The Broncos dominated for three quarters on Monday to beat Los Angeles in the season opener. The fourth quarter was a different story. Running back C.J. Anderson says there is plenty to correct from this win as the Broncos welcome Dallas this week.
“It’s not the game plan, man. We definitely gotta be better on our half in the second half,” Anderson told Eric Goodman and Les Shapiro on Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7 postgame.
“I think us as players let off the gas, and that’s on us as leaders to keep our drive and keep our momentum going when we have the momentum. Especially after an interception – you know coming out of halftime defense get an interception – we gotta put the ball in the box somehow. So, it’s good to correct your mistakes off wins. We got a lot more to do but at least we will get that opportunity against Dallas.”
Anderson wouldn’t make excuses or point the finger of blame for why the Broncos took their foot off the gas against the Chargers on Monday night. Instead, he told Goodman and Shapiro that it’s up to the players to make plays, and that simply didn’t happen in the fourth quarter.
“Whatever the play call is we gotta make it go. It’s up to us as players to make it go and you know we had a good plan [Monday] and that showed in the first half. You know, we were running the ball effectively throwing the ball effectively and whether we run or pass in the second half more, we have to make those plays. So it’s up to me and Jamaal [Charles]. We gotta run the ball better for sure, but it’s good to correct our mistakes off wins.”
Denver faces a daunting opponent in Dallas for Week 2. The Cowboys were the No. 1 seed in the NFC last season before losing in the Divisional round to Green Bay.
Dallas feature one of the league’s best rushing attacks, so ball possession will be critical for both offenses. Additionally, they have an improved defense themselves – one of their few weaknesses last season. Anderson knows that even with a lead, Denver can’t get too comfortable moving forward.
“We were smiling were comfortable out there and that’s a good thing you know we can’t just let up in the second half or whatever happened in the second half we need to go back and correct that but if we can keep our foot on the gas in the fourth quarters we will be tough to beat.”
Listen to the full interview with Anderson from the Broncos locker room after their tense win in the podcast below.
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