Denver Native (Carol)
11-16-2009, 12:30 PM
http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=9579
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Leading into Week 10's matchup with Washington, a heavy topic of discussion at Dove Valley centered around the Broncos incorporating deep passes into their offensive game plan.
Asked questions all week about the vertical passing game, Head Coach Josh McDaniels and Kyle Orton both stated that the team would not hesitate to go deep -- when the right opportunities presented themselves.
Those opportunities were available early on Sunday, and Orton, before being sidelined with an ankle injury, and the Broncos capitalized on them.
"We got off to a fast start like we wanted to do," Orton said. "I thought we played some good ball in the first half and unfortunately weren't able to carry it through for 60 minutes."
On Denver's fourth offensive play from scrimmage, the Broncos faced a 3rd-and-11 from the Washington 40-yard line. Operating out of the shotgun, Orton was given ample time by his offensive line. He stepped up in the pocket and connected with Brandon Marshall for a 40-yard touchdown down the left sideline.
Two offensive possessions later, the Broncos' offensive unit started with the ball at its own 25-yard line. Unfazed by being backed up in his own territory, Orton again showcased his groove with Marshall, this time going play-action and firing another deep ball on-the-money to No. 15 for a 75-yard touchdown score.
Knowing the Redskins have one of the strongest red zone defenses in the league, the Broncos knew they would have to take their shots when presented.
"That was (the) game plan," said Marshall, who finished the game with five receptions for a game-high 134 receiving yards. "They play pretty aggressively in the secondary and we took advantage of it."
After amassing 14 points in the first quarter -- the most for the club in a first quarter all season -- and a field goal by Matt Prater in the waning moments of the first half, the Broncos were shut out in the second half for the first time all season. That tale of two halves was recognized by offensive players after the game as something to correct leading into next week.
"We started fast like we wanted to -- that was our goal, to come out and get on the board early," Eddie Royal said. "We were able to do that, we've just got to finish the game better."
A BOUNCE-BACK PERFORMANCE
Any questions regarding Knowshon Moreno's resiliency were quickly put to bed on Sunday afternoon at FedEx Field in Washington.
After totaling three rushing yards on five carries in the Broncos' Week 9 Monday Night Football matchup with Pittsburgh, the rookie running back responded in a big way against the Redskins, racking up a career-high 97 rushing yards on 18 carries.
From the onset, onlookers could tell that Moreno was focused on putting together a bounce-back performance.
After receiving the game's opening kickoff, the Broncos' offensive unit set up shop at their own 33 yard line. On the club's first offensive play from scrimmage, Moreno received the handoff and proceeded to burst his way up the right edge of the field, breaking away from would-be tacklers on his way to notching a 28-yard scamper -- the longest run of his young NFL career.
"He was running it well and we just left him in the game," McDaniels said of the first-year pro.
Moreno's effectiveness did not stop there. He totaled three more double-digit runs on the afternoon -- 10-, 11- and 18-yard gains, respectively -- and finished the day with a 5.4 yards-per-carry average.
QUICK HITS
* With his two-yard sack of Jason Campbell in the fourth quarter on Sunday, Elvis Dumervil took over the NFL sack lead with 11.5 on the season.
* Mitch Berger booted a 65-yard punt in the third quarter, marking his longest punt since Dec. 12, 2005, when he had a 69-yard punt at Atlanta.
* The Broncos had three players record double-digit tackle totals. Brian Dawkins paced the club with 14 tackles, Andra Davis added 12 tackles and a sack, while D.J. Williams notched 10 tackles and is now tied for 10th in the league with 73 tackles through nine games.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Leading into Week 10's matchup with Washington, a heavy topic of discussion at Dove Valley centered around the Broncos incorporating deep passes into their offensive game plan.
Asked questions all week about the vertical passing game, Head Coach Josh McDaniels and Kyle Orton both stated that the team would not hesitate to go deep -- when the right opportunities presented themselves.
Those opportunities were available early on Sunday, and Orton, before being sidelined with an ankle injury, and the Broncos capitalized on them.
"We got off to a fast start like we wanted to do," Orton said. "I thought we played some good ball in the first half and unfortunately weren't able to carry it through for 60 minutes."
On Denver's fourth offensive play from scrimmage, the Broncos faced a 3rd-and-11 from the Washington 40-yard line. Operating out of the shotgun, Orton was given ample time by his offensive line. He stepped up in the pocket and connected with Brandon Marshall for a 40-yard touchdown down the left sideline.
Two offensive possessions later, the Broncos' offensive unit started with the ball at its own 25-yard line. Unfazed by being backed up in his own territory, Orton again showcased his groove with Marshall, this time going play-action and firing another deep ball on-the-money to No. 15 for a 75-yard touchdown score.
Knowing the Redskins have one of the strongest red zone defenses in the league, the Broncos knew they would have to take their shots when presented.
"That was (the) game plan," said Marshall, who finished the game with five receptions for a game-high 134 receiving yards. "They play pretty aggressively in the secondary and we took advantage of it."
After amassing 14 points in the first quarter -- the most for the club in a first quarter all season -- and a field goal by Matt Prater in the waning moments of the first half, the Broncos were shut out in the second half for the first time all season. That tale of two halves was recognized by offensive players after the game as something to correct leading into next week.
"We started fast like we wanted to -- that was our goal, to come out and get on the board early," Eddie Royal said. "We were able to do that, we've just got to finish the game better."
A BOUNCE-BACK PERFORMANCE
Any questions regarding Knowshon Moreno's resiliency were quickly put to bed on Sunday afternoon at FedEx Field in Washington.
After totaling three rushing yards on five carries in the Broncos' Week 9 Monday Night Football matchup with Pittsburgh, the rookie running back responded in a big way against the Redskins, racking up a career-high 97 rushing yards on 18 carries.
From the onset, onlookers could tell that Moreno was focused on putting together a bounce-back performance.
After receiving the game's opening kickoff, the Broncos' offensive unit set up shop at their own 33 yard line. On the club's first offensive play from scrimmage, Moreno received the handoff and proceeded to burst his way up the right edge of the field, breaking away from would-be tacklers on his way to notching a 28-yard scamper -- the longest run of his young NFL career.
"He was running it well and we just left him in the game," McDaniels said of the first-year pro.
Moreno's effectiveness did not stop there. He totaled three more double-digit runs on the afternoon -- 10-, 11- and 18-yard gains, respectively -- and finished the day with a 5.4 yards-per-carry average.
QUICK HITS
* With his two-yard sack of Jason Campbell in the fourth quarter on Sunday, Elvis Dumervil took over the NFL sack lead with 11.5 on the season.
* Mitch Berger booted a 65-yard punt in the third quarter, marking his longest punt since Dec. 12, 2005, when he had a 69-yard punt at Atlanta.
* The Broncos had three players record double-digit tackle totals. Brian Dawkins paced the club with 14 tackles, Andra Davis added 12 tackles and a sack, while D.J. Williams notched 10 tackles and is now tied for 10th in the league with 73 tackles through nine games.