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Lonestar
12-15-2009, 12:51 AM
Legwold's breakdown:
By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post

Posted: 12/14/2009 02:00:44 PM MST
Updated: 12/14/2009 04:55:45 PM MST


Denver coach Josh McDaniels surveys pre-game drills prior to the Broncos' Week 14 contest Sunday at Indianapolis. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)NFL reporter Jeff Legwold analyzes a strategic aspect of the Broncos' 28-16 loss to the Colts on Sunday:

If Josh McDaniels' history as an offensive playcaller is the guide, then a three-wide receiver lineup would be his most favored look on offense.

And it has been the dominant formation several times this season for the Broncos, but they continue to struggle to find any consistent running game out of it.

In Sunday's game alone:

-- Down 7-0 and facing a third-and-two in the first quarter, Broncos running back Correll Buckhalter was caught for a 1-yard loss running out of a three-wide look so the Broncos had a three-and-out as their answer to the Colts' first touchdown.

-- Down 14-0 and facing a third-and-6 in the first quarter, Knowshon Moreno was stopped after a two-yard gain out of a three-wide look so the Broncos had to punt again.

-- Down 21-7 and facing third-and-1 as well as a fourth-and-1 in the second quarter, Moreno was stopped for no gain on back-to-back plays, both run out of a three wide receiver look.

-- And during the second possession of the second half, still down 21-7, Moreno had a no gain on a first-and-10 from the Colts' 41 out of a three wide formation and two plays later Orton took a sack on a third-and-6, also out of a three-wide look.

-- All three of Orton's sacks came in three wide and the Broncos' only turnover of the game came out of three wide.

Some of it was situational, given the Broncos were down 21-0 midway through the second quarter, so they likely felt they had to open things up. And it can be an effective offensive approach, given how the rule book favors the passing game these days, but with this roster the Broncos have shown themselves to be more effective playing the pace of a run-first team out of more power-oriented formation.
http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13994969