Detroit, US: The Denver Broncos have failed to reinvent themselves as a run-first team this season, yet their old Peyton Manning formula and a ferocious defence have them atop the NFL.
When new head coach Gary Kubiak arrived in Denver he vowed to emphasise the ground game to take pressure off his aging quarterback, but thus far his vision has not materialised.
The Broncos defeated the Detroit Lions 24-12 on Sunday and improved to 3-0 despite rushing for just 41 yards on the night.
“We’re just going to keep working and try to create more balance,” Manning told reporters after tossing for 324 yards and two scores.
What Denver has learned thus far is that they may need to rely on their air attack more than they had hoped.
They entered the contest against the Lions averaging just 65 rushing yards per game, and they failed to even reach that mark. Neither of the team’s primary runners, CJ Anderson nor Ronnie Hillman, has distinguished himself which is alarming for a Kubiak coached team.
In Kubiak’s 20 previous seasons as a head coach or offensive coordinator, his teams have featured a 1,000-yard running back in 15 of those campaigns.
While Manning has launched an aerial assault on the NFL throughout his career, the franchise knows they must create a running threat in order to succeed in the playoffs where the Broncos fell in their divisional round last season.
On the bright side, this year’s version of the Broncos has shown off a stout defense. The defensive unit entered the night leading the NFL in fewest yards allowed and most touchdowns scored.
Denver terrorised quarterback Matthew Stafford in their latest win, sacking him four times and recording two interceptions.
So long as they do it just might buy Denver more time to find their winning combination in the run game.REUTERS
