In order to secure their first playoff berth since 2015, the Denver Broncos must revive their ground game.
According to observations by The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider, the Broncos (7-7) exhibited a strong rushing performance from Week 7 to Week 12, amassing 635 yards—the eighth-highest in the league during that period—and clinching five consecutive victories. However, their rushing momentum has dwindled in the past three games, ranking 23rd in yards per carry (3.4).
In a disappointing 42-17 defeat against the Detroit Lions in Week 15, they managed only 83 rushing yards, marking their second-lowest total this season.
Expressing concern, Broncos head coach Sean Payton stated, as reported by Kosmider, “Cleveland was the last game where I felt like we ran it really well. I think in this next three-game stretch, we’re going to have to run it better than we have.”
According to The New York Times simulator, Denver’s playoff prospects could surge from 23 percent to 83 percent if they emerge victorious in the next three games. Tankathon highlights the Broncos’ third-easiest remaining schedule in the league, presenting a favorable opportunity for a resurgence.
Reverting to the formula that propelled them to a five-game winning streak appears logical, and it also benefits the passing game. As noted by The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel, analytics indicate that a team doesn’t necessarily need an efficient running game for play-action to be effective in the NFL. However, a potent run game provides control over the game’s tempo and instills confidence, creating more opportunities for downfield passes.
In their upcoming matchup on Sunday, the Broncos face the Patriots (3-10), who currently rank second in the league in rushing yards allowed (84.9). Despite the challenge, revitalizing the ground attack against New England could be the catalyst for regaining momentum and igniting another winning streak.
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