How a Record-Setting Offense Can Improve

[Denver Native (Carol)]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- You might think that for an offense that racked up the records in 2013, trying to better that performance could be daunting.

But Offensive Coordinator Adam Gase and Co. are already focused on areas of emphasis for this season, including reducing turnovers and improving execution in two-minute and red-zone situations.

The Broncos fumbled 49 times (tied for fifth-most in the league) in the past two seasons and lost 30 (third-most). They also had eight fumbles in four playoff games, losing three.

rest - plus video
http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/How-a-Record-Setting-Offense-Can-Improve/548ba582-d2e8-4c88-b7af-ad5ca3de408f

[Northman]

One way to improve is scoring more than 8 pts in the SB.

[Valar Morghulis]

I dont even think they should try to beat the records - i think they should look at being more clinical - using the hurry up/slow down offence, keep our defence of the field for longer, use our running game a little more and protect PFM in the superbowl.

Whatever happens, i can not wait for September!

[TXBRONC]

One way to improve is scoring more than 8 pts in the SB.

Ya think so? :lol:


Seriously though a big part of the reason Denver only scored eight points is because they turned the ball over.

[Dzone]

great photo gallery!

[NightTerror218]

How about dominating time of possession and keeping our defense off the field.

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

I'm excited to see us run the ball on 3rd and 2 and actually pick up the first down (against the Chiefs doesn't count) :D

[Cugel]

I'd say the biggest hope for improvement would have to be improving the pass-protection of the offensive line. The Super-Bowl collapse echoed another, earlier post-season fiasco for Manning, the 2004-05 Season and it had eerily similar causes.

2013 was of course Manning's best season statistically, with 55 touchdown passes, in addition to throwing for a league record 5,477 yards. The Broncos scored an NFL record record 606 points, becoming the first team to ever to eclipse 600 points in a season. Manning won his 5th league MVP award.

2004 was Manning's previous career best season.


"Manning had one of the best seasons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indianapolis_Colts_season)ever by an NFL quarterback, throwing 49 touchdown passes and breaking the previous record of 48 held by Dan Marino. At season's end, Peyton Manning was named the NFL MVP. For the season the Colts set a NFL record with 51 total touchdown passes. The Colts led the NFL with 522 points scored. The Colts tallied more points in the first half of each of their games of the 2004 NFL season (277 points) than seven other NFL teams managed in the entire season. Despite throwing for 49 touchdown passes, Peyton Manning attempted fewer than 500 passes for the first time in his NFL career.[2] Sports statistics site Football Outsiders calculates that Manning had the best-ever season by a quarterback, play-for-play, in 2004."

You might remember the Colts thumping our Broncos in the playoffs 49-24 after leading 35-3 at half-time. But, it all came to a sudden end when the Patriots crushed them 24-3 in the AFC Divisional Game in Foxborough. In that game, the Patriots got consistent pressure in Manning's face despite only rushing 4 DL, forced Manning to quickly get rid of the ball and jumped the underneath routes, playing tight coverage against his receivers. Manning was angry and frustrated and had a season-low passer rating of 69.3.

Sound familiar? :confused:

It sounds exactly like the game plan the Seahawks used in the Super-Bowl. What enabled it to work was getting quick pressure on Manning, forcing him to get rid of the ball before his receivers could come open, and forcing turnovers.


"I was excited with what our coaches came up with," said [Patriots LB] Willie McGinest. "We changed things up a little bit. For starters, we knew we had to stop Edgerrin [James] and the running game. If we took him out, and forced a pass-only situation, we liked our chances.

"We also went to a four-man rush and got after Peyton a little more than we have in the past. We flip-flopped our coverages. And, above all, we got physical with them. (http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2005/01/17/manning_beating_a_dead_horse/)"

Another "talking point" in the Patriots' defensive boardroom was the need to move Manning off his spot and force him to throw on the run. New England's defensive backs focused on jamming the Colts receivers and playing over the top of them.

The plan worked of course, just as the Seahawks were able to disrupt and smother the Broncos offense in the Super-Bowl.

At the time, it looked like Manning would never win a SB and would be the 2000's Dan Marino, a first ballot hall of fame QB who never won the big game.


What transpired here yesterday was truly stunning. New England lined up against the top quarterback in the league without two of its best players in the secondary (Ty Law and Tyrone Poole) and star defensive end Richard Seymour in street clothes. The Colts lined up with a fleet of receivers (Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Brandon Stokley) that are known for their speed, their cunning, and their experience. And yet, the longest completion Manning threw all day was 18 yards.

The key to this game was the ability of the Patriots to only rush 4 yet dominate the Colts offensive line. Like the Broncos in 2013, their OL looked better than it performed under real pressure because Manning got rid of the ball so quickly all season, and the Colts had Edgerrin James running the ball.

Yet 2 years later Manning proved all his critics wrong winning the Super Bowl over the Bears in the 2006-07 season.

The key for the Broncos this season is going to be to strengthen the OL to get better pass-protection for Manning in hopes of preventing other defenses from doing the same thing to their offense that the Seahawks did. You KNOW they're all going to try.

Thus, all the moves to the OL this off-season: Getting Clady back, signing Will Montgomery, drafting Mike Schofield and Mitch Paradis, letting Beadles go, moving Franklin to LG and Clark to RT, etc.

If all the changes to the OL adds up to better OL production then it will give Manning a chance at another ring. For all the players the Broncos added to strengthen their defense, it's the offensive line moves that hold the key to ultimate success.

[Nomad]

I'll have to agree with Cugel....it starts up front with blocking/protection.

North has a good point too:lol:

[Ravage!!!]

One way to improve is scoring more than 8 pts in the SB.

wouldn't that be a RESULT of improving?? :confused:

[Northman]

wouldn't that be a RESULT of improving?? :confused:

Depends. If your defense is good enough you could theoretically win 8-0. Lmao

[CrazyHorse]

Less turnovers. Better balance with the run game. Not scoring too fast to allow the defense to rest.