Clinging to a three-point lead but holding a nearly eight-minute possession advantage over the New York Giants in Week 1, Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s goal was two-fold to start the second half.
Score to create separation against the points-challenged Giants and wear the New York defense to a figurative pulp.
To do both, the Broncos got heavy … literally.
During a 16-play touchdown drive, the Broncos’ used two-tight end personnel on eight snaps, providing a peek into Shurmur’s modus operandi during the 3-0 start.
Use big people to pound opponents.
Entering Sunday’s game against Baltimore, the Broncos rank fourth in rushes (31.7 per game) and tied for seventh in rushing yards (127.3).
“I believe in running the football,” Shurmur said before practice Thursday. “I believe in involving the backs in the game plan by handing it to them and I think it helps your team.”
It has certainly helped the Broncos’ offense.
• According to The Denver Post’s game charting, they have had at least two tight ends on the field for 96 of their 199 offensive snaps (not counting kneel-downs), including 50% in wins over the Giants and New York Jets.
• They have the league’s fifth-highest rush-play rate (42.8%).
• They are tied for first in five-minute drives (seven) and lead the league in average time of scoring drive (4:43).
• And they lead the league in time of possession (36:16).
Tight end Noah Fant has played 80.2% of the snaps (162 of 202), followed by Albert Okwuegbunam (103, 51%) and Eric Saubert (70, 34.7%). Last week against the Jets, tight end/fullback Andrew Beck was active and played 12 snaps.
“We have a set up where I feel good about putting three tight ends in there and there are times when that helps get a couple of receivers a little bit of a break,” Shurmur said.
During the aforementioned drive against the Giants, the Broncos started at their 25-yard line. In two-tight end personnel, Melvin Gordon had carries of five, six and six yards and Javonte Williams carried twice for six yards. Not big plays, but positive rushes set up play action and fatigue an opponent, especially at Broncos home games.
Shurmur has been committed to using multi-tight end personnel throughout the game, not just as a change of pace.
Against Jacksonville, the Broncos used “13” personnel (one tailback, one receiver and three tight ends) on four consecutive opening-drive plays, gaining 12 yards rushing and 22 yards passing on their way to a field goal.
Against the Jets, the Broncos opened their second drive with four consecutive snaps of “12” personnel (one tailback, two receivers and two tight ends) to move from their 25 to 49-yard line. At the goal-line, the Broncos debuted their “23” personnel package (two running backs and three tight ends) for two plays, including Gordon’s 1-yard touchdown.
Beck was a healthy scratch in Weeks 1-2, but served as the blocking back against the Jets.
“There is a ton of versatility in that (tight end) room,” Beck said. “Guys can run, block, be physical, catch passes, make guys miss and (Shurmur) knows that so he has a lot of confidence in those guys running around.
“It can open up the playbook from those sets a little more than for other coordinators.”
Don’t expect multi-tight end looks to disappear. It’s working and the Broncos are low on receivers after losing Jerry Jeudy (ankle, out at least another two games) and KJ Hamler (ACL, out for the year).
“What I like about (our run game) is we’ve been able to stay consistent with it throughout the game,” Shurmur said. “We’ve been able to utilize it in all areas of the field.”
Being undefeated allows for nit picking. One area for the Broncos is yards per rush: they rank 15th at 4.02. Can they continue to thrive under the premise of victory by a thousand paper cuts? Possibly. But a few stand-up doubles or home run plays wouldn’t hurt.
“When you go back, there are always places where we like to say, ‘We left some meat on the bone,’ and we could have gotten a little bit out of each play,” Shurmur said. “Just like every element of our offensive plan that you’re trying to improve, you’re looking to squeeze out every yard you can in everything you do.”
Committed to run game
A look at where the Broncos’ running game ranks through the first three weeks of the season:
| Category | Average | Ranking |
| Rushes | 31.7 | Fourth |
| Rushing yards | 127.3 | Tied seventh |
| Average per carry | 4.02 | 15th |
| Run-play rate | 48.20% | Fifth |
| Four-yard rushes | 36 | Tied 12th |
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October 01, 2021 at 05:22AM
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