end the day with 92 yards rushing on 21 carries. Murray received a steady diet in the second half, but produced just 29 yards on nine carries. He averaged 5.22 yards per carry in the first half, though.
Murray was just part of the ground attack that took advantage of Marshall’s absence early. Derrick Henry (42) and Marcus Mariota (38) added a combined 80 yards on the ground, also doing most of their damage in the first half. The two produced just seven yards on the ground after the break.
Credit Davis, Nelson and Anderson for shutting down the gaps that Tennessee exploited in the first half. Nelson and Davis led the ILB corps with six tackles and Anderson wasn’t far behind with five. The trio was greatly improved after they had a chance to look at the tape and adjust, but it was too little, too late because the offense failed to score in the first three quarters of the game.
Von Miller also played a huge role in stopping the run with Marshall out. He led Denver with seven tackles, six solo.
After one half, Tennessee was on pace to break Denver’s season-high of 218 yards allowed (Week 9, Oakland), so much credit to Wade Phillips and his defensive line for shoring up and holding the Titans to 180 on the ground.
Here’s what the team at MHS and some of our favorite follows were saying about Marshall’s absence on Sunday…
Todd Davis needs to contain that edge. Got sucked in with run fake.
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) December 11, 2016
Where is Todd Dave is going on the zone read Lord have mercy slowdown read your keys.
— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) December 11, 2016
Broncos linebackers not playing disciplined against that option.
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) December 11, 2016
Not sure Marshall would have defended that play either, but Nelson's speed difference is noticeable.
— Casey Light (@lightonhisfeet) December 11, 2016
Man looked like Von was just spying on Marcus and Marcus still got the first. #DENvsTEN
— David Hurlbut (@HurlbutHuddle) December 11, 2016
Injury update for the Broncos: LB Todd Davis (hip) is questionable to return.
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) December 11, 2016
Zaire Anderson getting his most extensive defensive playing time all season with Brandon Marshall, Todd Davis hurting.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 11, 2016