Just as it did seemingly all year last year, including in the Super Bowl, the Denver Broncos’ offense did just enough to let its defense win the game. In a 34-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, the Denver defense scored twice as many touchdowns as the offense despite Trevor Siemian passing for 266 yards and the offense totaling 400 yards on the day.
The Colts, meanwhile, only mustered 253 total yards and Andrew Luck was held below 200 yards passing, but the game never really felt like the Broncos were in full control until late in the fourth quarter when Von Miller worked his magic. A strip sack by Miller, which Shane Ray recovered for a touchdown, proved to be the nail in the coffin in a game that was never separated by more than 10 points prior. Denver pulled away slightly with an Aqib Talib pick-six earlier in the quarter. The offense, meanwhile, put just eight points on the board (a C.J. Anderson touchdown run and a two-point conversion to Demaryius Thomas on the Ray touchdown). Brandon McManus accounted for 14 of Denver’s 34 points – four field goals and two PATs.
The lack of offensive productivity (Denver narrowly escaped their opener with a win on a missed field goal), has some folks in the Denver media concerned. The game, as you’ll read below, was a referendum on Kubiak’s offense – especially in the second half when the play calling became very conservative.
The biggest question mark on the day was why Denver was so reliant on the run when the Colts were down to their fourth- and fifth-sting cornerbacks. With an elite wide receiving tandem like Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas at his disposal, Kubiak remained steadfast with his play calls for C.J. Anderson and Devontae Booker.
Denver actually ended the game with more pass attempts than rush attempts, 33 to 31, but 25 of those came in the first half. In that half Denver amassed 294 total yards but only 13 points. Indy had six points on just 72 yards at the break.
The offense had a setback in the first half when Donald Stephenson left the game with a calf injury. His replacement, Michael Schofield, isn’t particularly strong in pass protection, but with such an advantage on the edges it was hard to believe Kubiak wouldn’t be more aggressive with his two stars.
Last year the Broncos relied on its defense and this year is off to a similar start. Gary Kubiak appears willing to stick with his game plan, even if it causes some gray hairs among his fan base.
Here’s what the team at MHS was saying about the offense, Kubiak’s game plan and the play calling:
It appeared very early that Gary Kubiak would test the Colts’ depleted secondary…
Kubiak not afraid to t[pass the ball. Opens game with three passes. All completed #Broncos
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) September 18, 2016
Why WOULDN'T the @broncos come out throwing? Colts missing their starting CBs. At some pt. @Trevorsiemian is gonna have to win a game…
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) September 18, 2016
However, missed opportunities might have planted a seed of doubt…
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/777605957664645120
Kubiak flipped the script in the first quarter…
The Broncos are using the pass to set up the run, opposite of traditional Kubiak offense #Broncos
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) September 18, 2016
An injury to Donald Stephenson caused some shuffling on the o-line, but set up a big 44-yard screen pass to Demaryius Thomas…
Perfect play call after the o-line shuffle because of Stephenson injury.
— Casey Light (@lightonhisfeet) September 18, 2016
But Siemian couldn’t get the ball into the end zone through the air and the Broncos settled for three…
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/777609775425003520
After two drives going pass heavy, Kubiak went to the run but kept the offense spread out…
The Broncos are using many formations of four wide outs. Still running the ball, just spreading out the defense #Broncos
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) September 18, 2016
It was a balanced attack through one quarter, but Denver had only three points…
Broncos offense fairly balanced after the first quarter. 9 passes and 7 runs #Broncos
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) September 18, 2016
Denver took a few shots downfield in the second quarter, trying to keep the Colts honest, but never connected on a “dagger”…
#Colts secondary isn't good,but this game is good long term for #Broncos Siemian. Throwing downfield w/give D's pause about crowding the box
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) September 18, 2016
Kubiak spread the wealth. Siemian would eventually complete passes to 10 different players, nine in the first half alone…
Siemian has connected with 8 receivers so far in this game. Showing great poise and awareness #Broncos @TrevorSiemian
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) September 18, 2016
The screen pass became a bit predictable, though, and nearly resulted in a pick-six. A pulled hamstring saved Siemian’s bacon…
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/777621118316228609
As the first half came to a close, it was clear Kubiak didn’t want Siemian to make any more mistakes…
Understand #Broncos Siemian is young & you don't want mistakes in own end, but where's the urgency in 2 min. offense?
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) September 18, 2016
Denver went to the ground more heavily in the second half and still moved the ball, but again failed to really capitalize…
Feels like a Kyle Orton game. Lots of yds accumulated between the 20s. Inside the 20s, little or nothin'. @Broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) September 18, 2016
Chuck Pagano made adjustments at halftime, knowing Kubiak would go more run heavy…
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/777635193964273664
Kubiak responded with some passes to open up four running plays that accounted for 51 yards from C.J. Anderson and Devontae Booker…
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/777636206620217344
But the offense would again settle for three points inside the red zone…
As I said earlier…flashbacks to those Kyle Orton drives. March downfield, then stall inside the 20. @Broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) September 18, 2016
Kubiak appeared content to nurse a three point lead heading into the fourth quarter…
The #Broncos' play-calling has been painfully conservative. It might work against the Colts, but it won't keep working forever. #predictable
— Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) September 18, 2016
Trevor Siemian made just eight pass attempts in the second half, including at least three checkdowns. It had many folks scratching their head, given Indy’s health at cornerback…
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/777643517824733184
Kubiak made the ultimate conservative call when he decided to kick a field goal instead of going for a first down on fourth-and-one. The decision gave Andrew Luck the ball with less than two minutes and trailing by only six…
I know that plenty of you wanted the #Broncos to go for it, but the FG means that they give the game to the best part of their team – the D.
— Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) September 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/777650465626390528