Broncos defense gashed by Jets ground game on way to 34-16 loss
Oct 7, 2018, 2:25 PM | Updated: 7:26 pm
One of the best rush defenses through the first quarter of the season, the Denver Broncos couldn’t slow down the running attack of the New York Jets on Sunday in the team’s third consecutive loss.
Led by the legs of Isaiah Crowell, the Jets rushed for 323 yards against the Broncos. Crowell himself rushed the ball 15 times for 219 yards with an average of 14.6 yards per carry while fellow New York running back Bilal Powell ran for 99 yards on 20 attempts.
It’s the first time since Week 5 in 2012 the Broncos gave up more than 250 yards on the ground to an opponent.
“They ran the ball great today, and we gave up too many big plays in the passing game,” cornerback Chris Harris Jr said after the game. “We can’t allow a team to run the ball like that. That is not our standard.”
While the Jets controlled the game with its rushing attack, New York scored the majority of its points through the air.
Robby Anderson gashed the Broncos for 123 yards and two touchdowns on only three receptions, with both scores targeting Denver cornerback Bradley Roby.
Wide receiver Terrell Pryor also scored a Jets touchdown late in the game on a 20-yard reception from rookie Sam Darnold.
“We usually are a pretty stout defense. Today, we weren’t,” said linebacker Von Miller after the game. “(We) got gashed over the top two or three times today. Yeah, it was a rough one. We’ve got to play better. I’ve got to play better. I have to do more.
“Right now, I’m not doing enough for us to win, just to keep it 100. I’ve got to be better, and I’ve got to bring some guys with me.
On the offense side of the ball for the Broncos, rookie running backs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman combined for 17 carries and 92 yards on the day.
“We were moving the ball well, especially at the beginning of the game,” Lindsay said after the game. “We just have to continue to build off of that and go back to work. That’s what it comes down to. When you lose, you have to go back and fix things.”
Denver quarterback Case Keenum threw the ball 51 times, completing it 35 times for 377 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
