It takes a team effort to make the Broncos’ run game work

Another week has passed and despite suffering their first loss of the season, the Denver Broncos still find themselves right at the top of the National Football League when it comes to rushing offense.

The Broncos have been able to accumulate 429 rushing yards through the first three games of the season, which ranks third in the NFL behind the Tennessee Titans and the league-leading Kansas City Chiefs, thanks largely in part to their new, one-two punch that is C.J. Anderson and Jamaal Charles.

Anderson and Charles have benefited from the play of an offensive line that has made offensive coordinator Mike McCoy happy though the first three weeks of the 2017 season.

“I think they’ve done a nice job as a group,” McCoy said after Thursday’s practice. “I think we’re getting better. We’re always going to ask for them to improve and do certain things.”

Even though McCoy is happy with what his offensive line has been able to do thus far, he knows that they wouldn’t be able to have the success they’ve had on the ground without a complete effort from the 11 players on the field, and he’s not going to let the work of anyone who contributes to that success go unnoticed.

“Don’t just mention the line and the running backs,” McCoy said. “I think the big asterisk is the way that our receivers block. They do a phenomenal job. They’re the best in the league at blocking. We take a lot of pride in that.”

We’re going to block a certain way in the running game. It’s all 11 guys on every play. I think we’re very pleased, like I mentioned earlier, with where the running game is. It could be better. When you create some of the holes and have the backs that we have with the way that everyone is playing together, we’re going to have some explosive runs.”

Everyone strives for perfection, but nobody is perfect. Nothing comes easy in the NFL, but McCoy is pleased with where his ground game is a month into the season.

“I think we’re very efficient running the ball,” McCoy said. “I’ll say this, I’m very pleased with the way the running game is going.”