The Denver Broncos second offensive drive of the third quarter ended up being their most crucial, as it helped them win Sunday’s game against the New York Jets and was the only offensive drive of the game that resulted in a touchdown for either side.
Denver Broncos Film Room: Third quarter drive defines Sunday’s game vs. Jets
The Denver Broncos capped off an 11-play, 87-yard drive against the New York Jets with a touchdown that put them up in this game and helped them win. Here’s a look at the key plays from this drive that set everything up.
Jaleel McLaughlin’s six-yard run on 1st and 15
The Broncos’ offensive line got to work on this drive to help get the offense in rhythm. A false start penalty backs them up to 1st and 15, essentially turning this into a 92-yard drive. This is a well-blocked play across the board, combined with good vision from Jaleel McLaughlin to get north-south quickly, which gives them a better 2nd down menu.
McLaughlin adds another seven yards
McLaughlin gets a seven-yard run on this play that sets up a 3rd and 2. Denver comes out in 12-personnel (1 running back, two tight ends) and Denver’s OL downblocks to the right, which opens up a cutback lane for McLaughlin to get vertical for seven yards.
Javonte Williams gets third down conversion
Javonte Williams picks up four yards on third and two. The Jets come out in a heavy front to prevent the run. I like the design here from a blocking standpoint to create a hole, but Greg Dulcich misses his block on the backside kickout. He attacks the wrong shoulder and it allows the defender to wrap around Javonte to get the stop. This could have been a bigger play for Williams if Dulcich makes this block, but luckily Denver gets the first down.
Nix takes deep shot to Troy Franklin
This is a great play design by Sean Payton out of a trips formation. Denver comes out in 13-personel (one running back, three tight ends) and Franklin on the outside. Adkins from the third receiver spot stays in to block and protect with Bo Nix running a sprint pass concept. Franklin gets behind D.J. Reed and Nix sets his feet enough to launch this throw where it needs to be. In my opinion, it does seem like Reed interferes with Franklin on this play and it wasn’t called, ultimately setting up a 3rd and 11 on the next play.
Nix fires biggest shot of the game to Courtland Sutton
3rd and 11 in one of the most defining drives of the game. Bo Nix finds Courtland Sutton here on the dagger concept that they ran in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks. In that game, Nix missed Sutton, but in Week 4 he nails it for the throw of the day. Reynolds pulls the safety for a brief moment and it allows Sutton to attack inside with Sauce Gardner playing off ball. Play of the game.
The Javonte drive continues
Thirty-five of Javonte Williams’ 77 yards on Sunday came on this drive. On this play, he rattles off a five yard carry. Denver’s OL downblocks and releases to the second level to create a hole. Williams sees the cutback lane open up, gets north, and lowers his shoulder. This was Javonte’s best game in the last two seasons.
Williams springs off a 12-yard run inside
Broncos counter a heavy front by the Jets defensive line. Javonte attacks the hole downhill, sees the cutback and plants his foot in the turf and gets vertical once again. He takes a one-on-one against the safety and spins to get extra yards en route to a 12-yard gain that has Denver knocking on the door in the red zone.
Courtland Sutton hauls in first passing TD of Bo Nix’s career
Courtland Sutton snags the first passing touchdown of Bo Nix’s career on this play. He does a great job attacking upfield in between the hashes. Greg Dulcich is going to run an over route, while Lil’Jordan Humphrey attacks upfield, leading to Josh Reynolds coming underneath. The Jets safety has his eyes caught in the backfield, which allows Sutton to come across cleanly with nobody near him and Nix fires it to him, where he gets both feet in for a touchdown.
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